If Judy Miller had Secret clearance she could have known about Plame.

[Toots]

How a reporter could have any Clearance is beyond me in that Clearance is only for Government employees or Contractors but it has been stated by US Army Officers that she does indeed have Secret Clearance. If she has such clearance it is no wonder she will not talk. I am sure the "Agency" will take care of her. She may be the one who actually "Leaked" Classified information. This four month stay may only be a preview of what is in store for her.

[noamnety]

1. only for govt employees or contractors

We know from Armstrong Williams that BushCo doesn't have a problem giving contracts to journalists.

[oneighty]

2. security clearance

is sometimes provided only to allow access to a military facility (For example) it does not grant a 'Need to know.' I have carried both.

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[Toots]

3. You have had "Secret" clearance?

Secret goes a bit beyond just classified clearance.

[oneighty]

4. Top Secret in fact

On a need to know basis. It does not qualify one to access all classified materials.

Security clearance in military is not at all unusual. As A civilian one can be granted clearance for various reasons-for example working on a 'Classified' manufacturing project.



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[Jara sang]

9. Tons of people at Norfolk Naval Shipyard have secret clearances.

It's not that uncommon at all. If you work for a naval contractor and your job involves you merely delivering a part to Nuclear Attack Submarine you probably have a secret clearance.

[oneighty]

10. True

But it does not mean they can board the submarines and examine missile tubes missiles etc etc. Same as Miller would not have access to Ms. Plame's job description.

'Need to know' security clearances are very restrictive as to what one has access too.

I might point out (For example) that Vice President Truman did not have access to the fact that the US had developed Atomic Fission capability until after FDR died.

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[lateo]

5. Yes and...

General Judy was in EyeRack for a while so she needed the secret clearance.

Getting a secret clearance isn't really that big of a deal. Top Secret would be but not just a plain secret clearance.

[oneighty]

6. Indeed

You might Google 'security clearance military need to know'. It is not as easy as you suggest. And a 'need to know' clearance is very restrictive.

Really.

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[lateo]

8. I didn't mean it was easy but...

compared to getting a Top Secret it is very easy.

[Jacobin]

7. Yes, she did according to a general quoted in the article

describing General Judy's snipe hunt for WMDs in IraqNam