from SLATE: Obama Strongly Pursues Leakers The Obama administration's pursuit of federal officials who leak classified information has been so extensive that it has shocked legal experts and transparency advocates, who say these kinds of efforts end up quieting whistleblowers. The moves are particularly surprising considering that Obama promised to usher in a period of unparalleled openness in the White House. Instead, prosecutors have "filed criminal charges in five separate cases involving unauthorized distribution of classified national security information to the media," reports Politico. Over the last 40 years, "the U.S. government brought such cases on three occasions." Some insist the increase in prosecutions has to do with pressure from the intelligence community that is getting tired of how pervasive leaking has become over the past decade. Meanwhile, the Justice Department is weighing whether it will file charges against WikiLeaks' Julian Assange, which would surely be the most high-profile case of the lot.
Read original story in Politico [http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0311/50761.html] | Monday, March 7, 2011 -- Jim Devine / "Segui il tuo corso, e lascia dir le genti." (Go your own way and let people talk.) -- Karl, paraphrasing Dante. _______________________________________________ pen-l mailing list [email protected] https://lists.csuchico.edu/mailman/listinfo/pen-l
