He's donating all the proceeds to charity, is that you're idea of greed?

And he's not even using his real name, so it's not for glory or recognition.

Sane - doesn't matter what he broke his oath and possible the law. If guilty then should be punished. Holding a Top Secret Clearance you are obligated to keep those secrets and take them to your grave.

Right on......just me 0123.......right on.

Actually, clflan2-1 - Those who hold a TS clearance do sign a confidentiality agreement and agree to have their work pre-screened before publication. This SEAL violated his oath and his contract.

"The man is a Civilian and not subject to any Military discipline of any kind."

Good. Shut off his pension.

If there is any thought to punish the Seal, then we should punish just about every military leader for putting our troops in harm's way...they advertise troop movements ALL the time.

Good. Shut off his pension.

What makes you think he was in long enough to get a pension?

Can anyone be so naive as to not see what this is about? The SEALs have their own way of getting back at someone. I am relatively sure that no one in the SEAL community was happy with the the Obama administration releasing information about the raid so quickly after the raid, they would not appreciate the administration taking credit the way they did, and I'd bet the farm that the SEALs are unhappy about their efforts and risks being turned into a movie.

It hasn't dawned on all of you that this new book falls very quickly on the squashing of a previously released story (which the SEAL community came out very quickly to discredit) and just prior to the impending release of a movie about the same raid. The rub is all of this was prompted by the Obama administrations need for glorifying their role in the raid. Consider as evidence the fact the book was written, edited, rushed to print and out into circulation with amazing speed. Have you noticed that no one is disputing his account of the details or his bona fides to write the book? The criticism of his guys book is the accusation that he is releasing classified material and revealing operational aspects. Personally, I disagree with anyone releasing information they gained while holding a position in the government/military. Having said that...it's amazing how hypocritical the administration has been during this (this is not unique to Obama's administration, they've just been the worst and most blatant offenders) whole episode. I double-dog dare them to proceed with a legal action against the author.

This whole thing is a much more complicated story than we know. I suspect the old Hannibal tactic of suck the other guy in and then lower the boom on him. I'm going to talk to a bunch of my SEAL buddies to get their reaction and if they're not twisted outta shape over this, I'll buy and read the book. I really don't know what they think, we've not talked too much about this, but it should be interesting. Everyone else should butt out, pipe down and listen up.

He broke his oath and needs to be punished. Using a false name is irrrelevant. Many authors write under a different name, but get paid the same. He said all proceeds would go to charity, but I will believe that as much as I believe he kept his oath. All lies. Has he been paid for interviews yet? He will, face blacked out of course, but no matter.

he just pulled the same thing that Bradley manning did. I wonder how he feels about Bradley?

I'm all for punishing this man for violating the law, BUT, by the same token I don't want to see the administration getting a pass for giving Hollywood "unprecedented access" to make a movie. Prosecute this guy if you can prove he broke any laws, then fire up the indictments for the administration for doing the exact same thing!

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57440015-503544/documents-show-filmmakers-were-granted-unique-access-to-bin-laden-raid-info/

He's donating all the proceeds to charity, is that you're idea of greed?

This came about only after all of the flak hit. The charity turned him down! They wanted no part of it.

Shut off his pension? You have got to be a friggin' libby to come up with that one.

I have deep respect for him & people involve in operation Geronimo, but what he reveal I don't know, I haven't read his book yet. Whatever he did I let it to his commanders, peers from SAD/SOG units (Green Beret, Delta Forces, SEAL, Rangers, Aviation 160, DEVGRU, 24th STS etc.) judge him. I don't know it that he motive by political or money or fame etc.

Sane he isnt donating jack. want to know why? Because his after the fact attempt to donate was declined by the SEAL charity because of what he did. He deserves to be prosecuted and it should happen now.

I don't want to see the administration getting a pass for giving Hollywood "unprecedented access" to make a movie.

You're forgetting one thing. Did you ever read "Moby Dick?" One of my favorite sayings is "The captain can't break the law, he is the law." That applies to the White House. This ex-seal is nowhere near that. He also broke his oath which doesn't put him in a favorable position from the active seals.

On it - Moby Dick was fiction - that isn't what the Constitution says, "did you ever read that"!

In an interview with CBS News on Tuesday, Panetta was asked if he thinks the writer should be prosecuted. "I think we have to take steps to make clear to him and to the American people that we're not going to accept this kind of behavior," Panetta said.

I happen to agree with Mr. Panetta on this point. I also believe that the Commander In Chief sets the tone for those who serve under him and that Obama and those in his administration, have been very poor role models for the brave men and women serving in our Military and our intelligence gather agencies.

If this brave Seal is to be held accountable for any secret information shared in his book then our nation must also hold anyone in this Administration, as we have in past administrations, accountable for leaking sensitive information, speaking without authority to do so, and opening up details of what should have been one of the most sensitive actions in contemporary American History. If this brave Seal is going to have to "pay" so should Barrack Obama for broadcasting details, diagrams and his own narrative of this mission. Some acts by nations are so heinous, like state sanctioned assassination, that they should not be brought into the light in glee or for personal gratification.

If Mr. Panetta believes this brave member of the Seal team is to be "Punished" then he should believe the same of our "President" who hasn't a clue what confidential or secret mean.

Ah what if President Obama flew into Pakistan on a Blackhawk Helicopter with a big "Mission Accomplished" banner in tow and outed the names of all the Seal team members, like Cheney outed Valerie Plame as a CIA operative and then given himself a pardon.Afterall he is just a civilian, reporting to us the people.

Yeah, I think the right wing nuts would have loved that.

@ MUW..........But Mitt is honest as can be Right? What is he really hiding in those taxes? He should be audited in my opinion just because they know he has off shore accounts. Maybe the whistle blower banker gave his name for one of the accounts in the Swiss bank? lol!

