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Subscribe to RSSA senior military official tells NBC News the special operations community feels betrayed by the former SEAL who published a book about the raid that killed Osama bin Laden. NBC's Jim Miklaszewski reports.
What legal consequences could a former U.S. Navy SEAL face for writing a book about the still-classified 2011 raid that killed Osama bin Laden?
Legal experts say the author could face trouble on two fronts -- a civil lawsuit for not seeking a military review before the book was published and possible criminal prosecution for revealing classified information.
But a former Justice Department national security lawyer, Pat Rowan, said the government might be reluctant to prosecute a man who helped kill America's No. 1 terrorist enemy, unless the book reveals highly valuable and sensitive intelligence secrets.
"What's more, if the government did decide to prosecute, the author's lawyer would be entitled to dig into the information that was disclosed by the White House and other officials, in both sanctioned and unsanctioned leaks," Rowan said.
Rowan was referring to the fact that President Barack Obama and other administration officials have been accused by Republicans of leaking details of the bin Laden raid for political gain.
Dutton, a subsidiary of Penguin Group USA, announced on Wednesday that the book, titled "No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission That Killed Osama bin Laden," would go on sale on Sept. 11. The author, who will be identified only by a pseudonym, “was one of the first men through the door on the third floor of the terrorist leader’s hideout and was present at his death,” it said in a statement.
A similar case arose in the 1970s, when a former CIA officer named Frank Snepp published a book about his activities in Vietnam.
NBC's Brian Williams spoke with President Barack Obama about how it felt to look at the image of Osama bin Laden's dead body, and what it was like to place a call to George W. Bush after the terrorist was killed. He also speaks with Michael Leiter, Former Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, who was in the Situation Room with the President and the national security team during the bin Laden raid. Although al-Qaida still exists, Leiter says there's no doubt the U.S. is much safer.
The U.S. government sued on the grounds that he did not seek pre-publication review -- as he was obligated to do under an agreement he signed as a condition of employment -- and lower courts agreed to a demand that all the profits from the book be turned over to the government. By a vote of 6-3, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed, even though the government never claimed the book revealed classified information.
"When a former agent relies on his own judgment about what information is detrimental, he may reveal information that the CIA -- with its broader understanding of what may expose classified information and confidential sources -- could have identified as harmful," the court said.
The participants pictured in the famous photo of the White House Situation Room taken during the raid on Osama bin Laden's compound speak with NBC's Brian Williams.
These days, said former Homeland Security official Stewart Baker, most government non-disclosure agreements say that if pre-publication review isn't sought, the profits must be forfeited. Legal experts doubt, however, that the government could stop publication of the book.
The author could also be charged with violating federal laws that make it a crime for government employees to reveal classified information. Anyone given a security clearance is bound for life by its non-disclosure terms, so the fact that the former SEAL is no longer in the military would not free him from the obligation to keep government secrets to himself.
A DOJ official who spoke with NBC News on condition of anonymity on Thursday said he knew of no legal action against the former SEAL. That process would most likely start with a request from the Defense Department and, so far as the official knew, none had been made. DOD would have to verify that the book revealed government secrets before making such a request, the official said.
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I had no idea that Julian Assange was a Navy Seal.
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Meh. I hope he makes a million dollars (after taxes) and I hope he lives to spend it. He earned it.
Obama/Biden 2012
that's right Skip. Voted you up.
Obama's White House can intentionally "leak" top secret info for his political gain, but an EX Seal can not write a book about his life?
Since when is dianne feinstein a republican?
"President Barack Obama and other administration officials have been accused by Republicans of leaking details of the bin Laden raid for political gain."
Accused by Republicans. Yup, that's all the evidence I need...
so the govt is a do as i say not as i do govt?
obama can leak everything to everybody, but a guy writes a book and now they want to sue him?
whats wrong obama, mad that the book might make it before the movie?
this govt is sick.
skip, go ahead and vote for him, and i hope he leaks your address and social security number. he doesnt seem to care about the seals that performed the mission, so why should he care for you?
The main leak regarding the raid came from the Pakistani's.
And then even more from the Pakistani media.
.
As all former Navy SEAL's know, they are to keep quiet and not spur to profit selfishly while those efforts were part of a team. This guy was not a good SEAL member simply because he is trying to profit for himself from the training and the mission that our government paid for.
Clearly a Republican. A real SEAL that is a SEAL all the way to the core, would never go it alone to make a profit. He sullies the brand.
Hope he forfeits all profits.
Why would they prosecute someone for leaking information. That is what Obama's White House staff is for. Just ask them. But I wonder if Holder would protect his buddy Obama since Obama stuck his neck out for Holder.
The Navy Seal who wrote this is a hero. He should be treated as such.
"leak everything to everybody"? So, are you a complete moron or just a Republican lackey?
Well since there are no Republicans in the White House at this moment, and since the leaks DID come from the White House, I guess the leaks must have come from either Obama, or someone close to him.
Now we know where the leaks came from and it wasn't the white House or the president...
It was the seals themselves... I'd hate to be in this guys shoes when his fellow seals find him...
I don't believe that someone...making a profit from this is right. If anyone deserves to make a profit from Bin Laden's death it would be the surviors, widows and orphaned children of 9/11, not some Navy Seal. I think it's in very, very bad taste that he wrote this book.
@ OMG really people?!!
You really need some reading comprehension class.
The article clearly states that Republican accuses WH of leaking. You just prove theirs point.
And why is only this guy got to cash in? What about the rest of the team?
Oh hey, GREED. Nothing more to it, he wants money and he would sells his team mate and whatever he can to make a big buck.
There is a reason we have national security, which obviously been completely dimished thanks to our wonderful established media that our rediculous nation loves! When we all hailed our Seal Team 6 as heros we as regular everyday citizens should never know exactly what went down on that day. Nor should we. There is a reason for classified missions, to keep are enemies fromunderstanding what we are doing. It's amazing how Osama was able to run for so long! He knew what we were doing before we did!. That helps CNN ratings. Knowing he was watching more than Americans.....Good job idiots. You all keep getting involved with are national security and you keep getting our soldiers who defend are very freedom killed. Shame onyou, and I garuntee are founding fathers didnt have there idea of free speech in mind if they could see what your doing to our country. As far as the seal goes leaking this info in a book, he should pay the price. As an elite soldier of his caliberhe should haveknown better. Shame onyou man!
Doesn't take much to bring out the "Obama Haters" does it.
@Skip,
Seeing how you are a supporter of the current and hopefully to be a past administration, Im willing to over look your comments but. You sir are an idiot. I'm a former Marine, and I can say that this former Seal deservers to be hung. He is giving away far too much information about how our special forces work and that endangers lives. And gives far too much information to our enemies. I just hope that you don't have a son that's in the military and he does not become a target because of some ass clown show off looking for the spotlight. I hope this guy goes down hard.
Any excuse to have a Southern BBQ.
Right on mark johnson. A SEAL looking for fame? I thought the guy with the workout CD was pushing the edge of the culture.
Valerie Palme anyone, war monger cheney's hitman scooter! Dark, what say you on ryan's marvelous budget that aims to slash 13% of Veteran's Affairs budget, and his proposed budget doesn't balance anything until 2040, hmmm.
Obama 2012
So much for all this Bull we hear about military honor and pride of service. Like most military personnel, the guy probably joined because his life had few options. True military heroes are few and far between. This guy proves my thinking right.
And before you come down on me for saying these things, talk to the guys that enlist before you judge my comment. I have. and most needed some sort of guidance in their lives. I'm not saying they are bad or do not deserve credit for serving. but they are not the all giving saints they are made out to be. They are people doing a job.
Diane Feinstein is a Democrat and she has been the most vocal about the leaks comming from the White House. So lets not accuse Republicans for making political hay out of something that both sides of the isles have been complaining about.
The Media has been conveniently leaving out all the Democrats complaining as well so they can continure to stump for Obama. That's their style Only reveal part of the truth for political reasons.
The seals are a secret organization. The mission was top secret. There is no proof that Obama leaked anything. These are very different situations. The Seal is guilty of treason.
Obama haters, really? You libs would like nothing better if nothing negative was said about your messiah huh? He is a failure and most of America realizes what a narcissistic boob he really is. I don't hate him, just don't want him in charge- he's wayyyyyy over his head.
It's starting to make sense why all those Special Forces and SEALS are forming anti-Obama Super Pacs.
I thought it was mainly for Obama spiking the football and taking all the credit for killing UBL. But there is obviously a lot more to it.
PT Barnum was correct - there is a sucker born every minute. And they seem to post here. This guy who wrote this book is not a SEAL. SEALs have never told tales - and the fact that this guy is telling 'tales' proves that his is not a SEAL. He is just using the SCOTA ruling that one can lie about one's military background without violating any laws.
I spent 20+ years in the Navy - supporting the SEAL teams, and I have never met ONE SEAL who would write a book giving away secrets. I defy any real journalists (not shills for an agenda) to find one (just one) SEAL who would.
This hack is just like the 'SEALS against Obama' that Karl Rove is funding. The talking heads are not SEALS (and never were). They probably were not even in the military - but they claim that they were. FYI - I have seen no (zero) evidence that supports any of the claims -- either by this phony author or by the phony republican SEALS.
bob in los angels... although I disagree with what this man is doing I have to disagree with your rather uninformed assessment of those serving our country. it does not matter WHY you decide to serve, only that you do, and that you DO serve with honor.
MSG, United States Army, Retired
As long as the book is suportive of obama he'll be given a pass. Should the book be crittical of obama holder will have him incarcerated for many years to come.
Why is it that you right wing idiots can't distinguish between baseless accusations an factual reality!? The accusations against the White House, and specifically Obama, leaking classified information is baseless. No proof has been identified nor given; however, to you no-research, swallow anything that goes against Obama types, the mere mention that Obama did something wrong is proof enough. How childish, stupid, and idiotic is that!? Get real proof before shooting off your foul mouths.
This book, on the other hand will be printed and sold to the world. If there's classified info in it, the author should fry. No different than what should happen to any White House member, if it is ever proven, that is "PROVEN," that classified info was leaked.
Is it too much to ask that for once you right wing loonies behave like adults.........??
How do any of you know why he is doing this? He could be SEAL who just wants the truth to be told. And just because he has conscience and wants to hand out information that some would like for you, the public, to never know does not make him any less of a SEAL.
darksx
There are no former Marines. Once a Marine always a Marine. You know that. Semper Fi.
The SEAL in question is out of line and is an anomaly. Maybe the guy should have been dropped from the program before getting his badge. I am not so sure I would want him on a mission with me.
Skip Nicholson, Oklahoma City,
"I hope he makes a million dollars (after taxes) and I hope he lives to spend it. He earned it."
I hope so, too! As far as I'm concerned he's a hero, and there is no indication that the book contains any classified information. He should have submitted it to the DOD for review, though, before having it published just to ensure he would get to keep the profits. I would hate to see the government take the profits away from him just to waste it as they waste all the other money they get from us. They don't need the money; he probably does, and, as you said, he earned it. There is no indication the government plans to do anything, though, and I hope it stays that way. As far as I'm concerned, this whole article was just a bunch of "what if's".
