From: George Sherwood 

On Thu, 12 Jan 2006 20:06:00 -0500, Rich Gauszka wrote:


> I have no problem in prosecuting anyone that releases information that truly
> damages our intelligence effort. I would say there is also a line where
> patriotism ( justification, rationale ) counts in the matter of whistle
> blowers and  prosecution.

When you sign for the "privilege" to access classified material
you give up this right.  Clearly if something is against the law and you
have no guidance that could legitimately have precedence over that law then
you do have a duty to take action.  This is not what we are talking about. 
It is leaks because some one feels slighted or pure politics.  But it is
not up to that individual to determine what is truly harmful and what
isn't. There are many more leaks that I am sure could help the President,
but no one should decide this except for the classifying authority.  There
is a proper way for information like this to be put out.

>
> I know the government was re-examining the classification scheme at one
> time as far to often items that were trivial, embarrassing, detrimental
> to those in power, etc.  were given a classification to prevent any
> timely disclosure. I wonder how far they went in rectifying that abuse?

I can't really answer it.  I know when classifying I have always been given
the direction to do so at the lowest possible level. Something may seem
trivial, embarrassing or detrimental, but you would have to know the source
to understand why it was classified.  It could go on as you say, but I have
never seen it and would probably never see it at the levels I have worked.

George

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