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WASHINGTON — When Slade Gorton was appointed in December to a special commission investigating the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, supporters heralded his lengthy résumé and expertise in intelligence matters. But Gorton lacks the one thing he really needs: security clearance to review classified documents.
Gorton, a former Republican U.S. senator from Washington, isn't the only commissioner without clearance, so while the FBI completes background checks, the panel is at a standstill.
"The slowdown is our own clearances," said Gorton, noting that he can't even read the classified findings of a previous congressional investigation into the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States.
The article goes on to tell us that it can take 10 months to get security clearances - and the commission only has 15 months to do its job (and ticking). In addition, Gorton, a former Senator, already HAD a security clearance, so its ridiculous that it can't be expedited.