Dont politicize this, This seal should take his medicine, end of story

Sounds like sour grapes. Someone in the Administration, Panetta or otherwise, planned that book as a "gimme" and now they're pissed because they were beat to it.

On it:

One of my favorite sayings is "The captain can't break the law, he is the law." That applies to the White House.

Oh really? Even though the White House attempts to act like it, when did the office of President officially change to Dictator?

Kim

There is no need to audit Romney because WE all know he is a super rich guy with alot of offshore accounts thanks to our current tax laws and regulations. I do believe we should audit those pesky college transcripts of Obama since he refuses to relase those documents. Gotta ask what is he hiding????

If the government is going to persecute Assange and Manning, they need to go after this SEAL too, not to mention Cheney for outing Valerie Plame.

If the Author had done any of the things that Panetta had accused him of doing, such as putting future operations in immediate jeopardy, then the US Government could have obtained an injunction against the distribution of the book.

Since the US Government HAS NOT obtained said injunction this should tell everyone that (1) there is NO RISK to our troops and (2) the Author has done nothing wrong.

Panetta and the rest are blowing smoke. This guy isn't going to be criminally prosecuted. If an injunction is not obtainable then the First Amendment protects him.

this guy is awesome.. a brave man. I'm glad our great President gave him the order to go in. all those that hate the President need to check your partisanship at the door. Your blood in your eyes has blurred your vision. When you can control yourselves...then come back and talk in a clear and concise manor....until then.... you just should like a bunch of left-wing or right-wing nut jobs.

MUW= Many Ugly Words or Much Useless Wrangling? We get it. You don't like Obama, You're probably TEA Party or some other small minded group. You've had your say, now go away..............forever.

Where's Panetta and the DOJ on all the WH leaks?

Boy I see a lot of cowards out here that never served in any combat role in the military, just like the movies, you don't get it. And tell me aren't you the ones that stand for your constitution but then protect someone that breaks his promises and his oath? It is simple, he is the same as Bradley isn't he? Or I guess if he is a right winger it is ok?? No it is not ok, go buy another gun.

I agree with a lot of the posters here - IF he violated the law, take him to court, if guilty then punish him. But I also agree with RTColorado. I didn't like that the President got up on stage and started taking credit (for what I saw was nothing but political gain) right after the raid. If there was any intelligence material gained during the raid, it was worthless after that. I believe that publicizing the raid lead to the marking for death and eventual killing of a lot of the SEALS involved in that raid. Their blood is on his hands. If you are going to punish one, punish both but we all know that won't happen.

Just another way for free press for you know who. Old I killed Bin Laden himself.

Taxpayer to Panetta......Time to focus on the Senior White House official who leaked classified information:

• Disclosing information about the Osama bin Laden attack for a movie starring Mr. Obama.
• Disclosing doctor who identified Osama bin Laden's hideout.
• Disclosing double agent in Yemen.
• Disclosing airfield Israel would probably use to go into Iran.
• Disclosing hit list.

Yep, our brave men and women in the military killed Osama bin Laden. Even Mr. Jimmy Carter could have given the "go ahead" for the operation.

Am I the only one that seen the scaled model of the house if your call it that where OBL was hold up? Did't I see a video Make up of that raid showing exactly how it all went down. This was on the National news. And don't we as Americans want to know about this. Do we not have the right to know what happened and how it went down, How they found OBL in the first place. Hell I think we should have seen the pic of him with holes in his head and in his heart should have been. I haven't got to read this book yet, but as an American I feel I should be able to. And what is puzzling me is that Fox outed this guy, tells me that the book is favorable to the President. I have heard no one say a think about the Seals that hate President Obama and what they have said and written. It only counts when it helps the President. If we believe free speech then we can not stop free speech, not even if it comes from a former Seal. I highly doubt that this guy and the publisher would have given any secrets away. If there were anything in this book that did any harm at all, it would have never been allowed to be released. End of story. This guy isn't making a dime off the book. WE THE PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW. I THINK WE SHOULD SEE THE PIC'S OF THE DEAD OBL, TO HELL WITH HIS FOLLOWERS.

This guy did nothing compared to what obama did on this very subject, Obama did everything he could to release secret infrmation to the public for political gain actig as though he had done something special when in fact Bush's people gained all the information to find the creep and th emilitary did all the work to kill him. Obama refused to allow them to kill him for at least 6 months in fear of political fallout and finally simply gave the go ahead when pressured by his people around him. So he did nothing but watch it on a screen and then allow hollywood total access to all secret information for movies for his political gain. Now they want to destroy this hero what a freaking joke our government has turned in to... God I pray this obummer is replaced in November to hopefully save our country. If he gets re-elected we will collapse no doubt about it. You better prepare your families to survive

yes chuck you saw the video, I saw the video we all saw it because obama released everything that was secret for political gain, so this guy is not even coming close to what the potus has already released to hollywood

Rocky....AtomAnt..... don't be hating because your guy couldn't get that SOB. you should acknowledge that He gave the order to strike.... he does get the credit....along with our entire military.

So, why should the one guy get hammered? Hasn't the government outed numerous "secrets" and "secret" individuals? What has been done to the overall administration? And I'm not just talking about the current admin. This has happened numerous times over history. It only becomes an issue when someone who has the weight to make it so, makes it so. So, if the opposition (terrorists) don't know our techniques and we beat them, that's good. But how much better, if they know some of the playbook, and yet we still kick their ***? Absent that tangent, if one is punished for the same action(s) that several have been known to do, then everyone known to should be punished.

Debi.... it happened during the Bush 2.0 years(to answer your question)

JR827 Just another Silly Obaman Troll Who Can't Debate UN MAGICAL Facts so instead attempts to Belittle Real Posters with Petty Nonsense!

