Security clearances are being abused

I have wanted to comment on the issue of security clearances for former government employees as I cannot understand why former CIA Director John Brennan is upset about losing his secret clearance.

Let me put this in context. I spent 36 years of continuous active duty in the U.S. Air Force and retired as a senior officer. I held top security clearances associated with many programs that I was involved with on active duty. After retirement, my background security clearance remained intact and there were occasions that I and other senior officers were invited back to attend briefings at classified levels to understand the updated strategies and participate in discussions.

I could not use my former position and clearance unless I was specifically invited by the government to do so. At no point was I of the impression that I was invited to these sessions so I could speak out against the current Air Force or government positions. Yet, Michael Morrell, retired former deputy director of the CIA and now a paid consultant to CBS News, wants to retain the clearance that he uses on CBS News to speak out and against current strategies and positions taken by the present administration — and he gets paid for it. That makes no sense.

President Trump should pull all of them if they cannot make a positive contribution.

GEORGE CHAPMAN,