[known_unknowns]

The security clearance process basically looks for reasonable, honest Americans free of foreign influence.

If government actors are abusing their power to such an extent that reasonable, honest Americans free of foreign influence feel morally obligated to blow the whistle, then there are going to be more leaks.

It's not a flaw in the system; It's a safeguard against corruption and abuse of the system.

[sliverstorm]

That's not what is being discussed here. What is being discussed is the leaker doesn't appear to be a standout individual. He isn't the top of his field. He doesn't have numerous advanced degrees. So on and so forth. He is "garden variety". So, given that, if a "garden variety employee" can get access to all this data, just how many ordinary Joes have access to it? The more people, particularly those low on the totem pole, the more opportunity for leaks to the wrong people.

[cstross]

* The security clearance process basically looks for reasonable, honest Americans free of foreign influence.*

That might be enough for domestic intelligence, but it's really shooting yourself in the foot if you apply "free of foreign influence" to overseas intelligence operatives. (Because you'll never be able to recruit anyone whose exposure to the target culture is significantly deeper than a semester attending a foreign university ...)

[darkarmani]

> The security clearance process basically looks for reasonable, honest Americans free of foreign influence.

ie: not gay and without financial debt