Marines, the LAPD, classified documents, and too much secrecy?

[nerdgirl 0]

One of the recommendations of the 9-11 report was improved information sharing across the government, including state and local law enforcement who are most likely to be the first responders in a domestic terrorism event.

Last Saturday, the San Diego Union-Tribune published a story on Marines being investigated for turning over classified documents to individuals in local law enforcement agencies (LAPD & Sheriffs) that were not cleared to receive them. The article, which is overall quite sympathetic to the Marines, has the unfortunately sensationalistic headline: "Marine Took Files as Part of Spy Ring" http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20071006-9999-1n6spies.html. An updated article appeared in today’s LA Times, http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-laspy12oct12,0,1983331.story

From the SD Tribune: "Marine Gunnery Sgt. Gary Maziarz said patriotism motivated him to join a spy ring, smuggle secret files from Camp Pendleton and give them to law enforcement officers for anti-terrorism work in Southern California."

“He knew his group was violating national security laws. But he said bureaucratic walls erected by the military and civilian agencies were hampering intelligence sharing and coordination, making the nation more vulnerable to terrorists.”

There is no indication of espionage, involvement of any foreign nationals, or financial motive. Reportedly, over 100 documents were transferred, some at the TS and TS/Special Compartmentalized Information level, which may indicate that sources and methods are disclosed beyond just threats.

Sgt. Maziarz pleaded guilty to breaking the law. Were the motives and reasons significant enough to validate or mitigate breaking the law?

Were these guys acting like ‘Robin Hood in a forest of national security information, taking classified documents from the cleared and giving them to the uncleared’ (as one Secrecy wonk characterized it) who are on the proverbial front line of terrorism in the US?

VR/Marg

Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters.
Tibetan Buddhist saying

[warpedskydiver 0]

He made the mistake in that he believes all Law Enforcement Officials are on our side.

He should be prepared to hang from a yard arm.

[akarunway 1]

Quote

He made the mistake in that he believes all Law Enforcement Officials are on our side.

He should be prepared to hang from a yard arm.

Personaly I'd side w/ him anyday

I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.

[sv3n 0]

If it's helping catch terrorists then they should be doing it anyway.

...and you're in violation of your face!

[nanook 1]

One of the biggest dangers of exposing national secrets to those not cleared is the fact that the information if leaked can pinpoint the collectors and agents and their collection process in the "field". Little more research can expose their family members among other dangers. Of course there are other matters involved directly related to National Security. I sure hope they did not have the "robin hood" mentality. Nothing destroys years of work like people who can't comprehend security clearances. Many take the Who What When Where Why of these secrets for granted as mere tight-lipped information.

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