U.S. Army clamping down on soldiers' blogs

[maddezmom]

Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON, May 2 (Reuters) - The U.S. Army is tightening restrictions on soldiers' blogs and other Web site postings to ensure sensitive information about military operations does not make it onto public forums.

Soldiers in war zones are already subject to restrictions on blogging and public posts. But the Army's new regulation could affect service members who have returned from war zones and started blogs about their combat experiences.

Under a new directive issued in April, soldiers must consult with their immediate supervisor and an officer responsible for what's known within the military as operational security, or OPSEC, for a review of planned publications.

Reviews will be needed for Web site postings, blog postings, discussions on Internet information forums and discussions on Internet message boards, according to the Army directive.

E-mail that will be published in a public forum is also subject to review under the regulation. But Army officers said personal e-mails will not be reviewed, calling that impractical.

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N02339876.htm

[Monkeyman]

1. Its Not The Info Its Their Feelings They Don't Want Out

[maggiegault]

2. Only about 100% of our troops have MySpace pages

http://www.wired.com/politics/onlinerights/news/2007/05/army_bloggers?currentPage=2

That is another good article about this travesty.

Military families live for emails and blog updates from our loved ones. And the military deserter took even that away from us.

[conspirator]

3. The internet: the worst nightmare of the corrupt elite

That's why they are thinking of replacing the internet with a more "secured" (tapped) system.

[Ilsa]

4. While I can see the need for discretion about plans, locations, etc.

having a review is going to probably shut down most of the blogs. That's too bad. I bet the blogs serve as listening-only therapist in a place where there aren't many (or any).

TPTB sure don't want any depressing comments about the war surfacing for "Al Qeada" to read.

[BOSSHOG]

5. If they were mimicking limbaugh and hannity all would be fine, but

isn't it telling that those two chickenshit chickenhawks who have never done anything FOR our country are scared shitless about the possible resurfacing of the FAIRNESS doctrine. Censorship of soldiers comments and no fairness. Who says conservatives don't have a plan.

[uppityperson]

6. Censorship during War has always happened. That said, this is crap

I wonder who will be reviewing everything, what the backlog will be? Will people no longer be able to e-mail family in a timely manner? What WILL they censor? Who will they get to do this job, what jobs will they be taken away from, how will it be funded?

I can see not posting sensitive info, but jeeze, this is crap.

[Erika]

7. This will hurt the rate of volunteerism

Bush has to learn that our troops are not his to use and abuse as if they were plastic action figures.

[ShamanaSZ]

8. And at the same time

We have news that the US Army will show its side of the war through Youtube. Now, doesn't that sound a wee bit hypocritic?

[LynnTheDem]

9. "to ensure sensitive information about military operations"

my fucking arse.

[FloridaJudy]

10. And who's going to crack down on the commander-in-chief?

Wasn't it Bush who put up a map revealing where the US bases are?

But God forbid some poor grunt who isn't even in a combat zone anymore posts something unflattering about the US Military.

These people make me sick. :puke:

[Dragonbreathp9d]

11. How much "vital security information" is there really?

I mean, its not like we're fighting an open war where every little detail could mean the difference in out-flanking the enemey. Our boys are doing routine patrols and house raids- things the enemey already knows. Unless the military just doesnt want word of torture or other maladies to get out, I dont see the need for this.