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At Large
Obama Couldn’t Be Cleared
In matters of security clearance, past associations often can mean the end of the process rather than just the beginning.
The lowest-ranking enlisted persons in the Armed Forces of the United States who are expected to handle sensitive matters in the scores of jobs involving classified equipment or written material must be investigated before obtaining their security clearance. Could Barack Obama gain such a clearance?
To begin, the clearance applicant would have to complete a detailed personal history form that includes, if necessary, government access to all health and education files. This is the starting point of all security investigations. Top Secret clearance involves a field investigation rather than the Secret version that is usually limited to a “name check” that is a basic police and public information file review. For the TS clearance an investigator will visit the home neighborhoods and work place sites of the applicant in search of supportive and/or derogatory references.
If the clearance is extended further into the handling of information of such importance that it requires a compartmented distribution, the field and document investigation is pursued with considerable vigor over a lengthy period of time. Nuclear and other sensitive technical or political matters fall into this category.
In all cases, whether on the lower level or up to the most sensitive intelligence, the background of the applicant’s personal and business involvement forms the nucleus of the initial phase of the investigation. The people with whom the applicant associates lead the investigator to personal connections and matters relative to the individual’s character, beliefs and past acts appropriate to matters of security.
Eligibility for clearance at all levels is directly influenced by the people with whom one associates. Yes, who your friends are and have been does count — a great deal. This is true, of course, in many types of police investigations where suspicion is adequate reason for further inquiry. In matters of security clearance, past associations often can mean the end of the process rather than just the beginning.
Considering Barack Obama as a candidate for a top secret security clearance status with a full array of compartmented clearances, one has to be cognizant of the fact that there is considerable evidence of associations and even assistance from individuals with past criminal records or who have expressed anti-American beliefs. Obviously admitted domestic terrorists William Ayers and his wife Bernadine Dohrn, as well as recently convicted felon, Antoin “Tony” Rezko, fall into this category.
There is no possibility that a Top Secret clearance would be awarded to a member of the Armed Forces whose background included such associations. An intelligence service clearance for the handling of highly classified material would be totally out of the question.
IF THERE IS SOME hesitancy to accept that Barack Obama’s associations would have precluded his obtaining a TS clearance with compartmented information access, it should be realized he would have had to pass both a polygraph test and a personal psychological evaluation. What are the chances of his being willing to take these tests, to say nothing of his passing, in light of his refusal even to make his educational records available?
It may be deemed unfair, but a child of an American mother and a foreign-born non-U.S. citizen father always receives additional scrutiny. So does the fact that questions have arisen concerning the source of funding for Obama’s law school education. According to a well-researched article by Kenneth Timmerman (Newsmax), Obama was assisted financially by Khalid al-Mansour through the latter’s rich Saudi contacts. Mansour has been referred to as a “Black Nationalist and a Black Muslim” who was a mentor to the founders of the radical Black Panther Party of the 1960s.
All of these matters would have arisen in a normal security clearance. The harsh truth is that the United States is willing to accept presidential candidates like Barack H. Obama who could never gain a Top Secret clearance if he was simply a U.S. Army enlisted man. And yet Obama wants to be Commander-in-Chief. Something is wrong here!
About the Author
George H. Wittman writes a weekly column on international affairs for The American Spectator online. He was the founding chairman of the National Institute for Public Policy.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (86) | Leave a comment
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Catherine Alling| 10.17.08 @ 2:32PM
Amen! Mr. Wittman's article raises the very questions that the MSM should have done a long time ago.
It galls me that Barack Obama can become commander in chief when his questionable associations exclude him from obtaining a security clearance for the very same military he would command!
Fred| 12.29.10 @ 2:53PM
More here: http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/security.asp
termlimits| 10.17.08 @ 2:41PM
Thank you for getting this info out. MSM has done all they can to smother these issues about Obama and his questionable ties to Jihadist, Racist, and far left politicians. If Obama gets in the WH he will have access to our most secret information including Nuke Codes. This is a disaster that puts us all in peril. Your 401k will mean nothing if Iran and Hamas set off a Nuke over Denver. Buy a Bike and plenty of ammo while you can. If you have not heard about Holy Land Foundation, CAIR, Odinga, and ties to Obama then you might want to Google the above before you vote to cut your own throat. I can't spell it out for you because of secrecy agreements but I can point you in the right direction. Also see Robert Spencer on NRO.
blinded| 10.17.08 @ 4:13PM
Guys c'mon. Let's get serious eh?
