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2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: Intelligence Vets Urge Fast Report on Clinton Emails. 5/23/16 [View all]pmorlan1
(2,096 posts)16. Public Deserves the Truth
Another argument being surfaced, in a transparent attempt to defend Secretary Clinton, has to do with intent. It is said that she did not intend to have classified information on her computer in New York and had no intention of handling secret material in a way that would be accessible to foreign intelligence or others lacking the proper security clearances and the need-to-know.
But while intent might be relevant in terms of punishment, it does not change the fact that as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, then Senator Clinton had clearances for classified information for years before becoming Secretary of State. She knew the rules and yet as Secretary she handled classified information carelessly after a deliberate decision to circumvent normal procedures for its safeguarding, thus making it vulnerable to foreign intelligence, as well as to criminal hackers.
Anyone who has ever handled classified material knows that there are a number of things that you do not do. You do not take it home with you, you do not copy it and share it with anyone who does not have a clearance and a need-to-know, you do not strip off the classification marks and treat it as unclassified, and you do not transfer it to another email account that is not protected by a government server.
But while intent might be relevant in terms of punishment, it does not change the fact that as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, then Senator Clinton had clearances for classified information for years before becoming Secretary of State. She knew the rules and yet as Secretary she handled classified information carelessly after a deliberate decision to circumvent normal procedures for its safeguarding, thus making it vulnerable to foreign intelligence, as well as to criminal hackers.
Anyone who has ever handled classified material knows that there are a number of things that you do not do. You do not take it home with you, you do not copy it and share it with anyone who does not have a clearance and a need-to-know, you do not strip off the classification marks and treat it as unclassified, and you do not transfer it to another email account that is not protected by a government server.
I hope we hear from the FBI and Justice Dept. very soon. It's not just Sec. Clinton's reputation on the line here but their reputation as well.
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The mega-donors & string-pullers want the future deals they paid her for.
Waiting For Everyman
May 2016
#12
Clinton will pull their wagon. Trump is willing to pose for the cameras and not make real waves.
lumberjack_jeff
May 2016
#49
This should go a long way to answering Clinton supporters questions about why this is a big deal.
Kentonio
May 2016
#7
It's hard to believe that Obama desires the disaster that a Clinton presidency...
Peace Patriot
May 2016
#8
I really believe that the FBI is taking its time so when they finally come to their decision,
Karma13612
May 2016
#9
That may be true, but the intel professionals who signed this memo are pointing to...
Peace Patriot
May 2016
#32
It seems that whenever she faces a "hard choice" she makes the wrong choice n/t
arcane1
May 2016
#40
I thought that too, but these professionals are saying the FBI should have enough for
pdsimdars
May 2016
#52
Interesting that the word starts with an "f", like another word that rhymes with yuck.
pdsimdars
May 2016
#55
Another reality show with Geraldo Rivera, "opening Hillary Clinton's private server"
pdsimdars
May 2016
#56
I would prefer no indictment; it would damage an already nearly hopeless candidate.
lagomorph777
May 2016
#35
As long as you ignore the fact that veteran members from the intelligence community
think
May 2016
#34
I have been annoyed with Obama like they seem to be, that he has come out a couple of
pdsimdars
May 2016
#58
The President himself has correctly stayed out of this - leaving it to the FBI and then DOJ
karynnj
May 2016
#28
I know the two times that you are referring to - and I agree he should not have gone even that far
karynnj
May 2016
#62
I think she got SoS was because they made a deal that she would help him win the election
pdsimdars
May 2016
#78
I think it's safe to assume most politicians in both parties have lots of secrets
Kentonio
May 2016
#79
They could've added: History will not look favorably on your putting party over your oath- which is
JudyM
May 2016
#45
Every credible person who I have seen comment on it has said something very similar.
pdsimdars
May 2016
#50