Caffeinated Thoughts - Latest Comments

Re: Christian Colleges and Federal Student Aid

Shane Vander Hart — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:26:43 -0000

Yes I know it can be done, but it's hard to transition. College of the Ozarks and Moody Bible Institute for that matter would be two models to look at.

Re: Christian Colleges and Federal Student Aid

Teressa Edwards — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 08:28:52 -0000

Shane - regarding Christian colleges not accepting Federal financial aid - it can be done. College of the Ozarks has gone it successfully for decades: http://www.cofo.edu/

Re: Does Brad Anderson Understand the Iowa Secretary of State’s Job?

Shane Vander Hart — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 17:30:31 -0000

Thanks!

Re: Does Brad Anderson Understand the Iowa Secretary of State’s Job?

Justin Arnold — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 17:28:27 -0000

Well said!

Re: Obama Administration “Strongly Objects” to NDAA Religious Liberty Amendment

SwimmingTowardsPie — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 15:42:57 -0000

It would be helpful if there was a link to the actual amendment offered.

Here: (PDF) http://www.sldn.org/page/-/Fle...

Re: Air Force Prohibiting Airmen from Reading NSA Scandal Stories

Guest — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 13:01:43 -0000

It seems the uneducated, ignorant airman has a better understanding of 'the big picture' than you claim to have. The fact is that unconstitutional acts are being perpetrated against American citizens by their own government. It's clearly obvious that these types of information are classified for the sole purpose of preventing the those who swore an oath to defend the constitution from doing just that.

Re: Air Force Prohibiting Airmen from Reading NSA Scandal Stories

USAF SSgt — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 14:47:55 -0000

You seem to still be confused as to what exactly the NOTAM disallows on the Air Force network... The NOTAM doesn't disallow reading about the incident. It disallows downloading the classified files on an unclassified system attached to the Air Force Network. Everyone is allowed, and encouraged, to educate themselves and read up on the incident.

The reason why the Navy contractor was told not to Google the Wikileaks things is because he's working for a military entity! (Surprising isn't it?) The Navy (or any branch) can tell and encourage everyone that works for that branch to not visit Wikileaks because those employees may not have the clearance authorized to view those classified files. Again, it comes down to having the appropriate clearance and need-to-know, regardless of whether or not it is made public.

Re: Air Force Prohibiting Airmen from Reading NSA Scandal Stories

USAF SSgt — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 14:27:54 -0000

It's not a point of view, nor an opinion. It is fact, and largely common sense. Your article is a purely uneducated, ignorant opinion based on the feelings of an uneducated, ignorant airman (probably an Amn or A1C) that can't grasp onto the concept of "the big picture" because he's not had the experience of being in the Air Force long enough to comprehend or understand such a thing. As a prior Army enlistee, as you like to call yourself, I'm baffled how you don't even understand any of this considering that everyone enlisted and commissioned in the entire DoD Military must be able to maintain at least a Secret clearance.

Re: Air Force Prohibiting Airmen from Reading NSA Scandal Stories

Shane Vander Hart — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 12:49:46 -0000

If everybody in the Air Force saw this the same way as you I wouldn't have received the email.

Re: Air Force Prohibiting Airmen from Reading NSA Scandal Stories

USAF SSgt — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 12:28:06 -0000

"So essentially our service members, at least those in the Air Force,
are prohibited from searching, forwarding, reading or saving any news
stories related to the NSA Scandal on NIPRNET computers. Those like this
Airman currently deployed to UAE only have access to this news through
Air Force computers. Members of our military are being censored from
reading news about how the rights and liberty they are fighting for is
being destroyed at home."

