The US army has admitted to blocking access to parts of the Guardian website for thousands of defence personnel across the country…A spokesman said the military was filtering out reports and content relating to government surveillance programs to preserve “network hygiene” and prevent any classified material appearing on unclassified parts of its computer systems.

The confirmation follows reports in the Monterey Herald that staff at the Presidio military base south of San Francisco had complained of not being able to access the Guardian’s UK site at all, and had only partial access to the US site, following publication of leaks from whistleblower Edward Snowden…

…A spokesman for the Army’s Network Enterprise Technology Command (Netcom) in Arizona confirmed that this was a widespread policy, likely to be affecting hundreds of defence facilities.

“In response to your question about access to the guardian.co.uk website, the army is filtering some access to press coverage and online content about the NSA leaks,” said Gordon Van Vleet, a Netcom public affairs officer.

“The Department of Defense routinely takes preventative ‘network hygiene’ measures to mitigate unauthorized disclosures of classified information onto DoD unclassified networks…”

You have to love government doublethink. They say “We’re not blocking the website. Just the website’s content.”



  1. dusanmal says:

    I do not see a problem with this. They better not filter content for general population (and if you trust what you hear on NoAgenda, that may be on foot for later this year). However, as any other employer, in their own facilities, for the access at work – filter as you see fit. It must be their right and right of any other employer, be it business or Governmental agency. And it is even irrelevant why do it, no excuse is needed, just the right of employer to conduct its business as they see fit. Nothing to do with general population private rights.

    • Dallas says:

      We agree on something this year! It’s only June, too !

      excited.

    • mirabel says:

      Keep forgetting employer’s rights trump all others. Even if that employer uses only taxpayer dollars.

      Must remember to tug forelock before symbols of rule.

  2. So What? says:

    Employers block internet content all of the time. They have the right as it is their network, you as an employee are using their network. No freedom or constitutional amendment involved here.

    • noname says:

      Not if they use TAX PAYER monies!

      So many chicken hawk Americans all too eager to show and “sound tough” to cover their cowardice and ignore the constitution!

      TAX monies are not to be used to destroy the Bill of Rights and break promises to the American people!

      RECALL:
      I promise to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic … observe the Laws …promote the general welfare…

      No Solder or Sailor took an oath to the President, FBI, NSA, CIA, CONGRESS or anyone for that matter and for good reason!

      • So What? says:

        “Not if they use TAX PAYER monies!” Really, care to cite a little case law to back it up?

        As a member of the military you are military property. You do not have the same unfettered constitutional rights as a civilian.

        http://tinyurl.com/nb79j47

        • bobbo, we think with words, and flower with ideas says:

          You again amplify the chickenhawk/anti-American/anti-Freedom/passive good sheeple attitude that noname took pains to caution against.

          YES–the military can order you into combat even when certain death is most expected. How does that reality justify/support censoring “the truth” or at minimum access to information so that your rights as an otherwise free human being are maintained?

          Slavery of intellect to be so unappreciative of basic freedom. This is why the military is investing so heavily in Artificial Intelligence. The Horror of dealing with anyone of independent mind is avoided.

          Good Robot.

          • So What? says:

            Poor bobbo wanting to grow up and be a fuck-wit just like his idol alfie.

          • noname says:

            poor “So What?” looks like bobbo’s call out hurt your little feelings?

            Go ahead lash out; it will lance your emotional boil! 🙂

          • So What? says:

            Actually no, he didn’t. I just didn’t want to provide him an excuse (not that he needs one) to launch his normal 3000 word diatribe he poses as discourse on how he is smarter than every one else and every one else, including you, are an idiot.

            The only difference between bobbo and alfie are the bible quotes.

            It seems you are the one with hurt feelings as you never actually replied to the post directed at you. It’s either hurt feelings or you don’t have the ability to support your comment.

          • noname says:

            Awesome, here you are calling everyone a “fuck-wit” then you go on to lecture about how smart you are and that I am an idiot. Nice touch you’ve learned.

            Bro, you got employer problems!

            What’s it like blogging for the NSA?

          • So What? says:

            Apparently reading comprehension is not your forte, read the comment again slowly, and mind the punctuation.

            Also I called bobbo a fuck-wit not any one else.

          • So What? says:

            You also failed to provide evidence to support your comment on government money, again.

          • noname says:

            NSA has trained you half well!

