Posted on 11/12/2009 3:54:06 PM PST by SandRat
EN ROUTE TO OSHKOSH, Wis., Nov. 12, 2009 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today condemned a spate of leaks regarding both the Afghanistan strategy deliberations and last week's shootings at Fort Hood, Texas, threatening to fire anyone in the Defense Department he finds is involved.
"I am appalled by the amount of leaking that has been going on," Gates told reporters traveling with him today in the wake of media reports following yesterday's national security session on Afghanistan, President Barack Obama's eighth in the past two months.
Gates said he has little doubt that some of those leaks have come from within the Defense Department. "If I found out who" was involved, he said, "it would probably be a career ender."
Leaking information as Obama is weighing critical factors serves neither the interest of the country nor the military, the secretary said. He refrained from sharing his own views about the best option, but said Obama appears to be leaning toward one that combines parts of various alternatives presented so far.
The question, he said, comes down to "How do we signal resolve, and at the same time, signal to the Afghans and the American people that this is not open-ended?"
Returning to the leaking issue, Gates condemned information made public about the alleged Fort Hood gunman that he said could jeopardize the investigation.
"Everybody out there with their own little piece of the action" doesn't understand how it fits into the big picture, he said. "Everybody out there ought to just shut up."
Gates spoke with reporters en route to Oshkosh, Wis., where he said he wants to thank factory workers at the Oshkosh Corp. who have stepped up production of all-terrain versions of the mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle specifically designed for Afghanistan's rugged terrain.
The M-ATVs, as the special MRAP vehicles are known, are part of the defensive response to roadside bombs responsible for more than 80 percent of casualties in Afghanistan, Gates said. Going after the networks that build and plant them is the offensive part of the response, he added.
Gates also announced a new task force focused on protecting U.S. troops in Afghanistan against improvised explosive devices. The new counter-IED task force will oversee the full range of efforts already under way, including the Joint IED Defeat Organization, MRAP production and other measures.
"It will bring together the range of capabilities we already have, and make them more collaborated and more integrated," Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell explained.
Gates conceded that while M-ATVs provide more troop protection, very large IEDs being seen in Afghanistan pose a huge threat. "There is nothing that can protect our troops against everything," he said.
Its called politics, Gates, get with the program.
Whats a little leakage between friends there big guy?
Clever, then he can pick and choose the blame when things go wrong.
Sickening.
Obama taught him well.
Hey Gates : Daniel Ellsburg, Pentagon Papers ring a bell?
As much as I'd like to know about this shooter, I'm hoping the leaks on his case stop, quickly.
I am appalled he is the Secretary of Defense — does that count?
What appeals court would order that guy released on a technicality?
WOW
Be a shame if we knew what was going on within our only country...wouldnt it...
Yo, Robby, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure this stuff out. Besides, didn’t your boss promise transparency?
Someone needs to tell the truth, Gates.
“Everybody out there ought to just shut up.”
Yawn. Another politician telling the restless peasants to just shut up.
Well, I didn’t shut up: I sent this worthless numbnuts an email sharing a piece of my mind the other day after his Fort Hood statement.
Leaking is negatively correlated with trust. Since many of the DOD personnel don’t trust the 0bama administration there will be lots of leaks.
If the DOD had not tried to blow smoke up everyone’s butts on who Hasan was and their own incompetence there would not be as much motivation to leak. If 0bama had not had 8 briefings about Afghanistan and still unwilling to make a decision, there would not be leaks by people frustrated with his ditherings.
The only problems I had with leaks in the Bush administration were when they endangered the lives of our soldiers or citizens by providing information or incentives to our enemies.
“The question, he said, comes down to “How do we signal resolve, and at the same time, signal to the Afghans and the American people that this is not open-ended?”
Send a telegram...or in today’s world, text them!
Do NOT ‘send signals’ with American lives!
I don't think he'd walk, but appellate courts seem to be always looking for ways to set aside a DP sentence. The prosecution in this capital case, like all capital cases, has to be as "clean" as possible.
And, don't forget that unlike the civilian court, in military court, the prosecution has to avoid something called "unlawful command influence". If HQDA, DOD, SecDef or even the President were seen as trying to influence the jury or public opinion, it would be grounds for appeal. The defense already made comments as such just a few days ago - like all defense attorneys in military capital cases, UCI is their best friend.
Where ya been? It’s journalistic currency. In Washington, leaks are the coin of the realm.
I’d never seen so much leaking as when Bush was Pres. Not a whole lot was done about it then, so good luck.
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