Absolutely wrong. All military members
on the Air Force network are prohibited from downloading CLASSIFIED
DOCUMENTS on UNCLASSIFIED NETWORKS. What part about that didn't you
understand? Regardless of what anyone's opinions are about the leaked
files, the fact remains that they are CLASSIFIED. As such, viewing,
downloading, disseminating, etc classified documents on an unclassified
network is unauthorized and not allowed; period. This is called a
Classified Message Incident (CMI). It doesn't matter if the document
was ILLEGALLY released to the public. It is still classified and will
remain classified until deemed unclassified. This has nothing to do
with military members not being allowed to download while others are
allowed to download. No one's "allowed" to download. The gov't doesn't
not authorize civilian to download the classified content; they just
can't stop you and they have no authority to prevent civilians from
doing so. However, they have all the authority in the world to issue a
direct order to all military members to NOT download a classified
document.

"Members of our military are being censored from reading news about how
the rights and liberty they are fighting for is being destroyed at home."

Nowhere, ABSOLUTELY NOWHERE, does the NOTAM or anything else say that
you cannot read about news pertaining to the NSA/Verizon scandal. The
Air Force is not trying to cover up anything since they are not involved
in the situation. Additionally, many US Air Force members are
unfortunately subscribed to Verizon and are therefore entitled to know
what
is going on, hence why the NOTAM says NOWHERE that airmen are not
entitled to read about the story; they just are not allowed to download
classified files. With that said, there are secure channels that are
available to almost all airmen. NIPRNet is not one of them. Finally,
get real. No one in the US are fighting for liberties overseas. We
haven't fought for rights or liberties since WW2, nor are they "being
destroyed" as you so ignorantly love to proclaim. Get over yourself and
your sensationalism.

Re: Planned Parenthood Sets Up Shop in Young Women’s Resource Center

Bella — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 11:21:07 -0000

Take a red pen to this website to correct all the misconceptions, skewed writing and outright lies and you will no longer see the screen, Pam. As a former PP employee, I know for a fact most of this website is complete bologna.

Re: Biola University, Abortion Photos & Civic Disobedience

Krydye Designco — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 04:07:26 -0000

I am appalled by the way the 4 students showed their support of the cause at a "Christian" University. 4 people seriously? Its funny how many of you are so eager to defend Diana now. Its funny how you can listen to your president tell you all about "conviction" and "courage" and do nothing to support her cause for unborn children. Until now. Now that its trendy. What a joke. I support Diana's decision to listen to God and not to man.This is an example of what the "church" has come to. Prideful Authoritative figure-heads ruin the freedom to experience God. Where exactly is Biola's Grace (if they are indeed acting as Christ's hands and feet) Where is the teaching moment? I am 100% sure every time I have done the wrong thing out of a pure heart my God never ever heaped condemnation on me. Instead he counted my faith as righteousness. Shame on you Biola.

Re: Air Force Prohibiting Airmen from Reading NSA Scandal Stories

Maxwell — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 23:45:30 -0000

Why are our military playing on the internet when they should be working? I'm not paying them to goof off- go hunt terrorists!

Re: Air Force Prohibiting Airmen from Reading NSA Scandal Stories

Shane Vander Hart — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 14:36:29 -0000

So everybody else can read about it except members of the military, that makes total sense. I understand it's the rules, but perhaps some rules need revisiting when the times and circumstances change.

Also, I was just told by a woman whose husband is a Navy contractor than when the Wikileaks thing came down he was told they couldn't Google it on it own time and his own computer. That seems just a tad excessive. For the record I'm not in favor of members of our government leaking classified documents.

I do think we had the right to know about the NSA's activity as it's evasive and likely unconstitutional.

Re: Air Force Prohibiting Airmen from Reading NSA Scandal Stories

Kevin Subra — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 14:10:57 -0000

Released, classified information is still classified until it is unclassified. Those are the rules. They were not made because of this leak...

Re: Air Force Prohibiting Airmen from Reading NSA Scandal Stories

Shane Vander Hart — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 13:58:26 -0000

I understand your point, and having served I do understand protecting classified information. Containment seems futile at this point, and restricting them from reading news about it seems to be overkill. And no I wouldn't want a personal video of my family out there, but telling my family members they can't access it, search for it or download it when it is out there wouldn't make sense either.