            As you said, “you are military property”; that by extension ….

            I am sure you believe that, whole heartily.

            Probably you also believe having a SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER is really your U.S. Government property STOCK NUMBER. At least, that’s how the NSA grabs it.

            Simple Question, do you pay salary to your property; like the military does?

            Yes, yes; an accepted stretch of military discipline was when you got sunburn and could not work, you where abusing government property, and I may be busted for it, boo woo!

            As for you being a self-professed “fuck-wit” and Military freedom of speech: Department of Defense (DoD) Directive 1325.6 — “Guidelines for Handling Dissident and Protest Activities Among Members of the Armed Forces.” This directive allows members to have and read anything they want….

          • So What? says:

            Nice try, but you’re deflecting not answering.

            It’s not a question of whether or not a member of the military can have and read something in their possession. It’s matter of whether or not an employer (the U.S. military) who is providing internet access, by providing the network access, can restrict or filter content if the funding for the internet access is provided by government (tax) money.

            Please try and stay on topic, after all it was your topic.

            Remember this, “Not if they use TAX PAYER monies!”

            A Supreme Court decision in 2003 upheld that public libraries must use internet filter software or lose federal funds, note federal funds i.e. tax money. It appears that not only can those using tax money filter internet content but in some cases are required by law to do so.

            http://news.cnet.com/2100-1028_3-1019952.html

            The ruling was upheld in another challenge in the circuit court on April 10,, 2012.

            or this one

            http://tinyurl.com/odrqbfs

            In 1986, Congress passed the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA), this provided the legal framework for the employer to monitor employee electronic communication and the use of company equipment.

            18 USC 2510, et. seq.

            So the employer has both the legal right to monitor an employees internet activity and block content on company equipment. Therefore the employer, the United States Military, has the right to control what their employees can do and access on the equipment, the computers and network, supplied by the employer.

            Hmmm, care to try again?

          • So What? says:

            You may also find this interesting.

            “Commenting, posting or linking to material that violates the UCMJ or basic rules of Soldier conduct is prohibited,” said Staff Sgt. Dale Sweetnam of the Online and Social Media Division, Office of the Chief of Public Affairs. “Talking negatively about supervisors or releasing sensitive information is punishable under the UCMJ. It’s never appropriate to be disrespectful of superior officers or NCOs (noncommissioned officers), no matter if you’re in the company area or posting to Facebook at your desk at home.”

            http://tinyurl.com/or3q8g8

            Why I do believe what that means is, that military personnel have limited first amendment free speech rights, even if they are on their own computer and their own internet connection.

          • So What? says:

            P.P.S. I haven’t been military property since 1973. Two tours of the lovely gardens spots of South East Asia was enough.

          • noname says:

            Interesting how you “seem to know” so much about monitoring and the government rights.

            George Washington would be so proud of you; obviously not much of advocate for the American bill of rights!

            Makes me wonder what you thought you where risking life for in Asia? Certainly not risking life for American freedoms! The government got you so kowtowing, what’s right doesn’t matter anymore.

            hey hey … how many kids did you…

          • So What? says:

            Still unable to support your comment so you continue to attempt to deflect to another topic. You were the one who said that government cannot filter or control web access if they used tax money. I just asked you to support your argument with facts. Something you seem unable to do.

            I await your next attempt, why not try and stay on topic this time.

          • noname says:

            Obviously you are not satisfied with my answers, as I should expect of any Anti-“American”, government patsy!

            You did say “it was your my topic”. So typical, your unable to stay logically or philosophically consistent with your “Ownership has its rights” B.S.!

            At least I can be consistent, as you have pointed out!

            The Bill of Rights and being an American is wonderful, isn’t it?

            How do you like these?

            *****hey hey OBAMA how many kids did you spy on today!*****

            *****hey hey OBAMA how many kids did you drone today!*****

            *****hey hey OBAMA how many Germans did you spy on today!*****

            Hope you are enjoying the conversation as much as I am!

          • Tim says:

            Oh dear, not again. noname has given ambiguous medical advice with a smiley such that Woe Sot? interpreted the treatment as

            “boil your emoticonical prick”

          • Freemantle A. Silverboard says:

            So noname what you’re saying is that you can’t support your comment so you would rather vent try and divert the subject and call names.

            It seems that So What was accurate in his statements as you seem unable to contradict him.

