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Jewel Samad / AFP - Getty Images
Copies of a book by a former Navy SEAL, titled "No Easy Day," are displayed at a bookstore in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday.
At least one nonprofit organization is saying they won't accept any donations from the proceeds generated by the new book about the deadly raid on Osama bin Laden.
A controversy erupted when a former Navy SEAL, going by the pen name "Mark Owen," co-authored "No Easy Day," a book about the infamous event that killed the al-Qaida leader. Pentagon officials allege the book, which was released on Tuesday, contains sensitive and classified information.
On its website, The Navy SEAL Foundation said it "will not be accepting any donations that are generated from the book or any related activities.
"The Navy SEAL Foundation is committed to providing immediate and ongoing support and assistance to the Naval Special Warfare community and their families," the statement said.
Owen asserts "No Easy Day" is about 9/11, not politics.
Related: Navy SEALs reveal too many secrets, commander says
Related: Former SEAL sought advice before publishing book, lawyer says
It's still not clear whether the Justice Department will pursue criminal charges again Owen, according to Pentagon officials. However, it is possible the U.S. government could seize all money paid to the former SEAL and the publisher under a non-disclosure agreement.
The book remains No. 1 in book sales on Amazon.com.
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Leave a Comment:
I hate saying this about a Navy Seal and American hero - he should face criminal charges. The man is a disgrace to the uniform he wore and to the country he served.
Wow. Criminal charges for telling the truth? What has this world come to?
If you're a former service member, you have to get manuscripts cleared before being published. Apparently Owen didn't do that, which is a shame as it could probably have been printed with only a few minor changes and then everyone would get their money, including the SEAL charity.
Rule of law? When people break the law, they face charges. Truth is no anecdote to malfeasance or wrong doing.
AG99:
According to his lawyer, he did everything that was required.
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/30/13576488-ex-navy-seal-sought-advice-before-publishing-book-about-bin-laden-raid-lawyer-says?lite
Satanick, he violated his oaths and probably a number of security rules that he agreed to before becoming a SEAL. I've avoided weighing in on this topic, but ex-JAG, I thought he probably violated his agreement. You will note that Delta Force (the US Army version of the SEAL) is far more secretive. They've been in Iraq and Afghanistan right along with the SEALs. At certain levels all US military personnel make agreements to not reveal secrets - even from their spouses. I'm sorry, whatever your political beliefs, it is almost certain that in this case those agreements were breached. The military cannot afford to allow people to willy-nilly choose to violate their agreements. While it might be a political nightmare to prosecute "Mark Owens," it might be a necessity under good military discipline.
Oh yes, Satanick, and a lawyer never told a lie to the press!! We should just believe him, because he says so. Are you really this credulous?
That's why we go to trial - where everyone, including the lawyer, is bound by the law and their oaths.
Satanick: It's been a while since I read the non-disclosure agreement, but I think it requires you to submit your manuscript for a military review, not just peruse it yourself to make sure it's okay. And the military is very touchy about SCI stuff. You don't mention that at all. It's also a bad idea to illustrate current operating procedures to the bad guys.
That's why we go to trial - where everyone, including the lawyer, is bound by the law and their oaths.
And only then should we be forming real opinions about this guy. Until then, he deserves respect
The charity has more honor, courage, and integrity than the ex-SEAL.
Satanick, you're not going to get that opinion from most ex-miltary personnel. I suppose you never took the oath and served. Most of us who did, were inculcated in the concept of obeying orders unless they are a violation of the Law of War. Moreover, the biggest thing we were taught was to take care of your buddies. Part of the problem is that this guy has exposed anyone who served WITH him. All anyone has to do is find out where he lived, who he hung out with and you have a pretty good list of who he served with and can make a nice hit list of SEALs and their families.
Bull ch-t !!!! your goverment is getting ready to sale predators to 66 countrys how about that you people need to get a life
Have you ever taken an oath, one that mattered and means something? Any respect due him he forfeited when he wrote the book. This isn't Facebook where you can just spill your guts about your life and everything that you do to the world... and he knew that, or he should have, considering he signed more than one non-disclosure agreement. And just the fact that the foundation does not want the money only adds credence to that.
Well, I've read the book. Not only did he do everything he was required to do--had an independent classified information specialist review the script, he also cited every single source where the Obama Administration et al leaked the information FIRST. Within four hours of the raid, classified information was being leaked by the government. He also talks about how having their anonymity stripped from them and thrown to the wolves affected the team.
I think the real reason that the government is up in arms about this book is because he reveals what a bunch of meddling idiots the upper brass really is. I didn't see any details in that book that I hadn't already heard on the news, nor any planning or execution strategies that haven't been in countless Hollywood movies.
Guess you believe every thing you read. He wanted to get rich so wrote a book of his own opinions not neccessary completely true. Now he and his buddies will be put on a hit list Should lose all book prceeds an a couple of years in prison.
Satanick
According to his lawyer, he did everything that was required.
Charlie Manson's lawyer said he was innocent of all the charges of murder. Do you also believe that too?
