Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Toni, Greensboro NC — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 20:45:13 GMT

This story is an example of why I don't trust the US Government with my personal information. Passports with the new RFID chips are supposed to be secure. How can the government guarantee my information from identity theft when our top presidental candidates are not even safe from the prying eyes of Federal contractors?

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Carol McFarlane, Yakima, WA — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 20:46:26 GMT

A deeper look needs to be taken into the background of these folk, and where that leads.

To not do so would be to cut short an investigation which needs to be thorough. Just knowing who did it, is not enough.

The ramifications of such actions are huge: Who is safe anymore, in a country that allows such things to happen without checking and stopping them in the future.

Just improving the 'system' is not enough - the broader context needs to be investigated and all questions asked, no matter how difficult.

A person's privacy has been violated, their safety in many ways, has been compromised.

This is not right, not in America, not anywhere. Everyone should be assured that their information with government departments is secure and that this type of breach CAN NOT HAPPEN.

THERE ARE NO EXCUSES for such a lapse, such action.

Clearly this speaks volumes about a broken government, in the land of milk and honey, where immigrants all over the world desire to find a haven, and a fulfilled dream.

But returning to the issue of playing fast and loose with a presidential candidate's private information - this is totally unacceptable.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Jane — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 20:47:12 GMT

When is this gonna stop. Racist is rearing its ugly head time after time during this race. In the same tone as Rodney King why can't we ALL just get along. I am really finding Hillary becoming a sore loser. The mud slinging, the spying, the harsh remarks made by ( suppose to be intelligent)people who are or were in charge make me stop and think Big Brother is watching all of us. The big question is who do we trust

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Ken, MO — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 20:50:05 GMT

So, the news on TV says that files of McCain and Clinton were viewed IN ADDITION TO Obama, yet the lead-in on this is all about Obama....like nobody else was involved, just targeting Obama. Interesting.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

D. Bates — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 20:51:42 GMT

This is not so innocent as the State Department would have you believe. To whom were the files sold, foreign interests, perhaps some Islamic organization, the Russians, who? There is no simple explanation for the encroachment, and data stealing is still data stealing, just ask TJ Maxx and others who have lost millions of documents to hackers and outright criminals who hope to use the info to do identity theft, or worse.

I think the whole incident needs a thorough top to bottom investigation by the best we have, whether it be the FBI or the Military Intelligence or the CIA. Let's get to the bottom of this. What are the names and religions and nationality of the offenders?

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

T L Memphis, TN — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 20:55:04 GMT

I don`t see what is the problem with looking over whom is going to be our next president of USA. I do think we shold have right to find out more about them before we give them all of our lifes! So big deal, They need to be up front and scared!
God sakes our lifes in their hand. We the people need to know! Let us know! All I can say is, they got cought up legal mass like everything else!

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

T L Memphis, TN — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 20:56:09 GMT

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Chris Washington DC — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 20:56:21 GMT

This is what happens when you are required to outsource processing.

You think your information is safe with the government? Hell no, it's abunch of brain dead, minimum wage people.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

JE — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 20:56:31 GMT

Why are you calling this a "scandal"? Some low-level contract employees were curious and wanted to take a peek at the passport backgrounds of well-known public figures. I there any evidence that this was anything other than sheer curiosity?

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Shari — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 20:57:09 GMT

I will bet every contractor will be told in no undertain terms what will happen to them if they access the wrong records. This company, along with Call Henry, the fraudalent contractor who bilked Katrina victims with shoddy repairs, shows us what happens when a contractor gets a bid because of Political Affiliation instead of it good reputation.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Scott Smith — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 20:59:07 GMT

This type of controversy leads to self-destruction of companies.

Lowbies shouldnt take the fall, this is a failure of policy implementation, and a failure of proper implementation from the highest levels, to pass down proper training the appropriate individuals.

This is a violation of federal law.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Cris G., Sacramento, Cali. — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 20:59:13 GMT

My guess is the Stanley Employees thought Obama's information was valuable somehow and were going to leak it for monetary gain.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Captain, TX — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 20:59:22 GMT

What could be gained by seeing his passport?? Is there something that he has to hide? Why not have Obama just show his passport record like Clinton had to show her records while in the White House? I think that if they are planning on being our leaders we should know everything that could effect our country.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

franklin a farrington — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:02:14 GMT

This is Homelands best day.Not

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

jen bayne clinton, ut — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:04:02 GMT

ok...so a little secutiry was breached and this isn't ok, but what's the BIG deal? why so much news about it. how will this affect the candidates personally (not related to their reace)?

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

George Ernst, Beverly Hills, FL — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:06:01 GMT

Amazing that the spokesman for the State Dept. couldn't even tell us who these people are or who they worked for, yet the press can find out in a matter of hours. Some obvious questions are why did the dept head of that group at state take early retirement last Feb 29? She's a former employeee in the Clinton administration and failed to pass these criminal breeches up to her superiors or even take action. An even more important question is did these 2 people have their security clearances lifted or are they on the loose to sell private info to foreign nationals - like in spys. How come the third is still employed? Crony of Bush? This is serious stuff and goes WAY beyond the "let's move on folks. Nothing to see here". How many Senators in competitive races this year have had their data screened to searche for degatory information? We have becme everything we ever accused the KGB of being in the cold war era. What a disaster!!

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Derek, Memphis, TN — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:07:03 GMT

Why exactly is this a top story? Who cares? If someone took a peek at some random citizens passport, no one would think anything about it.

Why is such big deal because someone looked at Mr. Obama's or Mr. McCain's passport?

There are so many more important things to get worried about here in the U.S.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Jim Devore, Durham, NC — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:23:35 GMT

So now we know that there are built in safeguards for high profile people. That's just great! For us regular folks the Stanley employees can take a look at our Social Security numbers, date and place of birth, mother's maiden name, etc. What would they do with that, right?

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

win, phoenix, az — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:23:48 GMT

Chris Mathews, there is nothing cloudy about this. When it comes to a trainee accidentally accessing Hillary Clinton's passport record, THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO USE A TRAINING SYSTEM(Database), not a production database. It sounds more like an excuse to cover up the intrusion into Obama's records.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Carmen Cameron, Louisville, KY — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:26:18 GMT

More importantly, what if any political candidate in the race for president has received campaign contributions from Stanley, Inc. or its shareholders?

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

D Lynn, Georgetown, Texas — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:27:47 GMT

Curious to know why it was not reported here that Sen. Clinton's passport records was also viewed? I noted that MSNBC is very bias when it comes to Clinton. The only mention of her name was that a donation was made.
"According to federal campaign records, Stanley's CEO, Philip Nolan, has made political contributions to prominent Republican candidates and also gave $1,000 to Sen. Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign on Feb. 20, 2008."
Seems like someone is trying to write an artical making it look like the Clinton's were up to something again.. Please try to report without bias.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Brian, Phoenix, Arizona — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:29:58 GMT

Obama so wants so bad for this to be a big conspiracy - please God, please God. It deverts the attention away from the race issue. The media - God they are all over this - its funny, this is probably going to be just few people who have access checking out famous people. Keith Oberman and others seem to really want this to be a bigger issue; and were trying hard last night to mention Hillary's name or that the head of that department "had ties" to President Clinton. Are we fishing or what?

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Amie McAteer, Bayfield, CO — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:30:30 GMT

re: Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractor
Other than two people doing something really stupid (and, yes, were rightfully fired), what's the security breach? They've got their guys--how much are they going to spend on the "investigation"? Aren't your passport "records" exposed everytime you hand it to every Tom, Dick, and Harry at the Airport?

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

John Zeazeas - Coeur d'Alene, Idaho — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:31:06 GMT

Good Work! Keep Digging... Where there's smoke, there's usually fire. To think someone just "looked" into Obama's passport record would be shortsighted. "Everyone" needs to know their real life names, what they really did, their purpose, and who they shared it with. Answering the question "Who would benefit from knowing personal information regarding Barack Obama," will most likely lead to enlightenment.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Haywood Matthews, Cleveland, Ohio — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:31:55 GMT

What is really funny is hackers have probably been looking in these systems for years, and still do, without us noticing it ! if you think i'm wrong, then don't pull your head out of the sand.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

john, cumming, ga — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:32:12 GMT

I betcha the Stanley CEO gave to Clinton after discovery to make the crime look non-partisan.
We need to look into this.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Luca Ponti, Barcelona, Spain — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:34:28 GMT

Let's follow the money. Who actually owns the company and who is their banker. etc. Also check the last time they were audited by the IRS. That is a big contract.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Spencer Newman, Fullerton, CA — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:34:44 GMT

This is a non-issue. The US Government outsources nearly everything and somehow we are surprised when someone in some cubicle someplace peeks. Besides, these are all people who think they are material for the Office of the President of the United States. What makes them think that ANYTHING about them is private?

