[Robert Taylor]

Honest Mistake? Laughable CNN headline attempts to exonerate burglary of secret files by former Kerry shadow minister and former Clinton National Security Advisor. This is some laughable response typically seen on most COPS reality shows where the perpetrator claims he does not have a clue about how that crack cocaine came to be in his pocket.

[counterpunch]

 
 
Click HERE for

The Kerry/Edwards Files
-at-
The CouNTeRPuNcH Collection

[LibWhacker]

He's an enemy mole.

[Ronin]

I suppose his "honest mistake" was not making sure the documents were well concealed as he was walking out the door.

Or maybe, he hadn't checked to make sure the guard on duty was a Clinton appointee...

Or maybe...

Oh HECK!!! There is no way in hell that this can, in any way, be called a mistake.

[BigSkyFreeper]

This is some laughable response typically seen on most COPS reality shows where the perpetrator claims he does not have a clue about how that crack cocaine came to be in his pocket.

That was my first thought when I watched him speak for the first time since this came to head, like, "Huh? What officer? Th-- Th-- That aint mine! I dunno who's that is, or how it got there."

[Jenya]

I have a feeling this story has legs -- sock-stuffed legs, but legs nonetheless.

Try as they may, I don't think the liberal media will be successful at burying this one.

[twntaipan]

The more they attempt to excuse this, the more damning it becomes--this one has the legs and stink of a marathon-running skunk. And that skunk is called the DNC.

[Ethyl]

ouse who now is under investigation for allegedly removing secret documents while in the National Archives preparing his testimony to the 9/11 commission, said Monday he "made an honest mistake." In a brief statement, the former national security adviser said any suggestion he was operating against the best interests of the inquiry was "absolutely wrong."

Who or what is "ouse"
Excerpted - click for full article ^

[BigSkyFreeper]

For an incredibly stupid comment, he sure made a name for himself being the head of the NSA, caught with classified documents sticking out of his knickers. I'll bet his wife fell into the apple pie face first while it was still in the oven when Burglar got caught with his Hanes full.

[AGreatPer]

Just imagine what would happen to you or me trying to get something confidential out of that place?

The guards didn't all of a sudden say, "Oh, that's Mr. Burger, he can take anything he wants out of here."

I don't buy it.

[GretchenM]

I don't believe anyone commissioned by the x42's to do anything was/is capable of making an honest mistake. Nor would he/she have been intended to do such a thing.

[GeronL]

Stuffing classified documents in your pants for five days and taking them home is not a mistake. Its a crime. This guy worked as a National Security Advisor for 8 years, he knew the law.

[CyberAnt]

And .. x42 comment was, "we were all laughing about it".

And people wonder why we can't trust these people.

[backhoe]

Crosslink:

Yes, Down My Pants. Oh, Like You Haven't? The Sordid Sandburglar Story

 

[Ken K]

In the high level security business, honest mistakes and sloppiness and inadvertent blunders can be fatal and disastrous and the penalties for these happening are severe. A National Security Chief cannot be excused when everyone else would be dealt within the most severe manner.

[maggief]

See ... nothing up my sleeve ...

[Publius6961]

How can a former National Security Advisor NOT know that is it a serious crime to steal documents from the National Archives?

Honest mistake my ass!
Burn him.

[tang-soo]

I called our local Clear Channel station the night after this story broke and spoke for about 10 minutes describing the procedures used to handle classified information. The following is a basic description of what I said ...

1) A person who wishes to review classified information at a given facility must have his/her clearance on file with the security office that has legal custody of the information.

2) Once they arrive to the facility, they must show their credentials to identify themselves, sign into the facility - maybe issued a badge indicating their clearance and access and escorted to the room where the material will be reviewed.

3) Once in the room, the container (probably a safe i.e. a very heavy duty file cabinet with heavy combination locks with different combinations on each drawer) is opened. This process should be logged by security personnel.

4) The documents are taken from the container. All classified documents are stamped (each page) with items such as a control number, date of creation, level of clearance (top and bottom), program name indicating what access is required and eventual dispensation (i.e. when the material is designated to destruction if applicable).

5) If the documents are classified "top secret", each document has a log on the cover sheet. EACH time a person has access to this information, they must sign and date it.

6) The material is not to be removed (ie stuffed in underwear, socks ... etc) without approval of security personnel. If this takes place, the transfer is documented on both ends of the transaction. If the material is top secret or above, it requires at least two cleared people as an escort.

7) If you travel overnight, the material is not to be kept in your hotel/motel room but instead must be taken to an approved facility. Arrangements are usually made in advance. Security people do not like suprise visits. They like to make them but not receive them.

8) No photocopies are to be made or notes copied without the proper security personnel logging this activity and making appropriate markings (mentioned above) on the documents.

9) This material is frequently audited by internal security agents and is subject to "suprise" audits conducted by military, FBI or other external security personnel.

10) People given access to this type of information are briefed and attend classes on how to handle this material - ie. no excuses for "honest mistakes".

11) As the NSA for the clinton administration, I imagine Berger was personally responsible that this protocol was designed, implemented and enforced by his staff - at least in an appropriately managed administration. This would apply to government employees, officials, military personnel and civilians under contract and extended clearances issued by the DoD, DoE or other intel operations.

12) As such, ANYBODY who has worked in this environment and heard Mr. Berger's comments yesterday about being "sloppy" and "an honest mistake" knows beyond any doubt that he was not only lying, but this was a premeditated act.

13) I left the aerospace business(as an engineer) in 1993 so these comments are based upon the security world of that time. Only Lord knows how the clinton adm changed things during his 8 years.

That summarizes what I mentioned to Steve Cannon of WTVN 610 AM (Columbus, Oh) last night.

The latest word I have heard from this morning is that this material was classified "Code Word Access". Folks, if true, this is "Above Top Secret" ie. John Pollard type material.

So the question comes to mind, why would anybody do such a thing under conditions where he knew he stood a huge chance of being caught? The mission must have been extraordinary for such a risk. The presumption is that he wanted to alter or remove and destroy material that implicated either himself, or quite possibly mr. clinton. The fact that some of the material is "lost" implies that regardless of the consequences, the mission has been accomplished with his current situation collateral damage.

Webb Hubbell's infamous quote "I guess I'll have to roll over again for Hillary" comes to mind. Another example of the clinton whirlwind leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.