06 June 2013

And While We are On the Subject of Secrecy and Leaks

We have another leak which shows that many of the drone strikes were conducted on the basis of the sketchiest of evidence:
The CIA did not always know who it was targeting and killing in drone strikes in Pakistan over a 14-month period, an NBC News review of classified intelligence reports shows.

About one of every four of those killed by drones in Pakistan between Sept. 3, 2010, and Oct. 30, 2011, were classified as "other militants,” the documents detail. The “other militants” label was used when the CIA could not determine the affiliation of those killed, prompting questions about how the agency could conclude they were a threat to U.S. national security.

The uncertainty appears to arise from the use of so-called “signature” strikes to eliminate suspected terrorists -- picking targets based in part on their behavior and associates. A former White House official said the U.S. sometimes executes people based on “circumstantial evidence.”

Three former senior Obama administration officials also told NBC News that some White House officials were worried that the CIA had painted too rosy a picture of its success and likely ignored or missed mistakes when tallying death totals.
Gee, you think that under the command of David Petraeus, the CIA would let public relations trump the truth?

Hoocoodanode? That's like his entire f%$#ing career!

On a more serious note, it does appear that a whole bunch of people with very high security clearances are having crises of conscience.

I think that we will see more leaks.

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