@ Clayton: No. He has extensive citing of various articles and sources in the back of his book--some that I remember seeing and/or had read at the time.
He kept his name anonymous and changed all the names in the books. No last names are give--pseudo or otherwise. They are names like "Steve," "Phil" and "Mike." Hardly revealing.
If you wanna go on about who released whose real names and put people at risk--go yell at the AP and Fox news. They released HIS name.
Don't get on the political bandwagon of acting like a two year old child and being a complete disrespectful jerk to other people. I didn't attack you or insult your intelligence, so shut the hell up until you can act like a decent human being.
To..bay"""
The administration leaked what classified information....
@ Amunaka: Let's start with the name of the SEAL Team--Team 6, and where they were based. Within hours of the raid and go from there. I remember that clearly as well, because it ticked me off at the time.
Bottom line. He wants to get rich.
It doesn't matter if it means outline our security procedures so other SEALS may be killed in the future.
And that is PERIOD. Everything else written to support him is nonsense. And you know it. And he knows it.
Shame on him, and shame on his supporters. He is an anti-patriot with dollar signs in his eyes, and American soldiers will die because of him. That is what an anti-patriot is, and what an anti-patriot does. If you are fine with the fact that our soldiers will die in the future and you support him, contrats for joining the anti-patriot ranks.
Wrap yourself in the flag all you want. If he is giving classified info to the enemy (and he MOST CERTAINLY IS) then he is a traitor.
Listen, now the DOD and others are talking of calling this guy a
traitor! Give me a break. If this guy is to be accused of treason
what does that tell the American people about the President of The
United States.
*Obama & administration has stolen from the treasury, gave it to cronies and sent it abroad to include enemies of America. He is forgiving Billions in debt for terrorist nations.(i.e., Egypt-Muslim Brother Hood)
*Obama & administration has filed law suites against the states, the
American people.
*Obama & administration have not only leaked to his media conspirators
but has gathered many of our national security secrets and shipped
them overseas to our enemies.
*Obama has conspired with Marxist, Communist, Anarchist and
Terrorist (not baseless accusations, its all documented in his words,
lectures(his speeches) to undermine America.( Hell, they are known &
admitted and serve at his discretion.)
*Obama at every opportunity has attacked our great nation.
Look, most Americans know this, its out there. We see and hear it daily.
My question is this...Why do we allow this to go on?
I know many politicians allow it...having been "Hoovered" But most of America?
Harry Reid has got to be the most "Hoovered" human ever!
Remember, Remember the 6th of November 2012
A day that will live in......
To bay""""
like I said what classified information did the administration leak ...anyway
Navy SEAL wrote 'No Easy Day' after being pushed out of SEAL Team 6 (+video)
A group of Special Ops veterans released its own e-book, 'No Easy Op,' suggesting 'No Easy Day' author Matt Bissonnette wrote his book in part due to ‘bad blood’ with his former unit.
By Husna Haq /
September 4, 2012
A group of Special Ops veterans released its own e-book Monday, “No Easy Op: The Unclassified Analysis of the Mission that Killed Osama bin Laden,” which suggests Bissonnette “was willing to break the code of silence honored by many commandos because of ‘bad blood’ with his former unit, the elite SEAL Team 6,” writes The New York Times.
http://www.csmonitor.com/Books/chapter-and-verse/2012/0904/Navy-SEAL-wrote-No-Easy-Day-after-being-pushed-out-of-SEAL-Team-6-video
To..November""""
What a hoot...
Criminal charges for telling the truth?
Criminal charges for not following protocol.
Can you imagine how bad it would be if every member of our special forces decided to write books about their experiences? They don't call them black ops because the details were meant to be published to everyone.
i like the way his lawyer says he did everything he was supposed to do. everyone knows you do not divulge secret info. he was greedy and should be prosecuted. he knew better and rolled the dice. i expect the justice dept tp do it's job
November, what in the hell are you talking about? What kind of drugs are you on when you spew such incredible crap?
Conspiring with terrorists, communists, anarchists? As if you knew what those words mean! Why don't you take your half-fried brain to be examined by a professional, make that several professionals, of mental health.? What a moronic low life you must be to follow the talking points of Fox, Hannity, Limbaugh and the rest of the scumbags who make a living by scaring the daylights out of ignorants like you!
OMGISH Finally someone wants to tell us the truth about what happen when our own government wont tell us ANYTHING. So, please people do not let any of this money go to our Government. People are acting so F'in stupid over this. Let the man be.
November6: Remember, Remember the 6th of November 2012
A day that will live in.....
......Umm, your looney toon head?
Satanick
He deserves respect?
Like HELL he does! Respect for doing the job; ABSOLUTE contempt for not keeping his mouth SHUT the way he's supposed to.
Just finished reading the book. I did 25 years in the service. Found nothing classified about the dialog. It's just one mans war story. I did not see anything classified in the book. The movie about the seals divulged more classified information then this book. Oh, I worked security forces for 25 years, dealt with nothing but classified.
I could get more information from my local VFW. Try reading the book before you make a judgement call.