Come on 7.62, you know if he makes the President look good, your going to say that it was election year politics and leaked by the White House to help the President's reelection. If it makes the President look bad, you're going to use it as proof on how the President is an incompetent liar and should be voted out of office. You really can't lose.
bob in los angels, What kind of low life scum you are. This X- Seal is one of our finest warriors. Do you know the training him and others like him go thru just to earn the right to be a seal team member. I doubt that you could even make it to hell week. These men are the best of the best. They put their lives on the line in operations that we will never know about. They are our unsung hero's.
Yes Im sure he is pissed off at Obama and his gang of incompetant theives for leaking classified information. Who in their group wouldn't. And I doubt that his book when published will reveal any classified info. These people do have good judgement , unlike those at the White House.
My hats off to this man who ever he is and I want to thank him as a fellow x-navy man Thank you for your service. My family and I are very proud of you and your fellow seals for a job well done.
Want to see what real liberals are like? Just refer to the above comments for reality. These people would throw away their own mother to support Obama. Dude wrote a book how about reading it before passing judgement? Does anyone really think the government has not already checked out the book? What a bunch of nitwits.
I see reading comprehension is an issue here. This article is about people sitting around and saying, if he could be punished for it and not that the this administration is looking to punish him for writing the book. Anyway, I am with skip. I hope the book does well and there is not anything there that will cause any legal issues for him.
Yeah, confused, your playground-like rant is really adult-sounding. It's time for recess, you'd better hurry.
Hey, great news today!!!! Texas wants to leave the Union, they want to create a Civil War if Obama wins. Oh boy I wish they would and take a few other of those Southern States with you so the rest of us can get on with a civil life!! It has to be true, it was a Texas Judge the threw it out there, he already has plans for military arming and training of the police. Just what the media needed a follow up to the the rediculous Akin dude. Keep it up, we are all in disbelief but you are proving it constantly!!
Agree with interested observer. I supported team 6 in the early days from, well, not the navy. I dont even remember any of them even using a last name. This is totally outside the culture.
Irvani...
Exactly...but you know, "birds of a feather". If barry himself sees nothing by giving away top secret info, why should someone working for him hold back?
ROMNEY/RYAN 2012!!
This guy's a POS. He is bound by a signed agreement to NOT reveal his activities while being a Navy Seal for LIFE. He's dishonored himself and the people he's worked along side of. Two wrongs don't make a right, so all you Obama haters seeing this as a kick in his pants, you're wrong, because BOTH parties (Obama & this Navy Seal) are wrong.
All the world's a Jerry Springer TV show, full of T.M.I. What a disgrace.
Does this mean if I tell anyone about throwing V.C. prisoners out of a helicopter at 3000' because they wouldn't talk would be bad and couldn't do that, think I even saw a video of it many years ago that someone took.??? I'm sure they will not reveal real "classified" info. like the white house.
Wow! Not one person has read the book and already people are lining up around the block to lynch this guy.
No one knows at this time WHY he wrote the book. Maybe it's because someone who shall remain nameless but resides in the white house has done verything he can to take advantage of the efforts of these same seals for his own political gains. Now while the men and women of our military are supposed to be loyal to our CinC, maybe the lies have become just too much, and as one good man out of thousands of weak ones, this soldier decided to throw caution to the wind and speak for what is right.
There are those of you who spout off about The top secret classification, and national security, but the only ones who really buy that crap are you. This is about a mission already over with, and telling the truth so that those who weren't there don't profit unduly from it. Do any of you realize the absolutely vile and disgusting zhit that has been perpetrated on the American people and the world, in the name of our national security, that is nothing less than crimes against humanity? This has been done without political affiliation or prejudice multiple times. Ever wonder why so much of the Warren commission was classified "Presidents eyes only", and that it may be why Bobby Kennedy was killed?
Oh well, my guess is that the great majority of you are too dense to truly grasp half of what I have stated.
But I am sure you can grasp this.
99.99999% of you don't have the mud to carry this mans jock, so why don't you little trolls just STFU. At least until you have some facts to work with, instead of just coming to life on cue when the great mass media speaks.
Oh that's right,,,,,none of you know how to think for self, you have to be told what to think.
A member of a seal team decides to go it alone and publish a book about their exploits. I would have thought that as a seal and a member of a seal team this would be cool and he would get permission. Maybe being an Alaskan trumps being a seal team member. Having been to Alaska, and see how they deal with each other, Hey buddy, f&%k you. So I guess we will just have to see how this plays out. But it is a sad thing to turn your back on your friends and team mates, good luck dude!! This guys got to be a TP/Repub!!
Yes...REALLY!
It's ok for Senator, John McCain, to write a book and do a TV movie about his Pow experience, but not a Navy seal member. Guess the Senator, gets special treatment.
poison...
Really?? You are comparing being a POW to giving away intelligence on a subject that is still classified?
Wow! You Obamadrones are a piece of work...
Wow! a complete ideologue. Everyone isn't perfect and things happen. It's not healthy to worship a fellow human. I guess the Democratic leader of the Senate Intelligence Committee isn't to be listen to by someone so confused as yourself.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/23/dianne-feinstein-white-house-leaks_n_1696588.html
TO: UnitedStates1776 who wrote:
The Pakistanis had no idea what was happening until after it happened, so it was probably the "shock and awe" effect that the Pakistanis were reporting on, and not any "leak".
The SEALS are outing themselves. They obviously are not happy with how Obama has handled the Bin Laden narrative. This latest SEAL, who is retired and writing a book, wants to "set the record straight". Why would he want to do that? We'll have the answer when the book is out, I suppose.
yep, libs cant stand the truth but they never know the truth because they are never told the truth and when you do tell them the truth they just cover their ears and scream blah blah blah.
yeah cause seals identify themselves by their political ideology :( your nothing but a party hack.
yeah and the article is clearly wrong, anyone who watched any news that does not pander to the left will know that the dems were the ones screaming first and blaming the white house then the repubs joined in.
plame wasnt a covert op at the time and she was 'outed' by her husband in an interview about something unrelated, her husband was the guy sent to check if sadaam was buying yellow cake. the author of the law in question even said that the law was not violated because plame had not been a covert op for more that 2 years but hey dont let facts get in the way of a good railroading.
this 'seal' is no seal at all for trying to profit from the secrets of his job, he has an oath and he violated that oath and should be held accountable. i think the whole op was botched from the start, we lost a 'secret' heli that was given to the chinese by pakistan cause we were too stupid to make sure we destroyed the crash site. barely any resistance and inconsistent versions of the account and then there is the whole burial at sea for bin laden which is not by any muslim customs for that scenario.
where is the bin laden body? burial at sea is a lie and a cover up. there is no muslim tradition of burying someone at sea from the mainland. even so, why would we abide by muslim traditions? us americans would of liked to see this bastard and have an autopsy and make sure this was the real bin laden but i guess we must trust that the government got him, lol yeah right.
too bad for you that it was the dems who brought this up and was blaming the white house because based on the leaked info, it could only come from the white house. your nothing but a party hack
Lots of ex-SEALS have written books about their lives and training as a SEAL. All of them were written for a profit. Some of the profits were pocketed, some were donated. It's not that you can't make money, you just can't take a bow. As long as the author doesn't try and take credit for the entire operation or that he is the reason why it was successful, it's fine. Don't assume honor that can only be given by others
Obama is the POTUS, so he can leak or de-classify anything he wants, it is not illegal for him to do that. I think it is crappy for him leak or disclose national secrets for political gain, but it is not illegal for him to do it. The Navy SEAL does not have that authority. That is just the way it is. FYI, I don't like Obama and would never vote for his sorry butt, but he does have the authority to leak or say anything he wants classified or not.
TO: Crystal-569996 who wrote:
Ha! The only "negative" things Republicans can say about President Obama is the stuff you make up!
The Republicans are the true failures, I mean, Republicans FAILED to keep us safe from their lifelong terrorist friends, and then failed miserably at handling our economy comprable only to The Great Depression.
By the way, nobody is buying Republican "talking points" because we know who the real "failures" are, for instance "Republican voo-doo economics" that has failed repeatedly over the past 40 years but Republicans have already planned to try again, first chance they get, because Republicans believe that if they keep doing the same things the same way, they'll come up with a different result.
Obama/Biden 2012
"Democratic Sen. Diane Feinstein Accuses Obama White House of Leaking Sensitive Intelligence to Press"
Available on Amazon
Also:
You were saying?
TO: Harley Chic who wrote:
Would you please stop making things up?
Since when do you speak for the Navy SEALS? Let me guess, um, never!
You Republicans seem like they're all a bunch of big fat liars.
Obama/Biden 2012.
I see a lot of people bitching about how Obama "apparently" leaked the information from this raid for Political Gain.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but as president of the United States, isn't he the final say on what is and isn't considered "Classified Information"?
Also Bush couldn't do it in 8 years, Obama did it in 3. I personally think Obama has claim to those bragging rights as with any military strike that has such a huge risk involved with very little chance of succeding, only he could make that call (as was stated that he did) to proceed. Yes the men of the SEAL squad deserve credit for their hard work, but if you ask anyone of them (minus the idiot that is trying to make monetary gain from the ENTIRE teams hard work) they will just tell you they were doing their job.
You can only write books if you're a community organizer.............
I love the rights "Obama Leaked everything" about Bin laden deal. But nothing on Valeri Plame right? And had the Bin Laden raid failed he would get torched by the right. Funny
One still undercover CIA agent I guess is less important then whatevr info the public got about the killing of Bin laden. how quick the right forgets.
American girl...
Let's not forget who controlled congress for Bush's last two years and Barry's first two...Let's all say it in unison...
D-E-M-O-C-R-A-T-S...yes, it was the democrats
But you know, 4 years without a budget...with a filibuster-proof congress is really something to be proud of, eh?
It's okay, you libbies have but a couple of months left to goggle over your big-eared savior. He's ONE and DONE! Good riddance!
ROMNEY/RYAN 2012!!
This book is about a mission that is a feather in the cap for President Obama. Not sure why you guys are going into a hissy fit even though it is in your nature to go into hissy fits. Most likely wont be anything negative about the President. The book most likely centers around the emotion of the mission and exposes no significant information. I read that most of the profits go to SEAL charities.
spider-737231,
My comment applies to you more so, than to any other right wing freak. How about for once, just once, you point out something with actual verification behind it. Your emotional rant and repetition of rumors and baseless accusations that go against Obama are tiresome and childish. If you are capable of reading and actually understanding what you read, re-read my comment!
If once that book is published and classified info is found in it, the author should fry. Tell me what is wrong with that statement or with anything else I have written?