Notice Folks Never Facts Only Smoke & Mirrors hoping to Save Bumbling Barry from his FAILURES!

This guy is a piece of @!$%# for writing this book to start with. The SEALs operate by a code that they do not talk about their missions or seek recognition for their missions. If people found out the SEALs behind the missions it would make them targets for every terrorist with a grudge. Plus he has revealed details about how the SEALs operate that could put other future missions in jeopardy. This guy needs to be prosecuted to send a clear message that this type of unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information will not be tolerated. Also, some of the statements this guy has made in interviews regarding what happened during the raid raises serious questions of whether at least one of the SEALs is guilty of a war crime for some of their actions. The author indicated in one interview that Osama bin Laden was injured and unarmed when they put a bullet in him to kill him. While this may be satisfying to many, this would constitute a war crime and subject the person who pulled to trigger to prosecution for murder and everyone else there to prosecution as a co-conspirator for not speaking up. It is information like this that is the reason that this book should never have been written. If this account is what is in the book, then the book could be used as evidence to condemn the US military by our enemies and possibly even some not so solid allies. It could also be used in attempts to drag the entire SEAL team into criminal proceedings. It would give Pakistan grounds to demand the extradition of the entire SEAL team to face murder charges. Not that I think the US would ever honor that demand, but it could definitely complicate our relations with Pakistan even further than they already are. If there is anyone who has read the book, I would be interested to know if this account of how bin Laden was killed is in the book.

Valerie was not even an opperative. They claimed she was covert, but if she was and they ousted a CIA operative while under cover..well charges would have been filed. Someone would have taken a fall.

On It....

You are SO FULL OF CRAP it is running out your ears. You do not know how the classification system works. BO is NOT allowed to release anything classified by someone else.

The Classifing Agency is the one that can Declassify or Down Grade, and IT HOLDS TRUE FOR ALL. IF the INFORMANT is CLASSIFIED. END OF STORY.

I have worked in the field for over 20 years. So just SHUT THE HELL UP.

YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.

So if BO and his cronies told the SAME info as the seal did... Then they should be put on trial FIRST as they RELEASED IT FIRST!

Just because you hold the position of CIC does not give you a free ride over Classified Material.

And AS CIC, HE IS OBLIGATED to DEFEND the CONSTITUTION of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA against ALL ENEMIES, Foreign and DOMESTIC. Which WE ALL KNOW HE HAS NOT DONE... Lets put HIM in front of a Courts Martial.

For all you "... he's a private citizen..." people out there, you have no friggin' clue what it means to hold a clearance! I was a private citizen the entire time I worked for the DoD and I can't talk about ANY of the work I did back then. If you folks can't talk intelligently about the subject don't say anything.

I am about half way done with the book. The only thing the author is really talking about so far is his training to get into Team 6 and a couple of operations he was deployed on. He stated at the begining that all names were changed and dates. So far I havent seen anything that would give our enemies an advantage. He does however blast Washington alot saying that they tie their hands when they go into hostile areas. I just read this morning that the SEALs were no longer allowed to go into a suspected terrorist house with out announcing that they were there which basically takes away the entire reason for having special ops. He also said that the first thing they have to ask a suspected terrorist now is if they were abused in anyway upon capture. Again, I have not finished the book yet but so far all that is really being said is that Washington drags their feet too much and they dont let them fight how they were trained to fight. Basically the author is saying that they are no longer allowed to take the fight to the enemy with out a bunch of politicians (most of which have never been in the field) clearing it first.

Well DLeeb.... Panetta Obviously feels he can say what ever he wants and he has a lot higher clearance than some Wannabe Armchair NOBODY Weeny!

Psst Now The Manstain Corporate Media disgraces the 09/11/2001 Victims with more of your UN Globalist BS and Covering Up Of High Crimes & Treasons!

Don't Believe? Watch this PBS Documentary..........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l-8PFk8j5I

PS DLeeb I'm sorry but I Don't Listen to Unintelligent TROLLS Spewing Nonsense and telling other Posters to don't say anything.

Jebus.... Talk About Being UN American!

Smarterthanu11:

...well charges would have been filed. Someone would have taken a fall.

You amuse me with your naivety.

When was the last time anyone high up has been charged with a crime? Even Richard "Watergate" Nixon was pardoned by Ford.

Shawn:

Debi.... it happened during the Bush 2.0 years(to answer your question)

Sadly, I see this country heading further and further into fascism, which is not what I agreed to uphold and defend, and which is why I am investigating giving up my citizenship. More and more citizens are choosing to voluntarily get off the ship before it sinks.

The author claims to want to donate the funds to the seal community…however, they don’t want the money (good for them)!!

In regards to those who claim that Obama released the information about the raid too soon… explain when soon enough would have been proper? Maybe had Obama been a Right Wing Republican there wouldn’t have been an issue??? Kinda like when Cheney ousted an active CIA agent working undercover....the right wing saw no issues with that little act of treason!!!

ScottW,

I can see your point but Obama should not have given as much info as he did. Also, the media should be taking some blame for the non stop coverage about SEAL Team 6. There were alot of reports after from the special ops community being pissed off because the media would not shut the hell up about them.

Kim Heitz

@ MUW..........But Mitt is honest as can be Right? What is he really hiding in those taxes? He should be audited in my opinion just because they know he has off shore accounts.

What does that have to do with this article? My ain't you super jealous!

If the book contains Sources and Means information then I agree he should have charges files.

But if the book is just a narrative of what happened, then the charging him with a violation is mostly for politics and would require numerous other VETS to be charged for talking about WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and Desert Shield/Storm.

Government lovely to classify anything they can get away with it.

