The following is a guest article from Louis Marano, a friend of The Point.
Boom, Boom, BOOM!
Someone was pounding on the door of my trailer at Camp Liberty, on Baghdad’s western edge, in the summer of 2007.
“Where’s the computer?” demanded an agitated communications sergeant.
“What computer?”
“The personal computer that you plugged into the SIPRnet.”
“First, I didn’t do that,” I said, recovering from my confusion and surprise. “I know better than to do that. And my personal computer is on its way back to the United States.”
The sergeant had received bad information. I don’t think it was a malicious lie. More likely it was an offhand remark by a careless, foolish person – but it was a remark that could be very damaging. Suddenly, I had to defend myself against the charge of compromising the Secret Internet Protocol Router Network.
Truth was my only defense. I had not plugged the “sipper” cable into my personal computer, and I had shipped that computer back to the United States.
Why write this now? Many who’ve never been entrusted with safeguarding classified information don’t seem to understand the seriousness of violating electronic security, and they don’t see why Hillary Clinton’s possible violations are such a big deal. They’re a very big deal. The secrets Mrs. Clinton might have compromised as secretary of state are immensely more sensitive and potentially harmful to American interests than the information I had at my disposal as a civilian contractor for the U.S. Army in Iraq.
The Clintons have lived as though the rules don’t apply to them. What Hillary Clinton is suspected of doing is consistent with that arrogance and contempt. An “ordinary” person would face prosecution, fines, and imprisonment. Our system is based on the principle of equality before the law. Treating Hillary Clinton as a “special case” who is above the law makes a mockery of that foundational principle.
Louis Marano, an anthropologist and former journalist, served two tours in Iraq as a civilian contractor for the U.S. Army.