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White House Forces Censorship of New York Times
VE3OGG writes "It would seem that scientists are not the only ones facing censorship from the White House. According to several news sources the New York Times originally had intended to run an article co-authored by a former employee of the National Security Council, critical of the current administration's policies toward Iran. The article had passed the CIA's publication review board, but was later redacted on orders from the White House. Article authors Flynt Leverett and Hillary Mann were former advisers to the White House, and thus all of their publications are scrutinized by a board before they can be published. Of the numerous documents this pair has published since leaving their positions, they say this was the first that was actively censored.
While the NYT is free to publish almost anything they want, the co-author (by nature of his/her employment) is not, which was the problem in this situation.
Leverett is now at the New America Foundation, and left the CIA some time ago. Since he *used to* work at the CIA, the article had to be reviewed by the CIA. The CIA approved it. What is disconcerting in this instance is that the White House injected itself into the secrets review process. This raises flags because if the White House an override the CIA during the secrets review process, it could easily manipulate that ability for domestic political ends. Want to keep the discussion on Iran policy from going in a certain direction? Want to blunt an attack by a knowledgeable ex-CIA agent? Control the secrets review process.
Read the EFF's Fair Use FAQ
He basically tells C-Span what Dear Leader didn't want published in the New York Times.
Apparently the CIA had okayed it, but Bu$hCo didn't want that sucker out.
This boils down to
- the previous reports of Iran offering to negotiate a comprehensive deal for peace in the Middle East, and,
- The dialog that Iran had with the USA right after 9-11 and the lead up to Afghanistan.
Remember, the Iranians are Shiite, the Taliban are Wahhabi Sunni. Basically the Iranians don't like them, either.The conclusions of the Op-Ed were that we're being lied to in order for Dear Leader and Big Time Dick to get this war on again with Iran.
On You Tube here. [Thanks to Uncle $cam]
Billmon suggests the Cheneyburton Corporation wants Total War in Iraq. Read what Bernhard's barflies think about that here. This is doubtless the reason the Joint Chiefs are pissed: when you go to War, you need an objective endpoint, and a pogrom is not an endpoint.
9:07 PM
"Flyin' in just a sweet place,
Never been known to fail..."
1. He does *NOT* work for the government anymore.
2. All information in his article is public knowledge combined from a variety of sources who have made public statements to the same effect.
3. The CIA reviewed the document and declared that it contained no sensitive information.
4. This isn't this characters first time doing this.. He's cleared some 30 different articles with the CIA and has not once including and until now had any issues.
How are the voters guaranteed that it really is a matter of national security, and not a political matter, as is being alleged here.
Or do you have some fundamental objection to the rule of law that you would like to elaborate on?
http://outcampaign.org/