I asked White House spokesman Tony Snow about the Pentagon's directive to restrict communications by military bloggers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Some bloggers and commentators say this is shutting down the best source of good news on the war. Here are my questions and his responses:
Q: A follow-up, a second question would be, the Pentagon has required all military bloggers to seek approval for their blogging and their -- I think also their e-mail. Some bloggers and military and conservative commentators have said the government is shutting down --
MR. SNOW: Well, that's -- from what we -- from what we understand, that is being overreported a little bit in the following sense.
First, I'm not sure that that is operational, that request. No. 2, to the extent that they have asked -- and I would refer you to the Pentagon for full comment on this, but my understanding is that they're concerned about matters of operational security -- certainly people giving their opinions about what's going on -- as long as they do not disclose information that is going to jeopardize operations ongoing or in the future or in some way give away information that will make it easier for the enemy to kill Americans or Iraqis, and that's normal in a time of war. There is always censorship in a time of war mainly to protect the people who are doing the fighting, similarly with e-mails, but there is no wholesale shutdown.
Again, I'm just giving you what I know, and I would encourage you to talk to the Pentagon for further detail. But my understanding is there's no wholesale shutting down of blogs or of e-mail. But on the other hand, there is sensitivity to the fact that you have to be careful when you're doing these things not jeopardize yourself, your colleagues, the operations, the Iraqis and the overall mission.
-- Jon Ward, White House correspondent, The Washington Times
Comments (2)
I guess that I would have say, and as a veteran have the right to say, that "any" moves against our combat forces to send e-mail,milblogs, or anything which does not imperil,jepordize, or compromise any combat mission should be allowed. I read at least 12-15 of these per day. Many do not, because of duty in the field, can not blog every day. BUT it IS and SHOULD be the RIGHT for these members of our armed forces to declose to their parents, their families, their girl,boy friend, and to ALL Americans what they are doing and just exactly how they feel about it. Granted, my 9+ years A.F. 1956-1965 we did not have this ability, but god....I wish we had.
Tha American people would have had a better opportunity to feel as "we" the vets of "nam" felt> How about "betrayed" how about "shamed"
by our own country. Think about it!
I'll close by saying that our young men and women in Afganistan and Iraq are doing a "great" job. ANYONE who attempts to take that away from them is a coward,traitor,and does NOT deserve the rights these wonderful young men and women are securing for them every day.
Thank you
Swede
Former Capt.U.S.A.F
Posted by Swede Nelson | May 3, 2007 7:20 PM
I'll agree that our troops are doing a great job. Unfortunately the job is that of Sisyphus and will never end. I believe the potential for abuse of the right to communicate by the troops is exceptionally low for two reasons: 1) In an all-volunteer army, they are all patriots and will not betray their country. and 2) As the men and women who are in the line of fire, it contradicts the law of self preservation to disclose too much information.
The military should review these blogs for dangerous information, but should not review them prior to posting. To do so would eliminate the ability of our brave troops to fully express their feelings about what they are doing.
Posted by Orlob | May 11, 2007 11:32 AM