Ron Obama released secret info right after it happened so why shouldn't he be tried. The reason the doctor that furnished the seals with info is sitting in jail now for 30+years is because Obama opened his mouth.
Hahahaha POMOUS Obama's Magical Seal Story Is Just Like The Energizer Bunny It Just Keeps Going & Going & Going....And Still Not A Lick Of Evidence Has Been Required Or Provided!
This Fantasy Starts Out With a Wimpy President Fixing To Be Impeached Over a Far Away UN Conflict That He Refused To Get Authorized through Congress.... Suddenly Just Before The Vote Of Impeachment (Literally The Day Before) Magical Seals Locate 300 Miles Inland then claim to Kill bin NOBODY The World's #1 Trerrorist. Then Magically They whisk something a way and toss it into the Ocean or so they claim!
Sorry Folks Extraordinary Claims Require Extraordinary Proof.....Barry Bush-Wacker is just try to use a FANTASY Created To Get Out Of Impeachment NOW To Get Re-Elected!
If This Story Was True They Would Have Buried This Magical Seal A Long Time Ago!
bin NOBODY'S body just one more Reason To Refuse To Re-Elect ANY Of These Wall Street Sponsored Incumbents NOT WAR Profiteers and Professional Liars like I don't need no stinking bin NOBODY Obama!
Psst America also NEVER listen to ANY of these UN Patriotic Or Nationalist Nicknamed TROLLS....For that is all they are...Corporate Trolls Out War Profiteers Trying To Start Another Not War Just To Drum Up a Few Billion Bucks More For Their Bosses On Wall Street!
Speak of Extraordinary Claims Require Extraordinary Proof.....If You REALLY want to know what this is ALL ABOUT Watch This PBS Documentary And Think About What It Means To Be Truly American........
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l-8PFk8j5I
Let US Demand an End To These Endless Not Wars For Banksters & Corporations Fun & Profits!
"All the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting." ~George Orwell
There was zero chance of an impeachment vote for Obama over Libya.
Man, some of you really need to take some medication. Seriously. I'm looking at you MUW, and Bob, and saytanic.
Man, some of you really need to take some medication.
I tried reading MUW's response and I think there might be a central theme in there somewhere.
Whatever the actual truth about his violation of any trust, I'm sure the military would have had no trouble stopping the puplication if there were any real threat to any future military activities. If he did manage to reveal anything life threatening to anyone else I'd be all in favor of prosecution.
I think what may be revealed are the way certain things are done by the military they'd rather not have known. I doubt any secrets of great importance are in the book. Like I said, if there were the book would never have made it into publication.
It will be interesting where this goes from here.
To FactOfTheMatter: I am not sure if you and MUW and I think the same, but when reading about the killing of bin Laden last year, I had the feeling that something was wrong with that story (will not go into details now). Plus, at the end of last year, I was visiting people in a European country, and heard the exactly same thoughts I had.
He at least violated military protocol by not submitting a formal request to his superiors for pre-approval of information to ne published in his book. Beyond that, he violated the TEAM rules to act as a team, not individually.
The military will handle him now. The Seals have already spoken to the truth of the matter.
President Obama just kept his promise to America, that's all. He is the Commander in chief and has never been out of line in that role nor has he ever shown anything but total respect for all military members.
As far as MUW, wow. Unless you are fake writing your comments as scripted to elicit a response, get some help. You have had a serious psychic break....
First and foremost, if there were information that would endanger any of his brothers in arms or their families, this book would have never hit the shelves. Yes it should have been vetted by the military first. But, "Mark Owen" did not do the damage. The media put out more information in the hours after the POTUS gave his speech that directly put a bullseye on the backs of the men and their families. Have you all forgotten that the media and our government gave the name, job, location, and size of the command. Giving that information immediately endangered the lives of the men and women who work there and their families. You are all so full of your political BS and I venture to say, "Jealousy, because you have never left the comfort of your own little safe world to defend this great nation" that you cannot see the truth of this whole event. The secrets have been thrown out there by those we have elected since the day it happened. Stop defending these illegal actions by putting it all on someone else. Had this mission failed, no one would have heard anything but rumor because, guess what, plausible deniablility would have hit. Instead, as always the case with them, it was a success and everyone wants the credit. The credit lies with the training, those who help with the training, and the various intel that put it all together. These men risk their lives to capture or take down the most notorious man on the planet. Mission accomplished. Great job and deepest respect to all of those who were on the ground that night and all of the support personnel who made it all a reality. For those who do not know how it works, sit at home attached to your media lives and shut up.
As I recall, President Obama took an oath. In that oath , which I have never read, but I assume that it would include honor for our country. MY thing about him and his wife is---That he and his wife has never salutethe American Flag when protocol is in order. No salute as the Commander in Chief should be doing, to honor ourAmerican Armed forces, no hand over heart, nothing. If ourr president and his family cannot honor our flag, the symbol of freedom and liberty, regardless of what faith they believes in, then they do not honor our country. Many of you out there will think this stupid, and what has that got to do with anything. Think about it real hard. By the way my husband and our family served our country for 20 years and that was during Korean and Vietnam conflicts. Good comment--Gunner-3867236. you said it well. If the Navy Seal charity doesn't want the proceeds from the book. The Salvation Army would be happy to receive it, and put it too good use. God Bless America and our Navy Seal who has the courage to speak out.
