Attorney General Eric Holder recently told intelligence community lawyers that he wants them to continue the Administration’s crackdown on leakers and media sources despite calls for his termination and the controversy on the attack on the free press. The message is clear: there will be no quarter given those who disclose classified information. Well not everyone. This week it was revealed that former CIA Director Leon Panetta disclosed classified information to “Zero Dark Thirty” filmmaker Mark Boal. According to an inspector general report, the disclosure of the name of the Navy SEAL unit that carried out the Osama bin Laden raid and the unit’s ground commander at a 2011 ceremony. Some of the information was marked as “top secret.”
The wonderful thing for Holder is that this leaker is known and there are witnesses. He made the disclosure in front of 1,300 people in a tent at the CIA complex on June 24, 2011. So Panetta is now being housed next to Bradley Manning, right? Not quite. The Administration leaks classified information on a regular basis. On Obama Farm, all leakers are equal but some leakers are more equal than others.
Notably, this disclosure helped a filmmaker who was developing a controversial film that seemed to herald the value of torture by CIA employees. Like many, I was surprised by the degree to which the movie made it look like it was torture that led to the killing of Obama in direct contradiction to what we know about the various sources used in the operation. Giving top secret information to a filmmaker for such a film does not appear to be a matter for prosecution. Now, the Associated Press or Fox News? That is an entirely different question. In that case, the reporters are viewed by the Administration as an possible criminal co-conspirator. In the case, of Boal, he was not a co-conspirator . . . just part of the creative enterprise.
Source: Politico
Nick,
Thanks… If you are attacking… Don’t…. If you’re being attacked…. Defend but…. Don’t make it personal…..state your case and move on….
AY, Again, you have wisdom. And, you have a good heart. You welcome people when they’ve been gone for awhile. I notice stuff like that. You are positive and have a witty sense of humor. I have said many times, I would never want to live in a world where people all agreed. I engage w/ all types of people, class, race, religion, politics, etc. I would be bored to death otherwise. That is the core of wisdom, travelling, working different careers, engaging and befriending people different than yourself, etc. Most people respect it. A few are resentful of it. C’est la vie.
Conflict of interest has not been answered. The beef was between myself and Gene and he was the arbiter who deleted my comments. The only complaints of late about me have been Gene and Mike. This is a personal conflict and authority was abused. There is no disputing that, and that’s why it has not received a response. Gene does not possess the requisite temperament to be an arbiter w/ me, or possibly anyone. I think Mike does, but it would also have been a conflict of interest for him since we too were involved in the debacle. One of the other Guest Bloggers should have been the arbiter. A first year law school student or paralegal would know this.
And I do appreciate that gene… Thank you…
AY,
I read the post to Mike. That doesn’t change the salient facts. Again, nick’s choice in targets (though poor) is not the issue nor is his personality. His persistence in breaking the rules is the issue. The pattern Mike points to is quite distinct and can be easily pulled from the record. That’s all the ‘splainin’ Ricky could ever require.
So since you acknowledge your knowledge of the facts is limited?
Perhaps you should recall that you raised no objections when others came to your defense against the same kind of behavior in the past.
Gene,
Lol, read the post to mike…. Since the spamming…. It just get easier to delete all….
Oh no, I have not forgotten patty c….. Specfically September 2009….i haven’t seen what’s not been posted…. So, I don know….. As Ricky Ricardo would say….
As I wrote upthread before the fifth comment on this thread was an attack by Nick on Gene, out of nowhere. Were this a single incident then so what. It is not a single incident but has occurred on every thread that Nick comments on. If I comment on a thread I read every comment before and after my comment(s). I have seen Nick play this same tired game again and again. The record shows it and anyone can check it by choosing any thread where Nick has commented. I have directly pointed out this pattern to Nick, but you will also note that he never responds directly to any specific charge made against him. I personally have tried ignoring him with the hope he would get the message, he hasn’t and you just have to read his words abobe that he dislikes both me and Gene.
There is one other thing to consider and thst is how many times has Nick ever had a disussion about a blog, or added anything to the dialogue? Now that in itself is fine, but when the written record shows just attacks and discussion interuption, with admitted dislike fueling ad hominem attacks, what’s his point?
AY,
How quickly you forget what got Patty C banned.
This isn’t about nick’s personality. It’s about his repeated ad hominem attacks. The precise behavior that got Patty the boot. The precise behavior she was engaging in against you if I recall the story.
If personality was a factor, do you honestly think that a vocal bestiality proponent would be tolerated?
Nick,
I’m defending your right to post without reprecussions….. I am neither in support of your views or dislike your views… From what I understand from the past in what’s been posted or from what you’ve said allowed to be posted has not risen to the level that gets folks banned…
Personalities should not factor in beling allowed to post or not…
Or . . . you could learn to follow the rules.
AY, I believe you were taught by the Jesuits. You just showed it. I think I’ve had battles w/ you previously and will again. I respect you and appreciate your thoughtful and wise words. The problem I see is we have some very smart people here w/o a lick of wisdom . And, I am not the only person who relates my varied careers and life experiences. But, in my case it seems to rankle some. But, Mike has intimated they’re “possibly false” and “alleged” and that is McCarthy like. That’s when I bite back hard. I have testified under oath more times than I can count. When I comment here I consider myself under oath. Some people like my anecdotes, some people are neutral, some don’t like them. I surmise the latter being a bit of insecurity..an ugly male trait.
