Home » NSWC » “Hit” Put Out On Author of “No Easy Day”: Arabic To English Translation

“Hit” Put Out On Author of “No Easy Day”: Arabic To English Translation

by · August 28, 2012 · Posted In: NSWC, SOF News
BIN LADEN-sofrep
What are the consequences of leaking any operator’s name on this classified operation? They are many and they are severe.  Fatwas or a direct hit, SOFREP has heard unconfirmed reports that at least one Middle Eastern terror group has put a hit out on the author.  There’s also a threat chain to consider in this case, we’re aware that several media outlets have found his last known residence and this could potentially compromise an entire neighborhood.

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I’d advise the Penguin Editor of “No Easy Day” to start looking over his shoulder…what’s that fellas name again? Fox News…?

Matt-Bissonette-sofrep

Arabic to English translation:

The picture for this article is one of navy SEALS where they attacked bin ladens bedroom on may 2, 2010 in abotta bot, Pakistan. He was shot with 2 bullets and maybe the person in the picture shot him and in a few days we might find out of it was him.

The person in the picture’s name is Matt Bissonette. He is 36 years old from Alaska and he was an important figure in the navy seal chain of command which he retired after the infamous attack to bin laden. Matt Bissonette could potentially be author mark Owen of “No Easy Day.” but he is using a fictitious name. The book will be released around the anniversary of September 11. The book has all the details of the attack on the bin laden compound of how he was killed on the third floor of his bedroom in front of his wife and daughter. Nobody knows about the real author of “No Easy Day”, only a few people from the Penguin publishing house publisher plus some of the navy seal participants and an American journalist Kevin morar (co-author of “no easy day”). All the profits of the book will go to the families of those of the Navy SEALs whom have passed and to some non-profit organizations.

The last sentence of the article states this “god kill him as soon as possible”. referring to the SEAL Operator.

About The Author

Brandon Webb is a former U.S. Navy SEAL with combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, and elsewhere in the Middle East. His last tour in the SEAL Teams was as the Course Manager for the US Navy SEAL Sniper program, arguably one of the most difficult sniper courses in the world. He was formerly a contributing editor for Military.com, and currently the Editor-in-Chief of SOFREP.com. Brandon is regularly featured in the media as a subject matter expert on military affairs. An avid writer, his last two books (The Red Circle, & Benghazi: The Definitive Report) both hit the New York Times best seller list, and his writing has been featured in print, and digital media worldwide. You can follow him on Twitter @BrandontWebb
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Recon6
Recon6 moderator like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 3 Like

 @Matt2   I guess we will just have to 'ignore' the b.s. posts/comments and Not allow

those to infect such a great place.  Too many good folks on here to allow a couple to

fuck it up for the rest.  Good thoughts bro...6

RVN SF VET
RVN SF VET like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 4 Like

"Show 50 More" has stopped working for me.

This comment has been deleted

IDRINKWATER
IDRINKWATER

 @Matt2  @RVN SF VET its working fine for me. Check your browser .!!!! I am using google chrome !!!

RVN SF VET
RVN SF VET like.author.displayName 1 Like

@IDRINKWATER@Matt2

IDRINKWATER. Matt2. Thanks. I just changed to IE and no joy. So, for me neither Firefox nor IE cannot take advantage of livefyre features. I don't like Chrome for some reason. I'm thinking of authoring a fatwa.

RVN SF VET
RVN SF VET like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 5 Like

Dear Technical Elves,

"Reply" in emails (the Reply at the bottom of an email from livefyre) no longer takes you to the relevant comment. I assume that this is owing to the huge number of comments. It is my impression that somehow you or livefyre fixed this at least one time before. I use Firefox so please let us know if our browsers or settings have anything to do with the problem. Thank you for supporting this blog.

V.r.,

Me

Recon6
Recon6 moderator like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 4 Like

 @RVN SF VET   Elves, PLEASE listen and respond accordingly to what SF Vet just said! 

It is becoming increasingly difficult to respond to threads and comments when one must peruse several hundred, and then usually passes over the one sought.  I don't know anything about this type 'stuff', just that it needs to be Fixed.  There are people on here I want to Talk with!    R6

Tango9
Tango9 moderator like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 5 Like

 @Recon6  @RVN SF VET I'll kick it up the chain.  The SOFREP webmaster is likely drunk, covered in hookers, or in jail, (or some combination of the 3) but I'll shoot him a mail.  I can't speculate on possible causes, though.