Like RTcolorado said this was all started by the Obama admin. Paneeta is a Dbag of the highest order....the guy who doesnt even trust his soldiers enough to let them hold their weapons during his visit to a warzone!! WTF? Then its himself and Obama that are releasing sensitive information and he wants to now pin it on a SEAL team member. Owen used lawyers to vett the material before releasing it.....while its not a good idea, and the commander of Special forces has come down hard on everyone (expect it to be total darkness as there was a lot of tweeting in and around that operation too), it still lands on the dumbass President and his staff for selling out the soldiers and giving up information to begin with....so why doesnt Panetta shut up, quit being a hypocrite and worry about Iran and Israel at this point...

Irish 21:

ScottW,

I can see your point but Obama should not have given as much info as he did. Also, the media should be taking some blame for the non stop coverage about SEAL Team 6.

FYI, there is not any unit in the Navy named 'Seal Team Six' and there never has been. It is a creation of Hollywood writers several years ago. The Navy and Pentagon do not dispute because it serves their needs.

Homer,

It started as Team 6 under Richard Marcinko (sp?). He took a group of the highest skilled guys he could find that were serving in the special ops department. He was given a blank check to start a a team for counter terrosim after Jimmy Carter botched the rescue of American hostages. I have read several of his books and in Rogue Warrior he explains how he started Team 6. The reason he gave it that name is because there were only 2 Teams at the time, so he gave it Team 6 to throw off the Russians. So to say there never has been is false. It is now called Dev Gru.

In an interview with CBS News on Tuesday, Panetta was asked if he thinks the writer should be prosecuted. "I think we have to take steps to make clear to him and to the American people that we're not going to accept this kind of behavior," Panetta said.

Only pencil pushers are allowed to compromise sensitive information!

Like I said earlier, after reading about half of the book so far I think the big uproar is how the author is bashing the politicians for being pencil pushers and tying their hands when they are out in the field.

Now if only the Obama administration will show the same resolve in finding and punishing the dirty little traitor who leaked all that classified intelligence about ongoing operations to the New York Times!

They should give him life in prison!

Hey, didn't Jay Carney use to work for the New York Times!
Wait a minute...

What this SEAL did is no where near what the WH "leaks" have done. Those top secret leaks (for political gain) have not only jeopardized our missions but have endangered lives. Panetta is just another one of Obama's puppets. He really should put a sock in it.

Harley Chic,

You are right but get ready for the backlash from the Obama sheep. In their eyes they think he can do no wrong. Obama could punch an old lady on TV and the sheep will defend him.

Once Again The Robo-DemoRATS Collapse Free Speech So.......

Hahaha What an On-Going Propaganda Fantasy!

As The Defense Secretary Panetta doesn't need someone's permission to Arrest a Person Who Is Or Was in the Military and without his and others like POMPUS Obama's permission this book never would have been published.

So once again Barry's Magic Seals Back Door the USAma bin NOBODY story get shoved into Our Faces by the Corporate Corrupt Media Attempting to influence American Voters with this nonsense!

Anyone else Notice Obama has not mentioned this Fantasy himself? Only his round about Flunkies like Panetta sneaking this Crapola into the Election Cycle.

Even Panetta doesn't claim the story is true. He's just whining about the "Magic Seal" to give the Corporate Mainstain Media Some "Cause" To Post This Story Once Again! Further Proof that Wall Street Is Bailing Out Their Favorite Faceman Bailout Barry with Free Propaganda and Disinformation!

Mr. Panetta.... Extraordinary Claims Requires Extraordinary Proof and as an Attorney YOU KNOW THAT STATEMENT IS TRUE!

Show US the bin NOBODY or STFU about this Fantastic Nonsense Story!

And Again These Robo-DemoRATS Sure hate to see the Truth but as I said Reposting is Faster Than Robo-Collapsing and I'VE NEVER VOTED Against Free Speech (Unlike these DemoTROLLS)!

SuMkA...... I do notice none of you Obama Supporters will Touch the Truth pertaining to I got NOBODY Obama's Libya Impeachment that was building to a Crescendo in late April 2011....

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0411/GOP_lawyer_circulates_Obama_impeachment_articles.html

http://www.dakotavoice.com/2011/04/democrat-calls-for-impeachment-of-obama/

And Magically May 1st 2011 Obama with his Magical Seals come up with this nonsense story for a little CYA.........

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/02/world/asia/osama-bin-laden-is-killed.html?pagewanted=all

AND WITHOUT ANY PROOF AT ALL.....MAGICALLY IT ALL GOES AWAY......Which is the REAL NEWS in this NOBODY Fantasy!

PS Kim Quit trying to change the Subject To Mitt because he hasn't done anything to be Impeached....Obama has....Remember?

RTColorado

Can anyone be so naive as to not see what this is about? The SEALs have their own way of getting back at someone. I am relatively sure that no one in the SEAL community was happy with the the Obama administration releasing information about the raid so quickly after the raid, they would not appreciate the administration taking credit the way they did, and I'd bet the farm that the SEALs are unhappy about their efforts and risks being turned into a movie.

2 things...

1) Obama is the commander in chief. Those SEALS report to him - not the other way around. He calls the shots (just as every other president does) with any and all branches of the military.

2) Obama gave credit to the SEALS since he broke the news. Period.

2) Obama gave credit to the SEALS since he broke the news. Period

Yeah, Obama flew 7000 miles to Kabul on our dime to spike the football for prime time TV in the US for a photo op, & then immediately left.

He couldn't be bothered to stay another 30 minutes for a memorial service for that weeks fallen troops. Speaks volumes in my book...and to the troops.

Watched a step by step "annimated" version of the assault on Bin Laden on the History Channel today.

JD in SD. I believe (but might have misheard) that the mission was not to capture, but to kill Bin Laden.

