Revoke My Clearance Too Says Bin Laden Raid Leader

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silverscreenselect
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Revoke My Clearance Too Says Bin Laden Raid Leader

#1 Post by silverscreenselect » Thu Aug 16, 2018 3:16 pm

Admiral William McRaven, commander of the Navy Seal raid that took out Osama Bin Laden:
Dear Mr. President:

Former CIA director John Brennan, whose security clearance you revoked on Wednesday, is one of the finest public servants I have ever known. Few Americans have done more to protect this country than John. He is a man of unparalleled integrity, whose honesty and character have never been in question, except by those who don’t know him. Therefore, I would consider it an honor if you would revoke my security clearance as well, so I can add my name to the list of men and women who have spoken up against your presidency.

Like most Americans, I had hoped that when you became president, you would rise to the occasion and become the leader this great nation needs. A good leader tries to embody the best qualities of his or her organization. A good leader sets the example for others to follow. A good leader always puts the welfare of others before himself or herself.

Your leadership, however, has shown little of these qualities. Through your actions, you have embarrassed us in the eyes of our children, humiliated us on the world stage and, worst of all, divided us as a nation. If you think for a moment that your McCarthy-era tactics will suppress the voices of criticism, you are sadly mistaken. The criticism will continue until you become the leader we prayed you would be.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions ... 47fef02cdf

I have to say this for Trump. He's not trying to hide his obstruction of justice the way Nixon did. He pretty much puts it out on public display nearly every day.
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Re: Revoke My Clearance Too Says Bin Laden Raid Leader

#2 Post by jarnon » Thu Aug 16, 2018 9:49 pm

Jake Tapper wrote:12 former senior intelligence officials, Ds & Rs, write to object to POTUS stripping Brennan of security clearance as an “attempt to stifle free speech...We have never before seen the approval or removal of security clearances used as a political tool, as was done in this case”
As former senior intelligence officials, we feel compelled to respond in the wake of the ill-considered and unprecedented remarks and actions by the White House regarding the removal of John Brennan's security clearances. We know John to be an enormously talented, capable, and patriotic individual who devoted his adult life to the service of this nation. Insinuations and allegations of wrongdoing on the part of Brennan while in office are baseless. Since leaving government service John has chosen to speak out sharply regarding what he sees as threats to our national security. Some of the undersigned have done so as well. Others among us have elected to take a different course and be more circumspect in our public pronouncements. Regardless, we all agree that the president's action regarding John Brennan and the threats of similar action against other former officials has nothing to do with who should and should not hold security clearances - and everything to do with an attempt to stifle free speech. You don't have to agree with what John Brennan says (and, again, not all of us do) to agree with his right to say it, subject to his obligation to protect classified information. We have never before seen the approval or removal of security clearances used as a political tool, as was done in this case. Beyond that, this action is quite clearly a signal to other former and current officials. As individuals who have cherished and helped preserve the right of Americans to free speech - even when that right has been used to criticize us - that signal is inappropriate and deeply regrettable. Decisions on security clearances should be based on national security concerns and not political views.
William H. Webster, former Director of Central Intelligence (1987-1991)
George J. Tenet, former Director of Central Intelligence (1997- 2004)
Porter J. Goss, former Director of Central Intelligence, (2005- 2006)
General Michael V. Hayden, USAF, Ret., former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (2006-2009)
Leon E. Panetta, former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (2009-2011)
General David H. Petraeus, USA, Ret., former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (2011-2012)
James R. Clapper, former Director of National Intelligence (2010-20 17)
John E. McLaughlin, former Deputy Director of Central Intelligence (2000-2004)
Stephen R. Kappes, former Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (2006-2010)
Michael J. Morell, former Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (2010-2013)
Avril Haines, former Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (2013-2015)
David S. Cohen, former Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (2015-2017)
Well said.
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Bob Juch
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Re: Revoke My Clearance Too Says Bin Laden Raid Leader

#3 Post by Bob Juch » Fri Aug 17, 2018 6:47 am

I guess there're 14 more security clearances about to be revoked.
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Re: Revoke My Clearance Too Says Bin Laden Raid Leader

#4 Post by silverscreenselect » Fri Aug 17, 2018 7:34 am

Bob Juch wrote:I guess there're 14 more security clearances about to be revoked.
But we're in good hands as long as Jared Kushner still has his.
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Re: Revoke My Clearance Too Says Bin Laden Raid Leader

#5 Post by silverscreenselect » Fri Aug 17, 2018 9:32 am

It's not strictly on topic, but Trump cancelled his proposed Veteran's Day military parade and will attend a similar parade in France instead. My sympathies to the French.
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Re: Revoke My Clearance Too Says Bin Laden Raid Leader

#6 Post by jarnon » Sun Aug 19, 2018 10:23 am

60 more former CIA officials have joined the protest begun by McRaven.

Congress gave the President the power to deny clearances, assuming he'd establish procedures and let intelligence agencies follow them. They didn't imagine he'd personally revoke the clearance of a political enemy. Similarly, when they gave the President the power to impose tariffs due to national security threats, they were thinking of countries like Venezuela, not Canada. This isn't the first time Trump, Obama, Bush... have stretched the limits of executive authority, but it's still mind-boggling.
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