"Q1. Why do we keep security clearances for former government employees."

Well, of course we have to clarify here we are not just talking any employee or random government contractor. Brennan was the Director of the CIA and McRaven's credentials are listed in the post above you replied to. The reason that people like these keep their security clearances is not a financial one. It is because they worked for YEARS dealing with classified materials and operations to defend this country and the threats they defended us against often continue to exist and their knowledge and expertise can be called upon over and over by all the people that continue to work in these areas. That's not some small thing, Pat, it's huge. You want to keep this country safe guys like Brennan and McRaven are incredibly valuable assets. It also continues to keep men like this, that have all that information in their heads, obligated to keep that information secret because they continue to remain under the requirements of having a top secret security clearance.

"So they can put it on their resume and get lucrative contracts and TV deals."

Ah, no. Brennan was retired. He is in his 60s and was not looking to make money off of being a "former director of the CIA" that's a ridiculous and honestly stupid talking point that was invented by Republicans. In fact the one guy I actually heard say that has now been fired and disgraced by a sexual harassment debacle. And there is no benefit to having had a security clearance to getting a television job because you can't discuss that information on TV. They have these people on TV so that when they ask them an opinion on something you know you are hearing the opinion of somebody with some credibility and knowledge. Any idiot can be on TV just look at morons like Hannity and Ingraham.

Here's what's funny...the talking point you mentioned is the same talking point they use over and over to try to discredit anybody that tells the truth about them. It's always the first one they go to "They are just doing it for the money!" whether it is a book, an article, a statement...whatever.

Pat, honestly it's time you stop repeating and buying into that nonsense.

"It's interesting watching those who circled the wagons for John O. Brennan."

Pat, the people that supported John Brennan are people that defended this country for decades and kept you and your family safe. Is this how you thank them? No, Brennan and McRaven are not "political hacks" and the only people that speak poorly of them are liars that are working for Trump.

Trump, you remember him, the guy that never defended this country, has betrayed it over and over, and brags about the fact that his idea of war is getting as much first class pussy as he can without getting a venereal disease.

And yes, Pat, he did act like a traitor to our country in Helsinki. Jesus, he said he thought it was a great idea to turn our former ambassador to Russia over to Putin to be interrogated. Come on, Pat...let's be real here.