JKLD--No respect for the Navy Seal who opened his mouth?????? Guess you have no respect for our President either. He has "hoof and mouth disease." The Navy Seal charity won't take the money, not because they don't want to, they know what will happen to them. If this charity was started and Navy Seal Wives volunteer their services, there you go again, to the oath. They can't voice their oponion either, if they do their husbands will pay.
Frankie: There are many of us who have watched as our President Obama, and his wife if she was there, honored the Flag, put their hand over their heart. There was also many times you can see them singing The National Anthem, singing away. Your words ring hollow and are FALSE. You are a petty person to even bring up a tale as you have. Shame on you. Many families have given as much or more than your family and have, even some in disagreement, never disrespected the President of the United States, as you have. You bring no honor to your '20 years.' You bring no honor to those who have served and are serving now.
To the rest, surprise! The publishing company has a great marketing department, as does the repub/tparty. A double whammy. A chance to make larger profits while at the same time deride President, a man of deep character and humility. At great political and moral risk, our Prez Obama gave the OK for the mission to remove the leader who ordered the WTC attacks. I have yet to see or hear, WE have yet to be at the receiving end of any "Mission Accomplished" banner waving away - look at me, see what I did, which is the repub/tparty way. Our President Obama has proven many times his main focus, the safety and care of Americans. A champion of the middle class - the working people who have made this country strong; a champion of ALL Americans who deserve the best, which is what we have in our President Obama.
OBAMA 2012 and a strong Democratic Congress to continue the FORWARD path
Romney 1040 - what are you hiding? Afraid?
SSatanick according to his lawyer? you crack me up.
Tea-bagger?
Good for them for refusing that dirty money. His attempt to clean his actions hiding behind giving some of the money away is so pathetic. He broke his contract, he dishonored his service and his unit. This was not his information or story to sell.
I also hope the government takes every nickle and uses it for Vets, wounded soldiers or to pay down the debt. Then the money will be going to the people who truly owned that story.
So you read his "contract" right bozo? I signed one of those non disclosure agreements when I served and those agreements specifically state what you can and cannot reveal. They suggest that you have any publications reviewed, but they do not require it. His attorney likely read his non-disclosure and decided he was ok moving forward. It's funny reading bone-headed ex military types speculate on what was or is true. You owe your loyalty to him until he has been proven to be in the wrong. Speculating based on press reports is overtly stupid.
I do not and will NEVER "owe" any loyalty to a book author. He did it for the money and violated his oaths, been there signed them and KNOW what they say. He lost all respect and the right to call himself a SEAL once he violated that oath they ALL take. You on the other hand, probably never even served in any capacity for even a day in your life.
Hmm. So you deny my service because you don't agree with what I said? You "owe" the loyalty to a man who served his country under fire, not under the bed as I'm betting you did based on your nit-whit comments. You sure don't like GIs. The book is political, it was written to get a republican elected to office and I doubt money really had much to do with it. Read the damn thing before you spout off in public.
Amused In The Midwest, You like calling people names but hates the consequences of your actions? You are as much disgrace as Matt Bisonette (Mark Owen)
amused
This is from and article from the American Legion
http://burnpit.legion.org/2012/09/navy-seal-book-released-over-pentagon-objections
He could use the money to get PTSD veterans their service animals since the VA stated the dogs wouldn't be funded for.
Bravo Flnobody! These elite warriors have the highest standards to live their lives. I am the Mom of a future Marine, he's just out of high school and on the Delayed Entry Program. He considers being a Marine and fighting and possibly dyeing for his country an honor. He thinks that being a Navy SEAL is the biggest honor that one can acheive. When he heard the story of this ex-SEAL he was extremely disappointed. These guys are role models for other soldiers and they need to always live up to that, writing this book is a huge mistake for their image. It' not about law as much as it is about honor!
All of you haters should know the truth. There are no secrets to let out. Got it? No secrets that have not already been released by the White House. Plus we let the Muslims into our military where they learn it all first hand from our best. Got it? This is all bs politics for the uneducated. This Navy Seal did nothing but piss off OBama. That is the extent of what he did wrong. Told the truth. Not acceptable in this administration.
jarhead, you take an oath to not reveal secrets and you do, that's a chargeable offense under the UCMJ. Not to mention, thanks to FOX News he's been outed. Now his family and relations are at risk. And what about the other SEALs with whom he associated? If say, there is a picture of him on the internet somewhere with a fellow SEAL. There is a good chance that he has now outed his fellow SEAL. His associates from now on will also be under suspicion of working for the SEALs. He's screwed a lot of people. And one sentence in a book does not make it all political. You underestimate his pecuniary motivations.