Recon6
Recon6 moderator

 @engelbrad  @Matt2  @StormR   Brad, some men hold themselves to a Higher Standard, Matt is such a man.  He watched an 'idea' he believed in, morph into something unrecognizable and felt he could no longer ask people to refrain from the vitriolic sniping and he would, therefore, simply depart.  Rah Rah speeches don't work with such men.  It will be the Hope of his Friends that he return at some future date, of His choosing.    R6

engelbrad
engelbrad like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @Matt2  @StormR

 Matt2... If you decide not to participate then the "bickering" wins.

Please reconsider!

Try this.... go through conversations past on here and find the thoughts that made you think, laugh, pissed, etc... Then read your input into those discussions...without them the discussions are lacking a bit. Don't ring the bell dude! POLIREP... LMAO!!!

Get your ass back in to line!!!!!!!

 

StormR
StormR like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

 @Matt2 I truly do understand, Matt and support your decision just because it's your decision, but please know that I am going to miss your good humor, insights, expertise and balanced view.  In other words - I'm going to miss you, Matt.  It has been a pleasure to share this time with you - and thank you for your patience with me.

LauraWalkerKC
LauraWalkerKC moderator like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @Matt2 Well if you're going to be like that - you're forgiven for whatever you might do in the next three weeks :)

Old PH2
Old PH2 moderator like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

 @Matt2  @Old PH2 Brother it's an honor.  Give us some time come back after all this political shit blows over.  The Team Room is still on point, no left right BS, just straight ahead information.  I'm going to miss your commentary.  Honestly,come back later.  I'm going to do my best to keep things shiny side up.

CJCJ
CJCJ like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

 @Old PH2  @Tango9  @Recon6  @RVN SF VET 

PH2, "SHACK" as they say for direct hits. You nailed it. The problem for selling ad space may be the weakening economy, especially for tactical and defense related companies staring down the double barrel of the exit from Afghanistan and looming DOD budget cuts.  Speaking of marketing and advertising, I noticed CK was rocking his RESCO in his recent tv appearance. I doubt he got a "product placement" payday for that and he may not even know that such an animal exists. 

Old PH2
Old PH2 moderator like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 3 Like

 @CJCJ  @Tango9  @Recon6  @RVN SF VET I haven't seen the comments box update in a week or more.  I think we have buried Livfyre under a mountain of posts.  If Brandon and the SOFREP marketing team can't get sponsors now...... suffice it to say folks should be taking notice! 

CJCJ
CJCJ like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

 @Tango9  @Recon6  @RVN SF VET 

"I'll kick it up the chain.  The SOFREP webmaster is likely drunk, covered in hookers, or in jail, (or some combination of the 3) but I'll shoot him a mail.  I can't speculate on possible causes, though."

 

LOL! Holy shit, Ted. That's one of the funniest things I've read in a while. Nice finish too.

HugeFan
HugeFan moderator

 @Old PH2  @Tango9  @RVN SF VET  @Recon6 I was more or less going for the "I'm not drinking fucking MERLOT!" from Sideways. That movie is a classic buddy flick, just in a different vein...

RVN SF VET
RVN SF VET

 @Tango9  @Recon6 Well, if they are Craftsman, you can go down to your 24/7 Sears store and get replacements - no? You probably need a router and a snake to unclog the pipes

Old PH2
Old PH2 moderator like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

 @RVN SF VET  @Tango9  @Recon6 Well, Brandon is a class act, I'm sure he did his research before signing up with LiveFyre.  But we are killin it lately. 

Tango9
Tango9 moderator like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

 @RVN SF VET  @Recon6 As a mod, I have access to some tools and goodies.  They're broken as well.

RVN SF VET
RVN SF VET like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 3 Like

 @Tango9  @Recon6 My money is on the number of comments. I'm betting that livefyre hasn't supported a blog with this many comments before. The Washington Post sometimes gets over 1000 comments on a subject, but who would read them or add to the pile?

Old PH2
Old PH2 moderator like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

 @Tango9  @Recon6  @RVN SF VET Awsome reasons for Failure, I'd cut the elves some slack!  As long as it's not midget bowling league night!

SEAN SPOONTS
SEAN SPOONTS like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 6 Like

I'm skeptical that the government intends to prosecute Mr. Owen.

