NOVATOWNHALL

I heard something on the radio today that reminded me of a post I wanted to write at the beginning of the year.  It seems very appropriate now.

This is a water and oil issue-the two just don’t mix and I will explain why.  We elect politicians to the Congress and Presidency.  These people are then priviledged  to receive classified information at just about all levels without ever going thru a background check, polygraph or being cleared which entails these procedures.  Some of this information is “burn-your-eyes-out” classified yet they are allowed access.  Why?

There are committees, sub-committees and Congress as a whole that are briefed on a regular basis with national security information so that “intelligent” responses and actions can be made.  Sometimes it goes as far as briefing staffers first.  Short history.  A staffer is someone appointed by an elected official who is NOT accountable to the citizens of the U.S. since they are not elected.  Staffers are used often as the frontline on issues and can carry a “yea” or “nay” vote before it even reaches a member of Congress.  These people-some don’t even shave more than twice a week-are the ones running Congress on a daily basis and give “insight, opinion and information” to congressional members for  how to proceed with issues.  Why?

We have shown over the decades how secrets have been disseminated to the news media.  That’s called a leak.  Clinton was good for that and those staffers were getting information without being able to obtain clearances.  “Loose Lips Sink Ships” and “The Walls Have Ears” are not just watch phrases for times of war.  It is a 24/7 way of dealing with secrets.  When someone obtains the PRIVILEDGE  of a security clearance there is a little paragraph about penalties before you must sign.  In that paragraph is a line that says the maximum penalty for a violation includes death.  Really makes you think about what you are getting into.  I surely take it seriously.

Here is the issue: Who are these people that are privy to classified information and can they be trusted?

Here is the solution:  We, as the American people, amend the qualifications to include “being able to pass a polygraph test and security background check and obtaining a security clearance”.  It takes as long as one and one half years sometimes to gain clearance.  It would keep some people out of the government who should not be there IN THE FIRST PLACE!  We know that the only secrets some congressional members can keep are those about themselves or others where prosecution and imprisonment would result.  Security is everyone’s business and this would be considered a gaping hole in ours.  I suggest we plug it.