News coming from the Wikileaks has certainly made for some interesting viewing. Also interesting is one of the government's responses to it. The government has said that the information on the WikiLeaks web site is potentially classified, and many federal agencies, including the White House and the Department of Defense, have directed military, federal employees and contractor personnel not to access the WikiLeaks web site.
In addition, sanctions can be placed against contractor employees who hold a government security clearance who visit WikiLeaks. One of the government memorandums regarding WikiLeaks, said accessing the site could "provide justification for local security officials to immediately remove, suspend 'for cause' all security clearances and accesses." The government takes the position that classified material is not declassified by unauthorized release.
As far as the rationale goes, this sounds reasonable. However, it also seems a bit impossible. Several major news outlets have gotten their hands on this information and are reporting it. So according to this policy are we now supposed to avert our eyes and cover our ears whenever we see or hear the leaks being presented? Or maybe if a contractor is amongst friends who are talking about it, is he supposed to say, “excuse me but could you please change the subject, I’m not allowed to participate in this conversation because the government could pull my contract if it finds out.”?
All of this has reminded me that today is tasteful Thursday. Many years ago the Who made a famous rock opera called Tommy. The opera is about the deaf, dumb and blind kid who became a famous "pinball wizard". At the beginning of the opera when Tommy is still just a small child can see, hear and talk, but during his childhood he witnesses a tragedy and loses those senses when his parents find out it.
As the lyrics go to "You Didn't Hear It"
You didn't hear it
You didn't see it.
You won't say nothing to no one
ever in your life.
In addition, sanctions can be placed against contractor employees who hold a government security clearance who visit WikiLeaks. One of the government memorandums regarding WikiLeaks, said accessing the site could "provide justification for local security officials to immediately remove, suspend 'for cause' all security clearances and accesses." The government takes the position that classified material is not declassified by unauthorized release.
As far as the rationale goes, this sounds reasonable. However, it also seems a bit impossible. Several major news outlets have gotten their hands on this information and are reporting it. So according to this policy are we now supposed to avert our eyes and cover our ears whenever we see or hear the leaks being presented? Or maybe if a contractor is amongst friends who are talking about it, is he supposed to say, “excuse me but could you please change the subject, I’m not allowed to participate in this conversation because the government could pull my contract if it finds out.”?
All of this has reminded me that today is tasteful Thursday. Many years ago the Who made a famous rock opera called Tommy. The opera is about the deaf, dumb and blind kid who became a famous "pinball wizard". At the beginning of the opera when Tommy is still just a small child can see, hear and talk, but during his childhood he witnesses a tragedy and loses those senses when his parents find out it.
As the lyrics go to "You Didn't Hear It"
You didn't hear it
You didn't see it.
You won't say nothing to no one
ever in your life.
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