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Rich — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:37:05 GMT

Who saw this coming? (sarcasm implied)

A business that specializes in federal government staffing and is owned by a repeated contributor to Republican campaigns, who suddenly has a change of heart and donates to Hillary's campaign (in accordance with Rush Limbaugh's "tactical voting" scheme to push Obama out) and contractors in this company are found to be invading Senator Obama's private records 3 times in as many months? Each transgression occurring within a week of an Obama victory on the campaign trail?

So tell me, why should the American people NOT be suspicious of this. Oh that's right, this is Bush/Rove politics as usual. We should expect this kind of behavior and underhanded tactics from GOP sympathizers by now.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

SMD, NYC — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:37:16 GMT

The new facility is in ARKANSAS. Does nobody see the connection here? And a $1,000 donation the day before the second Obama breach? And NO mention of former Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Maura Harty, who kept a lid on the first two breaches, resigned after the second, has historical connections to the Clinton and Bush administrations, and is currently connections to Clinton's campaign?

While correlation does not necessarily imply causality, if it walks like a duck...

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Ken Johnson, Santa Fe, NM — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:38:18 GMT

What's going on here? Managing passports and other documents susceptible to the invasion of privacy should be the responsibility of government employees and never contracted out.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Gregory Nagy, Boston, Mass. — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:38:25 GMT

The last sentence is interesting:
"According to federal campaign records, Stanley's CEO, Philip Nolan, has made political contributions to prominent Republican candidates and also gave $1,000 to Sen. Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign on Feb. 20, 2008."

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

John Doe Seatle Wash — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:39:10 GMT

Took a peek sounds mild whereas scrutinized sounds more ominous. How was it determined which that this employee only took a peek?

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Thomas Clarke, Oakland, California — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:41:05 GMT

Is there a self-respecting newshound left in America? Will someone please look into WHY this information was misappropriated? (It seems doubtful that this was a case of idle curiosity on the part of bored employees.) Interesting too, the slim yet tantalizing connection to that dauntless toiler in the fields of spiritual and political redemption - M. Huckabee.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Lynn Curl, Austin, Tex — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:43:34 GMT

"WASHINGTON - State Department employees snooped through the passport files of three presidential candidates — Sens. Barack Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton and John McCain — and the department's inspector general is investigating." Please report the entire story CLINTON'S report was viewed as well.. stop being so one sided. I think by now all readers on MSNBC know you support OBAMA.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Ellen Fogg, Naples, ME — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:45:18 GMT

Why would passport trainees even be allowed to access any live records during training sessions? Why wouldn't some "training files" have been created for such use? Why should their family's privacy be compromised?

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Steve Ross Burlington,Vt. — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:46:47 GMT

Did Stanley inform any real State Dept.employees? If not the contracts should be taken from them.I want a special prosecutor to investigate this.No privacy in America for anyone I guess!The rest of the World is getting another good laugh.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Mary, Seattle, WA — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:47:29 GMT

Did you hear? The Clinton campaign immediately sent out a statement that Hillary's records were looked at too. Except they didn't say that that was last year and under different circumstances. Sheesh Hillary, you spin so fast it makes me dizzy.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Philip Nsajja — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:47:45 GMT

Somebody should look into this: "Stanley's CEO, Philip Nolan, has made political contributions to prominent Republican candidates and also gave $1,000 to Sen. Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign" His employees breach Senator Obama's file again and again. But to make it appear innocuous ("imprudent curiosity"), they let him go ahead and take a peak at McCain's and Clinton's files as well. That way, no red flags would be raised (Equal opportunity snooping). Mmmmmmmmh! I smell a rat here. The Watergate break-in could have easily been brushed off as a simple burglary.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Frank Neiswender, Nashville, TN — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:52:35 GMT

I feel overwhelmed and disgusted with the whole government mess. Before Gingrich and Bush the government had civil service and functioned even better. The Army provided protection for visitors in war zones. And as a taxpayer I didn,t feel my money was stolen unaccountably.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Steve Kay,Birmingham, Michigan — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:55:24 GMT

Meanwhile Obama continues to stonewall to keep the delgates from Michigan and Florida from being seated at the convention.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

T A Craig, Palm Harbor, Fla — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:55:58 GMT

The question should be poised, why does any organization contract out for services that the organization has provided historically. The answer is simple one - COST. Often the organization finds it is cheaper to contract out for services than it is to do it themselves. What the contractor does is pay its employees less than what the organization would pay their employees. Isnt it simply all about the money? Should not an organization assume full control of its operations? Look at this in a slightly different context; would an organization that disseminates information contract for writers? I suggest not, what would occur is they would find a way to hire and retain those individuals. Yet all types of organizations contract for any service that can be imagined.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

paul lach,chicago, il. — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:58:27 GMT

good work. follow the money

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Julie Mayfield, Atl GA — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:00:07 GMT

Good they fired them. All the hooplah though about sinister motives is moot unless Hillary or Obama went somewhere they shouldn't have been. WITCH HUNT !

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Frank Neiswender, Nashville, TN — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:00:55 GMT

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

G. Roth — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:03:14 GMT

Let's hear more about the three employees. Yrs. of employment...prior employment and most importantly watch the money flow/next employment for them.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Barbara Denz, Poulsbo WA — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:03:33 GMT

If it had been Shrub's app (or any of his family's), these people would have lost their contracts and been prosecuted in one breath. We're talking Presidential Candidates here -- when they get security assigned to them, they should also have all records be more secure. If this happens to the big wigs, how do we poor mortals stand a chance against invasion of privacy. As an aside, tho, I pity poor Arkansas. What with the Bill Clinton scandals and the Huckabee moral majority bent, now it has THIS scandal to cope with.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Joseph Martin, Lander,Wyoming — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:10:24 GMT

Even the blind can see thru this one!!! This case merits intensive investigation and the guilty need more than a hand slapping.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

pablo rosas — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:11:57 GMT

The Obama people are too quick to lay blame for anything and everything on Hillary. Just think a little with your small brains, Hillary's passport was seen even before that. Why does it offend anyone on his campaign or any of Barack Hussein Obama when his middle name is used. Is that not his name. Why are people offended when drugs are mentioned next to his name. Why are they offended if that is the truth.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Ramon, SEATTLE, WA. — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:18:44 GMT

One more CLINTON black hand in disguise! And this is what the people voting for Her want to go back to? More of the same from the Same Bush/Clinton Dinasty?

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Ron, San Francisco, CA — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:21:16 GMT

I keep hearing about looking at Nolan's donations, but he's only one of the Executives at Nolan. Aside from him, who was the other "Contractor"? But back to Stanley, you have CFO and Executive Vice President Brian J. Clark, formerly of the Titan Corporation. Look at him. Ditto for EVP'sGreg M. Denkler George H Wilson. In 1994 Wilson worked heavily on Operation Vigilant Warrior in the fall of 1994. According to Stanley's own website: "It was this event that stimulated the development of the Army War Reserve Deployment System (AWRDS) and subsequently the companion Automated Battlebook System (ABS). In 2000, the AWRDS/ABS application suite received a Computerworld/Smithsonian Institution Award for excellence in Information Technology Solutions for the Federal Government." Other Executives include: Chris J. Torti, Scott D. Chaplin and Scott D. Chaplin. All of these would have reasons to donate heavily (or should I say "Invest"?). One thing I learned in Corporate America is that Executives serve on multiple Corporate Boards and may have donations that are tied to other corporations. I remember looking at Bofa and one executive was at Bofa and at Duke Energy at the same time (and that wasn't the only cross relationship). A Starting point would be Stanley's own website at: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=198762&p=irol-govBoard

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

P.J.V., Greater Charleston Area, SC — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:21:37 GMT

Too bad this activity was not traced to its source before the media got a hold of it and let the incomplete information out for the public to use wrongly -- which of course they did.

