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Secrecy, Leaks, and the Real Criminals
Ali Soufan is a long-time FBI agent and interrogator who was at the center of the U.S. government's counter-terrorism activities from 1997 through 2005, and became an outspoken critic of the government's torture program. He has written a book exposing the abuses of the CIA's interrogation program as well as pervasive ineptitude and corruption in the War on Terror. He is, however, encountering a significant problem: the CIA is barring the publication of vast amounts of information in his book including, as Scott Shane details in The New York Times today, many facts that are not remotely secret and others that have been publicly available for years, including ones featured in the 9/11 Report and even in Soufan's own public Congressional testimony.
Shane notes that the government's censorship effort "amounts to a fight over who gets to write the history of the Sept. 11 attacks and their aftermath," particularly given the imminent publication of a book by CIA agent Jose Rodriguez -- who destroyed the videotapes of CIA interrogations in violation of multiple court orders and subpoenas only to be protected by the Obama DOJ -- that touts the benefits of the CIA's "tough" actions, propagandistically entitled: "Hard Measures: How Aggressive C.I.A. Actions After 9/11 Saved American Lives." Most striking about this event is the CIA's defense of its censorship of information from Soufan's book even though it has long been publicly reported and documented:
A spokeswoman for the C.I.A., Jennifer Youngblood, said . . . ."Just because something is in the public domain doesn't mean it's been officially released or declassified by the U.S. government."
Just marvel at the Kafkaesque, authoritarian mentality that produces responses like that: someone can be censored, or even prosecuted and imprisoned, for discussing "classified" information that has long been documented in the public domain. But as absurd as it is, this deceitful scheme -- suppressing embarrassing information or evidence of illegality by claiming that even public information is "classified" -- is standard government practice for punishing whistleblowers and other critics and shielding high-level lawbreakers.
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12 Comments so far
Show AllAli Soufan got his 13 pieces of silver. What, now he wants to make more money from a book!
This item is actually a follow-up to yesterday's piece that focused on Cheney's upcoming book tour. The two ought to be read as one.
Speaking of "Kafkaesque", the comments header currently reads "3 Comments so far".
But although I'm logged in, there are only two comments displayed.
If I'm able to publish this, it will be the third comment. Will the header update to "4 Comments so far"?
'Tis a puzzlement. Perhaps the explanation is classified.
P.S.: Update: no, the comments header didn't increment; it stayed at "3 comments so far". And now it's correct!
I also have noticed that the number of comments can change- in a diminutive way- within mere minutes of posting.
I absolutely love Glenn's work but on this one, it just seems to lend a little too much to the Obama thing. Don't get me wrong, I didn't vote for him, don't even believe we have a democracy in this country at all due to the uneducated populace but until we really focus on that, pointing fingers just seems to muddy the waters so to speak. Regardless of who's prez here or anywhere else, they don't call the shots they deliver the news the ruling class allows....or in this case, hides what's not allowed. Wake up your neighbor and prepare for what's ahead, a total police state that issues a purchase orders with every arrest/incarceration to those same corporations lobbying for stiffer sentences designed to incarcerate as many of us as possible. This is a classic example of how far they're willing to go and in this case, it's like killing two birds with one stone.
There's the chill of a brown cloth wrapping around US, selectively shadowing which parts of reality are to appear. Brownish autumn for democracy, shadows growing longer, with more and more obscured from view. Only the polished surface shows in the brown-tinted light.
My, that's a depressing thought. Yet the sun still shines every day. It's up to US to use its golden light.
Stay real. Strive to be happy. "With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world." ( - Max Ehrmann, "Desiderata")
"Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence; as far as possible without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.' one of my all time favorites...thank you 2 B Smarter...we could all use a good dose of Desiderata right about now.
Be sure to read the rest of Glenn's article which is followed by 180 comments.
Someone please add references to CIA torture documents that are in public domain.
In fact, someone should write a book about all the CIA fuckups
The CIA exists to protect us from the truth. Protestations are laughable. Any truth that does leak out is quickly marginalized and/or overlooked. Any serious threat to our security apparatus is rewarded with six feet of earth.
How is it legal for any government agency to take away the USA's people's right to know? Since when did we pass an officlal secrets law such as the UK has? the author surely can tell us if this is the case. Maybe some court has decided that's the way it is, and the law is always what the courts say it is. If this is the case it's a sad day for democracy or what little might be left of it.
How is it legal for any government agency to take away the USA's people's right to know? Since when did we pass an officlal secrets law such as the UK has? the author surely can tell us if this is the case. Maybe some court has decided that's the way it is, and the law is always what the courts say it is. If this is the case it's a sad day for democracy or what little might be left of it.
Deteriorata
(National Lampoon)
(You are a fluke of the universe.
You have no right to be here.
Deteriorata, Deteriorata)
Go placidly amidst the noise and waste, and remember what comfort there may be in owning a piece thereof. Avoid quiet and passive persons, unless you are in need of sleep. Rotate your tires. Speak glowingly of those greater than yourself; and heed well their advice, even though they be turkeys. Know what to kiss - and when. Consider that two wrongs never make a right, but that three do. Wherever possible, put people on hold. Be comforted, that in the face of all irridity and disillusionment, and despite the changing fortunes of time, there is always a big future in computer maintenance.
(You are a fluke of the universe.
You have no right to be here.
Whether you can hear it or not,
The universe is laughing behind your back.)
Remember the Pueblo. Strive at all times to bend, fold, spindle, and mutilate. Know yourself. If you need help, call the FBI. Exercise caution in your daily affairs, especially with those persons closest to you... That lemon on your left, for instance. Be assured that a walk through the seas of most souls would scarcely get your feet wet. Fall not in love, therefore, it will stick to your face. Gracefully surrender the things of youth: the birds, clean air, tuna, Taiwan - and let not the sands of time get in your lunch. Hire people with hooks. For a good time, call 606-4311, ask for Ken. Take heart in the deepening gloom that your dog is finally getting enough cheese. And reflect that whatever misfortune may be your lot, it could only be worse in Milwaukee.
(You are a fluke of the universe.
You have no right to be here.
Whether you can hear it or not,
The universe is laughing behind your back.)
Therefore, make peace with your god, whatever you perceive him to be: hairy thunderer or cosmic muffin. With all its hopes, dreams, promises, and urban renewal, the world continues to deteriorate. GIVE UP!
(You are a fluke of the universe.
You have no right to be here.
Whether you can hear it or not,
The universe is laughing behind your back.)