If this Government (Eric Holder) or his military equivalent, decides he is reluctant about prosecuting a Navy Seal disclosing details about a top secret mission then perhaps they should also give Bradley Manning a pass and, as long as it was mentioned, Scooter Libby a pass because from what had been written Valerie Plames husband was very matter of fact about his wife's professional life within their social circles. At best it was minor league to the President and his goofy set that can't keep their mouths shut, an Army kid that chose to divert secret information to an outing organization and yes a Navy Seal who seeks to profit from spilling State Secrets. If our own Government doesn't take their jobs seriously then why should anyone else?
Fortunately, we should have a new administration just around the corner and well they can take care of business when the arrive to work on day 1....Personally I hope there will be a special commission to delve into the who government waste of the Obama administration.
no one should ever write a book telling state secrets!!!! if you want to spill the beans then go on air and be held to your statements, not write a book that few will read and proclaim you are "telling the truth" or "i wanted to get the truth out there," no you had other motives that had nothing to do with the "truth."
if this seal really thought that the american public needed to know something that he knew, then he would go to the nearest media outlet and tell his story to the world, books dont get nearly as much views as the media and they are only seen in books stores and scantly on shows for promo.
A hero AND an idiot.
Heya DOJ:
What about the LEAKS from a Senior White House staffer ?
Yep, pick winners and losers.
Wait a minute.....
However, the EPA gives a WAVIER from their very own EPA regulations/standards for a refinery in Pennsylvania because shutting down the plant will lose about 850 jobs and INCREASE gas prices in the Northeast.
Yep, pick more winners and losers.
Romney-Ryan to take back America from the Radicals.
American Girl-724855.....is nothing more than a Liberal parrot.
LDO, Links please or you're a blowing smoke out your ass. (and I honestly want to read them)
And that's all that's needed to make the accusation reality!? For your sake, I sure hope you never get accused of a crime you didn't commit; becausee, according to your own judgment, as soon as they accuse you, YOU'RE GUILTY!
Hey! That may be a good thing for the economy. As soon as someone is accused of a crime, guilty or not, we simply lock him up and throw away the key--no trial, no proof, no spending taxpayers money. Wouldn't that be great! "And your path to the Dark Side will be complete."
Right wing mentality and logic shall never meet.....
Duh Navy SEALS. Don't you know the only people that can leak classified security information are from Obama's administration.
confused,
"If once that book is published and classified info is found in it, the author should fry."
I don't know about "fry". That seems a bit draconian to me, but there are penalties in the law for revealing classified information, and I agree that he should be prosecuted if he does so. But the law does not provide for the death penalty for unauthorized release of classified information; just the potential for a long prison sentence. That's why I said to protect both his profits and himself, he would have been wise to have submitted the book to DOD for review beforehand as he is required to do by law. That way they could have reviewed it to determine whether or not there is in fact any classified information in it. It would have been for his own protection.
its quite obvious what is wrong with your whole statement, you do the same exact things you are ranting against, you libs do every single one of the things you mentioned in your piece but when you are called on it, you scream like a child who got caught red-handed in a lie and make every excuse in the book. you constantly rail against the right while completely ignoring what the left does, you hate it when the right does something wrong but when the right points out the wrongs the left does, you make excuses and call them liars, stupid, repugs, teatards, right wing freaks and every other name you can think. you do every thing you can to defend your side from any wrong, even when you just lambasted the guy on the right for doing the same exact thing.
this is exactly what either party wants, to divide us politically so they can rape us but you only see one side -your side. i hate both sides and can see the problem for what it is -greed, power and corruption.
Some of you libs are posting that this author was not a navy seal and this story is bogus?!.....you could be right, look at the site it's on!!
ROMNEY/RYAN 2012 Bring America to the top again!
Ahh crud i was wrong... The senate has the final say in what is considered Classified Info. Which if he did release it, would explain the reason as to the way it was released if he did leak it.
well as an ex military man my self i know ...
one: YOU DON'T DISRESPECT THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF ... so all you supposed military people that have just done just that .... you have disgraced your selves ... our uniform was not made for the republicans or the democrats it was made to serve this country WITCH EVER SIDE WAS IN CHARGE ....
two: leaks are bad and yes this guy is a hero ... but he just did something that put all his team at risk ... for profit ... that is a BIG problem for his team and i hope his team members make it known to him how they feel about that ....
three: as to special commissions ... the best one would not be in the political arena but in the financial one ... We still have a lot to do to fix this country and this STUPID partisan CRAP is deflecting from the real jobs that need to be done ....
ROTFLMAO for so many reasons.
Oh, yes, there is a lot more to it.
Go ask blabber mouth Senator Lieberman about President Obama's Secret Wars (not Afghanistan nor Iraq) and President Obama's using US Military Asymmetric Warfare (aka Special Warfare) as "Politically Expedient Scapegoats", President Obama's "Political Distancing" from the High Risk Missions and "Credible Deniability".
The f**king crap all US Politicians (All Political Parties) have done before fearing for their Political Careers or Historically, "Irreparable Damage to the Office of the President".
I'll have to read the book..... if it comes out. I wasn't completely convinced that the seals actually killed the bastard, especially when they came up with the "we dumped his body in the ocean as it's a muslim custom" story. Come on...... here they have the most notorious world terrorist and they don't bring his nasty carcass or at least his head back to the U.S. for conformation? For all we know he might have shaved his stupid looking beard and is with his family at Disney World.
I don't think someone with his background is going to give away any secrets. He fought for the rights we have under the Constitution and one of them is the Freedom of Speech. I know he should have gone through the DOD but I believe he is taking a risk because he wants the truth to get out since there has been so many leaks already. I believe the book will not reveal sensitive information and the DOJ and the President won't dare challenge this hero. I especially like the fact that he isn't making any money on this.
The records, obtained pursuant to court order in a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit filed on January 21, 2012
I guess the movie industry has high level security access as long as it is the democrats propaganda machine and gets large tax credits.
REALLY a US Navy Seal wrote about about his supposed actions during the raid that took out Bin Laden!
Disgusting lies everyone knows The Professor and Chief parachuted into the compound ALONE.
Then in the greatest act of bravery by a US Non Citizen President Obama slipped into Bin Laden's fortress and bravely faced him armed only with a knife while Bin Laden was armed with an AK 47.
These active duty military and especially the Special forces Units owe their very lives, liberty and freedom to the Great Oppressor cough cough excuse me The Great Professor and Chief.
All praise Obama The Black Jesus,
can I have my check now?
The proceeds are going to the family members of killed in action Seals according to the publisher. Msnbc is not going to report that basic fact.The man just wants the truth out there and not a white house spin. White house leaks can cost life's. We do not even know what is in the book and everyone is scared already it will not look good for the white house and current administration. Why do we not have the right to the truth for once?
Why have so many of these comments been "collapsed by the community"? None contains a word more offensive than "Republican," and even though I might find that word to be somewhat pornographic, I don't think it should be censored. Whoever is doing this, go collapse yourself!
Obama needs the funds from the book sale to support his campaign, since his fundraising isn't bringing in enough.
pedagoguish,
"Why have so many of these comments been "collapsed by the community"?"
I agree. I don't think anyone's comment, however "offensive" it might be, should ever be collapsed. I think the practice is very rude and that Newsvine should remove the button with the exclamation mark altogether to keep people from doing that. It only reveals a lack of intelligence on the part of those who do it and their own inability to respond appropriately to a comment they don't like. if you don't like a comment, just say you don't like it and why you disagree with it, but don't collapse it.
um in every UNEDITED speech our president i have seen he has said ... " thanks to the brave men and women of the military we..." when it comes to that ... and now someone wants to re write history to say he was somehow ungrateful to those that serve ... i guess you can lead a someone to the facts but you can't make them believe anything that is not in their world view .... i mean really the way some people try to twist things make it look like they are living on another world ....
OMG?, Every document is classified under the President's authority. He also has the authority to declassify any document he wants and to allow anyone he wants access to classified information. So, if the President releases it, it is not a leak. A Navy Seal, however, does not have the authority to reveal any classified information, without authorization from the President of the U.S.
Nope. Elected Officials are not (shoot their mouths off after leaving their elected office, former President Bush (43) got real close to that in his book), go research Classifying/Declassifying Authority.
Try again. After President Bush in 2006 Amended the US No Assassination Policy regardless of the opposition of the US Politicians (see Harvard International Review 2006 article, "US No Assassination Policy on the Offensive"). The Mission Planning was tasked to General McChrystal (US Army Special Forces, previous Commander of SOC (Special Operations Command), Admiral McRaven (USN SEAL, Commander JSOC (Joint Special Operations Command), CIA (Director, then delegated to SAD/SOG) with input from experienced US Military Asymmetric Warfare (aka Special Warfare) subordinates. The original intent was to Locate and Capture Osama Bin Laden, and failing that, the Termination of OBL.
See post#1.76 above. And ask then Director of President Obama's own Executive Intelligence Agency, the CIA, CIA Director Leon Penetta who "called the shots" (Preselected "Politically Expedient Scapegoat").
By the way ever since the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) all "Classified Information" has a expiration date, unlike during the "Cold War" (1945-1990) when things could be "Classified" Forever. Also not mentioned is that a US Lawyer with a Security Clearance normally retained by US Military Asymmetric Warfare and Intelligence Community, has already reviewed the book for any Classified Information, including USNSWDG tactics, names, etc. and found nothing Classified.
Any way you slice it, a SEAL, former or current, who publishes sensitive information without prior authorization is skirting the line towards treason. This is not an issue of freedom of the press; this is a case of deliberately and knowingly breaking an NDA that he was bound by. It doesn't matter who the President is or what party is in power -- the SEAL is breaking an oath that he agreed to be bound by, and possibly jeopardizing the lives of other individuals in the process.
Now, he may have moral reasons in his own mind for publishing his account, but it does not make him any less of an oathbreaker.
Tim,
"Any way you slice it, a SEAL, former or current, who publishes sensitive information without prior authorization is skirting the line towards treason."
I agree with you on that, but there is no indication that the book will contain any classified information. It's probably just an account of his own personal experience in the raid that killed Bin Laden. Many other military people have written accounts of their experiences in combat without revealing any classified information. I worked in the intelligence business for 20 years so I know the importance of keeping a secret. I guess we'll just have to wait until it comes out and read it.
Sorry no matter what your politics are he has no right to divulge classified information, he signed an oath not to do that. The man is not a hero he is a traitor, the information could put overseas military at risk given the volatility of that kill.
If you are a republican and call the man a hero, you must not be watching fox news who leaked the guys name. If he ends up prosecuted, he is probably safer in prison than on the outside after killing Bin Laden. There is no excuse for putting our military men and women at risk and there is no excuse no matter your politics for betraying the oath. If he had done this under a republican you all would be crying about it, the president isn't the issue, the issue is he betrayed his oath to our country.
FORGET THIS STORY>>BREAKING NEWS ROMNEYS FINANCES BUSTED WIDE OPEN on www.gawker.com
http://gawker.com/5937299/inside-mitt-romneys-tax+dodging-cayman-schemes
For all you naysayers out there, it did say that all profits from the book will be donated to the families of SEALS that have been killed.
He is good to go in my book. He changed the names....................