The story was unrooted and out there just long enough to have miserable insinuations made against one Presidential candidate, creating more of a divide among a divided political party for no reason -- or certainly not any moral or ethical reason.

And both those people who happen to be political candidates were wronged as a result, one due to the activity that occurred and one by the media.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Eric, NY, NY — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:26:31 GMT

Allowing Obama to say that his grandmother and her reaction to African Americans were like a "typical white person" is the way the media and others have acted this whole campaign. On the other hand people want to try to blame this passport mess on Hillary. Unbelievable...

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

David Anderson, Arlington, VA — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:28:25 GMT

The fact that this is a contractor to the federal government really is no big deal. Any company that has 3,500 employees is going to have its share of idiots. The company fired these morons and that's about the best you can do in these circumstances. The idea that the company and its managers should be audited over this is ridiculous. Breach of privacy is a separate issue from financial irregularity.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Michael Goga — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:30:11 GMT

Several civilian contract workers look at documents that they have access to and msnbc turns it into the biggest scandal of the year. Is there ANY evidence that the candidates have been hurt by this? One of the msnbc reporters have called these contractors SPIES. If someone from msnbc or almost any of the other news organizations had access to these documents, do we not think that they would use them to try to discredit one or more of the candidates? Most of the responses from readers that I have read come from charter members of the Keith Olbermann Fan Club located in Enormous Ego, Idaho. This story has pretty much died already, killed by the over-kill by msnbc on Thursday night.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

slm Beaverton, OR — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:30:21 GMT

Seems to me that C. Rice doesn't have very good control over her department employees-contracted workers or not. First her employees all but revolt over being expected to volunteer for assignments in Iraq, now her employees are using the worst bad judgement--in an election year for heaven's sake--in "peeking" into personal information in Obama's file. Just confirms my reasoning that if she can't manage her own house, how can she be expected to negotiate or mediate any lasting peace process around the world? Or, stand up to the bad guys when necessary?

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

ernstge@embarqmail.com — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:31:00 GMT

Amazing that the spokesman for the State Dept. couldn't even tell us who these people are or who they worked for, yet the press can find out in a matter of hours. Some obvious questions are why did the dept head of that group at state take early retirement last Feb 29? She's a former employeee in the Clinton administration and failed to pass these criminal breeches up to her superiors or even take action. An even more important question is did these 2 people have their security clearances lifted or are they on the loose to sell private info to foreign nationals - like in spys. How come the third is still employed? Crony of Bush? This is serious stuff and goes WAY beyond the "let's move on folks. Nothing to see here". How many Senators in competitive races this year have had their data screened to search for derogatory information? We have becme everything we ever accused the KGB of being in the cold war era. What a disaster!!
George Ernst, Beverly Hills, FL

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Cherie, California — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:31:07 GMT

It seems to me that if I am putting my trust in a person to be the Commander in Chief of the United States of Amercia then I demand full transparency. They should have nothing to hide from the American people. If there is nothing illicit in their passport records/ travels, then why are they not public record. All of this conspiracy theory regarding political tactics is neither here, nor there. If they traveled or made contacts in areas they should not have logically been...then it is logical the American people have a right to know. Wouldn't anyone applying for a secure Federal position have to provide the same information.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Lee, SC — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:36:24 GMT

I thought fake passports were part of our 9-11 security problem and that's why we had to have another billion dollar baby born in Homeland Security!

Watergate / Passport scandal with Bill Clinton: the self-righteous Republicans seem to have started a trend here.......

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

kravitz — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:42:52 GMT

As I've speculated all morning, it could be related to a clinton supporter who had a low level test to see if it could be done and not discovered, then when Obama and McCain became viable opponents, went after them. She tried to buy Mich&Fla with her rich friends too, and knew on March 12 where Obama had been. Now we know why.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Gene, Huntington Beach, Calif. — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:44:27 GMT

Number one, these people looked at all the candidates and not just Obama. Two, who really cares! Three, people have their identities stolen everyday and the government cares not one bit. We are forced to do all the legwork to get our paperwork back in order prove who we are. But someone just looks at their information and we need a congressional investigation!!! I wish the government cared that much about me and my family.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Jean, Hillsboro,Or — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:44:31 GMT

There's more here than meets the eye, there always is, as usual down and dirty politics, don't these people know you just can't get away with it....The flood gates have been opened, let's see what spewes out.....

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

J. W. — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:45:25 GMT

I think it is probably a little early for the republicans to care about Obama. But on the other hand who needs to find some quick dirt to a dying campaign.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Ldow — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:45:26 GMT

How about all our income-taxes record has outsource to INDIA.

What would happen to our Identification/social security no., The goverment should not outsources. all of that

texas....

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Steven F. Durst, Bayard, WV — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:46:20 GMT

If there is nothing "wrong" with the passport information. What's the big deal? I have to believe someone at the State Department has to look at everyones files at some point in the course of their job.
Could there be an attempt to once again side track the attention of the voters away from "real" issues ?
This entire election has stunk from the getgo. We are indeed a nation in trouble.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Lois Lane, Los Angeles, CA — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:46:56 GMT

Obama is not a victim!! McCain and Clinton and probably many others have been 'looked' at and perhaps scrutinized. Msnbc's Dig Deeper, should dig deeper and stop buffering Obama.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

N. O'mo — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:47:28 GMT

Wait until the Bush administration contracts out I.R.S. functions and military ops. (like US Marines protecting our foreign delegations); then well be in real trouble ... Yea, ... Oh-oh.
Hey, Didn't the British privitise their army in the the 1700's (we should've learn from them).

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

scott abrams — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:48:19 GMT

First of all, I am really against privatizing everything. It's just a means to give friends lucrative deals and make them rich. Why does the state department need them to do its work? Obviously if you don't have enough staff to handle all the requests for passports etc., someone dropped the ball. They need to hire on or hire back the amount of "government employees" necessary to run the department. I am so sick and tired of contracting away every responsibility that our government has. If you listen to a Republican they will say its because private business can do it more efficiently. Hogwash...its because you've let government workers get complacent and slow and they are too protected from being replaced when performing poorly. But there is also the argument that we cannot contract out such sensitive jobs and responsibility. What's next, the social security admin. is going to contract out issuing SS cards. That will be really secure as well. Hmmm...many private companies are doing the logistical jobs of the military now. And if you figure in the no-bid awards which are grossly a pay off to the politicians friends, is it any cheaper than having govt. do it itself?

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

j jenkins, Valdosta, Ga. — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:49:13 GMT

I'd like to see Obama's passport records myself. The picture with the Muslim dress hasn't left my mind yet! Where has he been is it in an anti american muslim area. especially after the anti american redrick spouted by his minister!

And aren't all three of these canidates the same ones who voted for the homeland security act that allows the government to monitor the publics calls with out a court order. Shouldn't the public they want to vote for them to be able to monitor some of their affairs.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Deep Reader, Miami, Florida — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:49:31 GMT

Let's find out more about Jim H. Brabston on Stanley, Inc.'s management staff since he is the only one without a posted bio.

Virtually everyone else -- both B of D's and management -- has some Navy background. This was a virtual cabal of ex-Naval officers who somehow created a firm to handle US Passport Office files. While there is nothing in their bios to definitively state that these gentlemen were ONI, it does raise some suspicions anyway.

And they only got the contract for this job in 2001 ... in other words, right at the beginning of the Bush administration.

Interesting ...

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Joe Fraser, Bloomington, MN — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:51:24 GMT

Let's not forget that this group outed an undercover CIA agent for political purposes. This sounds like nothing compared to that, but let's check it out anyway.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Ed Cdale, Ms. — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:51:40 GMT

I dont see what the big hooplah is, after all they are employees of the public

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Chris, San Jose — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:52:16 GMT

I don't see it as a witch hunt at all. This isn't the first time that private information has been tapped for political advantage (remember Watergate?). Yes, it may merely be a case of 2 employees taking a peek at information they had no right to see, but it's definitely worth our while to get at the heart of the matter. We've seen too much corruption to let it slide. If you want to read a good book which addresses campaign improprieties, pick up a copy of John Grisham's "Appeal."

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

J.Laws,Janesville CA. — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:54:35 GMT

Who cares? It should be Public Information anyway...

