The letter by Ralph Cauble in the Chronicle Oct. 21, which asserted that Barack Obama could not get a security clearance because of associations with certain people, is off base.
I applied for and obtained security clearances on several occasions. I remember the security clearance questionnaire asking if I had ever belonged to certain organizations. I do not remember it asking if I had ever associated with certain people.
Of course, a clearance at any high level normally requires a background investigation, which would disclose any questionable matters.ÂFew people would be able to get a security clearance if mere association with certain people were enough to disqualify.
It is also noteworthy that Sen. McCain has said on several recent occasions that Sen. Obama is a loyal and patriotic American.
The two candidates have differences in policy. Each has questioned the other's judgment. Mr. McCain has said that attacks on Mr. Obama's patriotism are out of line.
Of course, the government is under no obligation to grant anyone a security clearance; it grants clearances only if the person needs to perform work that requires the clearance.
No doubt all U.S. senators and congressmen, including Mr. Obama, have security clearances, probably at a very high level. Their work requires access to classified information.
William Collins
Aiken, S.C.
Comments
My guess is that Senators are allowed exceptions that the average citizen is not. Organizations do matter but Barack Obama's membership in the New Party was either hidden or ignored. Robert Byrd's membership in the KKK was either hidden for a time or ignored. President McCain was just being gracious, a trait that Obama will hopefully develop over the next four years.
Politicians ARE given exceptions. No Senator or President has EVER been denied a clearance, because it is automatic with the job. Obama would not be able to obtain a clearance through the normal means. I have gotten calls from numerous friends and acquaintances from MANY years back, wanting to know why the FBI was questioning them about me, so the DO, in fact, look into your associations, even though Mr Collins doesn't remember anyone asking about it.
Just can't accept the fact that Obama hasn't done anything wrong, and that now matter how much you try, you can't fabricate a lie that sticks, eh, Republicans?
If Cynthia (the cutest little commie in Congress) could get clearance, ANY ELECTED OFFICIAL can get clearance.
Elected politicians set the guidelines that determine security clearance. Would they exclude themselves under any circumstances?
Great comment GaC. It has your usual amount of thought behind it.
GAC...I didn't say he has done anything wrong. The LTE deals with security clearances, which if he were to try to get under normal means, he would be denied based on his associations. What lie did I tell?
It's called a waiver! And, under normal clearance procedures, Sen. Obama would be denied, end of story!
It's relatively easy to keep somebody from spilling the beans when they are under 24/7 protection and surveillance. In the normal world, especially in DoD, he would have no chance at all of being given a full-access badge.
That Obama has "associations" that would deny him clearance. This isn't the McCarthy era, after all.
Mr. Collins, please don't try to make a rational statement to the fringe element of the right-wing. They prefer to live in ignorance. Only those who continue to believe Obama is a Muslim, not a citizen, and is a terrorist, continue to believe this falsehood as well. Thank goodness they are only a minute fringe!
I see the clearance experts, gac, justurd and shivass have graced us with their presence and BS drivel!
RA, I suspect you and GaC are both manifestations of multi-man. Ya'll write just alike and come across as mental twins. The way you support each other seems almost incestuous.
I agree with shivas. Collins shouldn't try to make a rational statement. He doesn't seem to be qualified.
If Cynthia (the cutest little commie in Congress) could get clearance, ANY ELECTED OFFICIAL can get clearance.
Posted by 55 F-100 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 6:20 AM .......................................................That's true but you got to remember that she proved repeatedly that she was no intelligence threat.
Pattyy, unlike yourself,it's very apparent that GAC does spend time thinking
Posted by Retired Army on Fri Oct 31, 2008 6:44 AM ................................Yeah, but in coppers case it is time wasted.
Justus, You are showing us what is in your mind. You think only in terms of the color of a person's skin. Most Whites have long since moved on from that (if they were ever even concerned with it). This is the problem of listening to hateful sermons about "evil white people" - it tends to stick in the minds of the hearer. Obama heard this stuff for 20 years - do you think he will act on these beliefs or truly be color blind or will he assume evil white people are everywhere, seeking to keep him down?
TODAYS HEADLINE "Senior Obama campaign advisers disclose urgency to lower unrealistic hopes of change in face of economic crisis". The Obama Lemmings have followed the Pied Piper and now will have their great expectations of hope and change crushed. They followed the Pied Obama to the river, and like the rats were drowned when Barry could not deliver on his promises. You HOPED for CHANGE and he will let you down, his advisors are already planning on it. That should send a message loud and clear that he pulled the bait and switch on you.
JIC,RE: 7:21 Maybe Obama feels guilty about his whiteness, which is 10 times more than his blackness. He must be in turmoil with his own mind. Maybe they should have him and Micheal Jackson switch heads or bodies, whichever is easier. HAHAHAHAHA
Don't Blame Me...I Voted For McCain !!!!!!
Hey Justus....they hire the most qualified......that is probably a concept you do not understand.
GAC....McCarthy? Have you ever gotten a security clearance? What I and the others here are telling you is that your associations are looked into quite extensively when you get a clearance. Whether you like it or not, it is simply a fact. Obama would be denied a clearance under normal circumstances. Again....what lie did I tell, or are YOU trying to fabricate one that sticks?
I still would like Justus4 to answer the question, "don't you believe that a person should be hired/promoted/accepted to college based solely on their qualifications, and that race should not be a factor?"
Change/hope, hope/change and change you can believe in. Rhetoric, catchy phrase and nothing of substance. Yes, the blind, gullible and clueless dims continue to be blind, gullible and clueless. Their leader has lead them down the path, made them drink the kool-aid and is leaving them out in the cold. Dims can 'hope' for 'change' but they better 'change' their 'hope' because no 'change' they can believe in. It's going to be a bumpy ride so you better hold on.
RJH, I Googled the Headline you quoted. It came up on Fox, the right wing propaganda machine. Try watching some different channels where the news really is news. They have a motto at Fox, "Everything good came from the Republicans. everything bad came from the Democrats". Biased much?
Well, I can tell you that my husband and I have been questioned about a neighbor, one who lived in the next block, one who was a long term neighbor but whom we didn't know all of that well. We were asked about his family life, problems with children, the whole gamut of questions.
That is because the other networks are all in the tank for Barry. NBC is pretty much the Obama headquarters. Obama and his staff have cut off all media types who pose tough questions that his campaign does not want to answer (ie. the station and lady interviewer in Florida). Fox is the only network that will bring out the truth, look at the statistics of 59% negative coverage for McCain and only about 28% for Obama. That should speak truths that the media is in his corner, the media and academians are historically left leaning liberals just like BO.
BigCofAiken.....claiming that "Everything good came from the Republicans. everything bad came from the Democrats" is a motto at Fox? Biased much?
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