It only took a DAY for his REAL name to be released. Their are veteran seals who will have every reason in the world to eliminate this traitor to the name.
"the fact that President Barack Obama and other administration officials have been accused by Republicans of leaking details of the bin Laden raid for political gain"
This is what you get when a dumb ass writer takes unfounded shiiiit ... and for gain ... passes it on .......
Pete Williams ... BUDDY ... "the fact" & "accused by Republicans" just don't go together!!!!
At David in Post 1.87. Very well put together and thank you for proving me wrong. I do enjoy reading posts that are well thought out and create discussion. Very well done.
I'm sorry but this partisan back and forth is sickening and stupid. I've seen friends and colleagues turn against each other because of their political beliefs. It's Obama's fault, it's the Republicans fault. The road that we are headed down isn't a bad one because of Obama, it's a bad one because the government has let too many special interests control them.
SpcTorres,
"I'm sorry but this partisan back and forth is sickening and stupid. I've seen friends and colleagues turn against each other because of their political beliefs."
I agree wholeheartedly, and what all this partisan bickering has to do with this Navy SEAL and his upcoming book is beyond me.
I thought it outrageous when I first heard the book was being published and released. This should not be allowed. The Seal should have known better. The publisher should have known better. Military officials should have stopped it before it ever began. Too, why is this particular Seal so special? This was a covert operation by a Seal Team!
WTF!....isn't there enuf angst in this country without making more out of the deal? get real people, this is the 21st century....secrets are a thing of the past....Our potus shows us that...lets focus on something a little more serious...LIKE THE FRICKEN ECONOMY!...
boy, ain't that the truth! Barry, the annoited one, is bringing us closer and closer to a socialist/communistic society and he obviously has a very thin skin! I pray for the Navy Seals....!
Never though I'd see this day. America cannot agree on ANYTHING. This country is coming apart at the seams.
Amen, Brother Tommy!
I am neutral about this book until I see it. Usually I side with the CIA screeners but in light of the fact that when I called CIA at Langley and got a person who had a German accent and could hardly speak English I am siding with the idea of waiting for the book to come out. I was calling about a tech problem which my cousin said to call them because it concerned their web site. The lady who answered accent was so thick it was obvious that English was her Second language not her first. Now I feel I must read the book and guess Whether it is a Bad book or good book. The fact that the woman had this thick accent and had trouble understanding me on the phone, made me feel suspicious and figure that the CIA is so infiltrated by Foreign Agents that their screening will not mean very much.
What about all of the other survivors of the other osama attacks (marine barracks, navy ship, etc)?
The survivors don't deserve any of the proceeds of this book any more than I do. If the author wants to donate some that is something different.
Some people have no comprehension how ignorant they really are. The prez is not above the law despite people's adoration of him.
It is very apparent that the prez has released info in an effort to bolster his flagging campaign. But now that there is a book that may counter his version of events there is an effort to undermine the legitimacy of the author.
Okay I understand it now:
Valarie Plame was "outed" as a CIA covert operative during a Republican administration (she was a desk jockey, not an active covert operative, but whatever) and it's an earth shattering scandal in the (liberal) media and people should be jailed.
A Democrat administration leaks details of the Osama raid and the media ignores the scandalous tenets of it. But, BUT, suddenly when someone calls the Democrat administration out on that (in this case in a book), SUDDENLY it's an issue to the (liberal) media and the whistle blower is the bad guy!
I think I got it now. Speaking of the (liberal) media, stay tuned to the DNC/NBC "report" with Brian Williams on how bad the Mormon church is! Since the Obama administration can't run on its record (without lying anyway), the (liberal) media is going all out like a three-legged dog in an agility contest: pathetically.
Go see the movie 2016 and find out who Obama really is since the (liberal) media won't investigate and do their job on him like they do unrelentingly and apologetically for Republicans. And my how time flies. Just four years ago the Clintons were trash talking Obama, and Obama was trash talking them. You won't be seeing the (liberal) media play snippets of Hillary lashing out at Obama. But now they are BFFs and Billy is going to be his right hand man in propaganda (better keep those interns well hidden).
I've read some delusional and dumb posts here, but ^that^ one takes the cake! POTUS can do ANYTHING he wants! The ignorance of the typical Obama voter knows no bounds. POTUS sure won't release his college records!
Anakin,
"I am neutral about this book until I see it."
Now there's the voice of reason amidst so much irrationality and partisan bickering that has nothing to do with this book! I, too, am looking forward to its publication so I can read it and see what it says.
...All part of Barak Hussein Obama's plan! There's plenty of books out there with more details than I could give here. 'The Amateur' by Klein has been on the NY Times Best Selling list for many months.... great read! If you haven't done so yet, I highly recommend you do read it! I am not a tout for the publisher, just a taxpayer frightened about what's happening to this country!
I got the Navy Seal's back over Obama anyday. Obama must be mad his thunder got stolen. Support the military over the dictator. Protect the military from the Hollywood Prez.
hxxp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-Xfti7qtT0
"Intelligence and Special Operations forces are furious and frustrated at how President Obama and those in positions of authority have exploited their service for political advantage. Countless leaks, interviews and decisions by the Obama Administration and other government officials have undermined the success of our Intelligence and Special Operations forces and put future missions and personnel at risk."
raddave....."A Navy Seal, however, does not have the authority to reveal any classified information, without authorization from the President of the U.S."
Hmmmm, guess we can throw out Mr. Obama's Executive Order and current standard DECLASSIFICATION procedures for DECLASSIFYING documents by Cabinet members.
Further, any military member (Active or Retired) has to get clearance from the Department of Defense (DOD) prior to release of ANY potential classified information. The DOD MIGHT grant a service member authority to release classified information, or NOT.
Next hearsay.
Do it O'bama, I dare you! Throw the book at him!
Let me tell you what is really going to happen with this Seal....Nothing! O'bama just wants this out so he can get off the hook for the Seal accusations against his leaks. Tit for tat.
Starsailing -- I checked it out. Thanks for the link. Eye-opener.
ALL OF YOU BUTT HEADS that say the White House never leaked Info, or say it is just a rep ploy... ANSWER ME THIS>>>
Why would she say this if it was not true? (Oh I get it, she is an BO hater, A racist, doesn't know nothing about what is really going on, she is a rep plant) Sorry None of those Fit.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said on Monday at a World Affairs Council forum that the White House was the source of the classified intelligence leaks.
“I think the White House has to understand that some of this is coming from their ranks,” said Feinstein.
Read more: #ixzz24Q1L33Zv
As a navy seal he should know as soon as the U S governement has no more use for you that you have a great big target painted on your ass. Just look at Saddam,Bin Laden, the Taliban just to name a few. That piece of @!$%# reagan and bush used saddam to their own benefit against iran. They supplied him with all the weapons they cried about later and when they didn't need him any more he had to go.
For those who think the author should fry, despicable, tried for treason, be ashamed...yada, yada, yada,...blah, blah, blah; for a book that has not even been published yet. You are not only ignorant, you are worse because you cannot think for yourself. Believe whatever is written without the facts. Good job!
For a publishing company to not have all the i's dotted and the t's crossed, along with going through legal channels would be opening themselves to huge law suits and more.
There has been tons of books written and published about ones experience in the military, including their tours in war. And as far as I know, it never has been an issue or at least to this extent until this one.
The SEALS deserve all the credit for taking OBL out!!!
RADDAVE:
You have absolutely No Concept of how Classied Military Information works, do you?
I do not care if he is the CiC, he still has to follow the established rules. And as a rule only the Classification Authority can Down Grade or delete a classification.
As I am sure that you will agree, obama was not sitting in when teh Generals and Cols and such were making these plans and classifing these documents, then he DOES NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY to declassify them.
And if that be the case, then if the SEAL repeated the same 'Classifed' Information that obama did, then by vurtue of the CiC releasing it as it had to have been DECLASSIFED, then the SEAL did NOTHING WRONG.
Not nearly as exciting as Obama 2016...now why isn't MSNBC posting a story about the movies success??
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/22/anti-obama-2016-obamas-america-release_n_1821520.html
Box Office Report: Anti-Obama Doc Drawing Big Crowds, Even in New York City
Already the No. 2-grossing non-nature documentary of the year, "2016: Obama's America" expands nationwide this weekend.
Some in Hollywood were stumped by the amount of business the documentary did at the Regal Union Square Stadium 14 in Lower Manhattan, situated in a liberal neighborhood where films from the likes of Moore have done huge business.
Obama's America was the No. 3 film of the weekend behind The Dark Knight Rises and Total Recall at Union Square,
Obama's America intends to show how the country's future will look if President Obama is elected to a second term in the White House and includes an interview with the president's half brother, George Obama.
Times running out, the President has the Classification authority. It is all classified under the CnC's authority. And as the CnC, he does have the authority to downgrade any classified document.
In case you think I have no concept on classification of any document
Why clutter this forum with thousands of words no one will ever fully read? The point here and the only point is that this guy wrote a book; it might reveal more of Obama's flaws and the powers that be don't know how to blow him away.
First let me direct this to: mark Johnson who posted on here: were you a SEAL? Were you even close to doing anything in the military? Are you an "armchair QB"? I was an operator in that community and I am here to tell you that there are all kinds in our community. That being said, we do/did the job knowing that there will be (hopefully) no media in our faces, no write ups in the paper and no recognition. That is one of the things that drive us in that direction and another reason why we are called "Silent professionals".
that being said, there are Repubs and Dems throughout all communities so you prove your ignorance in your statements. This is going to cover most of the other posts:
-The WH should not, I repeat NOT disclosed who did what, that just showed how much of a ME, ME ME president he was (past tense).
-The WH did not operate, fly in, kick in doors nor did they fire any rounds. At this point they should be ashamed to call themselves anything other than glory hounds
-There ARE past Navy Seals that are in print and the only name I will mention is Dick Marchenko (rogue Warrior, green team etc.) where he does describe certain missions and such but HE HAD TO SEND HIS WORK THROUGH GOVERNMENT CHANNELS FIRST. We all know that you cannot put anything in print that has not been scrubbed first, why? So that we do not put our brothers into harms way because of mentioning tactics and procedures. WE ALL KNOW THIS.
This SEAL is not a disgrace but does show very bad decision making abilities and knows that he is only putting a blast out to the community to get a hold of him first to remind him of our core values and why it is important to keep their mouth shut. That group is the BEST OF THE BEST and is a location that most attempt but fail in that attempt because of selection. If you did not do the job, then you should not try and sound educated in that job.
Bad guys read as well, just like they watch CNN. ANy information is bad information that could be used against our military, all branches and it is not right to put them any further into harms way than they already are.
so those of you that are watching holly wood movies and think that is what the SF community does, please lock yourselves into your homes and never come out. There are times of glory but there are times of pure mayhem and death and the average person has no idea what is done, what we have all gone through and what we accomplished, they only sit back and judge without every being able to fit "both feet into one of our boots". You should be ashamed.