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Wendell, Atlanta, GA — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:57:20 GMT

Not everything is a conspiracy...Some people just make judgment errors. You can bet your sweet bippy that all three campaings have an arsenal of negative data just waiting for release at the right time.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

S. Webster, White River Junction, VT — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:57:30 GMT

Unbelievable! Hillary's spin team was a little slow on the response this time. If you look at all of the reports, the only two candidates' records that were looked at were McCain's and Obama's this trip. Clinton's records were breached over a year ago. The timing is pretty fishy too. Hillary is about at the end of a campaign trail that is getting shorter and shorter. I do not believe for one second that the donation to Clinton's campaign was a coincidence. She is in typical Clinton mode now - desperation, dig dig dig, and hope you don't get caught. Sorry, Hillary, that "Vast right-wing conspiracy" nonsense doesn't stick anymore. And by the way, Hillary, your tea parties with the wives of other world leaders don't exactly constitute foreign policy experience. Same crap, different day. Since she is the last to show her tax returns for last year, don't hold your breath to see them on April 15th either. Even though I am a registered Republican, I am voting Obama. If she gets the nomination, I am back to voting for McCain. She will never see my vote.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Linda Johnson,Memphis,Tn. — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:58:03 GMT

I watch MSNBC and Fox News networks and I have found that Msnbc is unbias when reporting on the presidentail race, and I found that Fox news network has the most bias reporting I have ever seen. Case and point: Obama's connections to Rev. Wright, I am so sick of hearing about Obama's minister, so what if he associates with wright, Rev Wright is not running for office, I could care less, I want to hear about the issues like gas rices etc. Fox news has beat that dog to death. Kudos to MSNBC for your unbias reporting.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Bern — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:58:34 GMT

According to this Hillary Clinton is reponsible for the economy, the Iraq war . She is also blamed for 911 and everything else . This woman really has Power She has been blamed for everything in the Bush White House. You people need to get a grip!!

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

m t california — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:58:48 GMT

what is happening to us as american people, where are our values. If some one blow up america ass attempted on 911 will we stick togather instead of so much hate, money hunger and wanting to do harm to each other no matter the cost. we can assess the psyco and find excuses but a clever person that look into some one personal file is beyond my comprehension but money is alway's a gain for some lazy news reported that like smote. they need to look into their on affairs and find out what their children, their wives or their husband are doing and get out and find a real job.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Deep Reader, Miami, Florida — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:59:12 GMT

And another thing:

Does anyone find it strange that there was a million dollar Stanley stock transaction registered on March 13, 2008 ... a day before the March 14, 2008 breach of security?

Check the financial filings on Stanley's website: the latest one shows that Karlson was involved in a sale of over 5,000 shares of Stanley stock valued at $28 a share.

Maybe this means something, maybe not.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Jess Coonrod, Reston, VA — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:59:42 GMT

Does everyone think this is a conspiracy? I mean why would wait until now to start looking into the passport files? 2 of them are low-level employess probally how they got caught. Second one was a little higher on the totumpole, but not much. They broke a rule, they looked into files that they did not have access to.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Ransom Stoddard — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 23:01:10 GMT

Employees fired? How about criminal charges? Put these jokers on trial where they stand to do jail time and we'll get the truth quicker than any congressional dog-pand pony show. And if snooping in private citizens' (supposedly) private records is not a crime it ought to be.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Don Bradfield--donlbradfield@sbcglobal,.net — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 23:02:23 GMT

Your bias against Hilliary overwhelms me.
I no longer have any confidence in MSNBC or NBC in their reporting of the news. You are worse than the Fox network. I am switching to CBS and ABC for objective coverage. Your bias may cause me to vote for McCain in Noverber.
.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Stacy, New York — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 23:06:03 GMT

I cannot believe this is a story. Like they can't find out Obama's SSN otherwise and run a credit report? Who cares.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Bob, Burleson, Texas — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 23:07:01 GMT

You guys in the media really need to get a grip on things. Three people in the government looked at a passport file. Now what could they get from that?? Why not start a good investigation on something like tracking Hillary's money tree? You have given these Democrats such a free ride on those issues. Mr. Wright's (I won't call him Rev.) remarks about Hillary and then the picture of him with Billy Boy. You keep giving us two plus two and we keep seeing five come up as the answer.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Ted, Asuncion, Paraguay — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 23:12:14 GMT

Security breach? You guys are watching too many movies.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Josh Alcala, Munster, IN — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 23:13:03 GMT

Lynn-Barack's were looked at in January and again in February, and he was not made aware until yesterday. I think there is a major collapse of management within that firm, that nothing was done to make the appropriate people aware of the problem. Hilary did find out much sooner after the breach.
My biggest issue with this is as follows: Stanley Inc, tries to downplay the situation by saying that it was low-level employees who committed the breach. That is fine and dandy, and I am glad that there is no conspiracy by any political motivation to look into an individual's past. However, the thing that upsets me, as I'm sure it does many, including all the presidential candidates is the fact that people that low are given access to all of these kinds of records without much regulation at all. That is upsetting to me.
Another thing, according to many individuals in Washington close to the situation say that the correct protocol for this kind of situation does not seem like it was correctly taken, which can highly affect the investigation by the Inspector General. From what I understand, the main thing is that since the individuals were let go before being interviewed by the IG, the IG has no legal ability to talk (or force them to talk) with the accused.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Andrew Brenner, Whiting, IN — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 23:19:01 GMT

Thanks for keeping on this story -- I did some research last night that pointed to Stanley, but it would be good to know just where in the Consular Affairs hierarchy these individuals were working in DC. I learned that there are a ridiculous number of people, domestic and foreign, who have access to passport records. The surprising thing is that these breaches don't happen more often -- or perhaps they do and we never hear of them.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Stan Trybulski, Branford, CT — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 23:19:25 GMT

Subcontarctors? It just goes to show that there is no company either too incompetent or too cxorrupt that the Bush Adminsitration won;t award them a multi-million (or billion)dollar contract.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Angelia Olsen, Knoxville TN — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 23:21:33 GMT

The whole passport system needs to be revamped. The state department sends your passport by US Mail with no signature required. In some cases(mine included) your personal information(such as your original birth certificate and original certified marriage license) is included in the same envelope as your passport. Great pickings for mail thiefs. While I went through the process of replacing my stolen passport...I was told that they could not send them with required signatures because it would drive up the cost...what a small price to pay for security....So much for border security and stopping identity theft...our government is watching out for us!!!

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

B. Wair, Las Vegas, NV — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 23:22:11 GMT

I have no idea if the Clintons are involved, but its not surprising that after they uncovered that Obama's files were accessed three times by 3 different people, they then uncover that Clinton's was breached LAST YEAR!!?? As a training exercise??!! COme on folks. If that were the case, then why was it kept in the dark? I would think as an FYI. Ummm. "Sen. Clinton, there was a breach during training and your personal passport info was viewed by a contracted employee within the State Dept."... If it was so innocent why hide it? Why disregard it and not bother to disclose that to the candidate?
None of this makes any sense whatsoever.
Unless you are a turtle under a rock or brain dead, nothing about this STORY rings true...

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Chris, Norwalk, Iowa — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 23:25:54 GMT

Poor, poor Barack. We don't hear the McCain or Clinton campaigns making a major deal out of this. Their files were reportedly looked at too...just not reported by MSNBC. Just another example of how the whole world is against poor Barack...NOT!

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Paul, EG, CA — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 23:26:27 GMT

Let's see what the employees have to say after interrogating them. Funny how the other two candidates suddenly come into the picture when yesterday the State Department only mentioned Obama. Dig a bit deeper and who knows what you might find? (a bigger kitchen sink?)

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Bill — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 23:30:38 GMT

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Marie, Upstate, SC — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 23:32:36 GMT

If you were a "Tom, Dick, or Harry" ...or had a passport of your own you would KNOW the very differences between what is supplied information on the applicatiopn when submitted for a passport-vs- what is printed on the ACTUAL presented passport to you- the person- and what is shown to the Homeland Security when leaving or entering OUR good ole USA. (and) BTW...my husband is a "Tom, Dick, or Harry"...they don't know that much about your personal life...but they can match pictures to faces, and signatures. Thank you very much...

