NBC: CIA officer fired after admitting leak (secret prisons)...

[sinkingfeeling]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12423825/

<snip> In a rare occurrence, the CIA fired an officer who acknowledged giving classified information to a reporter, NBC News reported on Thursday. The agency’s spokeswoman confirmed the firing.

The leak pertained to stories on the CIA’s rumored secret prisons in Eastern Europe, sources told NBC. The information was allegedly provided to Dana Priest of the Washington Post, who wrote reports about CIA prisons in November 2005 and was awarded a Pulitzer Prize on Monday for her reporting.

<snip>

[napi21]

1. I hope NBC finds him a job, or gives him one! n/t

[OKthatsIT]

17. WE will promote REAL NEWS...with or without the MSM

That agent was RIGHT to expose the secret prisons.

We have to STOP THIS MADNESS around the world.

[wordpix]

31. now that he's fired, he's free to talk about BushCo's sins

[Demeter]

41. Her: Mary McCarthy

NBC News identified the accused officer as Mary McCarthy, and said she worked in the CIA Inspector General's office before being "marched out" of the spy agency on Thursday.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060422/pl_nm/security_cia_dc_6

[electropop]

2. So much for whistleblower protections.

That's how they work: kill the messenger. What will they do when everybody is a messenger?

[fooj]

3. Fucking cowards.

Peace.

[HereSince1628]

4. Yeah and there is also the story about insurrection at the CIA

I'm sure Cheney feels it's time to get the spooks back under control

[cal04]

5. I noticed that they wrote not linked to the Plame story

This leak is not linked to the recent scandal in the CIA involving undercover agent Valerie Plame’s identity being revealed, NBC reported.

Separately, the Justice Department is investigating a New York Times stories about the National Security Agency’s domestic warrantless eavesdropping. Times reporter James Risen won a Pulitzer on Monday for his reporting on the issue.

[LiberalHeart]

6. In this link it says this ain't the end of the leak probes...

http://wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=4801478

[Lerkfish]

7. well, well, I believe this is a tacit admission to the truth of it.

no need to fire someone for leaking something false, eh?

THIS CONFIRMS THEY ARE DOING IT, AS CHARGED.

[vickitulsa]

25. Good point, Lerkfish!

I suppose it might not necessarily follow that the leaked information is the truth, but it is definitely a logical assumption.

Oh, and I'm sorry, Cal04, I was busy writing my first response to the OP (below) when you posted those same two paragraphs from the MS/NBC story, so I didn't see you'd done that already. I did add some of the conclusions I drew from what those paragraphs revealed, however.

I believe these are very significant issues now coming to light in a way that shines the light on this administration's entire malevolent operation, and I'm so glad to see discussions such as this one happening here at DU. I can only hope conversations much like it are also breaking out in the public dialogue!

We as Americans may have to "air our dirty laundry" in front of the whole world in order to show our outrage at our own government -- and our intent that it be cleaned up fast. Sadly, I believe it's only through radical and rapid action on our part to oust this administration and set things right again in our country that we can regain the respect and confidence of other nations around the world.

I keep getting the uneasy feeling that we don't have much time left to clean up our own dangerous mess(es) before others decide they must do it for us....

[quiet.american]

8. So, is the Leaker-in-Chief next?

Oh, and how about Cheney and Rove?

[TexasLawyer]

19. No, luckily (for them)

everything that emerges from the mouth or pen of our glorious leaders is instantly transmogrified into de-classified information. By definitional fiat, these guys can never be guilty of a leak.

At least, that's their take on it.

[vickitulsa]

30. But isn't "their take on it" incorrect, legally speaking?

(Thought I'd ask you, since you are a lawyer!)

I've sure been wondering a lot lately about this very thing. It's bad enough that American presidents can issue "Executive Orders" right and left and leave the rest of us no recourse; but could it ever be legally permissible for a president to say whatever he wants, declaring in effect that "if I say it, it's declassified"?

Could he give out the entire NOC list, for instance, in a press release and then insist he just declassified that information? Seems highly unlikely, so I'm hoping there will be a serious legal challenge to Dubya's claims along these lines.

[TexasLawyer]

34. I have never researched this,

or even looked into it. But, just my layman reaction would be that it's bull.