Sad to say but I find that the most that have the most ignorant of opinions are those that never served, run from difficult times and even "pee a little" when placed into a harmful situation. This is your right under freedom of speech and I defended your right, became seriously injured, almost died many times and yet you still feel as if you are right in your opinion when you have not even tasted one ounce of the life we live. AS I said, that is your free rights and you dont go a single day thinking that those of us that exist, do so in immense pain from what we do to our bodies for you to have that right. One question: do you truly consider yourself a decent American?
You have to live with you. I love who I am and what I have done, regardless what your opinion is.
Comment # 1 restored for clarity.
Jackson Cage, CuongDNguyen, darksx, confused-3012211, Contrarian001, you are all suspended for a day for violating rule # 1 of the Code of Honor.
Tom, this SEAL was a member of the team, he would not be privy to any of Obama's involvement in the operation. So, if he does make claims against the President, they would be baseless.
I know all I want to know about the raid. Don't want to know anymore. When is the movie coming out ? The Expendables part 3 .
The Seal who wrote this book is now retired, and all the proceeds go to a wounded-warrior charity. This unknown Seal was also one of the first men through the door on the bin Laden raid. Obviously he feels the Obama administration has lied to the American people and he wants to set the record straight -- without revealing any classified information. This Seal will not be prosecuted. Obama would lose the election for sure if he did so.
Actually, I do want to read a first-hand account of how the raid went down. It may not have any explosions, but I'm sure it's a story that doesn't get old.
The Seal in question signed a nondisclosure agreement concerning Government Secrets. Every Military person signs the same document if you handle Classified Information. The raid was classified so the Seal is committing a crime.
I would not be suprised if the Government ie the Navy is actively seaking a copy of what the Seal has planned to publish. If any of the information is Classified then they will arrest him and take the correct legal action. It will not matter if he is currently in the Military because he was in the Military when the action took place and it is still classified.
This is pretty serious stuff.
The POS POTUS also has a responsibility to keep secret missions secret. To say on TV "we got him, and Seal Team 6 did it", confirms the existance of a covert operations force. The big earred buffoon politicizing the sacrifices our warriors make, is sickening. IF ANYONE should be in hot water it should be the crazy Kenyan anchor baby. How soon we forget the supposed commander in chief has a responsibility to keep his mouth shut concerning military operations as well.
But it's ok, I mean afterall, Barrack can do as he pleases. I mean afterall, heaven forbid he actually start enforcing immigration laws, but he can't because he would have to start with his own family first. Hope the Auntie enjoyed here 10+ years collecting social assistance while having a deportation order. Hope the Drunk Uncle, also with a deportation order, enjoys frequenting the local watering holes, before taking to the streets to possibly kill or injure other LEGAL CITIZENS. But no worries, the nephew can always sling one of those Presidental Pardons and protect his own.
It also seems more than hypocritical that the Bastion of Liberalism would claim executive priviledge when his administration has been caught red handed supplying firearms to Mexican Cartels. But hey, it was only a Border Patrol Agent that was killed. And I guess in his eyes, just as expendable as our troops with his don't fire until it's too late and you are taking gun fire yourselves. How is that working out for ya... Oh that's right, we can have our marines attend a rent a crowd photo op with Leon Patheticaneta and have our defenders leave the guns at the door in a combat zone, so we don't upset the local "green on blue" crowd.
And you people have a problem with a seal wanting to educate the American Public on the truth of what THEIR TAXPAYER DOLLARS are paying for... Absolutely ridiculous... But I suppose if this seal was a Bank CEO that wrote a book on how he gets paid 30 mil a year, owns 5 mansions and 6 yachts and happened to be a prime recipient of TARP funds and continued to get a 3 mil a year bonus, all the while laughing as his bank forecloses on the same taxpayers that fronted him the money to BAIL HIS BANK OUT, then we wouldn't btch at all. We would just call it capitalism at its finest...
I can blow my wad on Skips face if it will help.
It probably isn't politically motivated because they are withholding the publication until AFTER the election.
All that leaves only speculation about what's in the book. Maybe the book is a red herring and isn't going to be published. Why, During an election year, just the hint of impropriety is more damaging than the plain truth.
Those "Navy Seals" negative political ads are another of Karl Rove's "swift boat" smear campaigns so the idea of a fake, "tell all" book isn't out of the question.
I doubt any real Navy Seal, especially a team leader would sell out for money. If the proceeds go only for charity, that's something else. The book should be reviewed for sensitive information. If this book is the real deal, the Defense Department would know exactly who the author is and would already have the manuscript under review.
One thing is for sure, the evil mastermind of the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks is dead and gone. The president was commander in chief of the armed forces when he gave the order to have him killed. The Seals that successfully executed that order are national heroes. "Mission Accomplished" for real this time.
Whatever the reasons for this book can't diminish those truths.
@Will the Watcher
You are neglecting one fact. The POTUS, no matter which political party, has the
ultimate say on what and what isn't classified. Who would he ask for
permission? Telling your enemies that we have a force that can take you out no
matter where you are isn't necessarily a bad thing.
@ RC no he does not. POTUS has to abide by classification rules also. And our enemies already know the force is out there.
Military OATH of Enlistment
In all U.S. Armed Forces EXCEPT the National Guard (Army or Air)
Somebody else is showing their ignorance.
Will the Watcher - Hey, I hate to break it to you, but there was public knowledge of Seal Team 6 before the President announced they had killed Bin Laden. We have many things in the military and intelligence communities that are "covert", but that doesn't mean that the general public doesn't know they exist. It just means that they don't know the specifics of their missions. Here are a few more "covert" items: The existence of the Stealth Fighter, Stealth Bomber, Ballistic Missile Submarines, Attack Submaries, Drones, Spy Satellites, etc, etc. Everyone knows they exist, the covert part is where they are and what they're doing.
Now if the President had Tweeted a real-time play by play of the mission to get Bin Laden, that would be disclosing information on "covert" ops.
the Thinker,
"Somebody else is showing their ignorance."
He isn't revealing his ignorance. The President is the ultimate classification authority. He delegates that authority to the other agencies through executive order 13526. Every President is responsible for issuing his own version of that order. It has been that way since WWII and the Supreme Court has recognized that fact.
I wasn't going to argue with them. It does no good.
Also judging by the faces in the war room we didn't even know we had a force that could go in undetected and get out alive.
I hope that they do prosecute the author and seize all profits from the book. As a minimum this azzhole should have submitted the book for a pre-publication review. The fact that he didn't tells me there are things in the book that he knows should not be. Throw him in prison for violating his oath and for violating national security regulations. This book never should have been written and I can not believe a Navy SEAL would stoop to this level. The SEALs I know would never talk about their missions, let alone write a book about them.
Bruce lets not throw around the world traitor lightly. Treason is an overt act of aiding and abetting an enemy of the united states. This is not that. If he revealed classified information,hes a criminal and should be punished accordingly. Treason however is a very specific crime. Going around accusing people of treason when its not warranted desensitizes us to the crime. Save the label of treason for people like Walker Lynde who went and fought with the Taliban. He was a traitor. This guys just a criminal.
We need a law that says that if you violate your oath of service by leaking classified information,EVER,your retroactively dishonorably discharged, and must repay any benefits,such as free medical care,pay,or pensions you received as a result of your service,as of the date you became aware of said classified information.
It would prove really stupid to lose the book proceeds and retirement. The book hype must be hot air or the unvetted story will be hot water.
Where is the proof a Seal even wrote the book?
Who is Mark Owen and what is his past?
Obama got all the political benefit out of this raid by brave American soldiers. He should have stepped back and shown the humility and gratitude of a great leader and credited those who deserved the credit. Instead he and his political team made sure Obama was portrayed as the great leader who could make the tough decisions that risk his political future (I don't believe his life was ever on the line)...not to mention that his staff eventually leaked critical information about the raid to the press. Now they're (the Obama cronies) making noise about prosecuting this brave American soldier...Do they think their threats will intimidate this Navy seal!!! The uproar from the American people and the political fallout will put Obama out on the street. Go back into your dark, rumor mongering rooms Obamaites...let America hear from a real hero.
Well, according to the movie trailer I recently saw while watching the Bourne movie, the actual movie will come out the first week of November and will be called "Zero Dark Thirty".
I do not know if the movie will be based on this book since the book is not expected to be released until then too. I guess one media release is sanctioned but the other is not. Of course, fund raising does seem to go better in Hollywood than downtown New York City.
Time for prison lock the dirt bag up
RC,
"I wasn't going to argue with them. It does no good."
Here is something to back you up:
E.O. 13526
"Prior to the New Deal, classification decisions were left to military regulation.1 In 1940, President Franklin Roosevelt issued an executive order authorizing government officials to protect information pertaining to military and naval installations. Presidents since that time have continued to set the federal government's classification standards by executive order, but with one critical
difference: while President Roosevelt cited specific statutory authority for his action, later presidents have cited general statutory and constitutional authority.
Citing the President's constitutional role as Commander-in-Chief, the Supreme Court has repeatedly
stated in dicta that "[the President's] authority to classify and control access to information bearing on national security ... flows primarily from this Constitutional investment of power in the President and exists quite apart from any explicit congressional grant." This language has been interpreted by some
to indicate that the President has virtually plenary authority to control classified information.
The Protection of Classified Information: The Legal
Framework (Congressional Research Service, January 10, 2011)"
That was the conclusion of the Congressional Research Service in a report they delivered to Congress last year concerning the President's classification authority. He is the ultimate authority and his authority does not depend on Congress. It stems directly from the Constitution in his role as Commander-in-Chief. So next time anyone hears Congress squawking about the President "leaking" classified information, he just needs to bear that in mind.
Paul W...Isn't September 11, the publication date, before November 6, election day?
Regardless, how do we even know that the author was a Navy Seal? We don't. That being said he is violating his oath of enlistment by writing this book.
Ron-975213 2.20:
Would you be stating the same thing if GWB or any other Republican was president when this happened?
My guess is no, you wouldn't.
This SEAL has NO business disclosing sensitive information, and if an investigation determines he has he deserves to face some of the same charges regarding disclosure of Sensitive and Classified Information that Private Bradley Manning is facing.
You are not free of the obligation to protect sensitive and classified information just because you are retired or have left the service. If he has included sensitive and / or classified information in his book he should be held accountable under the UCMJ and applicable Federal Law.
xrayspex,
"This SEAL has NO business disclosing sensitive information"
I agree that he has no business disclosing classified information, but the question is: Has he done that? I don't think we really know the answer to that right now and won't until his book is published, and the government says he did reveal classified information (if that happens). He is guilty, however, of violating military regulations that require the submission to DOD for review of any material you intend to publish before it is published. He did not do that, and at this point in time at least that is all I can fault him with. Why did he not submit it for review? That's the question I don't understand. It would have saved him a great deal of heartache if he had done so. As things stand, he is now in danger of being prosecuted as well as of having to forfeit all the profits from his book. I don't know if he is guilty of revealing any classified information, but the one thing I know he is guilty of is stupidity.
...and the GOP is blaming Pres. Obama for leaks. It's too bad they can't just stop making sh!t up.