 

1)  This administration doesn't want to be in the position of prosecuting a Navy SEAL in the months running up to this election.  The government just dropped the politically motivated prosecution of CIA officers for torture under the Bush administration for similar reasons.

 

2)  In order to prosecute the author the government has to stipulate that his version of the Bin Laden raid is the correct one and contains factually accurrate information.  In his defense Mr. Owen can claim that the government leaked false information about the raid.  This puts the government in the position of retaliating against someone who told the truth to defend a falsehood perpetrated by the state.  The details of that falsehood would be admissible evidence in court and the defense could make it apparent that the government engaged in these falsehoods for political rather than OPSEC reasons.

 

3) Donating proceeds from the sale of this book(in whole or in part) means the government has to claw back this money from charities that benefit the families of dead SEALs.  Again, not politically smart in an election year.

engelbrad
engelbrad like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

 @SEAN SPOONTS

 I agree with all points ....but... If they don't do anything they are in effect setting president.

Rouge books would now be in play and I don't think the government wants any more of these at all.

They will need to tread carefully and precisely with this and unfortunately that is not something they do well.

IDRINKWATER
IDRINKWATER like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

 @SEAN SPOONTS I was thinking the same thing. Will they throw the guy who pulled the Trigger on OBL in prison ???

wvbalrog
wvbalrog like.author.displayName 1 Like

@IDRINKWATER @SEAN SPOONTS if he pissed off/embarrassedsomeone in the current administration, especially a higher up, you can bet on it. If not prison, his personal life/reputation can be destroyed.

SEAN SPOONTS
SEAN SPOONTS

@wvbalrog Haven't you been reading this thread? There are people on here destroying it right now.

Jaycel Adkins
Jaycel Adkins like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 3 Like

 @wvbalrog  @IDRINKWATER  @SEAN 

 

I think they are going to do what they did in a previous circumstance. Put that fat check he got as a scalp on somebody's wall as a warning to others.

 

He's not going to get arrested, but if he does, I'm sure he'll get a pardon. Obama will be like, 'In lieu of that beer I promised ya...no hard feelings.'

IDRINKWATER
IDRINKWATER like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 5 Like

Letter from Pentagon's top lawyer to Matt B !!!!------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/interactive/2012/08/30/letter-from-pentagon-top-lawyer-to-former-navy-seal/

SEAN SPOONTS
SEAN SPOONTS like.author.displayName 1 Like

@IDRINKWATER "US Holds Off on Suit Against Bin Laden Raid Book" http://www.military.com/daily-news/2012/08/31/us-holds-off-on-suit-against-bin-laden-raid-book.html?comp=1198882887570&rank=1

RVN SF VET
RVN SF VET

 @SEAN SPOONTS  @IDRINKWATER Good article. Cleared hot or what? Is Admiral McRaven changing his mind on this case or just reminding everyone of the rules?

 

"Although a civil suit against Bissonnette and Penguin was most likely, Adm. William McRaven, head of U.S. Special Operations Command, held out the possibility of a criminal prosecution.

In a letter last week to his commanders, McRaven, who planned the Bin Laden raid, wrote: "If the U.S Special Operations Command finds that an active-duty, retired or former service member violated that agreement and that exposure of information was detrimental to the safety of U.S. forces, then we will pursue every option available to hold members accountable, including criminal prosecution where appropriate."

Bissonnette professed to be unconcerned. He wrote in the book that "Since May 1, 2011, everyone from President Obama to Adm. McRaven has given interviews about the operation. If my commander-in-chief is willing to talk, then I feel comfortable doing the same."

 

 

engelbrad
engelbrad like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @IDRINKWATER

The letter smells wrong. Why would they use "Mark Owen"? This is a legal document and it would be addressed to the real defendant of the case that is filed. Not an alias that the author used for the evidence under question.

I'm not a lawyer but spider senses are tingling!

RichDD
RichDD like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 3 Like

@engelbrad @IDRINKWATER agree.... Counting the seconds till the rapport!

IDRINKWATER
IDRINKWATER like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

 @engelbrad Very good point. My speculation is that they wanted this letter to be public, so it acts as a deterrent against future leaks. 

N3V3R_SRRNDR
N3V3R_SRRNDR like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

 @engelbrad  @IDRINKWATER The only information I could find online (5 minute Google search) only mentioned using the name you know, does not have to be full legal name. Perhaps because it is the name used on the book, it is considered the most appropriate approach. 