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Joe E Orlando, Fl — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 23:33:05 GMT

Let me give you a different slant to this issue. My question is "Why should their passport information be private?" Should not someone's travel history who is running for president and will be in control of our nuclear arsenal, CIA, Secret Service, army, air force, navy and Constitution be public. It just amazes me that the average citizen can have their phone tapped, be declared a enemy of the state by a president then be held without due process, and have their medical records accessed but the average joe has no right knowing the travel history of a potential president. Let us see the travel records.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Mike — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 23:33:42 GMT

What a bunch of conspiracy hounds! What has the decision by the company to build in Arkansas have to do with anything. Corporate tax burdens are low, don't blow things out of proportion. What could possibly be in the passport records that is not already known. What is scary is 900 FBI files turning up on your desk and you don't know how. Now that is leverage.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Doug Terpstra — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 23:41:09 GMT

re: Passportgate

They knew Obama’s dossier was illegally rifled months ago, but he was informed only yesterday. Later, Condi admits that Hillary’s file, too, had been violated, only earlier. Therefore those involved, as some of us might suspect, were not likely holdovers from the prior Clinton administration.

Who then? Before we even get the question out, we’re told once again that McCain’s file was scoured too. Therefore the attack targeted all candidates equally and not just Obama. So it’s really no big deal, after all.

Does this leak sequence and its trickle-down timing seem strange to anyone else? It looks like a botched fabrication to me (with FEMA-like competence). No doubt Karl Rove is sorely missed.

How long can they get away with this?

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Basant — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:00:19 GMT

To all obama supporters, now you guys will find out his real name is BHO and he travel mainly to Africa and Muslim country. Look for Keith O and Andrea M spining this story blaming Hillary. Hey Marry(WA) have ever travel outside of USA, you need vias stamp to travel out of country (Issue by staff) and comming back, immigration dept. look at your passport. So you all Obama fan lets investigate all US immigration staff one by one to find out were BHO travelled. This really shows you how dumb Obama suppoters are.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Wilburcarp@yahoo.com — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:00:35 GMT

In the article, they could report EXACTLY how much Phillip Nolan gave to the Clinton, and Obama campaigns, but neglected to tell us how much to the McSame campaign... They Don't Even Mention McCain by Name! ] Is it that obvious that the "media" are that lockstep with the GOP that they report like this and expect people not to notice?

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

John Doe, Seattle, Wash. — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:02:01 GMT

It's interesting to find that both Stanley, Inc., and DynCorp share a common board member. DynCorp is connected to the Clintons in a major way.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Bob West, Minneapolis, MN — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:02:49 GMT

It just another pointer to the fact that America is one of the most unsafe country in the universe. Three people illegaly accessed a private document, two were let go and one suspended. If they were suspected terrorist we will put them in git and send troops to their country. It has been proved that America is weakest and incapable at home. Anything goes, and all we do here is make noise. Just imagine how many of yours and mine information terrosits have accessed and continue to access in this country. How safe are we?

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Kathleen Ball, Cumberland MD — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:05:31 GMT

I agree with some of the above. Who cares? Most information can be gotten legally. I do agree if it is against the policy of a company, the employee needs to be dealt with, but again, who cares. Why is where they have been secret their trips are usually plastered over every means of communication. What am I missing?

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

R. Henry — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:05:47 GMT

I am in agreement with Phillip Nsajja's comment, as it pertains to Clinton's and McCain's files-having been given the APPEARANCE that their files (also) had been breached. Immediately I thought, hhmmm, something smells of "fish'-- when back-to-back news releases were handed out with respect to Clinton and McCain's passport information--just moments following news of Obama's. They're trying to make it appear as though (theirs) were tampered with as well. I knew the battle would become ugly from weeks ago, but nothing of this magnitude!

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Kathleen Ball, Cumberland MD — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:05:47 GMT

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Barbara Swaim, England, Arkansas — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:08:22 GMT

Chris Matthews should rename his program "Hardball" the "Obama Fan Club". It's obvious anytime any MSNBC political show is on that they all seem to be the fan club for Barak.
Hillary Clinton is not the ogre everyone on MSNBC paint her to be.

I've always thought news was supposed to be news, not analysis of people. Now they sit at their desks and stir and slant stories the way they want to. If they had gotten out of their desk chairs and done their work investigating all of the candidates we might see an even hand. I hate to know that the election is going to be decided by people like Chris Mathews and Oberman and any other political pundant.

Reading the comments on this site brings it home more. Everything that happens will be blamed on Hillary. It seems that not only Hillary's campaign but Obama's campaign and McCain's all received donations but that doesn't seem to make any difference.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Uncle Tom, Santa Clarita CA — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:15:50 GMT

I don't believe a passport file would (or can) contain records of countries I have visited, unless those countries chose to report it back to the US. My last 2 trips were visa-free, and all I received in the book was an entry/exit stamp.
Now, the personal information held (no doubt) in my passport record at State is nobody's business but theirs and mine, as it is my legal identity. Perhaps someone could use such information to begin a deeper search for background, and that would be wrongful access, but I don't know how I could dream up a conspiracy here. I guess news is going to be slow until we have more primaries.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

margo hughes, New York, Y — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:16:33 GMT

You poor guys -- you were sooooo hoping for a big scandal involving Hillary -- sorry to disappoint -- I wonder if you know what a laughing stock you have become in your Obama obsession and Hillary Hating. In my office you are the joke of the day

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

pdaversa,Hamilton. New JErsey — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:16:35 GMT

Did anyone noticed that this companies are wholly owned by a BRITISH Co. How did all our personal information ended up with high ranking republican contributors that are wholly owned by the British Gov., follow the money. This is not a movie, there is more than meets the eye. Carl Rove and their ilk are behind the whole thing, so that we stop paying attention to what is REALLY going on in the WAR, ECOMONY, Health Care, Taxes, Banckruptcy Issues. This is another ROCK in the pond to make waves and distract ALL OF US about the real issues. BEWARE the MONGERS are at it again.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Megan Smith, Seattle, Washington — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:17:00 GMT

No doubt, in my mind, the Clintons are involved! She'll do anything to get elected. ANYTHING! No coincidence that she got a contribution from this company, but even more telling - that company is MOVING TO ARKANSAS!!! A case of "lets make a deal?" Duh! Time for the democrats to pull a plug on "THE MONSTER." She's done more damage to the democratic party than any person, republican or democrat, and if she finds a way to steal the nomination - I'll vote republican for the first time in my 54 years of life. I just can't bring myself to vote for anyone so unscrupulous.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

PK, Naperville, IL — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:18:41 GMT

The way you are covering this political campaign you are becoming like your friends...what do they call themselves fair and balanced. I turned off Fox news long time ago and turned of Chris Matthews recently and debating if we should turn off Keith also.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Robert Prentiss, San Francisco, California — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:20:40 GMT

Anyone who believes that their privacy is sacrosanct from government intrusion is living on some other planet. What the government doesn't know isn't worth knowing to it.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Reggie,Cleveland,Ohio — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:21:04 GMT

has anyone noticed that Obama's file was looked at on the day after(2/21) the CEO gave Hillary Clinton's campaign $1,000(2/20)mmmm??? and this was the second time they had breached his file.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Ralph Coleman, Ogden, Utah — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:23:30 GMT

The only people who seem to care about this "news" is the media...trying to make something from nothing. Who REALLY cares about a "breach" of security info regarding passports? The information contained therein is public; it's a public record, for goodness sake. Let it die. Neither Clinton nor Obama will ever repeat the oath of office as President of the United States so it's a moot point; do you REALLY think we as a people are that "sophisticated?" Your concern should be who McCain is selecting as his running mate 'cause that guy is gonna be in the White House a long, long time.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Allen, Seattle, WA — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:26:36 GMT

I find it interesting that these lookers are "subcontractor employees". On the surface it appears that both of these companies are trying to avoid paying social security and medicare taxes by classifying workers as "subcontractors". They probably do not pay any other benefits for their employees. It reminds me of Blackwater or Fed Ex Ground.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

AprilAngel, Nebraska — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:27:38 GMT

RE: Paul, EG,CA == I,too,wondered why it was that first only Obama's passport info was looked at three times, and then, BOOM!, Hillary and McCain were now included in this. Probably another way for the Clintons to cover up their deceiving ways. I also have questions about Stanly, Inc., building in Arkansas as that, too, sends up flags for me. Big money involved here.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

John Sheffer — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:28:59 GMT

Running for political office to lead an entire Nation of people requires some sacrifices. FULL DISCLOSURE should be our expectation of anyone who wants to be "Leader of the Free World" Democrat or Republican. This isn't the same world it once was. Its time to get real.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Truth in Bakersfield, California — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:30:09 GMT

I smell Karl Rove. The changes in wiretap laws and other assaults on our personal space were not inacted to protect us from terroists. They were put in place to spy on American citizens of the democratic persuasion to nail people if they got too close to the real criminals now runnng this country. Does anyone else wonder how Eliot Spitzer's financial records led to his admitted misdeeds? Thousand dollar withdrawals "alert" the IRS, when his net worth is in the multi-millions?
It always comes back to invasion of your home with Republicans (concerning consensual sex; asking about guns is out of the question). Four more years of Bush(McCain), and there will not be a job left in this country; they despise the government, that's why they outsource everything to escape our eavesdropping on THEM.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Jim Kershner, TN — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:31:32 GMT

Actually, their travels should be kept private, otherwise somebody may lay in waiting. Duh besides I think you should ALL let me know where you've been, whom you met with, your SS#, place of birth (so I can look up any family)etc.etc.etc. Now how stupid does that sound!, privacy is an American Right!