...
Hey, the guy is an employee of obama. Obama is the commander - in - chief.
...
joe 12 pack, sorry, but the Obama admin has ACKNOWLEDGED the leaks, and most were revealed by the ( GASP) MAINSTREAM liberal media.
It even mentions in this article that the Obama admin is 'taking steps' to stop the leaks.
...really... prove it, please link to a CREDIBLE source.
MOmaid
and that would be "baby steps" rather than "Giant Steps", at least until after 6 November?
The funny thing is this author is the only one that able to cash in. What's about his teams?
Oh, that's right, there is no such thing as "team play" when it comes to wealth.
G.R.E.E.D
joe 12 pack maybe you shouldnt drink so much.. Did you read the article at all. Have you even paid any attention to what is going on before you drink on your 12 pack.
No nothing new...this lowlife is a FORMER Seal...therefore he is NOT currently an employee of Obama. Get your facts straight before you want to try such a pathetic attempt at an insult, then you won't look so stupid.
tz - you have the author's word (and only his work) that he was a SEAL. If he claimed to be the second coming of Jesus - would you believe him? If not - why believe him now? SEALS do not tell tales. This author is a con-artist. Demand to see his medals (the tracable ones - not the ones that one can buy from Amazon) before believing this line of BS.
I have worked with SEALS, and I cannot believe that one ever decided to sell his eithics for money. They have continuous access to millions of dollars (usually untracable millions) and none has ever stolen any. Now we are to believe that this guy was (1) a SEAL, and (2) a SEAL without ethics?
Sounds like a huckster to me...
Just because the guy was under the employment of the US Military does not mean that Obama is solely responsible for the leak(s). Specific members of the GOP are accusing Obama of being directly responsible of purposefully letting information out about what military tactics are being done in highly sensitive missions. In this case, you have an ex-military employee who took it upon themselves without notifying the Department of Defense about writing a book that may contain information that is not authorized for the public to know. That is not something Obama is responsible for as it is an isolated incident taking place without his permission/knowledge to release a first hand account of what happened and, as the article states, they are investigating where the leaks are coming from. Remember there is a possibility of people taking matters into their own hands without authorization or knowledge from those that call the shots.
And this is assuming that the author was indeed one of the SEAL members who was there.
I believe I was reading in the article that the courts already said the author is not getting any money from the book. There is still a question as to rather the money will go to a charity or if the court ruling that the government just gets the money is still not fully clear.
That is at least what I was getting from the article. So the question I have for you, who exactly is the "greedy" one here that you are accusing?
More power to him, but you've got to follow the rules.
Why should he? Obama doesn`t.
Indymaverick--ABSOLUTELY. Surely this guy has just as much right to have HIS indiscretions 'over looked' as all the ILLEGALS in this country that Obama has 'executive ordered' and adminstrative actioned to AMNESTY.
momaid, what amnesty? I think you need to re read the exec order. IT SAYS NOTHING ABOUT AMNESTY moron. holy mother, do you people even bother to fact check your garbage, or just rant like rush?
Well, david, Obama sure isn't deporting them, so what else could it mean?
David--sorry, but telling his Homeland security director to NOT enforce immigration laws, NOT do any work place raids any more, and NOT do any deportations unless the illegal is John Wayne GACY is a defacto amnesty.
His EX order on allowing so called DREAM kids to not only stay, but get legal work visas with NO repercussions, even if they have been an adult here cheating the system for 12 years, is a defacto Amnesty.
And please don't try to claim that he has not ALSO promised the hispanic community that, in his second term, to INTRODUCE an amnesty bill.
Meanwhile, towns like my home town, in Central MO (! NOT a border area) have had their schools DEVASTATED by having 1 0f 6 kids enrolled who do NOT speak English. And before you ask, there ARE no 'industries' in my town that can get green cards for those parents.
And ONE of them is using MY social secutity number.
david saint Have you read the exec order? The proposed immigration amnesty would benefit the 12 to 20 million undocumented
aliens (illegal immigrants) currently living in the United States. An amnesty
for illegal aliens forgives their acts of illegal immigration and implicitly
forgives other related illegal acts such as driving and working with false
documents. The result of an amnesty is that large numbers of foreigners who
illegally gained entry into the United States are rewarded with legal status
(Green Card) for breaking immigration laws. from http://www.usamnesty.org/
A rose by any other name -
Amnesty, call it what you will . . .
It really sucks that the President chose to use our resources to concentrate on arresting and deporting the actual criminal immigrants that have committed violent crimes and push them ahead of the judicial lines unlike the republicans that simply did absolutely nothing to rid this country of them and instead chose to bog down the courts with women and children instead. Well other than spend billions of dollars with their personal contractors to build a useless fence that is. And now these same republicans whine that the President has chosen to spend our resources to actually deport these illegals and made the violent illegals the priority. Figures!
Y'know, it's kinda funny, but I sure as hell don't remember the deportation of millions of people happening during George W. Bush's presidency...or any other presidency, for that matter. Did we not have illegal immigrants in our country then? Oh wait.....
Yet somehow President Obama gets sole blame for turning a blind eye to a problem that there flatly is no practical solution for? (Seriously people, we would have to turn into the strictest of police states in order to root out and "send them all home"...military doing door-to-door searches without warrant, the whole works....and even then we likely wouldn't find them all).
A true patriot would not reveal secrets of a mission that killed the most hated man in the world. And he wouldn't hide behind some facade of a fake name with a ghost writer. Shame!
Well that certainly accounts for the leaks out of the White House.
the single most hated man in america is sitting in the white house......He took the top honors when bush left
So, a fake name, a ghost writer, the names were changed to protect the innocent, any similarities to a particular place or person is purely circumstantial.
Are we sure that this is an actual accounting of how Osama Bin Laden was killed?
If I was sitting in the White House Jon, I would have you hung for treason. But, you're not worth the length of the rope.
well, if anyone has a problem with him doing this, i suggest you join up and try and make the SEALS...if you cant, SHUT UP
Sensible One!
The most hated man in the world is in the White House.
Romney -Ryan 2012
Actually he lives in Texas and his name is Bush
Obama-Biden 2012
The funny thing is this author is the only one that able to cash in. What's about his teams?
Oh, that's right, there is no such thing as "team play" when it comes to wealth.
G.R.E.E.D
WOW ! What a Nut ol' Ritter deerhunt1 is,... Hated ? Our President ? Where is the RESPECT people should have and give. The Ex-SEAL is opening up about, The Damn Few,.. hopefully it does not put them in any jeopardy! We should always SUPPORT our Americans in uniform!
Well he's in obviously good company with romney ryan and the unidentified donors. Hmm.
Obama 2012
Who said he has revealed secrets in his book. The secrets reavealed part is only hopeful speculation by the leftist Media who support Obama no matter how dirty he is or how low they have to go.
The book hasn't been even published yet. Wait till it's published and on sale before making any judgement. Remember the writer for this article is a leftist liberal reporter with no credibility .
Pre-ordered from Amazon for 16 bucks, out on 11 Sep.
how do we know bin laden is dead? did anyone see the body? any autopsy done here? any proof that they guy the government says is responsible for ordering the killing of our citizens, is in fact dead?
i would believe he is dead if they did not "bury him at sea in accordance with muslim tradition," this does not compute.
CoungD -
We will have to forgive your rant based on insufficient information. Other sites that have carried the story include the report from the publisher that all proceeds are donated to charities that benefit Seals.
(PLEASE NOTE all of you who like to defend NBCLite of being unbiased . . .)
NOT GREED!
Obama's comment to the author "You didn't write that"....AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
Romney/Ryan 2012
Oh if the god 0bama said he is dead then you know he is dead.
FORGET THIS STORY BREAKING NEWS....WWW.GAWKER.COM ROMNEYS FINANCES AND TAX DODGING BUSTED WIDE OPEN!
http://gawker.com/5937299/inside-mitt-romneys-tax+dodging-cayman-schemes
@unoitall
Here is what Romney said during Olympic, talk about being a hypocrite.
"You Olympians, however, know you didn't get here solely on your own power. For most of you, loving parents, sisters or brothers, encouraged your hopes, coaches guided, communities built venues in order to organize competitions. All Olympians stand on the shoulders of those who lifted them. We've already cheered the Olympians, let's also cheer the parents, coaches, and communities."
Yes....I want to elect a man to office who is worth over 250 million dollars, and has fired tens of thousands of people to get the money.
President Romney? The guy that probably won't need the pay. The guy with business turn around experience. The guy who was a Governor of Massachusetts. Gay marriage is legal there. There is no way the abortion laws will be changed. However.....Illegal immigration is something I find interesting. What is the future of that under both of these candidates?
Needing more facts about Mr. Romney before I can make an informed decision.
Interested in hearing people explain their plans for the future and NOT interested in the opponents decrying the other sides plan. Sell me on what you have to offer. Don't try to scare me by telling me the other guy will bring us all doom.
Obama /Biden or Romney/ Ryan?
That is unless the government takes all the revenue from the book sells as suggested that a recent court case said will occur. Then the charity organization will not receive anything and neither will the author. But the government will have a few more dollors to add to its coffers.
starsailing (Axlerod), if you are going to post under a different name, you should generally change your avatar image too. You posted link reminds me of that current TV commerical that has a big guy with glasses saying "Ah Bonjour" in response to being called a French model.
Rod_Father banned for death wishing.
Let him go work at the White House. Then they'll praise him for releasing the information, unless they feel he's sharing something they haven't already leaked or Obama hasn't given away
Valerie Plame, war monger cheney, scooter hitman. hmm.
Obama 2012
sky....you sound like a broken record, but I guess thats what obama parrots do. Go eat a cracker!!
Romney/Ryan 2012 Finally there's hope!!
I wanted to write a book about my experiences at the Pentagon Counterintelligence Force in the early 80s. I emailed the FBI and was told they would not stop me from writing anything. Well, who does. How do I know if something was classified or maybe no longer classified. Yeah, I was read into some agreements on some missions but they had expiration dates of like 20-25 years and some 50 years. Who do you contact?
Unequivocally, if he gets any kind of prosecution, so should Hussein. At least the author put his life on the line. All Hussein did was his usual talk and brag about something he knows and did nothing about.
deweydan - The best way to do it is to file a Freedom of Information Act request concerning the items/topics you would wish to discuss that may still be classified. The "20-25 years" is only a guideline, and there may be specific items that keep the documents classified beyond those dates, but chances are they'll send you the documents, albeit possibly with certain things redacted. If they send you nothing, well...best to not talk about that stuff in your book then.
I used to work for the Army's declassification program, but all Federal agencies use the same basic guidelines for declassification.
Conversely, you could write your book and then submit it for a security review, and they'll then tell you what is or isn't classified in the book.
I am glad this is an issue. It does not seem right this author, one of many who conducted this operation, should be enriched for revealing info the other members of his team correctly kept top secret. This book is not right, and even though I am very interested to read it, I cannot say enough about the fact ALL members of his Seal Team should share in the financial gain. ONLY AFTER the Navy approves the contents of the book.
