Obama Demands Probe Over Passport Breach »
Posted By Neophile 1 year, 3 months ago in NewsBarack Obama's campaign tonight is demanding a full investigation of reports that his passport files at the State Department were viewed without authorization.
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raats66621 year, 3 months ago
But of course they are already saying that there was NOT politically motivated EVEN THOUGH the most recent access was on MARCH 14 (so THAT investigation is LESS then a week old)!
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questionseverything1 year, 3 months ago
more illegal but not criminal behavior from current admin
one more thing to put on new ags list not to investigate
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Aidenag1 year, 3 months ago
This was most definitely politically motivated. This is the EXACT same thing that was done under the first Bush's administration, when they illegally searched Bills records to look for dirt.
Quote from a TimesUK article that just went up in regards to that ordeal:
"A similar data breach took place in 1992 when State Department officials looked up data on Bill Clinton, then a presidential candidate, in an attempt to find out information from the late 1960s, amid unfounded political campaign rumours that Mr Clinton had sought to renounce his citizenship to dodge the draft during the Vietnam War while a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford. They also tried and failed to find evidence that he secretly travelled to communist countries."
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ETproductions1 year, 3 months ago
Don't be too quick on the trigger on this.
This all happened at the lower levels among Civil Service workers playing CYA regarding contractor behavior. Political appointees weren't involved till today, and when they became aware of the breach, they did the right thing and notified Senator Obama of the security lapse.
The guilty seem to have been 3 contractors under the control of Civil Service workers, not political appointees. The Civil Service workers all had connections to the Clintons, not the Bush admin. It was those Civil Service workers who "investigated" the breeches and decided to fire two workers (putting them beyond the reach of the State Department's Inspector General) and discipline one.
Senior Management didn't hear about it till today, and then through the press. The Civil Service supervisors didn't forward their findings up the chain of command. So how did the Press hear of it? Did somebody contact a reporter trying to leak what they had found?
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bruhaha1 year, 3 months ago
That would definitely be quite the irony (if it was Clinton behind it) considering it was H.W.B who did it to Clinton in 1992.
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GWHayduke1 year, 3 months ago
There's a lot of red tape associated with the largest government ever assembled in the US.
That, and the McCarthy style of operating in which Cheney engages takes some extensive cleaning up before it can become public.
You know, "The dog ate my e-mails", "we dont know who leaked that information" and "I'm not a member of the Executive Branch."
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DiffeeOnline1 year, 3 months ago
What the heck are they looking for? Trying to see if he's a terror threat? GIVE ME A BREAK and get out of our bizniz.
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sonofjohn1 year, 3 months ago
Shades of Bush number one's passportgate...searching Gov. Clinton's overseas trips for political purposes. Seems the monitoring system, put in place to detect unauthorized access to VIP passport information, seems to have worked. The question is how was the investigation into these unauthorized access of Obama's passport info handled?
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palamaComment removed: User banned.
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ningyo1 year, 3 months ago
i love the way everyone here immediately blames the executive for this--given the history of people who might be culpable its ONLY hillary with a record of using the FBI and state dept to ILLEGALY obtain records of clinton opponents..remember livingstone and the 1100 rebublican fbi files that dissapeared...hmmmmm..but in true libscape left loony tunnel vision it HAS to be the evil bush..my money is on hillary at the bottom of this...and in reality ...why so many trips to indonesia and tripoli etc..maybe its all innocent but obama never answers questions about any of this..he ducks and weaves..he fumfers..just answer the question hussein
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pc251 year, 3 months ago
of course it's the Clintons ........look how they had Sandy Berger go into the National Archives to remove national security documents pertaining to their administration to keep them from the 9/11 commission........I find it extremely odd though that this is happening now with all the troubles his campaign is beginning to encounter........
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cherev1 year, 3 months ago
"i love the way everyone here immediately blames the executive for this"
You didn't expect anything different, did you?
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pc251 year, 3 months ago
it couldn't possibly be that with all the troubles starting to face him and his polling numbers in free fall it's the perfect time to play the victim now.....let's get those polling numbers up to where they were.... and what better way to do it then some nefarious right wing conspiracy or better yet shades of unauthorized removal of national security documents from the national archives by that Clinton mole Sandy Berger..... of course with his power and his connections as a US Senator he has no connections to anyone who is a supporter of his in the State Department who could do this at his behest.......no of course not........not Obama.......change you can believe in..........
NEG AWAY
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DeadXXXManXXXTalkin1 year, 3 months ago
'' his polling numbers in free fall it's the perfect time to play the victim now.''
you are reaching a conclusion first without addressing the 'evidence'
bad cop bad cop
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not2needy1 year, 3 months ago
Three breaches of confidential information since January, and they are trying to say it was curiosity!
Regardless of who is behind this, it's illegal.
I am a retired state worker, and i know the reasons people snoop into other's people's business, and it's never for a good cause, or completely innocent!
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amazed1 year, 3 months ago
Are you REALLY going to say, that after a whole lifetime in social work, you never, not even ONCE, came across a file that was just plain interesting --even though it wasn't your case -- so you read it? Or, picked up something that really wasn't for your eyes, but intrigued you so you finished reading it?