Re: Air Force Prohibiting Airmen from Reading NSA Scandal Stories

Kevin Subra — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 13:39:29 -0000

Again, the issue is containment, not rights. Technically, only those cleared have the "right" to view the classified information. Today's pervasive technology makes such a leak hard to contain, but there's a reason behind it. What if it was a private video of your family (for example)?

Re: Air Force Prohibiting Airmen from Reading NSA Scandal Stories

Shane Vander Hart — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 13:19:07 -0000

I understand that, but there also needs to be some common sense to the policy. It's ALREADY out there and in the news so the only thing being prevented is members of our military being informed. I see your point, but this is kind of like closing the barn doors after the horses are already out.

Re: Air Force Prohibiting Airmen from Reading NSA Scandal Stories

Shane Vander Hart — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 13:16:00 -0000

"This is a best practice method to prevent airmen, sailors, soldiers, and marines from doing stupid things like access/pass/view material that is not privileged to be on NIPRNET."

I can understand the classified documents, but news stories?

"Also, it's a shame that this airman has screenshotted the message that is FOUO. Clearly, he has a problem understanding what information needs to be public or not."

It wasn't classified, and if he didn't we in the general public would have no idea this happened (or be able to prove it).

"Also, by the way, government business computer policy does not apply to one's personal computer use."

I understand that and said that in my story. The problem is with those deployed overseas who don't have access to the internet except through NIPRNET which is also a point I brought up. If bring personal devices with internet connectivity was the norm then I could see you point... just curious with a personal laptop when an airman is overseas how do they connect to the internet?

Re: Air Force Prohibiting Airmen from Reading NSA Scandal Stories

Kevin Subra — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 11:43:26 -0000

Shane, the response has everything to do with classified information, not someone's rights. If classified information is viewed on an unclassified system, it requires an official response, as a "leak" has occurred. I am not justifying the restriction on the story (necessarily). It is, however, procedure and policty, not politics, that dictates the response to leaked classified information. Whether or not the US is legally collecting information is another issue altogether.

Re: Air Force Prohibiting Airmen from Reading NSA Scandal Stories

Bob — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 10:48:36 -0000

Having classified information on an unclassified computer network will get people in trouble, not only for the user, but for anyone involved to prevent classified incidents to occur. This is a best practice method to prevent airmen, sailors, soldiers, and marines from doing stupid things like access/pass/view material that is not privileged to be on NIPRNET.

Government computers are under the rules established to protect sensitive information from getting out, there are no exceptions. Allowing access of information that is still classified will trigger a CMI, and that's not a laughing matter. These computers are work computers and have many restrictions placed on them to prevent malicious use. Anyone with knowledge about any of the security policies understands this.

Also, it's a shame that this airman has screenshotted the message that is FOUO. Clearly, he has a problem understanding what information needs to be public or not.

Also, by the way, government business computer policy does not apply to one's personal computer use.

- USAF Network Tech.

Re: Air Force Prohibiting Airmen from Reading NSA Scandal Stories

Theo P. Neustic — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 10:01:41 -0000

Oh, I certainly agree. You swear to protect the Constitution and what it stands for but you give up your rights enabled by it.

Re: Air Force Prohibiting Airmen from Reading NSA Scandal Stories

Dapandico — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 08:11:13 -0000

The US army has blocked any news stories about Manning.

Re: Air Force Prohibiting Airmen from Reading NSA Scandal Stories

Shane Vander Hart — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 21:33:48 -0000

There's a link to it if you'd actually take the time to read the story.

Re: I’m Glad I Was Homeschooled: “Do You Have Friends?”

nrvenice — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 19:49:47 -0000

Awesome. Another datapoint is the incredible success some have been having with homeschooling. Makes me wonder what's possible:

http://foxnewsinsider.com/2013...

http://www.blackeconomicdevelo...