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CIA Blogger Fired for Criticizing Torture Policy

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the speech-not-spooks dept.

PetManimal writes "A contract software developer for the CIA who had a blog on the CIA intranet was fired after criticizing torture in an entry. The title of the post: something along the lines of 'Waterboarding is Torture and Torture is Wrong.' The Washington Post reports Christine Axsmith is not the only CIA blogger -- the spy agency uses blogs to let agents and other workers share information and ideas." From the article: "Hundreds of blog posts appear on Intelink. The CIA says blogs and other electronic tools are used by people working on the same issue to exchange information and ideas. CIA spokesman Paul Gimigliano declined to comment on Axsmith's case but said the policy on blogs is that 'postings should relate directly to the official business of the author and readers of the site, and that managers should be informed of online projects that use government resources. CIA expects contractors to do the work they are paid to do.'"

5 of 576 comments (clear)

  1. Snark by Doc+Ruby · · Score: 4, Funny

    I don't get it... the CIA doesn't torture people. The USA doesn't torture people. Why should the CIA care if a contractor says torture is wrong? They must have fired her for goofing off on company time/equipment.

    --

    --
    make install -not war

  2. Overreacting by linvir · · Score: 4, Funny
    On Monday, Axsmith was terminated by her employer, BAE Systems, which was helping the CIA test software.
    Wow, they really don't take this stuff lying down. Many bloggers died to bring us this information!
  3. This wasn't the peoper place for her to complain by elrous0 · · Score: 5, Funny
    Jeez, she had no right to use the CIA intranet to complain like this. She should have used the proper CIA procedure with regards to such complaints--take them to the New York Times.

    -Eric

    --
    SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
  4. Re:Torture Saves Lives by Jhan · · Score: 4, Funny
    [after all] we are trying to save the children. We wouldnt want these children to be harmed by terrorists just because we didnt have the fortitude to torture them.

    Your ideas intrigue me. Please tell me more about how torturing children will keep them safe from terrorists. Also, I would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

    --

    I choose to remain celibate, like my father and his father before him.

  5. One Question: by tomhudson · · Score: 5, Funny

    and the victim is unlikely to actually die if this is done by skilled practitioners.

    Who'd they practice on before they became so skilled?

    Gov't Torturer: I only lost 3 this week.
    Superior: Good enough. Here's your "Skilled in Waterboarding" cert. And no, I don't want to know what you did with the bodies.
    Gov't Torturer: Thanks. BTW, you might want to avoid the "mystery meat" at the cafeteria.