If their legal basis for the "instant de-classification" theory is the same as for their "we're allowed to ignore FISA" theory-- the latter issue I HAVE looked into--then I know that their take on the law is bull.

[vickitulsa]

36. Thanks! I appreciate your replying.

I'll bet there are some people "on our side" in this fight who are researching the devil out of the legal issues of Dubya's claims in just about every respect.

Glad to hear that his notion of "we're allowed to ignore FISA" is bull ... as many of us figured.

I'd like to do some legal research on my own -- I was a legal secretary for some years; but I don't feel qualified to really get to the bottom of a legal issue on my own. Think I'll try Googling for some more input from "great legal minds" on this.

Thanks again, Texaslawyer!~ :hi:

[Peace Patriot]

9. The Washtington Post probably set him/her up.

They are NOT. TO. BE. TRUSTED.

Nor is the NYT, which, among other egregious acts, WITHHELD the domestic spying information for one year--until after the election.

God, these people giving each other Pulitzer Prizes! Their arrogance and malfeasance are unbelievable.

[glitch]

26. Collaborators. nt

[savemefromdumbya]

35. you got it

[ConcernedCanuk]

10. Leak or no - the World already knows that Hitler is reborn

.
.
.

in the USA

was cloning possible back then?

Hitler died less than a year before Junior was born

Prescott was dealing with the Nazis until 1951

George senior started spreading Depleted Uranium around the Middle East in 1990 - guaranteed death for millions

And George Junior is spreading even MORE Depleted Uranium round during this invasion and occupation of Iraq

Something to think about

(sigh)

[formercia]

20. sperm stays viable frozen

Ve make Nazis ze old fashioned vey.

The 'Boy from Brazil'

The Bushes reportedly spent some time in Argentina about that time.......Herr Doktor Mengele was in the area too...

[worldgonekrazy]

11. MSM totally missing the point, as usual

I was watching CNN's coverage and was completely disgusted. They mentioned the guy was fired for leaking classified information, but they made absolutely NO MENTION of what that information was, nor did they even begin to address the question of whether this man is a traitor (as they seem to want to portray him) or a HERO. Hopefully they'll get it right as it develops more, but I'm not holding my breath.

[northofdenali]

12. What unmitigated gall.

Hope the guy writes a book and makes a bunch, then sues the fuck out of 'em. And if they're so fucking concerned about leaks, WHAT ABOUT SCOTTY AND DICKIE?

[lyonn]

13. So, CIA agent leaked info and was fired

and possibly prosecuted. Our Government breaks the law and it is probably international law too by having secret foreign prisons where people have been transfered by the U.S.A. are kept without charges, attorney and tortured. Why U.S. prisoners are being shuffled around the world when we have Gitmo and U.S. prisons where they can be held only tells one that they are doing things that are compounding the crime.

Who is investigating this crime? Will our govt. sweep this agent and his story under the rug as quickly as all the other crimes they have committed? Guess this will help stop other disgruntled agents from leaking the truth. If this is not the truth and we don't have foreign prisons that we use then get it out there, we want to know.

[Blue_Tires]

14. secret.prisons.eastern.europe

what in fuck's name kind of people are in charge over there??

[denverbill]

15. It should NEVER be illegal to report illegal behavior by the government.

This blows.

[lyonn]

23. Well put denverbill, simplifies the situation

[wordpix]

27. yes, thank you for a succinct soundbite our Dem candidates should use

[Robb]

37. Perfectly put.

These are people we should be putting medals on.

[EFerrari]

16. I hope Goss is stupid enough to press charges.

I want this can of worms wide open.

[glitch]

28. Firing him was stupid enough - reason for him to file suit under whistle

blower protection surely? Even if he doesn't win, that would open up the worm can.

[EFerrari]

33. I hope professionals -- like Ray McGovern -- make

a circle around this person.

[lyonn]

18. Dana Priest who broke the story has been one reporter

that seemed to not walk that "lets go to war" line prior to the Iraq war and thereafter. It figures her story that hurt bush's puritan image would get an agent fired. That should keep agents from talkin' to Priest!! Sarcasm

[vickitulsa]

21. Hmmm ... I think this is VERY significant.

The last three paragraphs of that MS/NBC story revealed something we really ought to be noting as well.