Panetta and Obama should face the firing squad for not getting their job done here and over there.

Let's get off the Obama case and let's say this guy was with the CIA and he wrote a super novel how the CIA did some of their operations, Or just passed secrets to the other side. OOOH we have already had that done. STUPID when you join an organization like the SEALS and sign the agreement that you say noooothing, it means till you die. How many before could have written a good book, but they live by their word and it is kept secret. He should be punished and punished good, I don't care if he gives all the money to charity, he should have kept this to himself just like everyone else does.

Screw Panetta!!!!!!!!!!

The puke himself has sold out America many times as he is a career Politician.

THE DOD is okay with the White House leaks when it goes the Messiah's way.

What confidential information did he reveal that The Obama news network did not already reveal????

F washington---really.

Panetta is as big a POS as Obama and they ought to prosecute each other. They want to persecute this REAL hero in the capture and killing of bin Ladin because he reveals what a dirtbag Obama is. Just like they tried to persecute Arizona for having to do the Obama administration's immigration job for them.

Neither will work because there are not enough socialist libs with their heads up Obama's a$$ to overcome real Americans who will support this boy.

Quit ragging on this hero and get a job, you handouter libs.

Rushing to judgment aren't we? The guy has been accused informally, we don't know if he actually broke any laws, we don't know what if any classified material has been released or compromised. He hasn't been formally charged. So, I suggest we wait and see.

PS DemoTROLLS Reposting is Faster Than Inappropriate Robo-Collapsing and just Another Example of how much DemoRATS Believe in Freedom Of Speech (but only theirs)! So Please Allow Me Once Again......

On it.....When the president does it, that means that it is not illegal ~ Richard M Nixon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejvyDn1TPr8

Which merely proves POMPUS Obama is every bit as ARROGANT AND CROOKED as Tricky Dick Nixon and Deserves the Same Fate...IMPEACHMENT!

Which would have happened over Libya if this bin NOBODY story hadn't Magically Popped Up To Save Back Door Barry!

Sorry Folks No Proof No Credit we ain't buying The Goat Ate My OBL Homework Barry!

people have got to know whether or not their President is a crook. Well, I'm not a crook. I've earned everything I've got. ~ Richard M Nixon

1-19 stronghorse On it - Moby Dick was fiction - that isn't what the Constitution says, "did you ever read that"!

Of course it is fiction, based on a true story "The Essex." But that can still be my favorite line.

For your information the Constitution gives the president the right to pardon anyone for anything. That is about as close to "being the law" as I can think of.

Harley Chic

2) Obama gave credit to the SEALS since he broke the news. Period

Yeah, Obama flew 7000 miles to Kabul on our dime to spike the football for prime time TV in the US for a photo op, & then immediately left.

He couldn't be bothered to stay another 30 minutes for a memorial service for that weeks fallen troops. Speaks volumes in my book...and to the troops.

Says the dolt whose candidate failed to mention a single soldier during his nomination speech at the war mongerer's convention.

Typical how the liberal press wants to crucify this brave man, but, treats a rapist thug, Jullian Assange, like a hero when he leaked thousands of classified, high-level, memos through Wikileaks! I guess it is true, the enemy of your enemy is your friend! I guess this makes me even more sure that this Seal be left alone and treated as a hero! Or maybe the President should invite him and Mr. Assange to have a beer?!

Dan M:

...but, treats a rapist thug, Jullian Assange, like a hero

Feel free to throw accusations around, but please back them up with proof; such as, your own eyewitness account, conviction in a court of law, etc. Otherwise, the only thing you prove is why the downfall of our country is really occurring. Shameful.

Where is the nightly deathcount of our troops dying overseas like when GW was President??????

The liberal press is really unscrupuloes...... No shame... just alot of BS.

I doubt he would work for the station that outed him. It seems like everybody that knew what really happened are talking. In the information age there are very few secrets left. If he told any real secrets he will probably face charges. I am not judging him until all the facts are out. He did do a great service that very few others can ever do and risked his life so I give him the benefit of the doubt until the facts are known.

Paneta and the entire administration from the top (POTUS) down, to include all the PC Flag Officers are Cheese D1ck$ to the nth degree. I have read the book, No Easy Day and there is nothing, zilch, zippo, nil et alia that shows "hindering future operations". Hell the entire administration actually crowed about it within minutes of the conclusion of the operation.

The USA spoke out about it a 10 pm 1 May (10 am Afghan time Monday). I guess the administration thinks rules pertain to others, not them - Well, I guess it is Great to be the King! Owens/Bissonnette did nothing wrong, or if he is punished, then the administration gets punished too.

stupid people write stupid stuff so I'm writing this stuff about you stupid. jack from jaxa$$.

Jack from Jax

You said what I was thinking. If they bring charges agains this seal then the same charges should be brought against the President on down. Why is it O.K. for the WH to put out info to Hollyweird to make a movie about it but a book is a hanging offense. Wow I thought Hollyweird was bad but Washington is putting them to shame.

Bartender, and maybe Obama should hire Jullian Assange, too!

Where is your proof, faux news does not qualify as proof

Absolutely. And then we should also go after Bush-Cheney-Rumsfeld for the Weapons of Mass Destructions (WMD) fiasco. 5,000 Americans killed, 20,000 Americans injured, hundreds of thousands Iraqi killed.

Hey mags, where was your anger when that coward Cheney leaked the name of Gloria Plame, the CIO operative? Or how about Rumsfeld who announced on national TV the name of the guy who reported the Abu Gharaib abuses? I guess your "patriotism" is one sided like eveything else about you people.

