# Would it make sense for US Govt to intentionally leak false documents?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-make-sense-for-us-govt-to-intentionally-leak-false-documents/676445>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [December 16, 2013, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-make-sense-for-us-govt-to-intentionally-leak-false-documents/676445 "2013-12-16T05:48:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\
**Post date:** [December 18, 2013, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-make-sense-for-us-govt-to-intentionally-leak-false-documents/676445/21 "2013-12-18T23:16:17Z")

</div>

> [@The\_Controvert](#):
>
> Suppose the agency mocks up a number of documents…  
> 2. Plant misinformation about the state of US Govt tech. For example, if the Chinese learn that we have some plausible, but hard to create superweapon (like … laser pistols)…

Handheld infantry laser weapons already exist.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![The\_Controvert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dec6dc/32.png) [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\
**Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-make-sense-for-us-govt-to-intentionally-leak-false-documents/676445/22 "2013-12-19T01:39:54Z")

</div>

> [@robert\_columbia](#):
>
> Handheld infantry laser weapons already exist.

Holy Crap, you’re right. Huh, maybe we leak a design where we replace the ergonomic pistol grip trigger with an awkward remote control-like button? 😃

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\
**Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-make-sense-for-us-govt-to-intentionally-leak-false-documents/676445/23 "2013-12-19T02:59:34Z")

</div>

> [@Grumman](#):
>
> Do you not understand what the word “pretend” means?

Sorry, didn’t see that word, my mistake.

Different question: Would you be against this tactic if the government leaked false documents of non-crimes?

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-make-sense-for-us-govt-to-intentionally-leak-false-documents/676445.md?page=1)