A rather large number of you asked what I think about the (former) Navy SEAL who (supposedly) shot Osama bin Laden, and specifically: 1) OMG Fox is going to reveal his name LIVE ON THE AIR OMG! 2) Those bastards at the Pentagon and/or That Goddamned Obama are pursuing criminal charges against this GENUINE AMERICAN HERO! OOK! OOK! First, Fox isnt revealing anything. Theyve made a big deal out of Look! Look! Shooter Revealed At Last! but its all bullshit. The truth of the matter is that the guy wrote a book, he made some sort of half ass attempt to hide his identity but his name was revealed more than a year ago. This isnt the first interview hes done. His identity isnt any secret by his own choice. Any risk he assumes from the interview and the book and the publicity is on him and him alone - and by risk I mean both from our enemies and from legal sanctions by his own nation. Heres why: He knew exactly what he was getting into, both when he took the job and when he decided to write about it. Dont tell me he didnt. He did. It was explained to him in exacting detail and he signed legally binding instruments VOLUNTARILY agreeing to abide by the orders of his commanders. Period. I know. I swore the exact same oath and I signed the same exact papers, which is why I dont talk about my own classified experiences. Which brings us directly to item 2. Each and every one of us who swear the oath place ourselves voluntarily under certain restrictions. Some of those restrictions are temporary, some are for very long periods, some are for life or until the US Government says otherwise. We are NOT required to understand why those restrictions are in place. We are NOT required to agree with them. We ARE required by law to comply. We swore an oath. We gave our word. Now, either your word is good or it isnt. There is nothing in the middle, your word is good. Or it isnt. Period. If its only good when its convenient, if its only good when you agree, if its only good when it benefits you, its no good at all. Its black or its white, there is no gray, your word is good or it isnt. Its the one thing NOBODY can take away from you. But see, heres the thing: Even if your word ISNT good, in the military youre STILL legally responsible for it. Sometimes even after you take off the uniform and leave the service. Now, As civilians, as those who have never served or held a high level security clearance, or even as veterans who have, you may disagree with those restrictions. You may find the idea of those restrictions offensive and obnoxious and wrongheaded and contrary to your ideas of liberty and you may cheer those who break their word. Thats your prerogative. Just as you may utterly disagree with the posted speed limit - but that doesnt mean youre not going to get a ticket if you speed - and your disdain for the rules will carry exactly zero weight with the judge. And the same is true here. SEALs are not exempt from security requirements or regulations or the law just because they are SEALs - Steven Segal movies notwithstanding. Elite forces arent under less restrictions, theyre under MORE precisely because they set the example for us all. The rules are usually in place for good reason. Sometimes, maybe often, those reasons are above your paygrade. Ultimately, it is the President who decides what is classified and what isnt (or in reality, his designated agents). If the president chooses to reveal classified information to the American people, thats his option under the laws of the United States and backed up by the power granted him in the Constitution (Oh, yes, yes it is - despite the loud chest-beating from certain members of Congress. Congress doesnt decide classification, the President does). But those of us in the trenches, we dont get that option. Even if the restrictions are outdated or bullshit or inconvenient, it doesnt remove the obligation. As a member of a classified operation, this guy was required to submit his manuscript and any interviews regarding that operation to the Pentagon for review prior to publication. He knew that. Yes he did. He knew it. In detail. It was explained to him, in detail, just as it was explained to me, just as it was explained to EVERY military member who holds a clearance. He agreed to it and signed his name on the line. Period. He chose to disregard that requirement. It was his CHOICE. His. Nobody elses. Further he was ordered by lawful authority not to reveal certain information, he did so anyway. Again, by his own choice. We swore an oath, a legally binding oath, to obey the orders of the President, of the officers appointed over us, to abide by the Uniform Code of Military Justice, by military regulations, and the laws of the United States. And either your word is good or its not. There are consequences EITHER way. He will now have to suffer the consequences of his choices and it is really just that goddamned simple. _____________ CAVEAT: My statement above in NO WAY reflects any judgement whatsoever on this SEALs military service. He was a SEAL, by definition he was one of the very best. He was selected for one of the single most important and dangerous missions the US Military has ever undertaken and by most reports he carried out his duties with alacrity and skill. That should tell you something. I neither support nor condemn the situation he now finds himself in, thats entirely on him and hell have to deal with it. He knew what he was getting into, as did we all.
Posted on: Fri, 31 Oct 2014 19:10:33 +0000
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