She worked for a firm that stress tests software for the CIA. Her position gave her access to the CIA’s top-secret intranet, Intelink.
Christine Axsmith’s public story might have ended right there… if she hadn’t fancied herself a blogger. At first, it seemed a hoot. Bosses even fed her data.
The blow-up came after she allegedly shared her low opinion of CIA interviewing techniques, based on reading “ interrogation transcripts in an assignment that should not be made public.”
oops.
Axsmith soon discovered that critiquing CIA documents and methods by outside CIA contractors is frowned upon. Her security clearance vanished, along with her job.
I’ll bet she learned the official definition for top secret, too.
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July 24th, 2006 at 4:23 pm
Al
You might want to read the article again. Her blog was classified, and the only ones who read it, had the same access or higher than she did.
She was fired because she seemed to criticize her boss’ boss.
Yes they did imply she had inside knowledge and therefore possible access to Top Secret info above her clearance (which she pretty much stated she did), but only a conveniently short sighted person cannot see the reality of the situation. In my job I have seen a few memos that were above my level, admittedly I kept my mouth shut, and my boss respected that, but again, in this instance I don’t see that as the deal breaker.
In short, you can complain about the food, but it is best to consider your bosses are Gods and all they do is mana from heaven, lest you will find yourself on a cold street corner.
anonymouse al, squeak!
July 24th, 2006 at 6:00 pm
Angie
Hi Al.
I think you may have read too much between my lines.
Nevertheless, you found your way to the essence of my point. People with top secret clearances should not be the final arbiter of what’s discussable and what’s not.
Like you, they should keep their mouths shut… especially when they happen to be a contract worker, if only because they are more easily terminated.
Dumb, dumb, dumb.
A top secret person who needs to vent for whatever reason should find a less sensitive line of work.