Re Wikileaks & State Dept assertions that information is still classified.

[kristopher]

there are several stories about the State Dept trying to discourage people that they have sway over (eg students who are potentially going to work for government or current government employees) from accessing the leaked documents.

They are making the claim that the information is still classified and that the act of viewing it is a security violation.

It is a bit counter-intuitive but in the Byzantine world of the Federal bureaucracy, it is true. It isn't credible that everyone reading the docs would be in trouble, but it is a credible threat with which to intimidate the government employee rank and file with.

Frankly I'm as troubled by the state of denial such nastiness as attempts to intimidate students etal highlights as I am by the nastiness itself.

PART 1—ORIGINAL CLASSIFICATION
Section 1.1. Classification Standards.
(a) Information may be originally classified under the terms of this order only if all of the following conditions are met:
(1) an original classification authority is classifying the information;
(2) the information is owned by, produced by or for, or is under the control of the United States Government;
(3) the information falls within one or more of the categories of information listed in section 1.4 of this order; and
(4) the original classification authority determines that the unauthorized disclosure of the information reasonably could be expected to result in damage to the national security, which includes defense against transnational terrorism, and the original classification authority is able to identify or describe the damage.

(b) If there is significant doubt about the need to classify information, it shall not be classified. This provision does not:
(1) amplify or modify the substantive criteria or procedures for classification; or
(2) create any substantive or procedural rights subject to judicial review.

(c) Classified information shall not be declassified automatically as a result of any unauthorized disclosure of identical or similar information.

(d) The unauthorized disclosure of foreign government information is presumed to cause damage to the national security.

you can download Obama's Executive Order on classification and declassification guidelines at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/DCPD-200901022/pdf/DCPD-200901022.pdf

I know there is a legitimate need for a free flow of information among the diplomatic corp, but this stuff is now irrevocably part of the public, historical record. It looks like (and is IMO) nothing more than pique driven pettiness to me.

[EFerrari]

1. Powerful pettiness that can censor access at the Library of Congress

and can send unenforceable directives out to the workforce (although, it wouldn't be surprising if those people are still upset about their pay freeze). It's meant to chill discussion, no matter the fine points. And that is undemocratic.

[tavalon]

2. Wow, they seem a wee bit confused. It's been declassified

or, in the new vernacular, Assanged.

[Catherina]

3. +1 Good one! n/t