Don Miguel| 10.17.08 @ 4:54PM
As one who had to get TS clearance back in the early 80's and knowing firsthand the detailed investigation that it entails, I can guarantee you that Obama could not have gotten one with his background and associations. It wouldn't surprise me if he would fail even to get a basic Security clearance.
keith| 10.17.08 @ 5:09PM
aloha, it doesnt matter what BO back ground was or is. if he is elected he can change it to suit him or do you think "they" wont allow him to gain access to info if he becomes President
Marc Boyd | 10.17.08 @ 6:20PM
This is a topic I have wondered about frequently in the last few weeks. John McCain had, or has at least a Secret clearance. Probably Top Secret.
How will they handle Obama if he wins? It would be against the law as it stands to allow him access to even Confidential level information.
I had a Secret clearance in 1968 to work on classified weapons systems. I went through a very thorough background investigation including the interviews of all of my neighbors and even childhood friends and some of my teachers. My employers were also interviewed. From what I saw back then, they treated the Secret and Top Secret background checks the same.
pxg| 10.17.08 @ 8:35PM
I think all of this is a bunch of BS/. I think that all of this is trumped up for MANY reasons and that if you actually looked at his background, this crap would amount to nothing. Why isn't Ayers in prison now if he is such a BAD man?? I think you l are unable to see past things and really look into things for yourself to find out the truth. The writer of this article puts the question out there - could he pass the security clearance? And you all take it to be absolute truth. Hilarious. We don't know that his associations would exclude him from becoming president. Do you have any idea how corrupt our sitting President is? How corrupt the whole government is? Get real. Something is VERY RIGHT about Barack Obama and you are ALL missing the boat, except for the responder "blinded." Have you all REALLY looked at your likely subconcious racism? I 'd say you all are very fishy here, not Barack.
Bobby | 10.17.08 @ 9:20PM
Hell (and I know what I am talking about), he could probably not get even asecret security clearance. Be of good cheer, those who fear a marxist takeover, the election will turn out much better than the 'media"" would want you to think ...
"Television is called a medium because nothing is well done": Fred Allen
Lucile| 10.17.08 @ 9:50PM
Obama is a radical in a web of far left radicals. He's a Guideline E, Personal Conduct, nightmare. He's all Disqualifying Conditions and No Mitigating Conditions. Clearance is Denied. Signed DOHA Adminstrative Judge Lucile.
Lucile| 10.17.08 @ 9:59PM
Obama also posseses Disqualifying Conditions for: Guideline A, Allegience to the United States; Guideline B, Foreign Influence; Guideline C, Foreign Preference.
David| 10.17.08 @ 10:18PM
First off, the President does not require any sort of security clearance, so this entire point is moot. He is implicitly trusted with information.
Second, as a United States Senator and in particular as a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Obama is ALREADY privy to a significant amount of classified information. Indeed, Members of Congress are not subject to Title 50, Chapter 15, Subchapter VI of the United States Code, which lays out the rules for security clearance. To quote from that subchapter, "Except as otherwise specifically provided, the provisions of this subchapter shall not apply to the President and Vice President, Members of the Congress, Justices of the Supreme Court, and Federal judges appointed by the President."
In fact, whenever the Director of Central Intelligence authorizes an agency to store classified information, he must submit a report on the authorization, including a description of the classified information, to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Third, this entire assertion is ridiculous. There is no way he would get denied any security clearance on the basis of serving on a board with a person who committed a crime thirty years previously.
Habu| 10.18.08 @ 1:07AM
I worked for the CIA in the 1970's and 1980's. Above TS there are actually several clearances. I had them all. In those days Obama would not have been let inside the buildimg for the free tour of the first floor,open to almost everone. He is a stinch in the nostrils of our republic.
Habu| 10.18.08 @ 1:16AM
David, No one is saying he won't get the clearances, of course he will. Bendict Arnold participated in many battles for the Continental Army and for a time Aldrich Ames and Robert Hanssen had above TS clearances. But they turned to undermining the USA, spying for the Soviets. Obama simply has a huge head start on them.
