CIA chief: Intel leaks on the rise, cites leaker worship

[jpak]

Source: Washington Post

WASHINGTON — CIA Director Mike Pompeo says he thinks disclosure of America’s secret intelligence is on the rise, fueled partly by the “worship” of leakers like Edward Snowden.

“In some ways, I do think it’s accelerated,” Pompeo told MSNBC in an interview that aired Saturday. “I think there is a phenomenon, the worship of Edward Snowden, and those who steal American secrets for the purpose of self-aggrandizement or money or for whatever their motivation may be, does seem to be on the increase.”

Pompeo said the United States needs to redouble its efforts to stem leaks of classified information.

“It’s tough. You now have not only nation states trying to steal our stuff, but non-state, hostile intelligence services, well-funded -- folks like WikiLeaks, out there trying to steal American secrets for the sole purpose of undermining the United States and democracy,” Pompeo said.

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Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/federal_government/cia-chief-intel-leaks-on-the-rise-cites-leaker-worship/2017/06/24/73a7c5da-58f8-11e7-840b-512026319da7_story.html?utm_term=.d927fd6e130a

[sharedvalues]

1. Pompeo thought to be a black hat (on Russia's side)

Don't listen to him - these are lies to benefit the president.

[Loki Liesmith]

3. He's not on Russia's side.

[The_jackalope]

5. How do you know?

How would any of us know for sure at this point?

I'm pretty convinced that whether or not he's on Russia's side, he's not on America's side. He's sort of the anti-Comey if you will.

[sharedvalues]

8. Chatter about Pompeo being on Russia's side (black hat)

Link to tweet

That's not the WaPo or NYT with their extensive intelligence sourcing and need for 3 source confirmation.

But it's enough to make me sceptical of Pompeo for now. Along with this article, in which Pompeo repeats WH talking points.

[sharedvalues]

9. Other evidence Pompeo may be dirty: NYT

Link to tweet

Anyway, I don't trust Pompeo. Let's say the jury is out for now. But this article about Pompeo we're discussing shouldn't be trusted.

[SethH]

11. the NYT article is evidence, imo

imo the Claude Taylor post is disinformation.

[sharedvalues]

14. Maybe you're right, but it accords with NYT

[mopinko]

2. maybe the ic is tired of covering up corruption

and official crimes.

[LuckyLib]

4. Leaking is on the rise because insiders know we are in a

huge shitstorm, and the only way for reality to get through is by leaking.

[Midnight Writer]

6. Perhaps our leaders are keeping too many secrets.

Why should we, as the public, not be informed that foreign powers are screwing up our elections?

[erronis]

7. Pompeo is missing the obvious - patriotism and wanting our country to be the best it can

“In some ways, I do think it’s accelerated,” Pompeo told MSNBC in an interview that aired Saturday. “I think there is a phenomenon, the worship of Edward Snowden, and those who steal American secrets for the purpose of self-aggrandizement or money or for whatever their motivation may be, does seem to be on the increase.”

Purposefully he left out the main reason that Chelsea Manning and Edward Snowden came forward with information that was damning to the US position.

They, and others, have done this because the leadership in the US has become immoral and venal.

While there has always been secrecy and national security concerns, the last 30+ years have seen these restrictions applied to mislead the US public, to hide misdeeds by government officials, and to aggrandize the people in power.

When there is no more transparency, there is no longer a government of the people. It is a plutocracy or worse a dictatorship.

[Skittles]

10. or maybe they are on the rise because fascism is on the rise

[Mr. Ected]

12. Maybe it's because our POLITICS ARE BROKEN

There are no checks and balances under this regime. The line of demarcation between executive and legislative branches is becoming more and more indistinct; our separation of powers is but a pipe dream at the moment.

Our only hope is the media, the IC, the judiciary and the American people.

Hanging by a thread, I tell you.

[Nitram]

13. Leaks have accelerated because of illegal activity, not because of some kind of bullshit

"leaker worship."

[lanlady]

15. Wrong, Mike

The intel leaks are occurring because our nation's spies detest the President you serve, and with good reason - they know that Moscow owns his big fat ass. He is a traitor to this country, a Manchurian candidate. If our intelligence services are powerless to stop Russia from undermining our democracy, what the hell good are they?

You, Mike, got to your position not because of your skills but because you disgraced yourself by flogging the Benghazi nonsense. You, too, will probably go down - it's pretty clear from the latest leaks to appear in the Washington Post that the spies have no confidence in you either.

[FreepFryer]

16. 'Leaker worship'? Such bullshit. It's the clear and present danger of a criminal in the Oval Office.

[NobodyHere]

17. I hear leakers get a free Russian vacation

Russia probably doesn't even need spies anymore.

[Roland99]

18. Or perhaps leakers are pissed and/or scared of the POSUS

[Zorro]

19. Shouldn't that be the POSOTUS?

[snot]

20. The more corruption, the more people inside it revolt.

(At least, until they're replaced.)

The main motivation for most secrecy is that if people knew what their government is doing, they'd object.