Stephanie--sorry, but the Navy will NEVER approve any book like this, since they want all details of what Seal Teams are capable of, and do, in their various missions.
And you don't KNOW that this guy is not planning on sharing the profits of this book, or even giving them to charity.
But like it or not, the rumor mills have been wagging ever since this mission about how they COULD have captured instead of killing, or about how Obama Dithered for weeks on whether or not to go ahead (unlike Jimmy Carter, who even tho it failed, at LEAST had the stones to order an IMMEDIATE rescue mission to re-take our embassy in Iran when it was over run) or about how Obama is free to discuss the details of this mission with his hollywood cronys while persecuting this guy for the same thing.
Oh yeah Momaid, it was MUCH better than Carter IMMEDIATELY went ahead with a FAILED rescue attempt. Rather than Obama taking his time and making sure it was well thought out and planned and SUCCEEDED. Laughs Boy people like you who just hate ...without reason.... just make yourselves look like fools with your pathetic hate filled angry statements.
Othere sites are reporting that the publisher stated that all proceeds are being donated to charities.
Just to make sure the raging morons who just have to immediately throw their "factual interpretations" out there see it, I'll repost what mpa said.
*****Other sites are reporting that the publisher stated that all proceeds are being donated to charities*****
stephanie j: the money is going to wounded warriors and families of lost seals. He is not making money.
Wow tz are you sure about that? Maybe Obama does take his time maybe he doesn't with a high risk situation that could cost lives (excluding OBL). We may never know the truth. But wait, if he said he took his time to make sure it would be successful, then by all means...he did. What do you expect him to say?
Stephanie; I agree all of the SEALS should be recognized, which I am sure the author has done. But he does have a right to have written this book (he will not pocket money it will go to other SEAL families), just as long as no information is released that should not be in the book.
"No Easy Day?"
What, a team of 4-8 men facing just one guy with a gun (who wasn't Osama bin laden)? No easy day? puh- lease. If they had been captured they'd probably have surrendered, rather than try to take on Pakistan's army, so I'm not entirely sure how killing bin laden was any feat of courage...we got kids over there in Afghanistan doing more dangerous sh*t than what these SEALS did. I'm honestly not interested in his book. The most dangerous part of the whole mission was probably just landing the helicopter....
I couldn't disagree more. Unless you are someone who was there, you have no idea how complicated this was. To land in the hotbed of Pakistan's army - who has parts loyal to Bin Laden - and have people shooting at you, all while trying to quickly get in and out - that sounds very difficult. I really don't think you know what you are talking about.
Spoken like a man who has probably never fired a shot in anger and has never worn a military uniform.
Please tell me you didn't just basically call what SEALs do "cush" duty.
What a piece of s*** you are !! Go crawl back under the rock from which you came.
Let's see how long you last in SEAL training. Probably wouldn't last past the first couple hours.
stephanie, where on earth did you hear that people were shooting at the seals? Not one shot fired at them. bin Laden was watching porn, protected by his many wives.
baldman obviously doesnt know his under parts from his brain. Otherwise he would know it wasnt just Bin Laden in the compound. But hey, dont let facts get in the way of your delusions.
big talk from your barko lounger.
@Baldman
Thank you very much you are so wright . deerhunt1 to you!!
Baldman, the day that you're out there...fighting with Navy Seals...and going on missions is the day that you can say something. Until then you're just some pathetic guy who sits at a computer and does nothing close to what they do...and yet thinks he has any right at all to put them down. Just makes you look jealous and petty.
It seems that right or left - conservative or liberal - we all agree on one thing ...
Baldman is an idiot!
I never fired a shot in anger, it was always a pleasure to see another one laying on the ground. Just saying.
Pour some cold water down your ass cracks, all of you. I am not here to dishonor the SEALS or their record, I'm merely pointing out what no one here has yet to intelligently refute, namely, that the author is being disingenuous by implying that the mission to kill OBL was a particularly difficult one, a la. "No Easy Day."
It wasn't, the SEAL team virtually went in unchallenged, save for one idiot with a gun...
If any of you fools replying to me actually believe this was some type of "impressive" mission worth writing a book about, you're dishonoring the men and women out there in Afghanistan who do missions significantly more dangerous than killing OBL every single f*cking day.
I remember the bodies stacked like cordwood......
David saint writes:
"Otherwise he would know it wasnt just Bin Laden in the compound"
Sir, it appears you have a reading comprehension problem. I never said OBL was the only guy in the house. In fact, I specifically said there was only one armed man in the house, and that man wasn't OBL. That is what I said. OBL was shot unarmed, and no, I'm not arguing that he shouldn't have been shot.
If I wanted to know more about the raid, I'd rather hear it from one who was actually there and knows how it went down than via the "release" of classified info from the White House trying to get political use out of it. Considering that candidate Obama said that bin Ladn should be captured & brought to trial alive to answer for his crimes & he felt that the SEALs were VP Cheney's personal "hit squad", his 180 on the whole raid and use of it for his own gain isn't surprising. Anything that is politically expedient is fodder for him in his efforts to get re-elected. Considering how crappy military retirement pay is, I hope this SEAL makes a bundle on it and shares the proceeds with his fellow team members - that seems more appropriate to me than usuing it as a fund raising tool.
Obama never said that. You lied right there. Obama was the only candidate who said he would go into Pakistan to kill bin Laden if there was credible evidence he was there. McCain and others called him naive.
Please stop lying.
Clotho he never said that either. You stop lying. Obama doesn't have the kahunas to do anything that might piss off other leaders. He had to give a "yes" to this raid or he would have been the most hated man in America.
I am no obama supporter but if he had not approved this raid and lucked out with it being successful do you honestly believe we would have heard a single thing about it? If the seals had been killed during the raid the only thing the military would have told their families was that they died in the line of duty. And the presiboob would not have been the one telling them.
I guess Navy SEALs just do what ever they want, who cares about chain of command or classified information Write a book and get rich. How did they let this guy become a Navy SEAL anyway ?
Peter - Nobody "lets" you become a SEAL, you have to earn that by literally going thru hell week (BUDs training). I agree that he should have followed the rules regarding disclosure, but the article didn't say exactly how precise or revealing the content of the book is. Since he's no longer in the military, he may not have realized that he still had to pass it thru the chain of command for approval. And my guess is, he probably didn't reveal any more than the White House has already done in their own inimitable way. Believe me, these men aren't paid anywhere near as much as they should be for the risks they take and the missions they carry out.
I guess the POTUS is above the law. I thought Nixon proved that concept wrong. A thorough investigation should be had by all and I do mean all.
20 years ago I recall Paula Zahn on CBS's morning show did a series of reports on SEAL training. She was invited to training and they showed us what they could...obviously there were some parts of training they could not divulge.
SEAL training is a grind...they push you physically and mentally and psychologically...and I'll be honest and say I'd last about 5 minutes before ringing the bell to quit.
One of the trainees during that report was a man they simply identified using his nickname among his fellow trainees, "Grandpa". He was in his early 30s and had already served as both an Army Green Beret and a Marine Corps Sniper and was looking for the next challenge.
Look up OVERACHIEVER in the dictionary and you'll see a Navy SEAL.
My problem with this dude is that is simply occurs to me that you see very few if any current or former SEALs running around bragging about what they do or did. My guess is it is in their "code".
I had a 30 year restriction after getting out. I figure SEALs would have at least that much.
Special Forces, as the name implies, do generally do what they want. That's what makes them special; as a matter of fact, they're not really bound by the same rules of the regular force.
The publisher has indicated that the book is about the Seal TEAM, not the personal exploits of the author. Typical NBCLite article on this site.
ROMNEY FINANCES BUSTED WIDE OPEN ON WWW.GAWKER.COM TAX DODGING EXPOSED!!!!!!
http://gawker.com/5937299/inside-mitt-romneys-tax+dodging-cayman-schemes
We expect our heroes to display a bit of modesty for their past duties and missions, let alone the oaths of secrecy. Profit from those bouts of heroism is just distasteful and offensive, and more than a little disappointing.
I suppose only the administration is allowed to leak. Don't see them prosecuting themselves!
Are you saying the Seals should lower themselves to that level inorder to leak?
Redneck Bob--thanks for my 'laugh out loud' of the day!
"Men, I remind you that this raid is classified. Lieutenant, what are you doing?"
"Taking notes sir!"
No this is funny!!!
This whole book smells rotten. Why is the author hiding?
I don't mind that this guy wants to give the actual run down on the raid...But the guy should have known that when dealing with the Federal Government that you can not give exact details!!!!! He should have realized this the moment he was going through the MEPStation to become a military member.....Anyway...good for him wanting to tell his story to the masses to make his millions(too bad he will never see a dime)! And thanks to him and his team our world is rid of one nasty piece of work!!!
Doeyes101--does it ever occur to you that this guy NEVER intended to make money?
That he was disturbed by the way this mission played out, and the way it was handled in the press? And the way it has been USED by the admin for political purposes? (quote Joe Biden? Obama killed (sic) Bin Ladin and SAVED GM? Neither or which is actually factual.)
If 'Deep Throat' had not revealed (illegally, too, I might add) what HE did, Nixon might never have been forced to resign.
hmm. I honestly don't know how to respond to your post. As a formar Marine, it is known that you don't give ANY info about the goings on. (as a military member you ARE govt property) If he didn't want the money...just the publicity... then he should pay for what he was trying to accomplish. What is exactly in the book??? I can't tell you...I wish I knew what was so important. Do you know??? Anyways...sorry to ruffle your feathers as I was just commenting on how he can not keep the money generated.
Articles on other sites report that the publisher has stated that all proceeds go to charities which support Seal and Seal families.
Also report that the book is about the TEAM (all names changed to protect the valiant), not the author.
Typical NBCLite reporting.
MOMaid
Give me a break. President Obama DID save GM and he gave the kill order for Bin Ladin. If the mission had failed you low information clowns would still be raking him over the coals. You low life's are so predictable anymore. This is why your party won't be POTUS for a long time. You don't deserve a seat at the head of the table.
So tell us, did Mitt save GM??? He says he did. If you believe that you're even more ignorant then I give you credit for. If GM and Chrysler had gone under it would have been disastrous for this country. The fact that you can't see that speaks volumes about you and your party of circus clowns.
Don't be freakin' naive. This is about profit and nothing but profit. I don't care where the funds go. I'm sure that, "10% of the proceeds will go to help the troops."
I guess I just don't get it! The Socialist Muslim Obama's cabinet can leak damaging security leaks that puts our troops at risk of death and totally gets away with it but one of the guys that actually put his life on the line for all of us by killing that Muslim SOB and he is threatened with all sorts of suits and damnation for writing a book!
The former claim is presumption, the latter is fact.
All these guys know what the rules are going in. That they were heroes, as are most everyone in the military, doesn't measn he can ignore what he agreed to.
The leak you blame President Obama for is in the book, not in the Whitehouse.