If you are attempting to scrub the slime off of Obama you'll need more elbow grease, industrial strenght.
John| 10.18.08 @ 12:20PM
Let's not forget that Obama can not, or will not, even produce a real birth certificate. He's only produced a certification of birth that was printed off a laser printer by a clerk in Hawaii relatively recently. I could probably buy one of those.
Let's see a real birth certificate, Barack!
E.Patrick Mosman| 10.18.08 @ 2:20PM
Ref A. The United States Personnel Reliability Program (PRP) for Nuclear Weapons. (DODD 5210.42 Nuclear Weapon Personnel Reliability Program (PRP)
It is still the age of Nuclear Weapons and presidential candidate Barack Obama wishes to have command of the largest nuclear arsenal in the world.
Considering pre-service use of cocaine automatically disqualifies a service member from access to or control of nuclear weapons-- it is a sign of the times and a great irony that the American people, would even consider voting into the Office of President and Commander and Chief, any individual who would not be permitted into the United States Personnel Reliability Program (PRP) for Nuclear Weapons -- because of cocaine use.
It is acknowledged the president is not be subject to these regulations. But that is a specious argument, one defying common sense, when reliability of all concerned is the objective. The American people should demand more, not less, from its presidents.
Not surprising however that the character aspects of some presidential candidates are ignored or excused. It takes only the consideration that half the country is overlooking communist sympathizer Frank Marshall Davis; noted communist "community organizer" Saul Alinsky; and Weather Underground leader and unrepentant terrorist bomber Bill Ayers -- as significant influences on Barack Obama's mindset.
My brother, a retired Naval officer who has served with nuclear weapons duties on four certified nuclear capable ships; and commanded one of them -- is throughly familiar with the national laws and Department of Defense regulations with respect to the personnel assigned duties with Nuclear Weapons. He advised that the DOD instructions are detailed and include the following:
"It is DoD policy that:
1. The Department of Defense shall support the national security of the United States by maintaining an effective nuclear deterrent while protecting the public health, safety, and environment. For that reason, nuclear-weapons require special consideration because of their policy implications and military importance, their destructive power, and the political consequences of an accident or an unauthorized act. The safety, security, control, and effectiveness of nuclear weapons are of paramount importance to the security of the United States.......
"Only those personnelwho have demonstrated the highest degree of individual reliability for allegiance, trustworthiness, conduct, behavior, and responsibility shall be allowed to perform duties associated with nuclear weapons, and they shall be continuously evaluated for adherence to PRP standards......
"illicit drugs such as heroin, heroin derivatives, cocaine, "crack," phencyclidine (PCP), lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), ecstasy," or other "designer" drugs, amphetamines, barbiturates, or other narcotic drugs not prescribed by proper medical authorities, and anabolic steroids shall render an individual ineligible for admission to or retention in PRP duties. The individual shall not be certified into the program or shall be permanently decertified, and those actions shall be made a matter of permanent record........" (DODD 5210.42 Nuclear Weapons Personnel Reliability Program (PRP). Obama is unfit for command
Catherine| 10.18.08 @ 4:19PM
pxg:
There you go again, pulling the "RACISM!" card. Yawn. I couldn't care less.
Ayers' case was dismissed because of prosecutorial misconduct - a technicality. Nevertheless, on Sept. 11, 2001, Ayers went on record to say that he is not sorry for his bombings, and that he did not "do enough". He is unrepentant.
Obama has poor judgment. I noticed at the Dem. Convention he had no one from his past to speak for him. Just his wife. No old friends, family, to stand there and say, "I knew Barack when..." None. Why?
He had to throw them all under the bus or distance himself from them. Ayers. Rezko. Wright. Pfleger. Khalid al Mansour... and who knows who else?
Why is his college thesis unavailable? Why no writings from when he was President of the Harvard Law Review? Where is this man's trail?
Bruce Hess| 10.19.08 @ 1:20AM
Interesting article
Bruce Hess| 10.19.08 @ 1:30AM
Very interesting article. Send this to your friends who are telling you they are voting for Obama.