If that is true, then you are either the purest person on earth since the Virgin Mother or a iiar.
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TOD3961 year, 3 months ago
Hilarious. The people who did the snooping were either fired or disciplined, yet here we have Obama's camp asking for a "full investigation". Get over it. If we are going to ask for a "full investigation" over Obama's passport files, we had also better get one going on Brittany Spear's medical file brreach too. It is far more damaging to have your medical records breached, than your passport info.
But yet, I haven't heard any of you complaining about Brittany's right to privacy.
What a bunch of...
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AlphaGnosisComment removed: User banned.3 Replies
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jordan111 year, 3 months ago
Hilarious. The people who did the snooping were either fired or disciplined, yet here we have Obama's camp asking for a "full investigation".>>>>>
My gawd! A security breach at the State Dept. should OF COURSE have a full investigation! WTH is wrong with you? Doesn't matter WHO they looked up. They had access to sensitive material, and they peeked. YOU may not have a problem with some jerks looking at secured information, but I ldo!
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TOD3961 year, 3 months ago
Once again, for those who have ADD, three people looked into Obama's files. Two were fired and the other was disciplined. How can you say that more needs to be done? What more can you do? If these files are that critical, that we need a Congress oversight committee to waste time and money to determine that something went wrong, then we should destroy these files immediately. They are far too important to even have in existence.
Get over it...
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ADAGUY1 year, 3 months ago
If Britanny expects an investigation, why don't you spearhead the idea? You are just the right person!
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DeadXXXManXXXTalkin1 year, 3 months ago
''I haven't heard any of you complaining about Brittany's right to privacy.''
If only the government could be as transparent as Brittany getting into a car with the flashes flashing...
Did someone already bring up Brittany here or deny her right to privacy?
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PatrioticAmerican1 year, 3 months ago
What is obama afraid they will find???? is he a little nervous about something??? i think he has something that he doesnt want to get out. what happened to full disclosure??? Let me guess if Bushs passport info was looked into that would be okay because he is a repub and dems are above this being done to them ??? So i think i just figured this out. False accusations and lies about Bush are 100% okay but to look into someones travels in the past who has ties to less then reputable people is wrong ??? yep its the 1 sided way of the dems rearing it ugly head again ...
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Locky121 year, 3 months ago
They're finding out now if the election were held today why Obama would only get 36% of the white vote.
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protoham1 year, 3 months ago
I have a passport, and what are they going to find out, where he was born, date of birth? Some travel info. They could probably get a lot more out of his trash can and I am sure his FBI and CIA file contain a lot more.
As senator (one of the most powerful men in DC) you would think he could prevent this from happening. The problem is he is part of the problem. What is he doing to protect my information?
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endtyranny1 year, 3 months ago
Senators are not in charge of the State Department, the Secretary of State is. Obama is no more responsible for this security breach than John McCain, Mitch McConnell or Joe Lieberman. As for what he's doing to protect your information and safety, you might want to check the story.
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endtyranny1 year, 3 months ago
This happened on three separate occasions, by three different low level contract employees. It's interesting that, when push comes to shove, the Republicans on this forum don't give a single thought to our national security. None of you cares what other information has been available to anybody who decides to snoop on confidential government information?
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amazed1 year, 3 months ago
I just never realize that my passport was such a high security document.
What's on your passport -- name, address, date of birth, country of origin, citizenship, where you've traveled. Now, your birthdate is sort of something you don't want bandied about, but, most people don't hide it except maybe the year. The rest of this stuff is not all that confidential.
Of course, if the state department has evidence of international shennagins and THAT's the file that was breached, then I could see what the big deal is.
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jordan111 year, 3 months ago
This was done 3x, beginning in January. Apparently by "contract employees." Hmmm. Were they given a security clearance? Or was it just given to their employer who's supposed to screen their employees? What else did they peek at? It's that easy to breach security in our country? Three times? What, not enough info the first time, or the second? What did they think would change?
So, Obama's people got back to them as quickly as they learned, & demanded an investigation. When faux newsmax printed its lie, Obama's people got a swift retraction. I have a hunch Obama isn't going to be namby pamby about SOB's screwing with him.
Finally, I have to say this; WHO is running the state dept. that allows for such a breach? THREE TIMES! (that we know about, of course).Does this tell anyone anything about the privatization of government responsibilities? Hello. Anybody home?
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spottedowl1 year, 3 months ago
what does he have to hide in his passport,maybe he isn't american after all.its not hillarys fault if he can't keep track of his papers
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Charlson1 year, 3 months ago
What kind of response is this? What's he got to hid? Nothing. I got nothing in my records that I'm afraid of too, but damn, I'll go after you with every legal means available if you looked at my personal, and therefore, restricted from your prying eyes, information. But that is not the issue here. As in almost every scandal in this administration, everything is done for politics, not the security or interests of our country but for a political party. It is very interesting and an incredible coincidence that each of these security breaches was done after a peak in Obama's polls and after he won crucial primaries. I'd call this looking for dirt on a political opponent using government, restricted resources...illegal spying. No he doesn't have anything to hide, but the republicans do. Why else resort to these methods?
