Censorship has backfired on the censorship yet again within the case of “Operation Dark Heart”. This time around it comes courtesy of the Government. ”Operation Dark Heart,” according to the Defense Department, contains passages written by a previous intelligence officer that could be used by America’s enemies to undermine U.S. interests. To prevent its release, the Department of Defense would like to dip into its bottomless well of taxpayer dollars, purchase existing copy and subsequently burn them.
‘Operation Dark Heart’ sneaks by Government
Anthony A. Shaffer wrote “Operation Dark Heart about his experience in Afghanistan as an officer in the Defense Intelligence Agency. He is a lieutenant colonel within the Army reserve. It’s a first-person account of five months Shaffer spent in 2003 as a DIA officer depending at Bagram Air Base near Kabul in Afghanistan. The New York Times reports that Army reviewers approved “Operation Dark Heart” in January. The publisher, St. Martin’s Press, planned to release the book Aug. 31. not until July did the DIA peruse the manuscript and announce that classified information was revealed. By then, various dozen copies of the book had already been sent out to reviewers and online booksellers.
Book’s information questioned
Material in “Operation Dark Heart” deemed classified incorporated passages about an operation Shaffer was involved in called “Able Danger” that he claims ferreted out hijacker Mohammed Atta long before the 9/11 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 flew one of the planes to the twin towers and is known as the leader of the hijackers. The Defense Department said Shaffer had no proof for his claims in a subsequent report.
censors get burned by bestselling book
Shaffer’s publisher is negotiating with the Government, which would like to write a check for the first printing of Operation Dark Heart in its entirety. The Washington Post said the Government would like to ensure the book does no damage by feeding all 10,000 copies to the fire. The second printing of is already being planned. “Operation Dark Heart” 2. will appear minus the classified details. The first printing is sitting on pallets in a Virginia warehouse. “Operation Dark Heart” is currently #19 on Amazon’s bestseller list but listed as “temporarily out of stock”.
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