Posted by
NOTLEGALROADKILLYET on Friday, September 08, 2006 8:09:37 PM
As readers might guess, I've held a few security clearances in my time, and been through the expensive background checks that preceed the award of those clearances. I have been told that folks have been denied a clearance for too many traffic tickets as that shows a disregard of authority.
Imagine my surprise when I learned that the Democrats want to install Alcee Hastings, currently a US Representative, but for 10 years a Federal Judge, as the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. Alcee didn't resign from his Judgeship. Rather, he was impeached by the House and convicted by the Senate for taking a $150,000 bribe and then perjuring himself in court. In more than 200 years, he is only the sixth Federal Judge to be convicted in a Senate impeachment trial.
Someone needs to ask the Democratic 5th District Congressional nominee, who doubtless has held some decent clearances himself, how comfortable he will be to put a felon in charge of the whole intelligence shebang. I don't think
Alcee's presence on the committee, a nominative position, speaks very well for the respect the Democratic Leadership has for such an important governmental function.
Given the current state of legal ethics, I'd not be surprised to find that Alcee has his law license back.