[Signalman]

I still don’t understand how a low-level enlisted punk like this had access to so much classified info. When I was in the military, there was a “need to know” provision. You only had access if you had the appropriate level of security clearance and “the need to know” this information for your job.

[MichaelP]

Need to know...ditto that!

Mike

[reed13]

If he was in telecomm ratings he dealt with processing message traffic all the time and would have access.

[brytlea]

It really doesn’t make a lick of sense. Is there more to this story or have we just become so lax?

[Little Ray]

Computers, networking and such make it easy to get stuff.

What I want to know is, why hasn’t this guy been tried and shot for espionage and treason?

[RC2]

Correct. When I was aboard ship, even I couldn’t get into the CIC area of the ship. At least not until I was cleared. Someone else is in on this.

An interesting point here.....It’s said that this info that was leaked, also includes data about money that was paid to other governments without our peoples knowledge. Our government has more to worry about than just the safety of our military.

[kosciusko51]

This is like the Florida couple that heard and taped Newt's phone call with a "scanner".

I think this guy was fed the info...

[Mariner]

"I still don’t understand how a low-level enlisted punk like this had access to so much classified info. When I was in the military, there was a “need to know” provision. You only had access if you had the appropriate level of security clearance and “the need to know” this information for your job."

All the info is now digitized and stored on servers. The is a small, select group of people who administer access privileges to the various (10's of thousands) servers which hold the information.

If you're one of those who admin that access system, you can give yourself access to anything.

However, these folks have the HIGHEST TS/Crypto/Specat/Limdis clearances available...and in the OLD days went through a Special Background Investigation...and lie detectors before getting such clearance.

They better question is: How did this guy slip through the system...even with lie detectors?

[Pharmboy]

I’m no expert, but the State Dept stuff was not classified nearly as high as the military memos. This was apparently easier...

[cookcounty]

"I still don’t understand how a low-level enlisted punk like this had access to so much classified info. When I was in the military, there was a “need to know” provision. You only had access if you had the appropriate level of security clearance and “the need to know” this information for your job."

Hopefully, the GOP will hold hearings in the House. If not, they should all be fired in 2012.