Bruce| 10.19.08 @ 1:34AM
Tammy,
Send this article to Cindy and Nikki so that they can get a think about Obama in a way that they may not have considered before. This is a very correct article.
brownaround| 10.19.08 @ 3:44PM
Ummm, G. Gordon Liddy, Charles Keating, Rick Davis, William Timmons, now McCain's working with a group of campaign managers that slandered his daughter in 2000 for Bush votes....?! Forget his daughter's feelings, "Country First," right?! Good ole conservative family values at work there! Oh yes, lest we forget, McCain left his first wife after she became crippled for a younger heiress that could finance his political career...... You right wingers are drones! You have no idea and are grasping at straws. Obama is a well respected American Citizen and he's been in the Senate for over a dozen years. Get a clue, people!
TriciaNC| 10.19.08 @ 5:12PM
When I say Obama, you say Ayers.
Need I say more?
Yes....Obama! Ayers! Klonsky! Rev. Wright! Farrakhan! Dorhn!
Kathy| 10.19.08 @ 6:08PM
It galls me to know that my military daughter (12 years) has to go through the whole nine yards to get her security clearance, and "that one" will get it with his questionable background. It makes one wonder just what the people like my daughter are sacrificing their lives for. Considering too, that he has never been in the military or served his country, yet he may command it. God help us and this once great country.
Poot| 10.19.08 @ 6:51PM
Just one problem... this is a total straw man set up by the author. Most likely his past associations would IN NO WAY exclude him from getting a security clearance. Not to mention, exactly WHAT is a "security clearance?" There's are confidential all the way to NATO top secret, and different reqirements for different levels, including "need to know." This is just stupid, and the author is clearly clueless, just throwing out one more hypothetical situation based on a straman. One thing for sure, crazy ol' John has had a clearance just because he was a Naval officer... if he can get one, nutcase that he is, then I'm pretty sure Obama can get one. That is, of course, if he doesn't already have on.
pcnav| 10.19.08 @ 8:09PM
Poot. Actually the "nutcase" claim is the strawman here. The article intends to make people think. And it is true that if Obama was investigated he would not be granted a clearance. That is why people need to say to themselves "can I elect this unknown?"
Truth| 10.19.08 @ 10:17PM
Yes, Obama would get a security clearance as president. But if he were applying for a job in the Pentagon, with a government contractor, for the FBI or CIA he would NOT get clearance. I've had family and friends go through checks, and it's not fun. One coworker had someone call up her 1st grade teacher and her high school friends were questioned. They look at not only your past record, but the past record of your friends. One of my friends did not get clearance because his roommate of a month was on a post 9-11 watchlist.
The point of the author was not "Will Obama get a clearance?" but "Should Obama get a clearance and do we know enough about him to trust him with all this top secret information?"
MRT| 10.19.08 @ 11:23PM
Just more evidence that the man is not qualified to be the President of the United States.
DrBlaine| 10.20.08 @ 12:47AM
Really, what planet are you people from? At what point do you wake up and realize "gee I guess I really am a small-minded fear-mongering has-been who spends his time howling at the moon." Wake up, you're part of the old america, you're under-skilled, and under-evolved. You're inability to adapt has proven you a loser in the global economy, and now you're pissed because you're riding in the backseat of a new america which is frankly pissed that we have to carry the dead weight of your god-calling obese ass.
Dr. Mark Blaine Stanford University Stanford Linear Accelerator
ps -- Palin? What a liability.
Ginny| 4.18.10 @ 2:37PM
Hey Dr. Blaine - Standford University Stanford Linear Accelerator - Do me a favor Mr. Bright well-educated person - when you type the word "america" would you please have enough sense to Capitalize it? That's "America" - Also, Mr. well-educated name-calling sneering elitist - "You're inability " should actually read "Your inability" - no contraction there pal..Geez they sure don't teach you much there, do they? You are scary....I hope none none of us tax paying people helped pay for your education.
Catherine| 10.20.08 @ 1:20AM
Don't you just love these bloviating pontificators from radical universities?
Ivory tower elitists who actually think they are "part of America"?
I can't wait for Obama to lose, so bubbleheads like Blaine will turn in bewilderment to his colleagues and say, "How did McCain win? I don't know anyone who voted for him!"
Drew| 10.20.08 @ 1:58AM
You could make the same argument against the other side although it would still be stupid and pointless which tell you absolutely nothing about one's ability to govern. Sarah Palin's husband's membership in a party that advocates secession would cause similar clearance problems.