 

Now that you mention it, it does seems a little fishy. The letter head says General Counsel of the DoD, but why use the DoD emblem when they have their own? All the letter heads I remember from my det used ours, not our main command's.

Also he signs only his name without any titles?

 

http://www.dod.mil/dodgc/index.html

N3V3R_SRRNDR
N3V3R_SRRNDR like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @IDRINKWATER Nice update. And hey it was typed on recycled paper!! Haha.

I'm really interested in seeing how much is actually leaked. But I still don't like that Fox News is using the author's name. In the other link you posted it said the Pentagon wasn't even using his real name/ releasing his name.

IDRINKWATER
IDRINKWATER

 @N3V3R_SRRNDR I loved the recycled part. Pentagon is mindful of PERSEC. WHo knows if FOX NEWS had not leaked the name someone else would have. But they were the first ones...so they take the cake for it. Also, who knows if FOX had not released the name we would still be calling him Mark Owen.Also, i feel Matt B should have know the consequences of his actions. He was a former member of ST6. He was trusted with our Nations's top secrets. As the letter indicate he signed the ND. I mean seriously he should have known better. It is just my opinion. It may not be fair and balanced :)

N3V3R_SRRNDR
N3V3R_SRRNDR like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @IDRINKWATER As to the NDA, as far as I know it is SOP to sign one during the discharge process. Really any prior service member who tells details about the military without prior approval is subject to this, and even at my company we had to sign when being hired. It is pretty common place, and yes he should have known. I'd definitely be more scared of the US Government.

HugeFan
HugeFan moderator like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

@IDRINKWATER Thx for the update bro.

IDRINKWATER
IDRINKWATER like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @HugeFan  @IDRINKWATER Thanks. Really not looking good for Matt B !!!

HugeFan
HugeFan moderator like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @Old PH2  @Matt2  @IDRINKWATER Yep, remember Kelly Flynn. Commits adultery (funny, because usually that doesn't get you fired from a civilian job) gets canned. Meanwhile, good ol' Slick Willy is playing with cigars and Monica Lewinsky. Ass-covering is my point... I got an example for all POTUS.

Old PH2
Old PH2 moderator like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @Matt2  @IDRINKWATER  @HugeFan Almost word for word what Brandon said on the SOFREP radio podcast this week.  He's thinking a hard rule is going to be the result, meantime "Mr. Owen" will be the fall guy.  Sucks to be the test case.

HugeFan
HugeFan moderator like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @SEAN SPOONTS  @IDRINKWATER  @RVN  @Matt2  @HugeFan Agreed. I would add that every administration does it(meaning preserving their "legacy") so therefore, I agree that this administration would be no different.

SEAN SPOONTS
SEAN SPOONTS like.author.displayName 1 Like

@IDRINKWATER @RVN SF VET @Matt2 @HugeFan Hmm, lets see. The General Council to the Pentagon is a political appointee. The White House has previously released information on the Bin Laden raid that this SEAL contends is factually incorrect. Guess which parts they will be most interested in redacting from this book?

HugeFan
HugeFan moderator like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

 @Jaycel Adkins  @Matt2  @RVN SF VET One theory? The author didn't vet the draft because he knew in advance that NO ONE was going to sign off on him releasing it this soon. My two cents...

Jaycel Adkins
Jaycel Adkins

 @Matt2  @RVN SF VET 

 

Anyone know WHY he didn't get the book vetted in the first place?

 

After reading everything, that is one of two questions I don't understand.

IDRINKWATER
IDRINKWATER like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @RVN SF VET  @Matt2  @HugeFan Yes, i was wondering the same thing. I believe if they were to redact even one sentence , that would be a breach of his ND. In my opinion either we should get a totally Unredacted copy or else is a big question mark....   It all depends on Pentagon's mood how bad they wanna screw him over. Could be a slap on the wrist or to the extreme.

--------

 

Is it possible that his ST 6 buddies are pushing pentagon , thereby the strong and urgent stance of PTGN ?

RVN SF VET
RVN SF VET like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

 @Matt2  @IDRINKWATER  @HugeFan Does anyone understand the law on this? What happens if his book does not in fact contain any classified information? I think the General Counsel has already reviewed it and determined that they feel it does contain classified information. Is it a "material breach" just because he did not submit the manuscript for pre-publication review or does it require that the book contains classified information?

 

Of course, if you go by the CIA's reviews in the past, they have often deemed material classified that was merely embarrassing or wasn't actually classified.