Congressman McHenry (R-NC) Violates OPSEC; Endangers Troops

[babylonsister]

Congressman McHenry Violates OPSEC; Endangers Troops
by: Brandon Friedman
Mon Apr 07, 2008 at 05:24:29 AM EDT


In an effort to bolster his own national security credentials in the midst of "Sniper-gate," Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-NC) gave away intelligence information last week that could have aided Shi'ite militias and/or other terrorist organizations in targeting the Green Zone. Only two days after McHenry promoted a video of himself in the Green Zone describing in detail the effectiveness of the rocket attacks on Easter Sunday, the area was hit with a barrage that killed two U.S. soldiers and wounded 17 others. It was the deadliest attack on the Green Zone so far this year.

The information McHenry divulged in a video on his official Congressional website on Friday was critical for a number of reasons. Here it is (at link), along with the transcript below:

McHENRY: Good morning. You see, right over my back here (points), there was a rocket attack this morning. According to our folks here, there were eleven rockets, uh, one hit just over my head, another hit a parking lot, and another hit the gym. Well, interestingly enough, I wasn't able to get into the gym this morning because I didn't have an ID that was appropriate. And so I was escorted back to the room and just a few minutes later, that's when the rocket attacks occurred. So, uh, small wonders. . .what a small blessing. . .a big blessing on Easter Sunday morning. So, thanks so much.

This quote, coupled with McHenry's comment about the "two-bit security guard" on March 29th, is not good. The bottom line is that whoever launched that strike could take the information McHenry provided and use it to kill Americans in the Green Zone. This is why professionals operating in a combat zone are trained not to reveal any battle damage after an attack. You never want the enemy to know whether or not he's been successful. In this case, Congressman McHenry very clearly broke "operations security" (OPSEC) by revealing "critical information" as defined in Army regulations.

On Saturday, I communicated with one military officer currently in the Green Zone who stated that this was "undoubtedly a violation of OPSEC." On Sunday evening, I spoke with a senior intelligence official in Washington who seemed dumbfounded by McHenry's remarks. Asked whether he considered this a breach of operations security, the official shouted over the phone at me, "Of course! He's helping to dial them in." He meant the people firing the rockets.

more...

http://www.vetvoice.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=947

[OhioChick]

1. K&R

:kick:

[annabanana]

2. Big Fat Kick.. Clearly this guy is as stupid as he is arrogant.

First he calls a soldier a "two-bit security guard" then he helps to blow that soldier up. This guy needs to resign. NOW

[DogPoundPup]

13. This guy needs to resign NOW too

or get hauled away in leg irons.

[KoKo]

3. McHenry needs to go.... He's a disgrace to NC. n/t

[Preston120]

6. There's alot of that here in North Carolina.

[Supersedeas]

21. He and Libby Dole have more than enough disgrace to spread 'round

[nykym]

4. So again

Why aren't our congresscritters making noise about this jerk and the other idiot from CA You know Issa dumb fuck, It was only a plane crashing into a building. Had these been Dems they would have been screaming for thier ouster.

[Stinky The Clown]

5. This is what we get by allowing Dumbucks to vote in American elections

[Richard Steele]

7. As if his voting record hadn't endangered them enough, now he's helping aim rockets at them.

The man is a disgrace and an embarrassment.

[annabanana]

8. kickerino. . . . . . . . . . . n/t

[fascisthunter]

9. Throw His ass in the Klink

see him use that for a photo-opt.

[Supersedeas]

10. not the brightest lightbulb -- another Repig permanently set on dim

[eleny]

11. I hope he has a Dem opponent this November

[Jerimee]

12. Daniel Johnson

Not only does McHenry have a Democratic opponent, he has an EXCELLENT opponent. IMHO this is the biggest opportunity in NC this election year.

Daniel Johnson is Navy veteran that lost his legs saving the life of a fellow sailor. He is kind, articulate, strong, intelligent, and hard working.

Let me frank, not any Democrat can win this district. In fact normally it would be almost impossible. But we have a very good candidate, and they have a, well they have McHenry.

http://www.danieljohnson08.org/

[IronLionZion]

20. Welcome to DU. Hopefully this will be a very blue year. nt

[slampoet]

14. Resign? Since when has resigning been a proper punishment for TREASON?

Resigning is not enough.


This was Treason plain and simple whether or not it was accidental.

[ms liberty]

15. Thanks, bablyonsister for posting this, and...

I've crossposted this to the NC forum, for extra coverage. K&R

[Infinite Hope]

16. I'm lost...

What in the bold quote gives away the location of soldiers? (not disagreeing, just asking).

[Greyskye]

17. His quote gave targeting info.

Usually you have your own people on the ground giving feedback to the weapon operators on the accuracy of their shots. He did it for them.

[northzax]

18. rockets are fired fairly blind into the 'green zone'

and they aren't particularly accurate, so knowing where they landed, if you know the launch information, can be very helpful.

[DemoTex]

19. BDA: Bomb Damage Assessment

McHenry: Egocentric and totally clueless

[waiting for hope]

22. Here's a sampling of the

douche bag:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcdai100SOM

BTW - I :loveya: Barney Frank!

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

23. They're finding their range and he's correcting their aim for them.

What a dipstick. :shrug:

[TwilightGardener]

24. "A little to the left! No, your other left--that's it!"--what a moranic asswipe.