Jim| 10.20.08 @ 8:36AM
I agree. I had to go through 2 years of background investigation. Obama could never be cleared!
http://www.obamaunveiled.com
Corey Mondello | 10.21.08 @ 6:22AM
No person within the US political circle should be cleared of any law. The US government has always had "relations" with "terrorists" and "questionable" people. As long as these "evil" people do what they are told, the USA will support them. Why do you think the USA has over 700 military bases in over 100 countries across the face of the earth? I'll give you a hint: It is NOT because the US government cares or wants to spread democracy, end oppression, help the needy or even help give themselves a better reputation and image. Corey Mondello Boston, Massachusetts www.CoreyMondello.com p.s. X-"friends" of the US government who were supported economically and with military power in the past that eventually were labeled "terrorists" by the US government: Osama Bin Laden Saddam Hussein Hitler, (ask George W. Bush's grand dad about this) Just do your research and you will realize that it is the US government, (NOT the people of America, We the People) who are the terrorists of the world). We the People, a country For the People, By the People and Of the People, are NOT what the American people have. Just ask the family and friends of the 4000 plus dead Troops from the current disaster in the Middle East, and the thousands of homeless Veterans since the Vietnam War, how much the US government cares about them. The US Government doesn't! Get a clue Americans....you are disposable!
Hankmeister| 10.21.08 @ 10:14AM
Blinded, we are getting serious ... how about you? Why is it Obamatons refuse to see their messiah has no clothes? Here's the most inexperienced, unaccomplished man to ever run for President and in all likelihood he couldn't even get security clearance to access the most basic top secret material much less the most sensitive information. If it turns out Obama, in coordination with the left-wing Democrats in Congress, begins a campaign to muzzle his political critics vis a vis a warped "Fairness Doctrine", then I say welcome to the velvet gulag of the People's Republik of Amerika. But of course liberals will think they're living in utopia with their messiah leading them to ever greater victories over the unwashed masses ... us.
stphdys| 10.21.08 @ 12:35PM
Your an Idot if you would have these people reading this site that the Security Clearaance for the President of the United States is less than an enlisted man. YOur a fool. You people thanking this man for getting this info out to you can easily chech the Clerance requirements. I don't believe this, and you people eat it up. "Please"
Stphdys| 10.21.08 @ 12:45PM
Would some one tell me what would prevent him from obtaining a clearance. Please show cause and site an individual case that is remotely similar to what you think you know about Obama. I have only read opinions with out any supporting documentation. I have had several Security Clearance while in the service and would like you to show-once again legal cause.
Catherine| 10.21.08 @ 1:20PM
stphdys:
Please write in English.
KB| 10.21.08 @ 1:54PM
A 22 year old told me they would vote for Obama because they can't stand SNL's version of Palin. What a shallow reason to elect the wrong man for the job of President.
Richard Swett| 10.21.08 @ 5:16PM
Obama could never get a DOE "Q" clearance! Check out the wording on my 1996 PSQ clearance form under (b):
CLEARANCE CRITERIA STATEMENT
I understand that an initial investigation or reinvestigation will be conducted of me at the request of the DOE, the results of which will be used by the DOE to determine my initial or continuing eligibility for access authorization (security clearance). Further, I understand that the following types of information, as listed under Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations,
(Part 710 (specifically, Section 710.8), “Criteria and Procedures for Determining Eligibility for Access to Classified matter or Special Nuclear Material.”* may raise a doubt as to eligibility for DOE access authorization.
Derogatory information shall include, but is not limited to, information that the individual has:
(a) Committed, prepared, or attempted to commit, or aided, abetted, or conspired with another to commit any act of sabotage, espionage, treason, terrorism, or sedition.
(b) Knowingly established or continued a sympathetic association with a saboteur, spy, traitor, terrorist, seditionist, anarchist, or revolutionist, espionage agent, or representative of a foreign nation whose interests are inimical to the interests of the United States, its territories or possessions, or with any person advocating the use of force or violence to overthrow the Government of the United States or any state or subdivision thereof by unconstitutional means.
