Let's not put the best spin on it. Let's assume the worst. Enemies were looking for ammunition to smear Obama. Until disproven, that is the thesis that we should accept.
State Department: Someone snooped in Obama's passport file
* Story Highlights
* NEW: Three separate contractors looked at file three times since January
* Campaign spokesman: "This is an outrageous breach of security and privacy"
* Obama camp calls for complete investigation into the breach
* State Department says two contractors were fired; a third was disciplined
(CNN) -- On three occasions since January, Sen. Barack Obama's passport file was looked at by three different contract workers, said State Department spokesman Sean McCormack.
The contractors accessed information in the file in an unauthorized way, he said.
Two contractors were fired and one was disciplined by the contractor's company, McCormack said.
He said the contractors are not linked.
The State Department hires contractors to design, build and maintain their systems and help employees with searches. McCormack said two of the contractors in the Obama case were "low-level" personnel and the other was in a mid-level position with no management role.
The breach seems like "imprudent curiosity" among the contract workers, said McCormack, adding that senior management at the State Department was not aware of the incidents until Thursday afternoon. Breaches occurred January 9, February 21 and March 14.
Obama's campaign is asking for a complete investigation to find out who looked at Obama's passport file and why.
"This is an outrageous breach of security and privacy, even from an administration that has shown little regard for either over the last eight years," said Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton in a statement.
"Our government's duty is to protect the private information of the American people, not use it for political purposes."
The White House declined comment Thursday evening, just hours after the State Department upper management learned of the breach.
How do you know who was behind it?
ReplyDeleteWho had the most to gain at a time when Obama's poll numbers are imploding? Could be he or his supporters are behind it.
"Enemies were looking for ammunition to smear Obama. Until disproven, that is the thesis that we should accept."
ReplyDeleteAnd whether they find dirt or not is of no import, right Tzvee?
Assume the worst, hope for the best.
ReplyDeleteWhat if I just assume that ALL THREE CANDIDATES' files were snooped on?
ReplyDeleteLets spin some more...
ReplyDeleteThe State Department investigation of improper computer access to passport records of three presidential candidates is focusing on one remaining employee — a contract worker with a company headed by an adviser to the presidential campaign of Sen. Barack Obama.
from: http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080322/NATION/243762495/1001
the url got cut off...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/
pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080322/
NATION/243762495/1001
Washington Times - official obfuscation tool of the Right Wing.
ReplyDeleteOk, let's assume the worst. What possible dirt could be found in Obama's (or anyone else's) passport application? Place of birth? Emergency contact?
ReplyDeleteMany, many years ago I got a job in customer service of a large credit card company. Guess what. My foolishness and curiosity led me to look up accounts of prominent individuals. And from what I saw, it was rampant. About 15 years ago that company implemented a system of alerts when one of those accounts gets accessed, but I bet it still happens occasionally. Not everything is a dirty trick. People sometimes do foolish things.
"Washington Times - official obfuscation tool of the Right Wing."
ReplyDeleteAs bad as World Net Daily?
http://worldnetdaily.com/index.php?
fa=PAGE.view&pageId=59456