This leak is not linked to the recent scandal in the CIA involving undercover agent Valerie Plame’s identity being revealed, NBC reported.


Perhaps it's not linked to that scandal directly, but there is certainly some linkage to be found in the mere fact that the point is being made: leaks of classified information can be threats to our national security.

If it's harmful that the fired CIA official referred to in this story leaked info to a reporter, then it's logical to say it's been harmful that the Bush WH leaked info to no less than SIX reporters! -- including the outing of an agent working undercover on counterterrorism assignments, which also had the effect of revealing the Brewster Jennings operation in total, endangering heaven knows how many lives.

I thought this was interesting as well:


Separately, the Justice Department is investigating a New York Times stories about the National Security Agency’s domestic warrantless eavesdropping. Times reporter James Risen won a Pulitzer on Monday for his reporting on the issue.

The NSA and other agencies had requested the probe, sources told NBC.


Hmmm ... so the NSA requested that the NSA's behavior be investigated? That sounds mighty "strained," to say the least. Can't imagine why a secret agency would request an investigation of its own secretive tasks -- uh, say, unless someone else revealed the ugly truth first and the NSA was then forced to take some step publicly to try to regain some credibility. (It's not working, but I can see why they'd TRY.)

Seems to me the whole big ball of twine is unravelling at a breakneck pace these days, and pretty soon there won't be enough people to pick up all the loose ends! I imagine there are hundreds of CIA officials and agents at all levels who are angry about how they're being "used" (in the worst, most malevolent sense), as well as employees in the 12 other secret agencies operating in our government who feel the same way. I wonder if we aren't seeing the beginning of a snowballing effect? After all, how could this administration deal with a large number of people employed in the various spying and "black ops" services going to the media with this administration's "dirty little secrets"?

At some point, Bush & Co. cannot do enough covering up to hide the bitter, galling truth of their calumny and other dastardly doings.

And of course, it's also noteworthy that these reporters who are publishing the stories gained from leaks are winning freakin' Pulitzer Prizes for them! Some people must believe it's a GOOD THING that these truths be told to the American people and the world....

[unblock]

22. well i guess that pretty much CONFIRMS the classified information is true!

i would have expected the cia to refuse to confirm or deny the allegations.

this is unusual.

[BlueManDude]

24. Goss is purging the career guys in favor of the loonies. n/t

[wordpix]

29. just what BushCo wants--their own loonies in all positions (or at least,

their young Repugs with no experience that repukes can control)

[lyonn]

32. Eventually a John Dean type person

will spill all the beans. There has to be serious violations by this bush bunch and that shouldn't be a problem proving. Yes, I think they are trying to purge all the non-believers from Intelligence.

[vickitulsa]

39. I keep thinking this too. Eventually SOMEONE who knows where

all the bodies are buried is going to find himself in a squeeze and decide to make the best deal he can by telling it all, like John Dean did. You know people like those in the Bush administration are bound to make some serious enemies -- even out of some who were formerly "friends." They step on others' toes and behave in coldhearted ways toward many, I feel sure, and I just believe such behavior will eventually catch up with them.

C'mon, somebody, wake up and realize it's your DUTY as an American to help us save our country from this bunch of hoodlums!

I eagerly await the day....

[hedgehog]

38. I think the agent was a she, not a he, and she deserves a medal

Is it still a leak when you reveal a crime?

[maddezmom]

40. you are correct and her name is Mary McCarthy

some good detail here:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/04/22/MNGH9IDLVM1.DTL

[Arkansas Granny]

42. Apparently, she failed a lie detector test about leaking info.

"On Friday, another government official, also speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the information, said the fired officer had failed a lie-detector test.

It was not clear if the person was taking a routine polygraph examination, as is required periodically of employees with access to classified information, or if the lie-detector test was among those ordered by Goss to find leakers inside the agency."

http://enews.earthlink.net/article/top?guid=20060421/444858c0_3ca6_1552620060421616607736

[young_at_heart]

43. She had a conscience.......are there any others?

America...secret prisons...torture??? Is this the same country I was born in many years ago? One can only hope her good deed will not cause her harm.

[moondust]

44. To the dungeons with the enlighteners!

Off with their heads!


Now bring me my robe and flask!