(c) Knowingly ---------
cleared?| 7.26.10 @ 8:51PM
You're an idiot, do you realize you're most likely breaking the law by posting literature from your clearance form? Ha, maybe Obama couldn't get one, but you obviously SHOULDN'T have gotten one. What a joke.
ANGEL| 10.22.08 @ 8:58PM
TO WORK FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF US YOU NEED A CLEARANCE PEOPLE KNOW YOUR LAW
Dave| 10.24.08 @ 10:10PM
Too much of the scrutiny and complaint about Obama are motivated by thinly veiled racism,fear of the sound of his name (African,Middle Easter,etc.), as well as a whole series of moot and inconsequential points that ought to be relegated to the dustbins of history. Who doesn't sin? Who doesn't make mistakes? Who doesn't participate (and learn from) youthful indiscretions?
No birth certificate? An unserious accusation from either the dumbest or smartest guy in the US of A.
"that one" Oh comeon McCain! Not humorous,respectful or thoughtful
Are we to believe that our sitting Senators and Congresspeople serve in these positions without adequate security clearance? I have no doubt that our imperfect system of public elections,a free press,and governmental election rules would make this question weirdly hypothetical.
A reference to liberals as pontificating bloviators? This from a worshipper of the unholy trinity named
Limbaugh,Hannity,and most shamefully Ann Coulter.
Obama and Michelle act presidentially as did John and Jackie Kennedy. They inspire. Biden :years of leading and living by example.
McCain and Cindy remind me of Richy Rich the poor little rich boy. Palin? Where in the world would I start?
I do believe McCain is a good solid man,leader,citizen,and politician. I also believe the far right of his party have coopted and corrupted the man,his ideas,and his campaign.
This campaign has exhausted and exhilarated me. And lots of us I suppose. Wish it wasn't so nasty,and I have tried hard not to be nasty.
Mostly I like to see the political pendulum swing. This great country does best with the constant infusion of new blood,new ideas,newknowledge,and new dreams.
bolene| 10.29.08 @ 1:15PM
I know of a person in the military that received a security clearance after being rejected on the 1st. try, this happened in the early 60's . This happened due to his being sent for sensitive training prior to the rejection being received. This person wasn't even an American citizen, so there is always a back way into the clearence if needed.
Dayton W Herrington| 10.30.08 @ 11:33AM
From Dayton: ok, allready... just who is doing what to solve the bottom line of all of this?? Is BO
cleared, or will he be cleared to hear or read any
items that are TS, or above that is coming across
or that will come across his desk after November 4....
Dayton W Herrington| 10.30.08 @ 11:38AM
From Dayton: After thirty years, the last rank on my uniform was LTC and I assure you it is not easy to be issued a TS Clearence.
RJ Smith| 10.31.08 @ 3:55PM
I just retired from the Air National Guard and had a Secret clearance, yet I could not even enter the flight line of my unit's own planes were parked unless I was with someone who had a higher security - and I was the highest ranking enlisted person in my unit. I was also in law enforcement and retired as a police chief. If I had associated with similar people at the time I applied for the job - and I know the FBI has more stringent standards - I wouldn't have gotten hired.
Joe Browne| 11.2.08 @ 11:31PM
There is nothing wrong with questioning who will be President. Chicago has a seedy enough image and many really have not read about Obama's Marxist mother, Ayers, or the others Obama gets his support from - like TOM HAYDEN who was the head of the former youth arm of the Communist Party - the infamous SDS - and is now in Progressives for Obama.
And if there are college professors (ivory tower condescending types) who have not studied Communism - when their own students are sometimes from places like South Vietnam - they are totally UNeducated. Get out a book. Even I have relatives who had to flee Venezuela. Read about Hemingway in Cuba and how his secretary had a difficult time getting his personal possessions out of there. Personal possessions are not allowed....!
Professors who do not even read are a shame to this country.
Joe Browne| 11.3.08 @ 12:04AM
The point I meant to make is that the people of the United States trust John McCain - in part because of his military background - but also, because they do not see the "red" flags surrounding him that surround Obama.
And, again, when we have citizens who have fled Communist countries for our shores, should we not expect our own President to be true to the form of government we most desire?
Many are not so sure that Obama knows where his loyalties lie. And, for our Democrats to defend him when they do not TRULY know him, either, is what we have come to expect from Democrats.