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Dr. R. J. Russell, Windsor, NY — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:32:51 GMT

I've had many passports throughout my life. There is NO sensitive info in your file regarding your passport. Simply your name, age, address and the countries you visited. Being candidates for the most important job in the world, we ALREADY know this info. If a candidate traveled to some country that was suspicious, we would have already known about it from the press. The employees should rightfully be fired for accessing the info of ANY individual out of personal interest. But there's no "breach" here. Bill

Say, Bill, if you really believe that, I suppose you wouldn't mind posting here your SS#, your home address and phone and fax and email, your kid's names, ages, your wife's maiden name and state dept info about your terrorist list status, etc. No breach? Jay

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

N.Olson — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:32:58 GMT

Hellooooo....they looked at passport information from Obama, Clinton AND McCain. wow....there goes the "republican witch hunt" theory....

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Wayne, Chino Ca. — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:33:00 GMT

Big Deal.

The story of the year is Obama has belonged to a racist church for the last twenty years and NBC "Snews" makes this out to be some dramatic news event. Unbelievable. Simply a pathetic transparent attempt at diversion. NBC news has Zero credibility with me from now on. As much as I hate to agree with Limbaugh- he is right about the mainstream "drive by" media distortions.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

James, College Station, Tx — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:34:59 GMT

I don't see what the big deal is all about. The passport information contains little more than the phone book. I think it is just another one of those "blow it up your skirt" items that the 24/7 news companies go on and on world without end. Amen

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Di, Los Angeles, CA — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:36:59 GMT

People should be concerned because the passport files have SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS that can give people access to a great deal of private information about the candidates. Once that information gets out, there is no way to control it. In addition to that, social security numbers could be used to PRODUCE problematic associations as well. We should be very disturbed by this. Also, the timing of the Hillary contribution and the Obama breech is odd. The fact that Clinton and McCain had only one breech and Obama had multiple breeches is also troubling. There is more here than meets the eye.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Patty — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:39:14 GMT

To the person above who said there is no personal information on your passport besides your name address, and phone number: Wrong!

When you apply for a passport, your social security number is on the application as well, which is what they went through. This is why the case is a big deal.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Tim, Seattle,WA — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:40:15 GMT

Give me a Break... The only way this becomes a security breach is if a Terroist infiltrated those CO in order to find out when these folks where traveling. I can see that, but otherwise its all blown out of perportion.... Pluss they where caught..

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Joe, Grand Rapids, Michgan — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:44:11 GMT

Just what info is in your passport file? I'll bet there is more there than anyone knows. One astouding thing is that the snooping was allowed even though Rice said it would have been flagged. So if it were flagged, then how could it not have been known at the time it happened without accounting for that breach? And if it were flagged, then how was it accessed in the beginning? Seems peculair that there wasn't anybody at the wheel when it occured.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Basant — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:44:28 GMT

Watch out according to Keith O and Andrea M. this can become identy teft problem. now we will have thousands of Obama running around country. If each Obama will give $22,000 donation, trinty church and old uncle will be rich now.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

B. Rubble Bedrock, PA. — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:46:22 GMT

LMAO....You people really make me chuckle. The media feeds you a tid bit of information that THEY want you to know, or that they feel will liven up the story and you're all running around pointing fingers. As soon as I read the first article, I wondered how long it would take for someone to blame the Bush Administration, or any other of a number of agencies to turn this in to a political matter against your least favorite group. I'm just surprised no one suspects Haliburton or O.J. at this point. This doo doo (only because they would have censored my first choice of words) just keeps getting more unbelievable each year. The worlds a mess and you all just keep stoking the fire that the media builds.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Gerry, Omaha, Ne — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:46:31 GMT

How long will it take before the Clinton's are exposed as being involved in this? Think about it, every time a conspiracy, allegation or lie exists in this campaign race the Clinton's names are always mentioned. Amazing isn't it!!!!!!!!!!!!

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Jack Baum — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:48:57 GMT

Fired? I say mandatory 40 year prison terms and you will loosen their lips as to who was behind it. This is not a republican or democrat scandal, this is something much bigger. It seem like a news media snoop to me. Both party candidates had their records looked into.Someone was fishing for the big story in my book. All these candidates knwo something like this could bring them down and all of them are senators, so this is somebody else digging for info to get the Big Story!!

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

al, miami beach — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:49:29 GMT

The question is why would intelligence agencies (CIA, etc.) be interested in this information. Over time I have realized most Virginia based "contractors" are usually CIA fronts or infiltrated by intelligence operatives to use as cover in their job duties. It would be very surprising if we really get to the real reasons why these individuals were peeking into personal information.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Jane Doe, Virginia — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:50:22 GMT

First off this is being blown way out of proportion. Three people made a huge mistake!!! There is no scandal, no fire, or anything of the sort just plain curiosity. I find it funny about the low level employees not being able to have access to records. How else is the passport going to get processed??? Not by the so called higher up employees. This could have happened in any service area for example Dept of Motor Vechicles, hospital etc..Our private infomation has to looked at by someone at some point in time.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Kevin, Campbell, California — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:52:58 GMT

In response to an earlier comment: "Aren't your passport "records" exposed everytime you hand it to every Tom, Dick, and Harry at the Airport?" The answer is "no." My passport is exposed, not the information I filled out on a form to obtain my passport which became my record. That record includes my mother's maiden name, my Social Security number and many other personal details that could compromise my identity and privacy.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Beverly Sims, Chicago, IL — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:53:14 GMT

For all of you that think that this is not important, I would like to ask you, would you want your passport and personal information viewed with identity theft going on, your are very naive if you don't, IT IS IMPORTANT, and if Clinton's was breached one year ago, why now is the Clinton campaign speaking about it, very convenient, is it not funny that one of the contractors or the supervisor use to work for President Clinton. People learn and read between the lines, don't believe everything that you hear negatively, and if you are so concerned that rev wright was so negative, listen to the entire sermon, not just the sound bites that Fox News run, I ask you who are the racist.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Joyce Lahr Cold Spring Mn — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:54:39 GMT

so,did someone ever ask "how illegal imigrates get into this country? information on these pass ports with a change of name, can let any Tom, Dick and Harry pass customs. And no, this wasn't only for curiosity.they should check further back and find out, through time who's pp was breached!

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Alan, Tolland, CT — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:54:45 GMT

Geez, did anyone ever think think that the employees were just curious? Not everything in this world is a conspiracy. While they should not have done it there are much more important things going on in this world to care, think and do something about.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Nate, Prot OR — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:56:12 GMT

Home Addresses and SSN's of 3 Major Presidental candidates? this should be cause for concern for us all,is the state dept really this easy to infiltrate, just some contractors that get to access their data base? before you label anyone a conspiracy hound maybe this should be investigated. The current administration is either soo inept to let this happen or sooooo blatently lawless that they felt they could do whatever they want, and its their fault that neither would not surprise me.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Eric, Denton, Texas — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:57:02 GMT

Drop the big conspiracy idea. My money is on the fact that each of these non-State Dept contract employees probably were overly (and illegally) curious or at worst were snooping for any kind of info dirt that they would then try to sell to a tabloid or political mudslinger.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Richard, Nashville, TN — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:59:13 GMT

We learn to suspect conspiracy because in the past 8 years conspiracy typically has a great deal of truth to it.

