Strange Brew by John Deering for August 29, 2020

“But…but I went to the clearance sale…”

To be allowed to handle classified material, you must have the proper clearance and the need to know.

It’s need to know. He needs to know who’s hiring.

He would tell you, but it’s a secret..

Subtle reference to the double agent in the 1960’s for the Soviet Union, Kim Philby.

Something similar happened to me in Washington D.C.. I was taking the metro to Reagan National Airport, when an Air Force officer sat down in front of me and started reading some papers. I decided that then would be a good time to look out the window and admire the scenery.

Interesting choice of name.

My father was a Colonel in the Air Force. At one time I asked him about the SR-71. He would only tell me generalized information. I asked how high and fast it could fly. He just said, “I can’t tell you that.” 2 Things I always remember him telling me:

1. Don’t tell your friends anything you don’t want your enemies to know.

2. Never volunteer information.

The absurdity of his commander in Chief wants to know…

Because I have a Stop Secret clearance.

Hey John – knocked it out of the park with this one. I am beginning to think that with all the “spying” intrusion going on that this will be a standard question for job interviews and the answer you give will determine your punishment. LOL

Best laugh of the day. Thanks.

Uh…insufficient clearance level? Ok, there’s nothing to do but read him on.

This is a repeat. I printed it out years ago and put it up in my office.

The ceiling is high in that room, so he has plenty of clearance.

The basic problem as described in “The Pentagon Papers” is that anyone with security clearance can classify documents but only senior officials can declassify documents. At that time, some “classified” files were comprised solely of newspaper clippings. The government tried to argue that it was the “relationship” between the articles, (that they were in the same file?) that made them classified. Nobody bought it.

It’s because the Backpage site was shut down.

Can’t be anything to read there. It’s all on Craig’s List now.