Get a clue. His contract rider for being Seal Team member specifically prohibited him from releasing information. It is over an above his normal enlistment. It is also unit code not to go public with mission details in the time immediately after service and the tradition has been upheld until now. What Navy Seal has ever bragged about their missions, told details and then sought glory and recognition for it? None until Matt Bissonette.
He put himself, his family and his unit and their families in danger by writing this book. How many recently retired team members are there from Alaska anyway? Not enough (1) to make his identity hard to find at all and any AQ could easily have found him - with or without FOX News. How hard is it to find the rest after that? Not very. It is beyond stupid, in fact, it's far enough beyond to be criminal. Leavenworth - and for many, many years.
FlyOverMe
What Navy Seal has ever bragged about their missions, told details and then sought glory and recognition for it? None until Matt Bissonette.
The name Richard Marcinko ring any bells? He is a plank owner of S.E.A.L. Team Six or at least claims to be in his book "Rogue Warrior". He wrote an entire series after being kicked out of the Navy. Matt Bissonette is not the first and probably won't be the last to write about his time in the Navy.
In my opinion, the White House is the one who "outed" the team. They could not wait to tell the world that Bin Laden was killed by Obama with the assistance of S.E.A.L. Team Six. The White House even cleared the way for a movie, that bragged about active duty S.E.A.L.'s, starring in the movie. This administration uses the military for their own personal and political gain and they get a pass from everyone. I think the POTUS also took and oath when he assumed office to protect the secrets of this country, but he apparently feels he is above all that. The Specop's community all need to be worried about this administration.
FlyOverMe
Damn people, read the friggin' book before judging the author! It is nothing but a war story, the same as all my brothers talk about at the local VFW and the same as our servicemen and women bring back from Iraq and Afganistan,. I saw nothing classified confidential or above in the book. The movie about the seals starring actual Seal Teams gave away more secrets then this book, which gave away no secrets. That movie is still playing. The book details nothing of the tactics used during the mission, it is just experiences one man had during that mission.
It is amazing what propaganda can do to make people believe in a lie!
Read the damn book. Not one piece of classified information is in it!
Exactually njofaustin - I don't get why the hoopla. Except maybe some are jealous they didn't think of writing a book first?
Thanks JoMan. I spent nearly 30 years in the military and worked with classified information to the Top Secret SCI level. I tend to know classified information when reading documents and I absolutely read nothing of a classified nature in this book. It is a good war story though.
If the government had a case, the manuscripts would have been confiscated from the publisher and the book would have never gone to press. What is really bad about this whole incident is the release of the real name of the author. He and his family are now in harms way from every fanatical Muslim in the US and the World. Now that should be the real criminal act here!
This whole incident occurred because of the media spin applied by non-caring, no integrity journalism. Guilty until proven innocent which is the flip-flop interpretation of the US Constitution applied in today's world by American who have no integrity!
njofaustin
Absolutely spot on. The current administration has not attacked the message however, they are trying to attack the messenger Owen, The philosophy is to demonize the messenger and anyone, who has not read the book, are very quick to chastise and blindly follow the lead of the attacker! A pillar of foundation to the Saul Alinsky school of radicals.
My suggestion would be to get educated on the "leaks" ascribed to both Administration and to Owens. Also, they should at least google Saul Alinsky to see his sociologist philosophy.
Let me say this as plainly as possible: It was not his story to sell. The events are not some random Seal mission. The people who may exact revenge are not Somali pirates or other ill equipped and poorly financed group. The exposure is not his alone. Using Marcinko as a justification for releasing the story is just twisted reasoning and weak.
The events of the Bin Laden raid have further reaching long term consequences. This was the single most important and consequential mission of our ear on terror - period. The costs of the team, the intel, the training, transportation, years of field work do not even belong to the Seals, let alone Bissonnette. He betrayed all those people who put in so much more time, more effort and more work than he did to make this happen. So he could make a buck.
I believe he may be the definition of low life.
Have you read the book flyoverme? have any of you putting him down read it? Do you know for sure classified was leaked? I for one am anxioulsy awating my copy.
Maybe you should listen to njofaustin, sounds like he actually KNOWS what he is talking about.
I saw some of the most ridiculous information in Secret Documents.
How the hell do any of you above KNOW what was marked "SECRET" or why. Are you in the Chain-of-Command or custody of the information?
Telling people to read the dam book means nothing to those of us who don't know or care about spec ops secrets. It is about "gleening the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle the way I was told". A piece here, a piece there.....all of a sudden the enemy has the big picture.
Pretty much says it all...VFW...I refused to join and wish they'd stop trying. Group of people who think they know better and are better than everyone else. Resting on their laurels and beer-bellies.
More people busted for DUI within a few blocks of VFW than the rest of town. Yeah, I'm a retired vet but spend my time volunteering, and working the election polls instead of sitting in the VFW commiserating with others hanging on to the past.
That is why I don't like the VFW. Bet ya' couldn't tell.
And this BOY is an insult to every spec operator who did their job and kept their mouth shut. THAT is brotherhood, loyalty, and patriotism.
I heard his real name got leaked. GOOD!!! Now let's sit back and watch what "loose lips" will do for him. Al Queda has a serious bounty AND hard-on to get one or all of these guys.
