Yeeaaah .....
pretty much figured that you hadn't actually read any of it ...
Glad you clarified that - since, judging from some of the communications I've gotten, a number of folks seemed to be concerned as to whether it was
UNREAL PEOPLE that you've been conversing with .....
(You know - the
"imaginary friend" variety .....)
Not myself mind you .......
but it has come up ... repeatedly ....
Uh-huh .....
You're making a great case for more open government, less classification ...... and more transparency ... rather than less .....
Couple that with your general feelings towards politicians (albeit not all governmental folk - but who knows - you might come around eventually), and I'd say it's a near lock.
Well, maybe if you ever get around to actually reading some of the stuff you are (feebly) attempting to talk about/refer to (again, without having ever read any of it

) ...... since afterall, the actual documents themselves have been made public on the net (so you don't have to rely on the networks -
you can actually look for yourself, strange as that may seem), maybe you, or one of your "buddies", can fill us all in on some of that "incomplete information" ..... so that we might be a better informed citizenry ...
You know Layout, the whole premise is pretty hilarious:
Someone (you) comments on the implications of something they themselves have not personally read nor examined,
and then further comments how there is a lot of incomplete information and reporting on the matter .....
(Yup -
YOU yourself, being a prime example of it .....)
I mean, think about it -
really think about it - for a minute or two .....
Seriously, I couldn't make up something that even remotely approached the utter ludicrousness of that premise .....
A guy has never actually looked at any of it, never examined it -
so in essence really knows nothing about the matter in the specific from his own personal observation - and then declares that there is "incomplete information and reporting" ....
Is anyone reading here still wondering why we are in the various predicaments that we find ourselves in - if the above is representative of the modus operandi of our (so-called) "intelligence" community ?
I asked my nephew (the combat vet, bronze star for valor nephew and his wife who is in intell school) 3 unclassifed questions. Was there a criminal leak of information? Could the release threaten lives of U.S. and allied personal? Could the leak cause a "serious" (that is a legal term used when determining the possible affects of a leak, it is the second highest level of damage) threat to the United States. They answered yes to all 3.
Let's get a few things straight since it seems, on the surface at least, that you have no idea who am I or what I believe.
My first hand experience is long out of date. I am able to base ideas on that experience because the problems we are facing are long term problems. They started long before I was born and will continue long after I am dead. Things do NOT change fast. Without first hand experience it is more difficult to sort through things.
I QUIT, I did NOT retire, from my intell job for many reasons. Among those reasons was a
moral opposition to changing policies and priorities put forth by our politicians, those who control the agencies and, for the most part, are responsible for the excesses that sometimes occur in that business. Some of those changes in policy included, what I believed to be, curtailment of our Constitution and the personal freedoms we enjoy. The same Constitution that I had sworn to protect and defend. I could not and would not work under people who were out to destroy the very thing that I had sworn to protect.
I have only limited second hand information. One, because most that I worked with are no longer there. Two, because I would not ask for classified information. Three, because those I do know that are still involved are few in numbers and in a far different role than I served in.
As to those "leaked" documents. I don't trust them. Why? They are 100% the result of criminal activity.
There is NO
legal way that classified documents can be posted on the internet. Someone, or many someones, had to commit multiple crimes to leak them.
Criminals, by their very nature, cannot be trusted. They commit crimes for various reasons. The very fact that they are willing to commit crimes makes everything that they do suspect. The person(s) that leaked those papers could be out for just profit, or to cause deaths. They could have been passed over for a promotion, whatever. Blackmail is one of the biggest reasons people "leak" classified information. One can only be blackmailed if they are weak. Weak in mind, character or morals.
Those who print/post this type of information as suspect as well. First, they are committing a crime so they cannot be trusted. Second, I do NOT KNOW their motives. Yes, MAYBE it is to inform. It can just as likely be to destroy. I have NO first hand experience. I see the crime. I do NOT trust criminals, therefore I do NOT trust them. If they are willing to commit a crime then they are capable of altering or editing the "leaked" information to acheive whatever goal that they are after. I have NO access to the ORIGINAL documents, therefor I have NO WAY to determine if they have been altered in any way.
Politicians have been known to "leak" information for varied reasons. Many of those "leaks: have cost people their lives. That is just ONE of the many reasons that I no longer trust our politicians.
We continue to be in the messes we are in, not because of intell problems, but mainly due to our politicians. THEY make the policies. THEY set the intell priorities. The agencies, for the most part, follow the commands of the civilian government that rightfully controls them. The problems occur mainly within the ranks of the corrupt officials in charge.
I don't know what first hand experience you have. I don't know if you have any at all. I don't know what second hand experience or information you have, if any at all. I DO KNOW that NO 3rd hand or lower information can be fully trusted.
I do NOT doubt your intentions. I question your insistence on belittling me. You are more than welcome to question my ideas. I, however, have NEVER committed a crime in the performance of my duties. I ONLY did the jobs that I was assigned to do and ALWAYS followed, not only the letter, but the spirit of the laws that are out there to protect our Constitution and the American people.
I do NOT have imaginary people that I talk with. I am well grounded, quite fun to be around and am MORE than capable of carrying on a valid conversation.
I do wonder one thing. What is it that fosters your apparent almost hatred of the intell business? Did something happen to you or someone you know? Is it only from reading 3rd or 4th hand information? Could it be that you might just feel left out, not able to know classified stuff? (by the way, most classified stuff is VERY boring, don't let that bother you) I am not saying that that "left out" feeling is part of the cause but, believe it or not, many do feel that way. Those people tend to be the most vocal of their hatred.
I am NOT being silly or snide in asking this. I cannot determine your thoughts if I don't understand you.
Now, I will check back with you latter. It is time to install my airtabs. You are MORE than welcome to come over and help. My back is bothering me and I could use the help!!
