Pentagon on Ex-Seal and Book, "No Easy Day"

[Riverwind (imported)]

Pentagon Tells Ex-SEAL He Could Face Legal Action Over Osama Bin Laden Raid Book, 'No Easy Day'

The Pentagon has determined the former Navy SEAL who has authored a book about his role in the Osama bin Laden raid is in "material breach" of non-disclosure agreements and warned him it is considering legal action against him as a result.

It added that it is considering legal action against all those "acting in concert" with the SEAL on his book, "No Easy Day," which is scheduled to be released Tuesday.

A letter by Pentagon general counsel Jeh Johnson informed the former SEAL that he had violated non-disclosure agreements against releasing classified information.

"In the judgment of the Department of Defense, you are in material breach and violation of the non-disclosure agreements you signed," wrote Johnson. "Further public dissemination of your book will aggravate your breach and violation of your agreements."

Johnson said the department is considering pursuing "all remedies legally available to us."

The letter was addressed to the author's pseudonym, "Mark Owen," because the Pentagon will not publicly reveal the SEAL's real name.

The letter noted that, in January 2007, "Owen" signed two non-disclosure agreements with the Navy, and though he is no longer in the military, "you have a continuing obligation to 'never divulge' classified information."

Furthermore, the letter added, "this commitment remains in force even after you left the active duty Navy."

Johnson noted that in signing the agreements the SEAL, "acknowledged your awareness that disclosure of classified information constitutes a violation of federal criminal law. It also meant he would submit any manuscript to the Pentagon for a security review, as well as obtain permission."

Interest in the unreleased book has led to a surge in pre-orders and the book's publisher, Dutton, has boosted the number of books to be published.

"Owen" has almost exclusively spoken through his publisher and has previously said the book was written so that it did not betray any sensitive information. The publisher added that the book was vetted by a "former special operations attorney."

Though the former SEAL said he will donate a majority of the book's profits to charities that help the families of fallen SEALs, the letter suggested that all of the book's royalties belong to the U.S. government.

In signing his non-disclosure agreements, the former SEAL acknowledged he "assigned to the U.S. government ... 'all royalties, remunerations, and emoluments that have resulted, will result or may result from a disclosure, publication or revelation of classified information not consistent with the terms of this agreement,'" the letter added.

[Riverwind (imported)]

Should the story be told, yes and no. Is the government right in needing to approved every word, YES.

How do you feel?

I say pull the book until its been approved, if ever.

River

[Dave (imported)]

They should have moved weeks ago because copies of the books are sitting in bookstores and have already been sold.

Booksellers could be hung for releasing Harry Potter early but there's no leverage like that with this book.

It's effectively published and effectively gets around those two legal agreements.

[A-1 (imported)]

Put him in the apartment with the wikileaks guy. See which one comes out first...

[moi621 (imported)]

WikiLeaks and VatiLeaks similar to the Pentagon Papers had an honorable purpose to expose the truth.

I am looking for that link with this SealiLeak.

Was there a big lie that needed exposure or was this just a selfish act? All I know is there is some dispute as to which shot splattered bin Ladin's brains and the role of the two wives present.

Moi

[Riverwind (imported)]

WikiLeaks and VatiLeaks similar to the Pentagon Papers had an honorable purpose to expose the truth.

I am looking for that link with this SealiLeak.

Was there a big lie that needed exposure or was this just a selfish act? All I know is there is some dispute as to which shot splattered bin Ladin's brains and the role of the two wives present.

Moi

Moi, other then a selfish act I don't think state secrets will be in this book, I think its just a guy trying to make a name for himself after the fact. As for the two wives, OH WELL.

Moi, not everything that happens in the world is a conspiracy, complete with lies and coverups. Some things should remain secret within the government, if you had ever been in the military in a war zone you would understand this. Like the photo shop picture you sent me in the mail, your theories and that picture were both fakes.

River

[sag111 (imported)]

If there were no state secrets exposed why shut him up and if no lies why should the administration care.By the way the administration needs to find out who leaked info that exposed this group and put navy seals lives in danger.Even Diane Finstine said this until the administration took her to the the wood shed and she changed her mind and really didnt care any more.

[A-1 (imported)]

If there were no state secrets exposed why shut him up and if no lies why should the administration care.By the way the administration needs to find out who leaked info that exposed this group and put navy seals lives in danger.Even Diane Finstine said this until the administration took her to the the wood shed and she changed her mind and really didnt care any more.

sag,

...the secrets of SPECIAL OPS are to keep our guys safe and to keep OUR COUNTRY SAFE...

...this man took an oath and then violated a secret trust that is secret for YOUR SAKE AND MINE...

...he is an ASSHOLE. He belongs in Leavenworth...

P.S. He cannot be shut up now, only made an example. This is what he DESERVES... to be made an example and shunned...

[Slammr (imported)]

I'm currently reading the book. He says he was careful not to compromise security or to expose any ongoing missions. He says he had a team of lawyers checking to make sure he didn't. I should finish it in a day or two. Perhaps I'll know more then.

[MacTheWolf (imported)]

I'm currently reading the book. He says he was careful not to compromise security or to expose any ongoing missions. He says he had a team of lawyers checking to make sure he didn't. I should finish it in a day or two. Perhaps I'll know more then.

Slammr, I can't afford a copy of the book. I'm anxious to hear your opinion of it in a few days. I'll save my comments till then.