Sanford's Affair Might Have Jeopardized Top-Secret Clearance

[deminks]

Ya think?

http://www.usnews.com/blogs/washington-whispers/2009/07/11/sanfords-affair-might-have-jeopardized-top-secret-clearance.html

By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford's love-struck romp in Buenos Aires with his Argentine "soul mate" wasn't just a threat to his marriage, job, and presidential aspirations. It also jeopardizes his Department of Homeland Security clearance and raises new questions about his candor on the steamy affair. Didn't know the Republican had one? Well, as a chief of state and head of the South Carolina National Guard, Sanford has a top-secret security status that lets him in on classified information such as possible terrorist threats and emergency tips. But with that need to know come intelligence community rules of conduct, a key one being that relationships with foreigners must be revealed. The reason: Those in the know can leave themselves open to blackmail from rival intelligence services about a compromising dalliance.

"Agency policy requires our officers to document their relationships with foreign nationals," a CIA official tells Whispers. "The impact those relationships may have on employment very much depends on the specific circumstances and whether the information is reported accurately and in a timely manner." Bart Bechtel, a former CIA clandestine officer, adds, "CIA officers are required to report such relationships. Failure to do so can easily be grounds for termination and loss of clearances. In some cases, even when reported, an officer may lose clearances and be terminated." It happens. Homeland Security canceled former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's after he was arrested on corruption charges.

Sanford's security status, however, remains unclear. A spokesman didn't return calls, and Homeland Security, while confirming that it issues the clearances, would not comment on Sanford, also a captain in the Air Force Reserves.

(end snip)

Pillow talk.

[BlooInBloo]

1. Might? MIGHT??? whatthefuck?

:rofl:

[Cha]

2. He can probably thank bushcheney for

those rules, n'est ce-pas?

[mitchum]

3. It also seems that his admitted adultery will jeopardize his Reserves status

[Renew Deal]

4. And anyone who thinks Jesse Ventura was lying about being interviewed by the CIA

should think again.

[NeedleCast]

5. Sad thing is, as a former clearance carrier, I've seen people lose them or so much less

Saw a young seaman in the Navy lose his Top Secret for getting a reckless driving ticket in D.C. (17 MPH over the speed-limit on the Beltway...where 17 MPH over the speed limit usually means you're going 5 MPH slower than everyone else). No DUI or any sort of substance...just what essentially amounted to a speeding ticket. Know another guy who lost his clearance when he got divorced because they said it showed an "unstable family life."

Stanford had (at least one) affair with a foreign national. For any average security clearance holder that would mean having your clearance pulled. Twenty bucks says they don't pull Sanfords.

[Kingofalldems]

6. Don't worry,The Family will take care of this

for little Marky.

[katanalori]

7. Does this mean...

that Palin has Department of Homeland Security clearance too? She is also chief of a State and head of the Alaska National Guard (for a couple more weeks at least). I find this possibility more horrifying that Sanford, with her AIP connections (and her husband's 7 year membership in same).

[ashling]

10. Good question

[rocktivity]

8. Well, duh--suppose his senorita had really been South American Valarie Plame

pumping him for information or setting him up for blackmail?

:mad:
rocktivity

[mitchum]

11. "So...Mark dear, just where are the strategic South Carolina fireworks and boiled peanuts stands?"

[eppur_se_muova]

9. Por que "might"?

Now if this had been a GAY affair, that would be bye-bye clearance!