            So my calling you a fuck-wit would be accurate.

          • noname says:

            Freemantle A. Silverboard, you can call me what every you like, I’ll embrace it proudly! I’ve never known words to break bones!

            It’s obvious your mind(s) is intellect limited and not capable of much more then grunt emotion!

            It’s amazing how your kind thinks attacking people somehow supports your illegality!

            Names, coming from your group, it’s a badge of honor! Pop quiz, do you know how the parties got their names?

            Whatever you call me, it’s good to see you following lock step with your buddy, “So What?”

            How many more of you are out there?

            I gave my answer(s). You don’t like, too bad! Go take it out on your dog when you get home!

            Here is some more 🙂 🙂 for Tim; so he can also have his woody!

            pedro is his own feral ass hunting animal!

            :):) 🙂 🙂

          • Freemantle A. Silverboard says:

            My my did someones pantries get into a bunch or did that comment pull your tampon string to hard? You embrace the inability to answer a question. I hope you didn’t pay money for that education.

            As I see it the question you still haven’t answered is why can’t those employers that use tax monies to. supply computers and internet and network access filter content on the. network supplied to those employees. You don’t seem able to provide a legal reason perhaps you just lack the ability to reason.

          • noname says:

            Do I still hear you still crying for my answers?

            Boo Hoo, If I didn’t answer to your satisfaction, too bad so sad!

            Your persistence shows you have a strong heart for Communism! Your counterpart insisted solders/sailors are slaves (property) subject to the capriciousness of random pentagon injustice.

            Funny how other sites have also been previously blocked including Germany’s Der Spiegel, France’s Le Monde, Britain’s Guardian and Spain’s El Pais; but of course not Fox News!

            It’s a hoot; always ignorant Army generals need to limit information access that virtually everyone else in the world can get on their iPhone! Its important to keep solders as ignorant as the generals!

            That quality West Point training for you!

            Funny how the Marines believe they should never be ignorant of the facts like the Army!

            This is getting to be totally fun!

            🙂 🙂

          • So What? says:

            Still no answer from no name, at least not one that’s relevant. Just more deflection. Color me….unsurprised. Some how no name I don’t think you’re finding this as fun as you claim (smiley faces and all). Seems like prevarication on your part.

            It’s out of town for the holidays for me. I might check back to see if you actually were able to come up with something resembling an answer pertinent to the question, not that I am really expecting one from you.

          • Tim says:

            So many words weaved up into a rag to polish a turd.

            Fuck the law. — there, fixed it for yas.

          • noname says:

            Do I still hear you crying for satisfaction, Boo Hoo! That’s what making it so FUN; hearing you plea and cry, “My question, My question”! 🙂 🙂 If you haven’t notice already?

            Marines have balls bigger than the truth or the Guardian website and of course the numbnuts ARMY!

            Army is such a puss! I heard about a Lt Col relieving an Army something on the line in the midst of battle. Army wanted to help and asked the Marine, “what your plan of egress is”! The Marine said, what is “egress”? Army then snidely replied, your route of retreat! Of which, the Marine smartly replied, Marines don’t understand the word retreat!

            Something here, Marines aren’t afraid of the American bill of rights and don’t need some harebrained legal theories!

            So What? must be afraid there is going to be some court challenge!

          • noname says:

            poor pedro, still and always desperately trying for relevance and importance!

            Do Tell, does anyone anywhere listen to you or your advice? If you haven’t noticed, no one.

            Don’t forget your daily cry out to Uncle Dave, maybe he will listen.

          • noname says:

            Yes, Yes, pedro, you are everyone’s example, always answering everyone questions.

            It’s funny how you try and jump on others bandwagon; always following someone’s tail!

          • noname says:

            pedro, I don’t know of others needing assisted day care the way you do!

            You tell me?

          • noname says:

            Bold, really, your day care is bold, wow?

            pedro, sure doesn’t take much to impress you, Mr. s-f-b English teacher wannabe!

            You even managed to annoy your bandwagon buddies!

            Poor sad pedro, ever the joke!

        • Freemantle A. Silverboard says:

          So no name was your discharge OTH BCD or dishonorable?

          • noname says:

            You tell me?

            Have I’ve been discharged, am I still serving? Which service am/did I serve?

            Could I be British, Canadian, Mexican, …

            You know, doctors have drugs for the discharge you have!