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amazed1 year, 3 months ago
you don't KNOW that it was "done" by this administration, or Hilary's camp or if it was just a couple of bored clerks.
Everyone is so quick to rush to judgement -- and the judgement is never kind.
If this information had been used in anyway, I'd be right here with you on the breach of security bandwagon. But, it hasn't been.
And, as far as no one, ever, ever looking at info that they shouldn't see just out of idle curiosity, that will never stop until everything is totally automated and no human eyes ever has to look at any personal information.
Sad, but true.
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OpenYourBlindEye081 year, 3 months ago
Once again the Liberal conspiracy theorists swarm whenever Keith unleashes his MSNBC (More Speculation News Broadcasting Company) minions to speculate and try to divert attention from Obama's absolutely dismal week and plunging ratings. Clearly Obama's handlers are hoping to create some kind, any kind of change of subject. Hate to tell you, but if just once people would let the story actually develop, they might actually base their reports on facts. Nice try, but Barack can't run or hide from this week's story, no matter how much air time CNN, MSNBC and Air America give him to try and get out of the hole he has dug for himself.
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DeadXXXManXXXTalkin1 year, 3 months ago
problem is, 'this week's story' is a non-story
'a preacher says crazy things from a pulpit'
if it wasn't so stupid it would be funny
'a preacher says crazy things from a pulpit' is a 'dog bites man'
now if it was 'a preacher said rational things from a pulpit' now thats a good 'man bites dog'
too bad Obama over-reacted and started playing politics
he shoulda just turned Blind Eye, or ear, uh, Open your Blind Eye
gving the matter attention and maneuvering and making speeches about it just gives it 'legitimacy' it doesn't deserve
I thought professional politicians were slicker than this
now because he gave it legitimizing attention, he's provided more ammo
everyone knows race is a minefield, so why is he lobbing words at it in a campaign?
It's just not smart
what with people waiting to jump on a single ill-chosen word like 'typical' to pop up so they can attach dire significance to it
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Dionys1 year, 3 months ago
"If you've got nothing to hide, why do you care if your rights were violated, the law was broken and the constitution decimated."
It's called the rule of law. If our own people can't live by it, then how can we expect other countries to honor laws in place to protect our citizens as well as theirs.
It's frankly terrifying that so many RepugnantCons are willing to let the law be violated again and again. I guess we can see who the real terrorists in this country are: Bush, Cheney and their ilk.
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walden31 year, 3 months ago
Imagine all the snoopy snooping that may be going on at all the different government agencies on people who have no idea that they're being spied on.
Obama just happens to be the most public target who found out about it.
It's much more widespread then anyone knows and anyone cares to admit.
The Bush Administration has tapped every single phone call, email and Internet search being conducted in the US.
How is all the information being collected being used?
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DeadXXXManXXXTalkin1 year, 3 months ago
''The Bush Administration has tapped every single phone call, email and Internet search being conducted in the US.''
good for the goose good for the gander: I guess we all have something to hide and are guilty at something-why else would they be looking at our info?
If anyone wants to conclude anything about Obama because of such snooping and his reaction to it, careful you aren't hoisted on your own leotards
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nostalgia1 year, 3 months ago
Andea Mitchell just reported on this on MSNBC. I have always found her information to be accurate. In instances where anything new comes to light that contradicts her orignal report she has been very good about reporting on the new info
She said: 3 contract employees in 3 different passport offices. The supervisors did not pass the information up to the higher levels in the State Dept until yesterday
More info here:
Patrick F. Kennedy, Under Secretary for Management
On-the-Record Briefing on Unauthorized Accessed Passport Records
http://www.state.gov/m/rls/102460.htm
Mitchell also said there is no mechanism in place that would allow the State Dept to compel contract employees to answer questions. Any investigation of contract employees would have to be handled by the Justice Dept
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ADAGUY1 year, 3 months ago
"Any investigation of contract employees would have to be handled by the Justice Dept"
Just as well forget it then!
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ghengisghan1 year, 3 months ago
It should and IS being investigated. The workers were fired(probably to be reinstated because of union affiliation) and in all probability will be prosecuted. Follow the trail where ever it may lead though I suspect it was a couple idiots just being stupid.
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cherev1 year, 3 months ago
"I chose to run for the presidency at this moment in history because I believe deeply that we cannot solve the challenges of our time unless we solve them together - unless we perfect our union by understanding that we may have different stories, but we hold common hopes; that we may not look the same and we may not have come from the same place, but we all want to move in the same direction - towards a better future for our children and our grandchildren. "
This, from Obama's speech, is an important lesson for all Republicans. Whether or not he meant it isn't important. What is important is that, while Obama may "talk the talk", what's more important is how his followers react: how they accuse, without any evidence whatsoever. And note their words...note them carefully. Are they filled with the substance of what Obama said?
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amazed1 year, 3 months ago
the lesson being that unless you vote for Obama you're voting for racism and division???
Way to unite everyone.
Go Obama!
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