They defend illegals and many illegals come from a country so corrupt that we should not even accept LEGAL immigrants from there - a land where payoffs to police are so common that any LEGAL immigrant could be a murderer - easily.
Jim | 11.3.08 @ 5:50PM
pxg:
Take a look at what pxg posted, folks. Here is the typical moron who thinks that calling everyone who disagrees with his sick, ignorant politics "racists" wins him an arguement. Thank you for the example, sir.
Rocco| 11.3.08 @ 6:05PM
Dr. Blaine,
What exactly gives you a monopoly on the definition of the so-called "new America?" The fact that you're an empty, hollowed out shell who never contributed anything, left clinging to your doctorate in the night, terrified you might never fully convince yourself that you have something to offer because deep down inside you know you're a pathetic turd who never really did? Or is it just that you suddenly understand how angry you really are that your opinion has no value and that nobody cares what you think?
Chris| 11.3.08 @ 9:17PM
It doesn't matter at all... he will win and he will get briefed on all our secrets, period!
This Woman's Opinion| 11.5.08 @ 1:56PM
November 4th, Was a landslide victory for the Democrates making Obama the 44th President of the United States of America.
Today 11/05/2008 Barack Obama will begin receiving highly classified briefings from top intelligence officials Thursday, as the rush of his campaign gives way to intensive preparations to take over as commander in chief and build a Democratic administration.
The topic that Obama wouldn't be cleared is a LIE that has been debunked numerous of times. SNOPES is the one that I find that gives the best explaination:
http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/security.asp
Something else that should be included is the following. Secuirty Clearances are run on both candidates as soon as they were elected their parties candidates. This means the Secret Service, FBI, CIA and Home Land Security started to investigate both candidates and nothing was found.
Since the party in power is the Republicans who would benefit from exposing what you feel is Obama's security issues what does it mean that nothing was reported?
Because your so call facts did not qualify as security risks therefore your article has been debunked by the very people who's job is to perform these security checks.
Billy| 11.5.08 @ 10:32PM
The author does not know what he's talking about. I have experience with the subject as I provide surveillance systems to military bases. P.S. GW Bush couldn't be cleared if he started over right now due to his aquaintance with numerous felons (Abramoff/Libby, etc.)over the last 8 years.
VR| 11.6.08 @ 5:15PM
Obama VS Ignorance. These so called Christians should be ashamed! You lie and slander... you
make me ashamed to be an American. There are
other countries, you know. You people need to
seriously grow up. I agree with Billy. Obama
will spend a long time cleaning up a big pile of
shit from the Bush Administration.
Douglas| 11.6.08 @ 11:38PM
November 4th was a "landslide"??? What are you smoking? McCain got 46% of the vote.
gary | 11.7.08 @ 1:01AM
Let's not forget the other two crooks that occupied the White House --Bill and Hillary--they would have been thrown out of the security clearance process immediately. I held a Top Secret SBI clearance that required polygraph testing-for initial SBI clearance my employment as a Intel Operative depended on keeping my clearance--polygraph every 5 years or every time you left the country regardless if it was business or pleasure. This fraud that the socialist left will be calling Mr President would not and could not pass even a basic confidential clearance and now he will be able to look at and discuss the highest levels of classified information--with no clearance--the people that voted this person into the highest office of the land have no concept of what they have just done..
Kevin| 11.7.08 @ 2:13PM
What a silly article.
Could McCain get a security clearance, being 'good friends' with G. Gordon Liddy, an ex-con who helped lead the country into the Constitutional crisis surrounding Watergate and who has advised listener's to his radio program to "go for a head shot" at federal law enforcement?"
... hmmm ...
When someone writes and treats you like a sheep, resist the urge to be a sheep.
Whether it be a writer, a national pundit, a politician or even President-Elect Obama himself resist the urge to follow along blindly.
srt| 11.10.08 @ 4:06AM
I am a military veteran of the USAF's Strategic Air Command (SAC) and a retired civilian law enforcement official. I possessed security clearances for work involving nuclear weapons, including as a participant in the PRP, and I conducted law enforcement background investigations and served on hiring boards. I assure you someone of Obama's background, not the least of which is the fact he is an admitted cocaine user - in other words, a felon - would not have passed the entrance requirements to serve in the USAF at all, let alone to receive security clearances. He also could not be hired as a civilian law enforcement officer for the same reason. Again, this is because of his admitted felonious drug possession and use, not because of the many questions about his origins and past associations. Yet this man will be the highest law enforcement officer in the land, and the commander in chief of all US armed forces.