The Proof was OBAMA himself with his after mission press conferance with the "We Got Him. Seal Team SIX launched the mission. I GAVE THE GO." carried on ALL NETWORKS. Likewise, he (OBAMA), acknowledged the existance of a TOP SECRET STEALTH HELICOPTER, and has continually acknowledged the use of drone strikes (i.e. classified missions). While I don't necessarily agree with what OWEN did, I can certainly point back to the failures of this administration to KEEP THEIR MOUTH SHUT as well. You seem to forget Obama invited HOLLYWOOD to the White House to make a movie about the raid. And let's be more than perfectly honest. THIS ADMINISTRATION has leaked classified information more readily than a kitchen collander drains water. But that is what you get when you have someone that is more worried about politicizing the sweat, blood, and accomplishments of others for the sake of looking good.

And don't forget, Bill Clinton had the opportunity more than once to capture Bin Laden PRIOR TO the 9-11 attacks. HAD BILL been on the ball, instead of on the LEWENSKI, 9/11 may not have happened and 3000+ people would still be alive. So let's just put sht in perspective.

We can also point to the new rules of engagement that puts our troops in DEFINITE HARMS WAY, not to mention the assinine "check the guns" at Panchetta Pannetta's photo op, rent-a-crowd event at Camp Leatherneck, where our Marines were told to disarm IN A COMBAT ZONE, so as to not upset the "Green on Blue" crowd. But here again, this is what happens when you have CLUELESS MORONS in charge of dictating to the military how OPSEC and COMSEC and COMMON SENSE should be.

Show me the proof that Obama leaked anything and I'll join your call for blood.

Did you demand that Bush be impeached for outing Valerie Plame? If not, shut up!

Commander In Cheif ultimately gets to decide what information is kept secret and what can be released.

www.politifact.com tells the truth, in particular about this subject, and shows you are wrong and, by the way, racially motivated as well.

Give it a rest Magsthecat. We're not interested in your hate Obama blather. The topic is about an ex-seal possibly divulging secrets and whether or not he should be punished. Go rant on some right wing lunatic site where others of your ilk will listen to you.

magsthecat...you are an I D I O T!! take a break from your fake news.live in the real WORLD.

Do you ever read anything other than the tb news......

Another mindless right wing lunatic (Dennis) speaks. And fortunately, the community collapsed his idiotic comment.

Hey Will, add ALL Commanders to your list, they advertise ALL troop movements and that in itself endangers lives. So in keeping with your TOPIC, the list will be VERY LONG!!!

Joe... "show me the proof that...." Seriously? You actually bellieve the release of details of the raid, the SEAL Team Six (actually NSWG) Commander's name, etc., etc., etc., wasn't approved in the Executive Office? You really believe that anyone released information about the raid without having approval from the White House?

The proof is the fact that no one was going to be allowed to step in between the President and getting credit for the raid's success without direct approval from the White House. The biggest foreign policy success is going to be tightly controlled by the White House, believe me.

Hate to bust your bubble, but even liberal media outlets reported that the administration gave filmmakers "unprecedented" access, including access to the Vault where the mission was planned.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57440015-503544/documents-show-filmmakers-were-granted-unique-access-to-bin-laden-raid-info/

Prosecute all of them, including this guy, if he broke the law.

And it's Valerie Plame, not Gloria, and she was no longer under cover. This has been debunked many times in the past. But yeah, if they broke the law, try them too.

Don't use the "well they did it" excuse. It makes you look like a petulant child.

Jim and all others like you in here. Sorry to bust your bubble. But Little Bush, Cheney, Rummy, and a few others can not live the USA because they will be arrested and tried for war Crime's. When Cheney was found to have leaked classified Info, He said all the president had to do is say that's not classified anymore. Think when during WW2 when the press was on the shops taping the war as it unfolded, that was free press, That was showing the American people what war is all about. That was what stopped the Vietnam war, We American's don't really want our kids getting killed for wars we should never have been in to start with. There was no good reason we were in Vietnam, except to make rich people richer. There was no reason what so ever we went into Iraq, Except to make rich people richer. When is the Last time you seen a rich persons son killed in one of these wars. Dick Cheney was to cowardly to go to Vietnam but he didn't have any problem sending our kids into Iraq to give Mobile oil back the control of the Iraq oil fields, and make Billions for Halaburton, The company he ran before he was picked as VP. Nothing wrong there is there. Little Bush hid out in the Guards. Barbra wasn't going to let her soon go into that war. So the 2 biggest cowards in the world started not only one war, but 2 wars. And didn't pay for either one of them. Now the Rep's say Obama ran up this debt. Little Bush and more to the point Cheney should be shot as traders to this nation. Cheney profited directly from these 2 wars. He is still a major stock holder in Halaburton, all those no bid contract's to Halaburton were no accident. And now we have found that they have stole Billions. The Government has held up some $75 billions in payments to them because they found they have been being over paid for years.

"well they did it" is not an excuse, you are saying that it was ok for someone else to do it but not the current President. Funny how it is ok when it's a Republican and not ok when it's a Democrat....get over yourself!

Joe-1588888

The records, obtained pursuant to court order in a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit filed on January 21, 2012

• The July 14, 2011, meeting transcript also reveals that the DOD provided the filmmakers with the identity of a “planner, SEAL Team 6 Operator and Commander.” (The name is blacked out in the document.) In proposing the arrangement, Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Michael Vickers said: “The only thing we ask is that you not reveal his name in any way as a consultant because . . . he shouldn’t be talking out of school.” Vickers went on to say during the meeting at the Pentagon: “This at least, this gives him one step removed and he knows what he can and can’t say, but this way at least he can be as open as he can with you and it ought to meet your needs.” Boal later responds, “You delivered.”