If they can kidnap him, he will probly give up the names of the entire team under torture.
GEE, it's only his name that got out there, what's the harm in that???
So, why don't you VFW bozos go have another beer, sit down, and be quiet. You don't know any more than I do....and I can't believe the flippant attitude about national security.....ridiculous info or not.
Oh yeah, the dam hat tells me you were a "ZERO". Figures............took the act of Congress to make you an Officer and idiot.
tom-1768340: Well thank you for putting be down the way you did. It's SOB's like you that anger me and take for grantedwhat the military does for you and your freedom. The white had signifies I was a Police Officer. The picture was taken 1 week after I graduated from the police academy. Two weeks later I was in Vietnam flying around on a helicopter shooting from a door and getting shot back I. I earned a Silver Star with Valor and a Purple Heart for saving my crew after we were shot down from ground fire and taking a bullet in the gut, all for you, you ungrateful POS! I also received the Hand to Hand combat badge for an ground assault on our home base
I served in Granada, Desert Storm and Somalia. In Somalia I lost my left leg below the knee and my left arm to the shoulder. I was medically retired as a Command Chief Master Sgt, or E-9, from the USAF. You don't even know your ranks if you think I was an Officer. I was enlisted throughout my service. Received a BS in Criminal Justice, another BS in Avionic Engineering and an AA in Liberal Arts. Seems from your comment you probably are just a High School Graduate. So another Purple Heart and a Bronze Star with Valor.
This author just told a simple war story, all names were changed and he specified all proceeds would be split amount his brothers who were involved and to charities. As I said the book is a simple war story, no tactics were described, all names changed and not information as to intelligence of configuration of the helicopters used in the attack. Hell, he did not even disclose where they flew from of where they flew to after extraction. No aircraft tail numbers and he even changed the ranks of the men involved.
Read the damn book and if you insult me the way you did you insult every last serviceman and woman who served to protect your rights, which you apparently take for granted or don't give a s#it about, all unscathed, wounded and all 2 million plus who have died since the Revolutionary War!
If you like, I'll comment you my real name. Look me up, you'll find everything I've told you is the truth.
Oh, and your comment about alcoholic in and around the VFW, try going to war and seeing the horrors some of these servicemen and women have seen. It's not like the war movies you see on television. It is very hard to live with the images of war you ungrateful pig!
tom-1768340 Forgot to tell you tom-1768340. I do volunteer work for the Combat Veterans Association including Toys for Tots, Blue Santa, Salvation Army Food Banks and Homeless Shelters. Four time a year we go to Fort Hood and welcome returning soldiers from the wars, present an Honor Guard for them and spend a day with them and their families. Also do Coats for Kids Volunteer work, deliver food we go around for donations of food for those in need during the holidays, spend virtually the entire year collecting donations of money to support the families whose husbands or wives are deployed and we do the same thing for Police Officers Families and Fire Fighters families who have lost a member a hero while on duty or are retired and passed away.
We collect monies for WWII and Korean War veterans families who have past and visit families to support them after they have lost a Loved one in the current wars.
You say you're a retired veteran. Don't know how that could be true the way you hate the VFW and the way you talk and insult service members who have given more than you could ever imagine. What di you retire as, an E-5 tops?
tom-1768340:
Can't stay away from you, can I? Now, on that comment above, wishing someone who was involved in killing the most wanted man in the world, or anyone for that matter must mean you are a sociopathetic sick animal. No right minded or intelligent human being would do that.
Oh, Al Queda is spelled Al Qaeda and probly is a redneck way of spelling probably!
Actually, I think this book is of a very covert operation. With the fuss everyone is making, it has propelled the book to #1 on the best seller list. Everyone who reads it will recognize what a loser we have in the White House. He gets voted out and the Military will keep the 500 billion cut from happening. How could anyone in the Military support a Commander in Chief who wants to decimate the American Military. The guys behind this are much smarter than Obama thinks he is. When its all over, Mark Owen will have done his duty and his seal team buddies will be thanking him. So should a grateful nation.
Overall, consider the timing and the hoopla from Fox & company on this book. Nothing more than another instance from the repub/tparty marketing department, another gimmick to throw at the honor of President Obama. Accusing this administration of leaks, of taking all credit for removing bin Laden - all from your handsomely paid marketing dept. of the repub/tparty, all misinformation and lies. It'll be interesting to watch what next they come up with in the following 2 months. Be prepared for their onslaught of derision.
Remember, President Obama is FOR ALL Americans, the middle class - the working people, the believers and non-believers, the healthy and sick, the poor and rich, the educated and skilled, and those who have not had opportunities. President Obama is for those who have accomplished great deeds or on their way, are taking and took risks as entrepreneurs to start businesses, for those who have reached the top of which we can all be proud. Prez Obama has opened the path for equality in the diverse areas of our lives. It's up to us to keep it going. Vote Democratic in all elections. We deserve the best.
