How's Bolton going to get a security clearance?

[mahina]

Anybody have any thoughts on that?

Especially if it will be comforting but even if not.

[dchill]

1. I'll just wait here with you.

[oberliner]

2. Why would he have any problem getting a security clearance?

[Perseus]

4. Would his association with Cambridge Analytica

create a problem? I would hope so...

[FarCenter]

7. Since CA/SCL Group are military contractors, why would that be a problem?

The website of the SCL Group, CA's parent company, highlights its "customers" in the defense and intelligence world. In its section of defense, presumably the section overseen in 2016 by Steve Tatham, it says:

"We have provided data analytics to Global Combatant Commands (GCC), Theatre Special Operations Commands (TSOC) and partner nations since 2009. Our methodology has been executed in programs commissioned by NATO and Sandia National Labs, and we have developed a complete assessment model for the UK MOD in Information Operations and strategic communication projects. This model has been taught at the NATO StratCom Centre of Excellence."

And it adds:

"Data analytics has made significant advances in using 'big data' to provide insight into human behavior. However, the behavioral models are limited by the type of data recorded. SCL adds another dimension to big data analytics by incorporating social and psychological models to the analysis process."

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/features/trump-facebook-data-scandal-cambridge-analyticas-psy-ops-warriors-w518189

[Atticus]

15. If the military contractor has violated US laws, might that be a problem? nt

[FarCenter]

18. What US law has Cambridge Analytica broken?

[Atticus]

22. Wrongfully participating in our election per the warning from Giuliani's law firm? nt

[FarCenter]

25. Law prohibits campaign contributions and donations by foreign national, not hiring foreign nationals

See https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/52/30121 - Contributions and donations by foreign nationals

and 11 CFR 110.20 - Prohibition on contributions, donations, expenditures, independent expenditures, and disbursements by foreign nationals (52 U.S.C. 30121, 36 U.S.C. 510).

The regulation is more expansive than the US Code, and it would have to be proved that CA broke the regulation text that reads:

(i)Participation by foreign nationals in decisions involving election-related activities. A foreign national shall not direct, dictate, control, or directly or indirectly participate in the decision-making process of any person, such as a corporation, labor organization, political committee, or political organization with regard to such person's Federal or non-Federal election-related activities, such as decisions concerning the making of contributions, donations, expenditures, or disbursements in connection with elections for any Federal, State, or local office or decisions concerning the administration of a political committee.

[Atticus]

27. How else would one interpret what CA was doing? nt

[FarCenter]

28. They were hired to provide consulting and IT services, not executive decisions about funding.

[Atticus]

29. "directly or indirectly participate" seems to clearly include CA's activities. Thanks

for your input.

[mahina]

16. Because he has a really shaky grip on reality and is unbalanced.

The whole bananas thing.

[poboy2]

23. lmao -nt

[safeinOhio]

3. I can't even figure out how he

can get a Drivers License.

[mahina]

17. Right?

[debsy]

5. I don't know this for certain but...

...since the person holding the power of the Presidency can "declassify" anything to anyone, why can't he just say, "Give John Bolton access to everything"? And why, BTW, does one man - yes man (we have yet to see a woman there) - have such a ridiculous amount of control? That power, along with the power to pardon, makes the Presidency like a monarchy, IMO. What am I missing (I'm sure I'm missing something lol)?

[sunonmars]

6. The Presidency needs reforming to be honest. Should be made more accountable.

Needs new measures to ensure this shit does not happen again.

1 : Any Presidents history and financial history, tax, the lot must be fully accessed and open before being allowed to run.

2 : Electoral college needs to be severely reformed or must go in order to reflect the country.

3 : No business ties or conflicts allowed at all, must be tightened and I mean none.

4 : No family members allowed to work along side them except the First Lady.

5 : President alone should not have as much power in areas of security clearance.

6 : Pardoning must be reformed or removed.

7 : As far as the house and Senate goes, immunity has to go, they need to be like anyone else. There should also be a 3rd independent chair person on each committee to stop partisan committees going rogue like the HIC.

I'm just venting but what else would you do?

[Soxfan58]

8. One more

I think they all should have to walk around in nascar type suits with all their corporate donors on patches on the suit. The size of the patch is directly proportionate to the size of the donation.

[joshdawg]

9. Hmmmm

So an NRA jumpsuit?

[Soxfan58]

12. That would be

the huge one on the middle of the republicans Back. And they have to wear a Koch cap

[PJMcK]

11. Sounds like you're advocating for a Constitutional Convention

A Convention opens up everything and the possibility of complete chaos is alarmingly high.

Alternatively, these ideas would require some major Constitutional Amendments since your valid suggestions would alter the founding document. For that reason, your proposals couldn't be simply laws.

Realistically, in today's polarized political world, your reforms would be difficult to pass. Perhaps after the destruction of Trump, more of the country will agree with your good ideas.

[sunonmars]

13. The next democratic president should propose it and say "never again"

[debsy]

21. Also, I think a candidate for President should, at the very least, be able to...

...pass a citizenship test. No WAY, dumpster could have, or can today, pass it. He is mind-numbingly ignorant.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

10. That's not how declassifying works.

There is a formal process where the intent has to be stated in writing, and the documents reviewed, and a report made to the President. That all takes time.

[debsy]

20. Thanks, that was a piece i was missing! :)

I will be an expert in the process before I finish researching it but appreciate your comments.

[Ilsa]

24. If it is declassified, then anyone who asked cpuld get access,

I would think.

I think he may have trouble getting clearance, but he will get temporary at first, I guess.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

14. Did he lose his security clearance?

I assume he had clearances to act as UN Ambassador. Do clearances expire?

[mahina]

19. 5 years for top secret, 10 years for secret, says this guy in the first google answer to my query:

https://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/security-clearance-jobs/knowing-when-security-clearance-expires.html

I would hope that being out of his mind and a clear danger wou;d be enough.

[catrose]

26. That was my first thought.

I can't imagine how he would, even if only Melody Townsel (sp?) speaks against him. And the way he treated her was just his standard operating procedure.

[enid602]

30. Clubs

Shouldn't be a prob. He got into al those swinger clubs didn't he?