Yeah they moved the company to Arkansas, you know governed by Mike Huckabee that planned to become president too? The company CEO is a notable GOP financial contributor? Suddenly he has a change of heart and contributes, although in minor fashion, to Clinton's campaign? No that's not strange. Neither is the GOP leaning owner of Diebold that makes the majority of the voting machines in use in Florida during the 2000 election. Not suspicious at all. Same scenario.

Obama's files have been hit 3 times in 3 months? No that's not suspicious... The day that Obama's breach is reported, the other two candidates are both preaching "someone should get to the bottom of this" and then the next day suddenly they've been hit too? hmmm must be a coincidence.

As for the fact that these contractors were "low level" and thereby not a threat, how naive can you be? Seriously? All it takes is passing that SSN or other info to the proper place and all sorts of damage can be done. Ever heard of identity theft? "Low-Level" employees are harmless? Monica Lewinski was a "low level" person and look how harmless she was.

The typical raving Republican mindset that suspicious = stupid is getting VERY old. Being smart enough to "connect the dots" doesn't make anyone a conspiracy theorist. It means you're paying attention.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

jack smith, woodbridge, virginia — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 01:04:32 GMT

just yank the damn contract and award it to some else....thst what need to be done.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Cal, Norfolk, Virginia — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 01:05:58 GMT

It's just ashame that as a supposedly intelligent American voting society we still don't get it. This is total nonsense. It's just sad of the total incompetnece that goes on in the American government. That is why if things keep on the way they are going the Republicans are going to take the presidency once again and we are going to sick back looking dumb and stupid and still wondering and blaming others for what happened.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

JSF, Richmond, VA — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 01:06:22 GMT

This is from monster.com, and although I do not for sure, I suspect that the type of person who did this "snooping" would do the following type of work, "This includes the daily activities of mail open, cashier, image capture (scanning), image review, data entry, bookprint, quality control, customer service functions such as searches, re-writes, re-issues, re-mails and PRISM (passport record scanning)."

More homework,: http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&tab=wn&ned=us&scoring=n&q=%22stanley+associates%22&btnG=Search

Finally, contracts of this sort are very competitive and my greatest fear would be the low pay scales for these workers. Hot Springs = low wages.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

A.Washington — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 01:11:06 GMT

Someone please remind me is Hillary Clinton a Republican or a Democrat, she is a very slippery individual with lots of skeletons in her closet. I don't dislike her but I don't trust her or Bill. My mother gave me one jewel as a child to live by. "If a person liar they will also steel".
OBAMA for President!!!

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

LEK, Boston, MA — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 01:12:29 GMT

Some of you apparently are not aware of ALL the info you provide when you apply for a passport. Such as, SS#, and other confidential info, that in the hands of the wrong person(s) can be used to access OTHER data. You're not seeing the big picture...

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

James willoughby ohio — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 01:12:43 GMT

Well there is no news of any significance so this is the last thing they had to write about. Snooping for information in todays world sometimes is profitable. Get the right picture or file and sell it.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

JCP Augusta, GA — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 01:15:02 GMT

Note that one of Stanley's listed partners is the infamous EG&G, now owned by the Carlyle Group, of which G. H. W. Bush is a member. Also, as noted above, John Brennan, the former head of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) and the Deputy Executive Director of the Central Intelligence Agency from March 2001 to March 2003 and thus a potential CIA buddy for Bush Sr.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

William, San Diego CA — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 01:17:48 GMT

I agree with Joe from Orlando. This info. should be public. I want to know who my President is. Also someone said what could be gained from the passport anyway. Well, it tells you where they have been. Now if they had discovered he had been to the Middle East many times, this would be a different story. His full name is Barack Hussein Obama. Havent you ever been told to beware smooth talkers. Wouldnt it be something if he won the Presidency and it was later discovered this was the largest plot in US history for a political takover. Or on a smaller scale, what if: We narrow Bin Ladin down to a 100 mile radius and we are ordered to nuke 'em and he overrides the decision. America has so many laws protecting our freedom that this would be the easiest way to take over our country. Everyone is afraid to ask and investigate him bc of his rights and freedoms. And of course those guys got payoffs, they knew they would get fired because the system logs their access. So yes the stock sale would be a great place to start.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Leo, phx, az — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 01:19:27 GMT

Rigid thinkers become fragile survivors.

The great King Salomon said: When wisdom enters into your heart, you have great dicernement, strong mind and you are able to make good judgement.

The Clinton campaign is getting weaker every day.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Carlos Armand DuBoise, Cannes France, Denver, New York — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 01:23:25 GMT

Carlos Armand Duboise: Sends

The access of any personal records is not an issue to be viewed lightly. A candidate for piblic just raises above the radar. Who else was accessed during training. A proper process would be establish a training module for the probe folks, not live data.

We at Foensics Intelligence do a great deal of fact finding into unauthorized access. We would decline any American Gov. contract due to lack of controls and basically no security requirements that can be enforced. Firing the offender is not enforcing.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Scott, Greensboro, NC — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 01:26:41 GMT

Relax conspiracy whackos...According to reports on multiple other sites, TAC’s Chief Executive Officer John O. Brennan is a former CIA agent who is also an adviser to Mr. Obama’s presidential campaign. Did someone at MSNBC conveniently forget to mention this fact in the article?

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Mary, Littleton, CO — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 01:30:57 GMT

It's amazing, nobody gets excited if someone looks at Hillary's records but God forbid that somebody would look at Obama's. Is Obama trying to muddy the water again? Is he trying to spin it so it looks like somebody from Hillary's organization was involved. Let's wait Barack and be sure before your people make statements you will be sorry for.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

A.V. Drake, Santa Cruz, Ca. — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 01:37:31 GMT

"Now keep your eyes on my left hand.....it never leaves your sight....that's proof that my right hand is doing nothing wrong. If I were doing something wrong, wouldn't I be using both hands.....?"
while some people will be satisfied with the arguement, just as many will believe the opposite because of the arguement....neither has the patience nor the intelligence to demand more information before making a judgement. this axiom of human behavior is what a Politician counts on. This little tangent issue ( Who's behind the spying?) will be baked , stewed , fried and overcooked for weeks..... the real story is not in the left hand....it's in the right.
The dollar is going in the toilet, there are indicators that we are in a Recession and a Depression, (though improbable) is not out of the realm of possibility in the near future.... So go ahead with your conspiratorial debate....or watch American Idol...in 8 months you choose who best to relinquish your common sense and what little critical thought ability you possess to.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

L Vorhies, Franklin, IN. — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 01:41:23 GMT

I thought we were supposed to have a more
transparent nominating process. What is considered private should be public, after all
we as citizens are putting our very being in
the hands of a potential president.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Sara, Wisconsin — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 01:46:08 GMT

Just having someone's SS number revealed is a travesty.
The State of Wisconsin accidentally printed mine on the tax forms in 2007 - as a conciliatory gesture, I was given FREE crdit monitoring for 12 months.
"High Profile" persons are not "fair game" for identity theft of any kind.
I'd say an investigation is warranted.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

State Department Government Works — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 01:47:48 GMT

If one really wanted personal information, peek at a completed student loan application, now that has some information!

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

miss,memphis, tn — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 01:58:23 GMT

I am shocked at the number of comments from people who think this is no big deal and brush aside any angst about this breach as "conspiracy" theory. Sadly, I think many Americans are forgetful about our nations past and the struggles of our founders to create a free society. If ordinary Americans continue to sit ignorantly on the side lines allowing further and further erosion of our Constitutional right to privacy without so much as a whimper of dissent, we could lose the freedoms for which so many have fought so hard. Being part of the political process means questioning the actions of government. That is not "conspiracy" theory; it is looking for some justification for actions that are otherwise inexcusable and holding elected leadership accountable for policies that allow things like a breach of privacy to occur.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Clarence, Philadelphia, PA — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 02:04:36 GMT

Joe, I would tend to agree with you except some of these passport records actually contain information on family members including addresses. Now that doesn't seem like a big deal to you or I but for a candidate running for office that's subject to black mail it could be a bit disturbing.