• A July 13, 2011, internal CIA email indicates that Bigelow and Boal were granted access to “the Vault,” which is described the CIA building where some of the tactical planning for the bin Laden raid took place: “I was given your name as the POC in [redacted] who could determine the feasibility of having a potential walk-through of…the Vault in the [redacted] building that was used for some of the tactical planning in the Bin Laden Raid [sic]. In consultation with the Office of Public Affairs and as part of the larger chronicling of the Bin Laden raid, OPA will be hosting some visitors sanctioned by ODCIA this Friday afternoon.” (The name of the sender is blacked out.) “Of course this is doable,” an official responds.

• DOD Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Douglas Wilson told colleagues in a June 13, 2011, email to limit media access and that he would follow up with the White House: “I think this looks very good as a way forward, and agree particularly that we need to be careful here so we don’t open the media floodgates on this. I’m going to check with WH to update them on status, and will report back.” A day later, he wrote Department of Defense communications staffers, saying: “Ok to set up the second session with Vickers. I am getting additional guidance from WH.”

• Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Michael Vickers told Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Douglas Wilson and two other DOD communications staffers in a June 13, 2011, email that “[DOD] would like to shape the story to prevent any gross inaccuracies, but do not want to make it look like the commanders think it’s okay to talk to the media.” The email went on to say: “For the intelligence case, they are basically using the WH-approved talking points we used the night of the operation.” The talking points called the raid “a ‘Gutsy Decision’ by the POTUS,” adding that “WH involvement was critical.”

• A June 9, 2011, email from Commander Bob Mehal, Public Affairs Officer for Defense Press Operations, to Vickers and other DOD staff summarizes a meeting with Boal and notes the release date for the film: “Release date set for 4^th Qtr 2012…”

• A July 13, 2011, email to Commander Bob Mehal, Public Affairs Officer for Defense Press Operations, indicates that Sarah Zukowski, an associate for The Glover Park Group, arranged the July 14, 2011 visit by Bigelow and Boal to the DOD and the CIA. The Glover Park Group is described by Politico as a “Democratic-leaning advocacy firm.”

• A June 27, 2011, email to an official at the Office of the Secretary of Defense suggests that the request from Bigelow and Boal to meet with Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Michael Vickers came via the White House press office. A June 22, 2011, email to Commander Bob Mehal, Public Affairs Officer for Defense Press Operations notes, “The White House does want to engage with Mark but it probably won’t be for a few more weeks. We should provide them a read-out of the session you do with Vickers.” The name of the White House official who forwarded the request is blacked out.

I guess the movie industry has high level security access as long as it is the democrats propaganda machine and gets large tax credits.

But that is the all MIGHTY Obama and his White House which can get away with anything and now the same people are crucifying an ex seal... What a laugh

[Nixon, to David Frost]: "Well, when the president does it that means that it is
not illegal."

Well it certainly worked well for him.....

"remove him from the military" Can you not read? He IS retired.

And he's donating the profits to charity....

The money is NOT the issue. I don't give a crap who he's donating to. He's a scumbag.

Sane..Sometimes people do the wrong thing for the right reasons. Donating the profits to charity does not excuse his actions. If there is a national security breach then he can be tried in a Federal Court and if found guilty, suffer the consequences. That is the process and the "American Way."

Joe-1588888 you couldn't make it as a pimple on that guy's butt.

Mags the moron you mean the "secret" helicpoter was crashed in the compound. that well hidden secret! Come on! Stop drinking the koolaid. He is not donating anything to the SEAL charity because they rightly declined his blood money. And that after the fact attempt to cover his A$$ didnt work because the rest of the SEALs know it was a wrong thing to do. These brave men were placed in jeopardy because of this book.

Bunch of posters here that clearly have not read the book or ever served in the military...one charity, of several that were listed in the preface at the beginning of the book, has declined to accept proceeds. Fine....that's their decision. The other charities will have bigger slices of the pie to help those in need.

There's nothing classified or compromising in this book...other sources, likely senior military or administration have leaked all the key details. As for compromising field operations and putting our people at greater risk, it is simply a fallacy...every operational detail, procedure and process detailed in this book can be readily access from hundreds of other sources....you will note that SecDef waivered on pointing specifically to a material breach...because there is not a breach...same for DoJ and DoD...simply Admin proxies pissed that this account does not entirely match up with the narrative they sold to the general public in May 2011...

Oh, by the way....there's a whole cottage industry of Seal and special ops derived books, movies, etc...this troop is hardly breaking new ground by writing a book about his experiences...to call him a traitor, scum, criminal...is simply astounding...cannot believe I served to protect people like you...

The SEAL charity is only one of several charities he's donating to.

A Military Government wants all things secret......mainly to cover their butts and have no real concern for protecting civilians. I definitely do not want a Military Government and we are giving them way too much power to do whatever they want, whenever they want. The "Classified" excuse goes for everything, from them "losing" a few million dollars, hiring foreign sex traffic business to entertain troops, selling arms illegally, hiring cronie Private Contractors, cover-ups of rapes,murders and bombing civilian villages as collateral damage. Open this whole Military Corporation up and you'll be nauseated and rightously angered at how they really put us all in danger. This is just a reach for Power by Panetta & Obama to keep everything Military Private. I never heard such a lame excuse. They put us in danger with secrecy. Nothing told by this Seal or even Bradley Manning puts anyone in danger except the Crimes of Military Government and their Control over US.

How about investigating the White House staffers who gloated the operation as BO's crown achievement and leaked all the details to the media for political gain?

Ohio Voter not all of us are as stupid as a bunch of the idiots on here. Most of us really appreciate all the Military personal and what they do for us. It is amazing how so many on here are judging what they obviously have not read. I think they have all taken a lesson from Reid and just want to put out rumors with nothing to back up their point of view. They are all just plain old hot air and are starting to smell like southern California....

The author of this books only tries to donate after this fiasco happened and the SEAL charities turned him down after.

Saying that he will donate the profits to charities is incorrect since as of now he donates NOTHING.