If he did everything possible to ensure that sensitive material was not found in the book prior to the release then i feel that the pentagon pressing charges against him would be a political move. If there is sentive material in the book then i think he should be given back to his SEAL brothers and see if they rip him up. I still have to wonder why he would come out with this book.
Huh? And how do you KNOW this? I say leave it up to the lawyers who will figure out if he violated his agreements or not.
Differnet—I think you are contradicting yourself. Honestly,
in a post stated above you were standing up for the oath that he took, the SEAL
brother he may have had in a previous picture, which now could possibly endanger
him. NOW! You’re replying to this post stating that
“I say leave it up to the lawyers who will figure out if he violated his agreements or not.”
The person above did not state that they KNEW this…just stated that it would be a political move.
“If he did everything possible to ensure that sensitive material was not found in the book prior to the release then i feel that the pentagon pressing charges against him would be a political move.”
Which is true! Honestly if this man did do everything he thought he needed to do before publishing this book…and the pentagon still insisted it be removed/not sold, it would be a political thing. Stating that basically even when you leave the military, you have no opinion or say. Nice….
When the Pentagon REVIEWS information you want to put in a book that may or may not violate secret agreements, they give you WRITTEN permission. Now, he may have or he may not have that document and or there may be a disagreement about what is in any such documents. I have no idea what he did or didn't do and what the Pentagon may have done or not done. Right now, all we have is hearsay. Therefore, I say let his lawyer and the Pentagon lawyers hash it out. It may lead to a trial. You are very naive about legal matters.
Moreover, your train of thought is extremely convoluted. It took me 3 times reading your speel above to make any sense of it.
How about money? I don't mean profits from the sale of the book. His intention to give proceeds to charity may very well be because he's already been paid. And if so, I would have to wonder by whom. Umh....perfect timing for the release -- like the DNC?
It's a shame that this book, which is historically important, is being politicized and that this charity has made a short-sighted decision to not help those in need with these funds.
I am ex-military...I just finished reading the book. I did not read anything that I considered sensitive and was not readily available through other sources...the author simply added helpful context and provided a better characterization of life in the military and how the raid went down...grousing about Washington's slow pace and "idea fairies" adding no value is nothing new...
And let's not forget that there is a whole cottage industry of books, workout programs, documentaries, NBC analysts, and other works authored by former SEALS and many, many other members of the military...the author is certainly not a pioneer in earning a little money in return for his sacrifices, which I know from personal experience were significant...
The military and DOJ to date have only made empty threats and have not come forward with any specifics about what was a material breach...and the agreements this SEAL signed, if similar to the ones I signed, only request, not require a DoD review...it has not been widely reported, however the author in fact hired a retired DoD lawyer that formerly vetted published works, to review the manuscript prior to publication.
I hope as time passes, the politics and hysteria will pass and people will appreciate what this service member and his team accomplished...
I think we ALL know what that team accomplished. Now, what we need to know is what exactly did HE HOPED TO ACCOMPLISH. Osama killed thousands of people; he was an enemy; he is now dead. For what further purpose is Owens doing this?
His words in the book were to, "Set the story straight." That the White House was not only leaking classified information, but they were getting a lot of the story wrong. He also talked extensively about how being outed by the White House affected them all mentally. How they were able to compartmentalize their work from their private lives, and suddenly, all their friends and family knew where they were and that they were on the raid. He talks about how when the team landed back in the States and switched their cell phones on, they had literally hundreds of text, phone messages and emails asking if they were that's why they were gone. That is unheard of before this raid. Navy SEALS were always ghosts. Never confirmed to be involved in anything. Why did this Administration violate that?
Of course you are "sure" that this administration "outed" the Seals. Please give us the source of your very accurate info., since you must have access to places that not even the Congress has.
Typical GOP/TP lies and fabrications.
Rasputin a Obama butt kisser no doubt. You think it was a secret that seal team six was involved? For christ sake, Obama let the movie people have access to all of it. The whole dam country knows this, so don't pretend is was kept secret. Your the liar and a fool to boot. Hell you could watch and listen to it all go down on tv.
I think it is this particular mission and his expose in the current time of the events which creates the issue. This is not an historical piece, written in analytic review after time. This is current tripe (I could not believe I was wiping the blood off the mans face so I could get photographs of him) with all the raw emotional fodder and incendiary detail which is not at all relevant to history. It also exposes many of his team and their families without their choice and in violation of his contract.
The charity made the right choice. If this were let go, we would see a new breed of Seal nobody needs: What can I do so I can sell my story and sell out my team, but make a whole lot of money.
Sorry, this was all about a personal ax to grind with a President and a chance to make money for himself. It's appalling.
I couldn't agree more! I felt the book was a disappointment in that I had preferred more facts than opinion/bravado of the author.I was left feeling embarrassed for buying his book.
And because he wrote a book, it's the truth? And everything forwarded in emails is the truth... And everything on the internet is the truth...
Interesting that his brother SEALS haven't chose to back his story.....
The government could have stopped publication of this book with an injunction. The fact that they chose not to should tell us all that the information contained in the book is not sensitive or classified. The big crime here was committed by the person who released the author's real name and put him in harm's way.
when Valerie plame was outed, that was the true definition of treason.