TP GOP are Taliban implants.
pgard - At this point he is not threatened with any suit or damnation. The potential is there but as the article states nothing has been filed with the DoD or DoJ.
Why are they even questioning this matter? In the land of 10,000 laws/rules, revealing classified information is not treason? Even a SEAL has got to follow the chain of command, currently employed or not.
A SEAL, especially - we would hope he would have a higher regard, in principle, for information security than the average Joe.
This guy is a disgrace, I hope he ends up in prison.
Hmmmmmmmm Sounds Like a Libtard to me or obamabot
Oh yeah, Robert Clarkson?! Well, you're a doo-doo head! See how infantile it sounds when adults call people silly names?
Robert,
You look like a typical RepubliKKKan.
White, skinhead, and a little pubic hair on the upper lip.
Why is he held to any higher standard than the President of the United States or anyone under him? If he or anyone under him is leaking classified information, they are a disgrace, and shouldn't they land in prison too? Why only this SEAL???
As a solider or ex-solider you cannot release any classified information period.
I read the book Bush done it. NBC It's okay for Obama to give all classified information to a movie producer to make a film about the killing of Bin Ladin that would make Obama look Like a super hero and he pushed to have the movie out by October 2012 to give himself a bump in the polls You at NBC make me sick you should be sent to Russia due too your anti american views.
Although Im sure NBC ........"news"........will now be Hell bent on persecuting this man for daringly write something critical regarding their current Muslim-in-Chief, I am however curious regarding how NBC...."news"....will continue to give their Muslim-in-Chief all the credit about the raid after it is discovered that it was Bush's waterboarding tactics that gave the info to find Laden.
........stay tuned!
Patheic Gypsy.....just pathetic....those are the only words to describe your post....they're not worth anything else.
Bush did all the hard work. Then Obama came in and took the credit for it. If anything, Bush deserves more credit for the death of Bin Laden than Obama deserves. It was Bush's goal to kill Bin Laden, he worked so hard to find him. All Obama had to do was sit there in the white house until the opportunity of killing Bin Laden arose.
"just pathetic....those are the only words to describe your post"
Can you actually write an intelligent post tz? All you are doing is criticizing posts, but you are not providing any reasons why you are criticizing.
Some people have no critical thinking skills so they just bitch and moan... Let me rephrase that...... ALOT of people here have no critical thinking skills!
But you are ok with FOX News releasing his name and hometown to the entire world?
Deserves him right, he should have known better. this guy was, they say anyway, that he was part of Seal Team 6, and on orders from the only person who could have gave the orders, the President of the United States did a great job and now he stabs his buddies in the back with this book by releasing his story to make some bucks. As retired US Army I find it totally wrong what he did. What point did he prove, not one with this release, 99% of the raid is classified and will, or would stay that way for some time. I just do not understand the men and women in our military these days. It's just not the same....no respect
A retired SSG? I trust it was medical. How badly were you wounded?
Not releasing it to make bucks. Other sites report from the publisher that all proceeds go to charities that benefit Seals and Seal families.
You can question the wisdom, but don't assign motive, ssg mike.
Prosecute him... I guess if you break the law and you are Tea Tard @!$%#boat vet, nothing happens. He is like Cheney and should be charged with treason and revealing priviledge information
Of course you have no knowledge of what has been revealed, or did you get an advance copy? If so, please share all the juicy details.
No body has charged him with anything and probably will not. But it sure got you all interested in buying it. The story is about " experts" who think blah blah blah. All it does is promote the book. Looks like it's working. After all everyone wants to know the so called secrets.
JesusIsLard,
Unauthorized disclosure of classified information is a federal crime, but it is not normally classified as treason. Under certain war-time conditions it might be classified as treason, but normally it is just a felony carrying a long prison sentence and a possible fine.
That's why we need Wikileaks.
let me get this right Pres Barry can give all the secret out he wants but this former seal that was truely there cant considering that its not a secret anymore, kinda sounds like this man is going to tell what really happened and the White House is mad cause there truth isnt really the truth after all. Surprise surprise, if you cant trust the white house well you sure can trust the average soldier, Sailor, Airman or marine, I know i was a Soldier.
Ya know Robert, I keep on trying to read your posts but all I see is blah, childish blah blah blah
yeah a child say blah blah blah, nice to see that your schooling paid off. Get an education and then you can talk to me about reading
Come on....lets get real! This author has probably said less about the Bin Laden raid than the Obama Administration has been leaking of military information for the last three years.
So by your standard, he can say whatever he wants regardless of what he agreed to when he signed up.
GOP values.
Oh I see, it's GOP values when someone in the military says something that maybe they shouldn't but it's perfectly "OK" (NOT) for the President or anyone under him to leak confidential information to anyone they want to - guess that's the Democratic Party values for you, aka NONE. And you don't have to be a member of the GOP to see that.
No, not at all. There is no doubt that a senior security advisor has executed multiple high level security leaks for the sole purpose of benefitting the Messiah's return to office. The trap for the Administration is that a prosecution of this SEAL will reveal all. You had best be careful of what you wish for.
Big difference, Marliegirl -
Barry can cover himself with executive privelege.
This man should be tried for treason and when convicted be confined to the brig for life. Strip him now of all of his military benefits and demand repayment for all of his education we paid for and all of his family's benefits. Repay those housing costs, the costs of his family's medical treatment, etc.
Disclosing classified information as a former member of the military is treason and he should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Actually sweetness it is treason for anyone. How far would you want to push THAT concept?
Wow, you already managed to get a copy of his book? I thought it wasn't being released until September 11th, but apparently you already got a preview since you claim to know what's in it and have concluded that what is divulged is treasonous. So, I assume you feel the same way about the treasonous dishonorable disclosures by the President?
Nothing would please me more than to see this administration try and go after this guy. Nothing would end Obama's slim chances of re-election faster than going after a true war hero for doing exactly what Obama himself already did. It is funny watching the heads of liberals exploding as they fear the Impostor in Chief being exposed for who and what he really is through this book. Have at it!
Snarkqueen..........Since when did the Obama administration start caring about releasing classified information themselves? So why should they corner the market on leaking secrets? They don't care that Attorney General Holder lied to Congress and refused to obey a lawful order from Congress to release all info related to "Fast & Furious".........and they don't care that they knew Secretary of the Treasury Geitner cheated on his taxes before he was appointed.
The truth is that Obama doesn't care about the release of this book. He's just glad to put this in the headlines and keep it there so people will be distracted from what a failure he's been in the White House.
Beangrinder - this isn't about the President - it is about someone who claims they are an EX-Navy Seal, which I doubt. It is more likely that DF who posed as the pimp at ACORN, and again as a sheik with NPR - nothing more than a phony liar.
The only reason that it is getting this much negative publicity is that the GOP wants everyone to forget this triumph happend on President Obama's watch (event hough he gives credit to everyone involved in the previous 10 years). Similarly, the GOP successfully delayed the release of an entertainment movie because it painted the president in a positive light and they said it would negatively affect the election - the same one they are vigorously trying to keep poor, underprivelaged, and minorities from voting so they can try to steal yet another election.
PO How fuc$ing dumb are those people at ACORN??and the congress that supported them??
Datadon - they are very, very dumb.
The NPR director, on the other hand, is a very intelligent and knowledgable person. He did not fall for the trap that was being set and O'Keef had to remix the audio to create a lie to bear false witness against him.
P.O.-1013287---- The President and his administration represent the BIGGEST leak threats to our nation's security. The deliberately leaked details about the raid and those involved just to make the Commander in Chief look like the hero. These leaks put lives in danger. What's worse is that Obama is stonewalling any attempt to find the source of these leaks...........just as he has blocked Congresses investigation into "Fast & Furious" and put a wall of protection around his criminally involved Attorney General.
I've been a voter since LBJ ran in 1964, and I feel qualified to say that This administration almost (but not quite) makes the Nixon administration seem as pure as the driven snow.
Hang on a sec, The Obama didn't say anything about Navy Seals being with him when he single handedly killed Bin Ladin.
Were you with your mother when she gave birth to you?
the President gave the okay to go into another country to get Bin Ladin...he has never taken full credit for anything but giving the okay...so if thing had gone bad and it was Americans kill trying to get him then all you narrow mind people would blame him fully for sending them to get him..you people can only blame others...so no matter what Obama did or didn't do...you guys will blame him for it..it's so sad you guys feel the need to lie and twist things...
Barry was in the 'dog house' for a few weeks because the First President Valerie Jarrett had said not to kill Bin Laden and those nasty friends of Hilary’s; Panetta and others pulled a fast one on her and little barry.
They allowed him to go golfing and then did the deed.
Valerie was out of the loop as you can see (or not see) she is not in any of the pics in the White House when the deed is being done.
You can also see that little Barry is clearly bristling when he announces to the world that Bin laden is dead. He was as they say in billiard halls all over the world 'snookered' and so was Valerie our leading President.
Of course we saw that Daly made a hasty retreat to Chicago because the slum lord Jarrett used her considerable influence with mooochie to dump Daly.
And then of course Obama (if that is his name) wanted to be attached to the 'glory' of the murder of Bin Laden so he spoke 'off the record' and on the record just enough to lay claim that he and he alone had masterminded the murder.
Well time will reveal the truth about the hidden past of this thug and the truth about the plans to murder Bin Laden.
And time heals all wounds and time wounds all heels.
I was told the Navy Seal was running for President.
The leak was not at the Whitehouse, but we see it here.
TP GOP weeds in the garden of democracy.
The original leak came from Obama himself in a live broadcast that we saw on our TVs and no doubt was broadcast worldwide. This Navy Seal has written a book that apparently hasn't even been put on sale yet!! Since Obama is the Commander In Chief of our Military, he should be held for leaking military secrets to the entire world just so he could brag, if this Navy Seal is being threatened for doing the same thing.
What makes people think that any profits from this book if published. would not go to some worthwhile cause of the writers choice, IF INFACT it happens to make money???
I for one, am very proud of this Navy Seal and the entire team for the courage they have shown to go in and take out the #1 wanted man in the world. I Thank God we have men & women in our service with that kind of courage!!!
Linda - Try looking up some context, please. Obama made the public announcement because the Pakistani government was going to go public with it otherwise. The difference being that without the rather important tidbit of information that it was Osama Bin Laden who was the target of the raid, it simply would have been "The Americans invaded the sovereign nation of Pakistan for no reason." I'm SURE the GOP would just sit by and not lambast the President for a move like that, right? Right? Oh wait...no, they'd have been all over him for invading an "allied" country. Heck, some people were still upset about that even with the knowledge that Bin Laden was killed by the raid.
Beyond that, only a bunch of blithering idiots would honestly imply that ANY President would have kept the entire thing completely secret forevermore. I guaran-damn-tee you if G.W. Bush had been in office (or John McCain for that matter), it'd have been plastered all over the news just as effectively, and probably less than 24 hours later.
Jmac...........President Obama doesn't have to make excuses for his announcement and neither do you. He is the President! If President Bush announced it or not,it would be his choice as president. We all need to be behind our president. You and I will probably never know why.