U.S. SECURITY CLEARANCE PROCESS IS SOUND NOT FRIVOLOUS

Submitted by Dr. Catherine Jayne (United States), Nov 1, 2008 at 03:36

Much has been made of the fact that Obama would not get a security clearance if he were applying to work for the CIA or FBI. This fact has caused many to criticize Washington for rejecting otherwise worthy candidates for intelligence work because they have married foreign spouses or they have family members abroad. There are two very sound reasons why this is the case. First, it is very expensive and time-consuing to process security clearance applications particilarly at the highest levels. A vital part of the process involves extensive interviews with people candidates have come into contact with.

For obvious reasons it is especially difficult to contact people abroad.

Second is the possible issue of divided loyalties. One of the chief criteria for work in intelligence is unquestioned loyalty to the U.S. Having foreign family members may pose difficult choices for people doing intelligence work. Another reason why Obama's security clearance application would be stopped is his assocaition with Bill Ayers, Jeremiah Wright and other radicals. Any associations with anti-American organizations and people are not tolerated in intelligence circles for obvious reasons.

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