State Dept. Bars Staffers from WikiLeaks, Warns Students Not to Even Read At Home on or Comment On!

[KoKo]

State Dept. Bars Staffers from WikiLeaks, Warns Students

The U.S. State Department has imposed an order barring employees from reading the leaked WikiLeaks cables. State Department staffers have been told not to read cables because they were classified and subject to security clearances. The State Department’s WikiLeaks censorship has even been extended to university students. An email to students at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs says: "The documents released during the past few months through Wikileaks are still considered classified documents. recommends that you DO NOT post links to these documents nor make comments on social media sites such as Facebook or through Twitter. Engaging in these activities would call into question your ability to deal with confidential information, which is part of most positions with the federal government."

http://www.democracynow.org/2010/12/3/headlines#2

[Lucinda]

1. It's truly pointless. The entire world can read them (providing they can access a computer)

I see no point in banning them, and I can't really think of a reason why the gvmt would even do this...

[KoKo]

11. That's what' so bad about seeing this? How could US SD issue such a thing...sounds like China or

old Soviet Union! I thought the Neo-Cons were bringing DEMOCRACY to Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and all the places we've killed people in South America and Africa and Phillipines and Haiti and the rest since the end of WWII! (I and others knew they were lying...but we thought they'd get caught out long before they amassed the terrible power they enjoy these days to smite their own fellow citizens...and what has happened to Hillary Clinton...?) :shrug:

I thought the GOAL WAS..."LET FREEDOM RING ACROSS THE WORLD"....."ALL PEOPLE SHALL BE FREE TO ENJOY OUR "LIFE/LIBERTY/ and PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS!" (We got that right...the TOP CORPORATIONS enjoy ALL THOSE PERKS...but not the INVADED or the EMPIRE BACK HOME...who supports it...here in the Great America...the Land of the FREE where Corporations are Persons and Persons are becoming Serfs.

Why the hell did we all come here to escape persecution to find a better life...and Then find...we are back where our Ancestors were when they when through terrible circumstances to get here enduring hardships and travails we can't imagine. But, now we turn around and OPPRESS EVERYONE ELSE?

:shrug:

[Lucinda]

19. I can't come close to an explanation without feeling the need for tinfoil

I was watching Eisenhower's farewell the other day and was struck by how prophetic it was.

"A vital element in keeping the peace is our military establishment. Our arms must be mighty, ready for instant action, so that no potential aggressor may be tempted to risk his own destruction...
This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence — economic, political, even spiritual — is felt in every city, every statehouse, every office of the federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society. In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals so that security and liberty may prosper together."

I find it interesting that it's said the word "congressional" was evidently supposed to be part of the Military-Industrial-Complex label that Eisenhower spoke of. We ARE in the business of war these days.. and that interest, is what gets protected at all cost.

[pnwmom]

2. For students who want jobs dealing with classified documents,

that's probably good advice.

[HipChick]

7. as is posting stupid stuff on facebook

[pnwmom]

22. Right. It pays to be cautious on Facebook. n/t

[Junkdrawer]

3. Learning to self-censor is an important part of government service in the 21st century...

It would seem.

[KoKo]

4. It's sad to see this coming from our new administration's State Department.

We would have expected this under "Cheney/Bush" with the evil Condi Rice presiding over State...but, we thought that at least NOW we would have different viewpoints from the Hillary Clinton state Department.

I don't think we had much choice in that last election...the way things are turning out... :-(

[midnight]

5. K&R

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

6. What was that laughable old song about "the land of the free..."?

Or, was it "..sweet land of liberty.."?

Maybe they're from some other country.

[KoKo]

9. .....ugh.......when we listen to "America the Beautiful" and "God Bless America"

these days...it's hard to remember back to when we used to sing them with pride about who we were. "DEMOCRACY/FREEDOM/LAND OF OPPORTUNITY/FREEDOM OF SPEECH/RELIGION/PERSON.....and how we were told we were a BEACON TO THE WORLD...and when we look at the STATUE OF LIBERTY...

How far we've gone down......how sad it is...especially to older Democrats who really tried to make a difference and seeing it all go down the drain as their own bodies and spirits decline in abilities.

[Uncle Joe]

8. The result will be a further dumbing down of the government.

Only the clueless will be allowed to serve.

Thanks for the thread, KoKo.

[Junkdrawer]

13. The new ideal government servant:

[Uncle Joe]

14. That's perfect, Junkdrawer.

:thumbsup:

[Swamp Rat]

10. Maybe this bull shit will lead to a future rebellion that will dislodge the infiltrators who have

corrupted our government? :shrug:

[KoKo]

15. well...

who would have thought we'd be undergoing this kind of stuff under a Dem State Department.

It's really hard to deal with. The "ROT" must be so deep that we need a BP Spill to show what it is..(WikiLEAKS?)...but then look at how BP turned out.

Let's just hope this is a "step by step." (I do try to be hopeful...when I'm not gnawing my fingers off)...sigh. But, not worth getting more depressed about....because methinks there are many who hope we can be "SHUT UP" ...go into therapy or get on drugs and "opt out." I don't want to give THEM any SATISFACTION ABOUT THAT!

But damn! the more revelations the more verification...makes one feel like a Cassandra for seeing it early.

Can't be Cassandra's ....ENJOY WHAT WE HAVE OF LIFE...for the WHILE WE HAVE IT...TAKE THE BREAKS..try to find solace in the things that sustain...Like YOUR ART EXPRESSIONS, "Swampy" and try to keep a peace in the CENTER.. If "THEY DRIVE US CRAZY" then we lose and there are no "TROOPS WITH SENSE" and "EXPERIENCE" who are Left.......and that's NOT GOOD! For US (meaning WE the PEOPLE)/CIVILIZATION...OR COMMON GOOD!

[eilen]

12. I wonder when they will extend this to the general populace

We'll be tracked down like dogs for clicking, reading and linking to Wikileaks.

[Hoopla Phil]

16. So when does Bush leave office?

[KoKo]

17. An Interesting Question. Since he Stole Election from Clinton's VP....

It does cause one to wonder WTF...has been going on for over 10 years now...doesn't it?

[WinkyDink]

18. Just Columbia? WEIRD.

[Octafish]

20. They must want the honest students to apply, too.

Once a college age mind is exposed to the hypocrisy, lies and outright treasons of those cables and communications, they cannot apply.

If they did, they wouldn't be the first-rate minds they need to attract.

PS: The only reason the State Department wants these things kept classified isn't to protect sensitive information. It's too protect a sensitive area: some bureaucrat's arse.

[PufPuf23]

21. Creepy and stupid. They just signalled to honest individuals what not to do. nt