This is truly a sad time for America.
tom| 11.12.08 @ 3:02PM
This is stupid, the guy is already participating in classified meetings.
Dean M.| 11.19.08 @ 11:00PM
Sorry to have to disagree with the thesis of this article. It depends on the mission. The Intel agencies will use whomever and whenever and will get the needed clearance for the job.
Everything is based on "need to know." And if you need someone with a certain background to go into a situation your normally "clean background" folks can't get into, you recruit who you need for the job.
Personally, I believe Obama has already worked or the CIA. He did it in his younger years. (He worked openly for an organization thought to be a CIA front in New York that has since been taken over by the Brits.)
Why do you think nothing about his background is known? His birth certificate, his school records, his medical records? Why won't any mainstream Media report on this, including FOX? Obama can't do this by himself. He has great government and Media cooperation. He is obviously holding something over the head of those "in the know."
Figure it out, folks. The problem with Obama is he has worked for "the Company" and is holding something over the government's head to keep his true origins hidden from public scrutiny.
I think those "in the know" are in a pickle. They didn't expected him to get this far in Presidential politics.
Also, there is a problem with intelligence agents if they go too far in self-identification with a target country or entity. "Transference" may take place and one's loyalty change. One may become a "citizen of the world" because the tactics used in the clandistine world begin to seem to narrow or too selfish and dark.
Is something sinister is going on behind the scenes and are we being served koolaid by the government and the press?
The compartmentalized security clearance stuff that this article refers to is for technicians and regular routine types. At higher levels, especially when it comes to human intelligence, it is a different ball game. Don't kid yourself. Obama has been around the block and has had the needed clearances for what was required at the time.
The question is, where does he stand now? What is he doing? Where is all his money coming from? What are his foreign connections? Is he truly a natural born citizen? Is he using his classified status to conceal this and pull a fast one? If so, why? Why didn't he wait until he paid his dues in the Senate and run when he had more time and experience under his belt? What's the rush? Why did he have to ace out Hillary? Why are Hillary Clinton and John McCain and even President Bush showing so much defference to Obama at this time? What is really going on?
Henry Tisdale| 11.2.09 @ 12:19PM
Dean M. You're right on, and I am as scared as you are about where we are going. He still has more than 50% of us supporting him (thanks to the bought and paid for MSM). We are approaching an era where the "New World Order", if ratified by the Senate replaces America as World Wide Headquarters. We dummies will be controlled by Islam, as are Sweden, Spain, France is almost there, Germany and England both in deep trouble, etc.
Pat in "L"burg| 11.29.08 @ 6:35PM
Dean M's comments read like a script from the "Borne Idenity" movie or, even "007". Having spent a career in the military I know that clearances are given on the need to know basis but, the point in this article is that Mr. Obama would not be cleared for a basic entry level access.
Have a Nice Day!!
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Henry Tisdale| 11.2.09 @ 12:10PM
If Obama was cleared to compete for the Office of President, and was not vetted at all, we have to be the dumbest, most stupid voting public in any part of this big world. The evidence, and Obama himself, are pointing to Kenya as his birthplace, rendering him a UK subject, which may have been changed when Kenya became independent. The Associated Press and another publication from Kenya entitled "Standard" both indicated in 2004 that Barack Obama was born in Kenya. The "Defend Our Freedoms Foundation" holds a certified copy of Obama's Kenyan BC. The Hawaiian Birth Registry does not show Barack Obama as being born in Hawaii. Yet here he is, perusing any and every sensitive document of our government. If we ever unseat him, he must be incarcerated for a long time to minimize the damage he can do to us in some other nation.
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Robert Laity| 3.29.10 @ 7:19AM
THIS has gone on long enough. Obama is a criminal deviant,traitor and fraud.Arrest the bastard!
http://americangrandjury.org/public/
email extractor | 12.25.10 @ 5:52AM
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Mailing Fulfilment Services | 6.13.11 @ 10:20AM
Obama really couldn't be cleared.