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Vets Call for Investigation into Palin's Leaked Deployment Details

Posted by , VoteVets.org at 11:15 AM on September 8, 2008.


"It is simply unacceptable for any member of the military, or civilian, to discuss these kinds of classified details -- especially with the media."
trackandjohn
track & john

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WASHINGTON -- Veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan of VoteVets.org today wrote to top Defense Department officials, calling for an investigation into leaks of classified details regarding the deployment of Track Palin, the son of Vice Presidential candidate, Governor Sarah Palin. Numerous outlets have reported the date and location of Palin's deployment, which compromises operational security. The source of the leaks would be acting in violation of the law, and putting troops at unnecessary risk, and could be prosecuted.

The text of the letter is below:

September 8, 2008

Secretary Robert Gates
Secretary of Defense
1400 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301-1400

Gordon S. Heddell
Acting Inspector General,
Department of Defense
1400 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301-1400

Daniel J. Dell'Orto
Acting General Counsel,
Department of Defense
1400 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301-1400


Gentlemen,

As veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, we are alarmed with recent leaks that have led to a multitude of stories in the media divulging details regarding the deployment and future movements of Track Palin, the son of Republican Vice Presidential candidate, Governor Sarah Palin. We are attaching such examples of these details appearing in the media.

As you know, leaking such details is a clear violation of Operational Security (OPSEC), as defined in DOD Directive (DODD) 5205.02, and Army Regulation 530-1.

After speaking with a number of Public Affairs Officers, we are confident that the Department of Defense has not leaked these details. However, as it is simply impossible for any reporter to figure out these details on their own if all they know is the name of a soldier and where he is based, someone has compromised security, not only for the son of a potential Vice President of the United States, but all those who serve with him.

It is simply unacceptable for any member of the military, or civilian, to discuss these kinds of classified details -- especially with members of the media. We urge you to conduct an immediate investigation to find the source of these leaks, and prosecute, if necessary.

We are certain you are as disturbed with these developments as we are, and hope you find any compromising of security and safety of our troops to be of paramount concern.

Respectfully,

Jon Soltz
Veteran, OIF
Chairman, VoteVets.org

Brandon Friedman
Veteran, OIF, OEF
Vice Chairman, VoteVets.org

Peter Granato
Veteran, OIF
Vice Chairman, VoteVets.org

Brian McGough
Veteran, OIF, OEF
Senior Advisor, VoteVets.org

Digg!

Tagged as: iraq, veterans, us military, votevets.org, sarah palin, track palin


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I was wondering about that
Posted by: thealltheone on Sep 8, 2008 11:28 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
and when someone was going to do something about it. Like exploiting her own daughter making an official announcement and then trying to hush everyone up. It is just not right to exploit your own children or put them in harms way.

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Ankles
Posted by: ankles3549 on Sep 8, 2008 4:09 PM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
My husband is in the same unit as her son and I can tell you I'm surprised that a bunch of vets could be so foolish. She didn't break any security rules and gave away nothing! 5,000 troops are leaving in two weeks - the dates and location have been out for several months now. Not really a secret when the DoD releases the info themselves is it?

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Why wasn't this letter written when Obama's details...
Posted by: curiousone on Sep 9, 2008 2:57 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
were leaked about his trip to Iraq. Hmmmmmm!

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Dangerous? why are politicians always touring then?
Posted by: luzmejor on Sep 12, 2008 2:51 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
John McCain was in Iraq and says it is safe. Of course, he had unusual "protection," on his sight-seeing tours. Hillary was there with her only daughter. Several other politicos went, including Bush. The generals and other higher-ups are there.

Seems that Iraq is dangerous only for unimportant people, like Iraqis and ordinary American soldiers.

Don't fret about Palin's son. He'll be in better shape than anyone we would know there.

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