Unauthorized Disclosure of Classified Material

[paedco]

I'm sure most of you on this site have at one time or another been involved with Classified material. Remember how we felt about the consequencies we would face if we compromised that material? Well, here is something for you to ponder:

UNAUTHORIZED DISCLOSURE OF CLASSIFIED INFORMATION:

After the Landmark, but erroneous, decision by the United States Supreme court, in 1971, which permitted the New York Times to publish the infamous “Pentagon Papers”, the Security of this nation was placed in deep peril and has remained so since that time. Anyone with access to classified material can release it to the public with impunity. What a sad state of affairs this is to those who are charged with providing security to this nation. How do our enemies know what we are doing and thinking? We tell them!

In the year 2000, the Congress passed H.R. 4392, the “Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 and sent it to President Clinton for signature. On November 4, 2000, President Clinton vetoed that legislation saying: “Today I am disapproving H.R. 4392, the “Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001”, because of one badly flawed provision that would have made a felony of unauthorized disclosure of classified information. Although well intentioned, that provision is overboard and may unnecessarily chill legitimate activities that are at the heart of a democracy.”

It is that stupid decision by the 1971 Supreme Court and the even stupider veto by President Clinton that places this nation in the position it is in today with the Sandy Berger situation. If that Act had been approved, Sandy Berger would now be facing Felony charges for the unauthorized disclosure of classified material, whether they be originals or copies.

paedco
Florida