            This too is going to be fun! 🙂

          • Freemantle A. Silverboard says:

            Still avoiding answering questions you don’t know the answer to.

          • noname says:

            Nah, more like not answering fools and their questions!

            Try again! You give up too easy.

          • Freemantle A. Silverboard says:

            Sure that’s right that’s what it is. You speak of not answering “fools” yet you keep posting.

          • noname says:

            pedro, still jizzing on himself! Where is your savor Uncle D, pedro?

            Freemantle very observant; I do speak of not answering “fools” and yet I keep posting.

            And your point still trying desperately to make is?

            Let me guess, I didn’t answer to your satisfaction….again….boohoo!

          • noname says:

            Nice pedro!

            You know, your his flavor flav!

          • Freemantle A. Silverboard says:

            Actually you both answered my question and made my point and you did so quite declaratively.

            Though I doubt you either realize or understand it.

          • noname says:

            It was obvious all along I answered the questions!

            It was good I could have fun with it meanwhile “declaratively” give you answers!

            Now that’s talent!

            🙂 🙂

          • Freemantle A. Silverboard says:

            I am glad I was able to expand your vocabulary. And as I suspected you didn’t understand it.

          • Freemantle A. Silverboard says:

            Oh hell Pedro a syntax error is the smallest error noname makes.

          • noname says:

            pedro, desperately wants to be DU English teacher?

            Sad pedro, your attempts at humor are really lame!

          • noname says:

            It’s obvious all others have understood!

            Yet Freemantle, is still desperate to explain itself, over and over and over!

            That usually only happens after some head trauma or maybe it was something in childhood?

            Obviously and eventually if I am patient, even the dim witted can understand!

          • Freemantle A. Silverboard says:

            Hey noname do you knows to truly infuriate a toll?

          • noname says:

            Hey Freemantle, Obama fan, did I infuriate you?

            Hey, hey, Obama, how many boys did you drone today?

            Hey, hey, Obama, how many embassies did you bug today?

            Hey, hey, Obama, how many planes did you divert today?

            Obama fans are such trolls!

      • Mr Diesel says:

        When you join the military you pretty much give up all your rights numb nuts. Tax money has nothing to do with anything.

  3. orchidcup says:

    If you want access to the guardian.co.uk website, use your own internet connection.

    Problem solved.

  4. TehPanis says:

    I don’t necessarily see this as a rights issue. But it does seem silly to continue treating the information as classified after being leaked by a major newspaper and reported by every news agency on the planet. The toothpaste is already out of the tube.

  5. Hoochie MA MA says:

    “The Internet” sanitized for your protection.
    now isnt that special?

  6. jpfitz says:

    Kinda like an ostrich putting it’s head in the sand. I know it’s a myth, but what the heck.

  7. deowll says:

    They have the right to do it. My only observation is if they were going to do something about that data they should have done it before Snowden released it because its to late now. They’re a day late and a dollar short.

  8. Dingleberry says:

    You have to love government doublethink. They say “We’re not blocking the website. Just the website’s content.”

    You sure Bill Clinton isn’t involved here in some way? That kind of reasoning sounds just like him.

  9. MikeN says:

    When Titanic 3D was submitted to the Chinese censors, they insisted that a scene in which Kate Winslet appears unclothed show her only from the neck up.

    But director James Cameron sounded blasé about the censorship in an interview with the New York Times last year: “As an artist, I’m always against censorship. But censorship’s a reality, even in the U.S. . . . I can’t be judgmental about another culture’s process. I don’t think that’s healthy.”

    The slightly taken-aback Times reporter later followed up: “Did you talk to other filmmakers — your peers — about Chinese censorship?

    Cameron’s stunning response: “No. I’m not interested in their reality. My reality is that I’ve made two films in the last 15 years that both have been resounding successes here [in China], and this is an important market for me. And so I’m going to do what’s necessary to continue having this be an important market for my films. And I’m going to play by the rules that are internal to this market. Because you have to.”

    So how has this site missed the story of Hollywood collaborating with the Nazis and letting them censor their movies?
    Kid going to jail in Texas for an internet comment is right up your alley too.
    Government insisting on a magic show having a plan for extreme weather for their rabbits.

  10. MikeN says:

    No surprise, as this is what liberals in power do. Only difference is liberals were happy to see Pres Clinton try to take Rush Limbaugh off of Armed Services Radio.


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