10,000 TSA employees get secret clearances

[The Northerner]

WASHINGTON – The new head of the Transportation Security Administration say he's giving 10,000 of the agency's employees access to secret intelligence information to better enable them to detect threats and stop terrorists.

John Pistole (PIH'-stohl) told an aviation luncheon that he views TSA as a counterterrorism agency. He said his goal is to get the latest intelligence to all employees who have what he called an "action need" to "inform their judgment and decision-making."

Pistole is a former deputy FBI director who was confirmed by the Senate as TSA administrator in June. He said he begins each day with an intelligence briefing.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100923/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_tsa_secret_clearances

[yella_dawg]

1. Just how much does it cost to authorize that many clearances??

[zipplewrath]

3. About $5 k a pop

Last time I knew, a secret clearance was about $5000 per. He might be able to get the government rate, not to mention a "group" rate.

[WinkyDink]

2. God forbid we should allow a court to gain access, though, lest the POTUS be unable to kill citizens

[Ian David]

4. Will the TSA officials be cleared to learn about "The Event?" n/t