Quote:
Originally posted by tobster1911
I am with you on this. I had though that there was congressional over-site committees and the like to police classified operations and programs. Who was doing the snooping? Who do they report to? Someone in the other branches of Gov had to know about it. If I am wrong please correct me.
I am surprised no one with more information has joined in to clue me in on the branches of gov since I apparently don't understand completely.
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This is going to be apolitical...I don't care about the NYT and what they decided to publish, and why, for the sake of this post.
There are multiple tiers of clasification, from "Confidential" up to compartmentalized security classifications wherein the MENTION of the code letters assigned to the program is a breach of security.
For ease of understanding, programs that can be broadly discussed are known as, "white"; programs with more indepth classifications are called, "black" programs.
Within both white and black programs, the tiers of security I mentioned can apply...it depends on the specifics being discussed.
There are also special classifications for specific programs that require unusual access...think Air Force One and the Presidential Helicopter program.
Now the discussion must turn to clearances for each of the type of programs I just mentioned above.
Up to the level of, "secret" clearances, the scrutiny is hard but not withering in order to gain access. Above that, into the realm of, "Top Secret" and beyond, there are rigorous background checks and interviews, which repeat every few years.
Clear so far? Probably not, but it is what it is.
Next up is, "need to know". Compartmentalized programs assign clearances only on a NTK basis, which means even though I might have the clearances required, I must have a bonified reason for getting, "read" into the program. In fact, there are specific forms that must be signed, with the requisite penalties delineated should you breech security, at every, "read in".
Most compartmentalized program have congressional oversight.
The logical question is, "Who assigns classification, and why?" The answer is, it depends. There are rules and regs at every agency...the military has a detailed matrix that we must follow when deciding what level of classification to afix, which I happily let my security office vet.
Ok...the reason I went through this is that the penalties for devulging classified information get progressively less pedestrian with each level of classification...meaning telling the San Diego Tribune when the fleet is going to sail may not get you arrested, but giving up a three letter access program will make you disappear.
So, those that leak, the leakers, know the risks, are routinely briefed on the risks and are very lucid concerning the penalties; and so are the recipients of the classified data.
All I require is that the law be obeyed, irrespective of the political leaning of the violator.
Hope this helps.