2010 - Wikileaks vs. Pentagon: Excerpts from Aug. 3, 2010 Briefing From Spokesman Geoff Morrell

Excerpts from Aug. 3, 2010 Pentagon Briefing From Spokesman Geoff Morrell.

Morell explained to reporters from around the world the alleged inherent risks and dangers of the content of the classified documents on the Wikileaks Web site. The briefing was part of the Pentagon's alleged attempt to minimize risk that foreign subversives might learn about the documents on the Wikileaks Web site.

But If the documents released to the Internet were the main problem with this situation, why would the Pentagon hold a press conference to explain to reporters from around the world, as well as in a publicly available video, the general nature of the content of those documents? Wouldn't they have been more effective with a quiet, private and direct effort?

Be sure to watch Morell's eyes bug out when a reporter asks him if the Pentagon is just bluffing.

Consider the alternative perspective: The Pentagon found itself powerless in this situation against a stubborn and determined media outlet that utilizes the worldwide capabilities of the Internet for free speech. The Pentagon was faced with an information service that was beyond its and the United States' direct control.

If Pandora's box has already been opened, as one reporter mentioned in the briefing, why would the Pentagon continue to seek compliance and control of Wikileaks?

It is ludicrous to think that Wikileaks will voluntarily destroy all copies of the classified documents it now holds. No, the barn door has been left open and the horse is long gone. The objective of this Pentagon's coercion attempt ("demand, request, compel") is to intimidate Wikileaks with future leak situations, and to instill fear in any potential would-be future leakers. A third objective of the Pentagon would be to make an example out of Wikileaks should other media outlets decide to be as audacious as Wikileaks.

Therefore, the Pentagon attempted to single out Wikileaks and intimidate them, attempted to instill fear in them and their supporters, discredit the organization as immoral and criminal and instigate social pressure against them in an effort to bully Wikileaks. Look at the news stories in the days that followed the briefing; many are focused not on the actual content of the documents but on what Wikileaks should or should not do, or should or should not have done. The Pentagon's media relations strategy is indeed generating social pressure against Wikileaks.

But perhaps there is a story here that the Pentagon does not want the public to learn about, for example, as discussed in this CBS News Opinion column: "Wikileaks vs. the Pentagon: Phony Finger pointing, Tom Engelhardt:: Who Really Has Blood On Their Hands?"
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/08/06/opinion/main6748239.shtml

Morell attempts to explain that the documents belong to the U.S. government and nobody else. That is an interesting concept. Which raises the question: Who owns the U.S. government, if not its citizens? CENDI: The Commerce, Energy, NASA, Defense Information Managers Group representing a variety of government advisors states that "since 1895, statutory provisions have prohibited the assertion of copyright in any publication of the U.S. Government."

Highlights:
7:52 Morrell: "We're looking to have a conversation about how to get these perilous documents off the Web site as soon as possible, return them to their rightful owners and expunge them from their records. That will help minimize harm that has already been created."

8:42 Reporter: "Are these documents missing?" (Morrell's eyes dart and fix on someone standing in the back of the room to his left.)

9:07 Morrell: "Tony, you're shaking your head. I've caused some consternation to you."

10:12 Reporter: "Is it a step or a bluff." (Morrell's eyes bug out.)

11:07 Morrell: "This potential database for all of our enemies, that now hangs on the Internet and provides an opportunity for them to mine, looking for, um, looking for weaknesses in force protection, tactics, techniques and procedures, who we do business with, how we, um, cultivate sources ... all this stuff is potentially out there for people who wish to do us harm to take advantage of."
(If you listen to the full C-Span recording, you hear from the accents that many of the reporters in the room seem to be from international news agencies.)

11:32 Reporter: "Why didn't the department do this before?" (Morrell's eyes dart and fix on someone standing in the back of he room to his left. He then suddenly furrows his eyebrows as if he does not understand what someone is presumably attempting to tell him.)

13:30 Morrell: "Tony, I'm very concerned about you today. You are laughing, you are scowling, you seem to be confused."

16:28 Morrell: "The only rightful owner of this material is the United States government."

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• media
• government
• war
• private manning
• wikileaks
• journalism
• julian assange

[StevenKrivit]

Quoting from Barack Obama:

Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies -

Transparency and Open Government

My Administration is committed to creating an unprecedented level of openness in Government. We will work together to ensure the public trust and establish a system of transparency, public participation, and collaboration. Openness will strengthen our democracy and promote efficiency and effectiveness in Government.

[StevenKrivit]

I've annotated some of the "highlights." Expand the description, it's at the bottom.

[renaultlab]

wow! this guy must have a PHD in obnoxious assholology. i bet he likes to sit alone in his apartment and strangle kittens and puppies.

[junior00bacon00chee]

hey how about you "do the right thing" and delete all that kiddie porn from your pentagon computers? i mean, we know that at least 264 people were purchasing it, only 52 of those were ever investigated, and only 10 were ever charged. the pentagon said it was b/c of a "lack of resources." i guess they are too busy trying to figure out what to do about julian assange.

newsflash: information can no longer be stopped. the establishment is screwed.

[xXV1tal3Xx]

@american government, preserve your society not your institution, information should be free from your bs counter productive legislation!

[notdemocratic]

jive turkey. -you heard it.

[richyspainting]

NO!

[fluffydanny]

Bee Gees; Jive Talking

[rleary1]

OMGI just watched this guy this morning 12/17 & he apparently graduated with a B.S. in Communication. Does he know that I'm hearing all of the wikileaks on the nightly news.They even show me maps of the best worldwide terrorist targets! He was bragging how well the Afgan war is going today? The terrorists are now in Yemen/Somalia. Bush's debacle is a waste of time/lives. Ignorant poor goat herders with a very corrupt leader.Will 'treasonous' Assange get a pardon like Scooter Libby porn author?

[ccrch]

omg shannanigans!

[sinclair61]

Patrick Bateman in the flesh! Any institution, governmental or private, that can be destroyed by THE TRUTH, deserves to be destroyed. This applies to this corrupt and evil Pentagon. It is refreshing to see it with it´s back against the wall. Not from their own weapons of terror, but by the simple TRUTH!!!!

[steelejake]

I BET IT IS SOME LITTLE ASIAN KID AND HES PROB LAughING RIGHT NOW WATCHING THIS haha