When Bin Laden got free passage out of Tora Bora, that was also high treason
When Fox news exposed the author, that was treason
You all need to apply the same standard to Cheney, Rumsfeld and Fox news
All I can say is, good, someone thinks of honor before money.
Let's see the book came out 9/4/2012. This is 9/6/12. I'm really impressed with all the FAST readers we have on this post.
Bet that book could be read in two days unless they were a speed reader and stayed up for 48 hours to read it.
It's only 300 pages MommaB...it's really a quick read. A couple of nights...maybe four hours. Lots of opinions though from folks who have never been in a fight or have even read the book...sad commentary.
I got in on my Kindle on Sept 5 when it was released and I finished it this morning. But I have a two hour train commute per day. Plus, I read for a couple of hours last night. So, yeah. It can be done in two days.
Oh good gosh momma, do you read by mouthing the words. I've read over 100 pages and hour. A 300 page book would most likely take me about 2.5 hours.
This is where MORALS step up to the plate. Mark Owen-NO Easy Day For You. You under estimate the American people in your hate and lies.
Wait a minute! Ok, let's say the guy who wrote the book revealed classified info or details about how SEALs operate. Fine, that can be handled by the appropriate authorities and, if necessary, the author can be held legally accountable. But this guy who wrote the article we are all discussing here; where does he get off calling it "infamous" the event that led up to killing Bin Laden? How is it "infamous" that a mass murderer who has been legally declared a terrorist and unlawful combatant; who continued right up to the time the bullet went through his head was calling for killing more Americans was shot to death during a lawful military operation? Maybe it wasn't lawful in Pakistan, but when has Pakistan itself worried about being lawful? It sure as hell was lawful in the United State's opinion and apparently by International law so, again, how was the event "infamous?' A sneak attack on Pearl Harbor was infamous. Hijacking airplanes and crashing them into the World Trade Towers and killing almost 3,000 innocent civilians was certainly infamous, but killing Bin Laden? Infamous? Hardly. Who's side is the author of this article on anyway?
Exactly! I couldn't believe my eyes when I read that.
The POTUS gave secret information concerning this raid to Hollywood producers. Is he going to be put on trial? Lesson: Don't piss off the gangbanger in charge.
Glad to see the Seal Charity has all the money it needs and no Seal families are doing without.
Glad to see that the Seals will throw one of their own under a bus to make the politicians happy.
Hope they take him to court and have to prove he revealed something that hasn't already been released by the 1600 gangbangers.
You cannot trust anything or anyone in the government or in an agency of the government at this time. They will throw anyone under the bus in order to save themselves. Give the former Seal a chance to defend his position. If he said he got permission from the Pentagon for publishing the book, we must wait to see if he did. The Pentagon might have selective memory just like many politicians have in today's society.. I think I heard a lot of the Bin Laden details are in a movie. Since Hollywood talked to the Pentagon and got information then maybe they don't want the Seal's book to say things until the big premiere. If the government had said no comment when questions were asked, I would say they have the right to be upset about the book. But since they have given out some true, and possibly some false information to make themselves look good, I would like to hear it from someone who was there.
If he DID get the book approved for release as he has stated, where are the release forms stating that? The military does NOT just give verbal approval, there would be signatures of the approval officer on the form. You cannot get a pair of boxer shorts issued to you without some sort of form signed.
He should be prosecuted. OR we will have another string of copy cat glory jocks trying to get famous off books about every freaking big operation.
His colleges think he sold out and disgraced and dishonored the SEALS, that is enough for me.
At the end of the day he ruined his own life and career over this.
I would challenge every poster to send a donation to these stand-up guys tonight. We will send a check tonight. This book is treason and the writers should be prosecuted.
I'm pretty sure I lost brain cells from reading these comments.
What brain cells? You never had them!
And how is this news?
I to am going to turn down any proceeds I am offered by the author of this book.
didn't the b.o. take an oath? something about upholding all the laws of the united states. seems like he only upholds those that he likes and disregards others.
I hope the government sues him and takes every penny.
But, they won't because Obama will tell them to keep hands off.
This is part his project as well.
SCREW the NON-SEAL and Obama for this travesty!
Truthfully, the word SEAL, or the amount of members involved with this operation should be completely classified and unknowing to the public. I understand how many feel as if they need to be in the know, or that it is their right to know what the government is doing with their tax money. However, please put your thoughts with the family members of the servicemen who are or were involved. Their safety and privacy is more important then a book.
Sounds to me like the person(s) running the charity are B H O supporters. The guy fought for freedom of speech rights, now that he is out of the military, it would seem that he's earned the right to exercise them.
Obama gave away all the secrets in the first days after the killing, for his own self-aggrandizement. Prosecute him, not a brave SEAL.
Sandra: Straight out of Fox. Did you know Fox was refused a license to broadcast in Canada because of their "...misinformation and biased reporting..." March 2011. Google: Fox refused license. It would do you some good to check before posting what you hear on Fox - stop embarrassing yourself so often.