The only person who matters to me on my “right” to be here is Mr. Turley. There was a blatant conflict of interest yesterday. I had a dispute w/ a person who has the power to moderate and delete. And he arbitrarily and capriciously abused that right like a child. If you folks are so righteous you would have called your buddy on that outrage. Anyone besides the unstable Guest Blogger should have ben the arbiter yesterday. All of you fellow Guest Bloggers tacitly approved his blatantly wrong actions. So, don’t preach to me this morning about how you are willing to tolerate me because I don’t give a rat’s ass. You forfeited your moral authority yesterday. And, yes Elaine, even though you apparently can hold a grudge forever, I meant EVERYTHING I said about your book. I see in you a good heart. Now for chrissake, lets move past the abuse of power and get on w/ substance. I thought you were Guest Bloggers, not a Star Chamber.
Oh, Elaine said it best…
Mike,
While I generally agree with your over all statement…. Nick can be viewed as a nuisance… Ok, he’s done everything… Been everywhere…related every job experience to something somebody else has done… I can read or not read those…
I maybe wrong but he does not post detraction from the original topic as I may read… If the topic is bashing Obama or his cohorts in crime…. He does not generally post what an A$$ hole somebody else is or detract from the original topic with totally irrevelant posts….
He may attack and get attacked back, that’s just part or the free flow… If he personally attacks… Well Mike, depending on whom your attacking or attacked by depends upon if there are repercussions…..
I suggest that the free flow of ideal good, goofy or bad be allowed… Unless they reveal personal information… Which has been done, even to me…. We shouldn’t have two standards one for guest bloggers and one for posters… The rules should be the same….
At least he has not been labeled a mysogynist yet, but his time will come…. I am almost certain….
Just don’t read em… Since the spamming attacks… It’s real easy to delete without reading and sometimes I just delete them all without reading…. Saves time with the BS….
Elaine, I’ve learned a bit about publishing via the anguish of my wife’s sojourn. I wish you all the best. If you’ve learned anything about me it is I let people know what I think and feel, be it good or bad. I was not playing some childish game, I was just trying to help. I don’t know squat about children’s books, but I do know Kessler was very successful. You know exponentially more than I and I’m sure Lin is more successful. I didn’t look upon it as a competition, to that I swear under oath. Hell, besides a few of the kids books we had for our children, and now Lin, I don’t know any children’s. My wife is basking in the joy of getting her book published and I receive vicarious pleasure from that. I got more joy watching her childlike excitement recently @ Yellowstone and Teton National Parks. I know the hard work it takes, and I hope and pray you will feel that joy soon. I know you will get there through perseverance, I just hop it’s sooner than later.
Mike S.,
As you know, I’ve had my own issues with Nick in the past. He likes to poke at a hornets’ nest…likes to jab at people. Like you, I, too, have defended his right to be here.
Does it really matter that Leon Panetta leaked the hogwash information to whomever was going to manufacture consent for a bit of propagandized twaddle? Most rational people know that Bin Laden died many years ago of natural causes. But – in fantasy land – why spoil a good story with the facts, eh?
nick,
“…I don’t know if Leonard is doing anymore drawings but if your publisher is striking out I’ll be happy to ask my buddy if Leonard is taking on any projects. He’s an ace.”
*****
It doesn’t work that way in children’s publishing. Children’s book editors and art editors consider which artist(s) will be best suited to illustrate a particular picture book text. The first artist they asked to illustrate my book was busy with other projects until 2015…so they decided to look for someone else. Often with first-time authors, editor/publishers will try to find an established/award-winning artist to illustrate her book in order to help sell the book/call attention to it.
*****
Mike S.,
I think Grace Lin is probably more well-known than Leonard Kessler. She is the recipient of a Newbury Honor Award, Josette Frank Award, a Theodor (Dr. Suess) Geisel Honor Award, an E.B. White Read-Aloud Honor Award, a Parents Choice Gold Medal–among other awards and acknowledgements.
I only brought her name into the discussion to show how fortunate I am to have had her help. If not for her, I may never have sold that manuscript. Many children’s publishers today refuse to read unsolicited manuscripts…or will only accept manuscripts from agents. And it’s not often easy to get an agent to represent you if you’re not already published.
Elaine,
I understood that about Grace Lin. The follow up remark was both an example of a fitting game and the “I can top this”. This has been a repetitive pattern in his responses. Taken alone, so what? Taken as a repetitive pattern withe on occasion vitriol, ad hominem and scatology thrown it, it requires notice.
On this thread he remarked approriately in the third remark above, stating an opinion. On the fifth remark of the thread he gratuitously attacked Gene, and again it is off to the races. The argument with him is not about his opinions. It is about a constant pattern of attacks craving response and the when responded to mock outrage at being victimized. Nicks commenting here, since the beginning has been played as a game to get attention, rather then to engage in discussion. It is disruptive and while I know it drives people away, such behavipr is characteristic of a bully and if not responded to only escalates. Yet you know that offline I’ve defended his right to be here, despite his varied attempts to disrupt the discussion on threads.
Nick,
This too will pass,…
SWM, Thanks, I Rotten Tomatoed Francis Ha and I think I’ll see it when it comes through town. I really like Ethan Hawke. I thought he was just as good as Denzel in Training Day.
nick,
Like I said, I don’t care if you stay or not, but you will follow the rules regarding personal attacks. If you don’t like the result of your continued rule breaking, I suggest you stop it.