”Operation Dark Heart” is a publication that joins a growing list of titles that have benefited from attempted censorship. The Pentagon is the benefactor on this occasion. ”Operation Dark Heart,” according to the DOD, contains passages written by a previous intelligence officer that could be used by America’s enemies to undermine United States of America interests. To prevent its release, the Defense Department would like to dip into its bottomless well of taxpayer dollars, purchase each and every existing copy and subsequently burn them.
Government would like second chance at suppression
“Operation Dark Heart” is by Anthony A. Shaffer, a former Defense Intelligence Agency officer and currently a lieutenant colonel within the Army Reserve. The book is Shaffer’s personal account of five months he spent as a DIA officer stationed at Bagram Air Base outside of Kabul in 2003. The NY Times reports that Army reviewers approved “Operation Dark Heart” in January. As prepared, publisher St. Martin’s Press proceeded with a release date of Aug. 31. But the DIA did not see the manuscript until July, when it determined that the publication contained classified information. By then, several dozen copies of the book had already been sent out to reviewers and online booksellers.
A glance at various sketchy content
Material in “Operation Dark Heart” deemed classified included passages about an operation Shaffer was involved in called “Able Danger” that he statements ferreted out hijacker Mohammed Atta long before the September 11 attacks. According to Fox News, the DIA wants passages removed where Shaffer alleges he told the 9/11 Commission that Able Danger knew about Atta as early as 2000. Atta was considered to be the ringleader of the September 11 hijackers. He was at the controls of, American Airlines Flight 11, which crashed into the World Trade Center. A report released later by the Department of Defense concluded there was no evidence to support Shaffer’s claims.
Censors are an author’s closest friend
Shaffer’s publisher is negotiating with the Pentagon, which wants to write a check for the initial printing of Operation Dark Heart in its entirety. The Washington Post reports the Pentagon’s plan is to destroy all 10,000 copies. The second printing of is already being prepared. “Operation Dark Heart” 2. will appear minus the classified details. . “Operation Dark Heart” is at the moment #19 on Amazon’s bestseller list however listed as “temporarily out of stock”.
New York Times
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Fox News
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Washington Post
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