If you accept a security clearance, you sign a non-disclosure agreement (and in some cases, take a formal oath). Whether you are still part of that agency or not (military or civilian), you are not permitted to discuss information regarding classified information/incidents. By writing the book, this former SEAL violated the NDA and the oath he took. Whether the book itself has classified information in it or not is irrelevant; he discussed an operation that is officially classified.

Okie..............WRONG! Try again please. :-P

Yep your wrong Okie...give us another try..Retired Air Force, who knows...

Have any of you even read the book or are you basing your reaction strictly on what some are saying or implying? His lawyer has said he did not violate the law, it will be up to the courts to decide if the government wants to push this. I doubt if they will based on all the other classified information that has been released by members of Congress, White House, DOD, etc.,.

If the government/military wants to they can try him in a federal court, or the military can recall him back to AD and try him in a military court.

This man should not be tried in the press or public opinion, he is not a politician nor is he running for office. I am sure he, as well as the publisher, had competent legal advise.

If anyone of you posters had ACTUALLY READ THE BOOK, the author explains the scrupulous vetting process, including a detailed listing of citations at the end of the book directing readers to many other available sources for the information....And, the author also explained that as part of this process, he hired a retired Department of Defense lawyer who specialized in and spent his career vetting information for public release....DoJ, DoD, etc. will get slammed if this ever finds it way into a court...

Nope, I say hang Panetta, by his balls, but he doesn't have any...tells US Military to put weapons down in presence of enemy...what a coward he is by himself.

Oh STFU idiot. What SecDef ever published something of this nature?

OilmanMD,

What politician never took an opportunity to make money off of anything that they could?

It amazes me how people like you are able to drink the kool aid while at the same time having their head crammed so far up their a$$. Next time, try to digest the message before spontaneously regurgitating your mindless babble. Take the opportunity to understand not only the width of the message, but also its depth. Then go phuck yourself you narrow minded troglodyte.

The issue is that he discussed his actions in an operation that is still officially classified. Whether any classified material is contained in the book is moot. His oath and his acceptance of a security clearance mandate that he is not permitted to discuss classified matters. Active duty or retired, military or civilian, if you have a security clearance you make that commitment. Period.

WRONG Okie Mom...you know nothing so shut up...Retired Air Force

Steeler you may be retired Air Force but clearly you never handled sensitive information or had a top level clearance. When he took his small piece of a highly compartmentalized special ops operation and created a story he had no idea what the impact of even the smallest piece of intel might have on other ops. He violated his oath, he violated his sworn agreement to never reveal said information and may very well have compromised other operators in his zeal to tell all for a $. The proof of the violation comes in the SEAL charity rejecting his blood money. The people closest to this terrible situation want nothing to do with him. Think that says it all.

I doubt that Steelermama is or was ever Air Force.

Jager you know nothing about clearances and Biggy your just jealous because you never made it through basic...hahahaha

Dave - ever serve?

Those of that have understand what this individual did and the majority do not agree with his actions. This has nothing to do with politics - I am a registered Democrate, 4th generation navy veteran that held a TS Clearance. There are things that I still can't talk about even with my wife of 15 years. This SEAL should be punished period.

This is in reference to the unfettered access Obama gave his cronies to make a movie. Also, Owen is not making money on the book. He is donating it to families of fallen seals, etc.

nope he isnt. The charity rejected his approach and the offered money that came after the ### hit the fan.

Jager

there are about 4 other charities listed, besides SEAL Foundation

Read the book, then maybe you can see the facts as presented. As a matter of fact, based on 90% of comments posted only about 10% have read the book. Once you read it, youll recognize no classified information was shown that had not been detailed by the present administration prior to the book being released 4 Sep 2012

Wait. Obama has been jeopardizing covert operatives? You mean the same operatives that have successfully killed OBL, freed the crew of the Maersk Alabama from Somali pirates and killed or detained countless Al Qaida operatives and seniors?

Do you mean to say that these operatives involved in successful missions were all compromised by Obama's leaks?

That's right, Joe! Obama's Administration leaks classified info for political gain! Pretty sickening, huh?

From what I understand of the book it does one thing it discredits Obama's saying I killed him.

Easy to discredit a statement that was never made.

[L]ast year, when we delivered justice to Osama bin Laden, I made it clear that our success was due to many people in many organizations working together over many years — across two administrations. That’s why my first call once American forces were safely out of harm’s way was to President Bush. Because protecting our country is neither the work of one person, nor the task of one period of time, it’s an ongoing obligation that we all share. - President Obama

Yes, at least that's how everyone else reads it.

When someone does something that isn't for money or recognition/celebrity, I'm inclined to believe them.

If 2 wrongs don't make a right, then that explains how both the Democrats and Republicans have damaged this country beyond all reason.

It is unfortunate though, that where the government is concerned, there are far more then 2 wrongs that effect over 300 million people. I think at the end of the day, some ( not all ) of the secrets need to be pulled back for inspection by the American people. It is also unfortunate that currently, the only way to pull back the secrets is to get people from the inside that are willing to talk.

Refusal to keep some secrets is not treason, sometimes its the height of patriotism. Just as sure as secrets can be kept for the good of the American people, they can also be kept so as to harm them.

Hooooooray for Hollywood da da da ada da da da da! Cnn just announced how they want to sign a piece deal with the CIA invented Al Ba Ba/Alquaida! Look it up! Cnn announcing signed peace treaty with Al Ba ba/alquaida!

This so called Fake Seal in writing his book, wrote about how they killed the Easter Bunny, now Panetta is concerned,that this fake seal needs to be punished.No no Panetta the terrorist needs to be punished by being thrown into prison.

Let the Fake seal write about his Easter Bunny!Good for Laughs!