Other than that, I agree that the travel records should be made public as soon as the travel records of all citizens are made public.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

jane miller pleasant hope missouri — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 02:10:28 GMT

Sorry ruin what could be a bash Hillary moment but it seems the "newsmen" didnt get the whole story before they ran it. Hillary Clintons passport was also checked out....end of the day someone was nosey, bored, wanted to find something to sell to the media? Just check out the evening news, I think its Peter Jennings? Anyway, All the candidates had their passport info messed with....

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Richard, Topeka, KS — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 02:13:05 GMT

Since Barack Obama lived outside of the US at various times, his "passport record" would contain volumes of information and misinformation gathered by a variety of federal agencies regarding those periods. Neither Clinton or McCain are in the same boat. That any of the records are so easily accessed is disturbing, but Obama has a greater downside in that his record would contain more information to be distorted and misused than the other two candidates.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Bridgett, TX — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 02:15:58 GMT

Let us take the potential political avenue out of it for a moment. The reason why this is a problem is because passport information does not only hold travel information. Your personal information including your family information (SSN and etc..) can be accessed and used. This is a privacy issue. Recently, I received a notification that my credit information was accessed by an unhappy terminated employee of which I was a credit card holder. This notification allowed me to be alerted so that I could keep a watchful eye. Credit Card information provide less information than Passport. Whomever the terminated employee was, he or she potentially had my address, SSN, my personal information which should not be accessed by anyone. Someone could have messed me up credit-wise, or if the person did not like me – they had my address and potentially family addresses if the history showed past addresses. In this case, we are speaking of a presidential candidate who was not notified in a timely manner. Honestly, if you do not care – then do not blog. But this is or could be a serious matter – especially if you are the one being violated.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Elisa, Michigan — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 02:18:44 GMT

Some of you are real fools. All of their passaporte records have already been accesed. If any of the candidates wanted to use this for their advantage think again, they would have paid a hacker not an employee who we know can get caught easly.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

clarence gillispie,Westerville,Oh — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 02:19:32 GMT

More of the same ol,same ol,change is a major threat to the established corrupt profiteers of the military industrial political complex. This is just a tip of the iceberg of a massive assault against our infant Democracy.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

PETE, FAIRFAX,VA — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 02:19:51 GMT

HAD EITHER PARTY (STANLEY OR STATE) REVEALED THE VIOLATIONS, HOW COULD THE STATE RENEW THEIR CONTRACT? IS NOT INTERESTING THAT ALL THIS CAME TO LIGHT AFTER CONTRACT AWARD? IT WOULD ALSO BE INTERESTING TO FIND OUT IF ANYONE ELSE HAD BID ON THE CONTRACT AND IF THERE ARE GROUNDS FOR A PROTEST?

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Rebekah Bel Air, MD — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 02:29:28 GMT

Is this the same Stanley Inc? Doesn't look too good for McCain if employees from this company were involved in the breach.

Stanley to build new Ariz. passport center
http://www.washingtontechnology.com/online/1_1/32009-1.html
12/26/07 -- 10:18 AM

"Stanley Inc. will build and manage a new passport-processing facility in Tucson, Ariz., under a contract awarded last year by the State Department.
Under the terms of the contract, Stanley, of Arlington, Va., will oversee the printing, quality control and mailing of U.S. passports and other travel documents processed at the new center. Earlier this year, Stanley opened a passport center in Hot Springs, Ark."

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Bill, Fort Lauderdale, Fl. — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 02:48:38 GMT

Check out the Board of Directors of Stanley and then check out their past contacts. You will find it very enlightening. Also were these employees fired from Stanley or just from the State Dept.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Eld — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 02:53:52 GMT

Breaking news: the government has files.

Some of the most insignificant files must be the passport files.

Bored government employees sometimes look in these files when they shouldn't. The HORROR!

Bloviating politicians react in outrage demanding that safeguards be put in place to prevent bureaucrats from acting like people. Give me a break.

If people were thumbing through the candidates' medical, marriage counseling, or juvenile arrest records -- this might be a story.

It must be a really slow news day.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Gil Buller, Silverton, Oregon — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 02:58:37 GMT

The "bored employees" are sacrificial lambs and were doing this on orders from the top of the food chain; top managers who will skate free as usual. Accountability is a sick joke. Quit insulting us with this kind of nonsense and get to the top of skullduggery for a change. And you wonder why journalism is as distrusted as the Bush Administration?

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

L. E. Finney — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 03:00:46 GMT

What strikes me as very,very interesting is that the Agency is only now releasing this information which happened in February. Why wasn't it released when it first happened instead of now??? Timing is important. Additionally, we used to have a good civil service system based on merit, but now we have contracting out and see what it brings us. Costly contracts and little responsibility.
Application information can contain more information than appears on the passport itself, and that should be protected. If the Agency issues a Passport that is all anyone else needs to have; they should not have access to any personal records. They should not have fired the employees until after the investigation because they would have had opportunity to investigate them more thoroughly than they can now.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

pearl elliott,Elizabethtown,Ky.42701 — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 03:08:23 GMT

well i dont see a conection to Clinton or mc cains either were they both were breached- didnt hear about that, but Obama is very much in the news wonder why?he is in the news all of the time,macain and clintons sure are not getting the news very much, sounds like a scam to put him in folks forcus all the time

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Brad Ferguson, Chicago Ill — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 03:16:37 GMT

OMG !!!! OMG !!!!! OBAMA's CIVIL RIGHT HAVE BEEN VIOLATED !!!!!!! What do you mean so have the other canidates???? OBAMA's HAS BEEN LOOKED AT OBAMA's BEEN LOOKED AT !!!!!! That's all that matters.......Forget McCain...Forget Hillary. OBAMA's RIGHT's HAVE BEEN VIOLATED !!!! CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION. And while yoy're at it Throw out the Votes in Michigan and Florida...nothing to see here.... OBAMA'S RIGHTS HAVE BEEN VIOLATED !!!!!!! DID I SAY OBAMA's RIGHTS HAVE BEEN VIOLATED ???????

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Obwan, IN — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 03:19:31 GMT

While this is a privacy issue it is also a security issue.

A passport record does not equal information that is on the passport.

I am sure there will be more coming out in the next week. Training will be tightened up - probably won't use live real information. I am surprised that this is not already the case. Oh! I forgot this is our government (LOL).

I really would not like to be that last person.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Winona Johnston, Lexington, KY — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 03:20:21 GMT

I think we also need to find out how they hacked into that passport file and fix it. It might be just as easy for them or others to get into the really important files in this "secure" system, like SS system.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

John S, Missoula, Montana — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 03:27:58 GMT

What's in a passport file? Not just your travel history. Medical history, social security information, family history...a lot.

Instead of asking the uninformed question "why is this a big deal?" ask yourself why anyone needs to know this information in the first place.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

RC in Ohio — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 03:36:18 GMT

The most interesting aspect of the story thus far is that the CEO of the firm that looked at John McCain's record is a senior campaign advisor to Obama.

Obviously, these breeches have to be investigated. However, there is probably nothing more to the story than some low level idiots decided they'd pass the time looking up famous people instead of doing their job.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

deedee bend, Oregon — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 03:45:32 GMT

The neocons are so afraid to see Obama becomes president, they would do anything to stop him. Neocons have been manipulating americans minds, and they have done a good job at it. Obama is exceptionnaly intelligent, very well informed on foreign affairs, he is the politician who has the most integrity and honesty. He was one of the few who voted against the iraq war. What does it tell you?? It tells you what you did not understand when you voted for a cowboy. Obama because of his knowledge of the world, knew what a disaster it would be to invade Iraq, just like so many europeans leaders knew. You voted for a stupid and incompetent man twice, if you do not want this to happen again, think a little deeper about the consequences your vote will make. Bill Richardson who has a great record, indorsed Obama because he knows, how good of a president senator Obama will be. If you want an end to the war, affordable heath care, good education for your kids and a good economy, Obama is the key. Do not let the medias poison your mind and misled you. What will it accomplish if you do not vote for Obama because of all the lies you're being told?? Nothing! 80% of americans are racist, more or less. How many of you would befriend a muslim or some one from India or china??? What is important is what Obama can do for you and this country. All Europe want to see Senator Obama elected. What does it tells you??? It may be time to listen! You' ve been missled twice by voting for Bush, Look where he took this country. You elected a man who has surrounded himself with hateful white evangelicals who have been preaching hate against gays, women, sciences and people who do not have their mind set. As a european living in the usa, I ask why this was never mention by the media? Bush even believed he was chosen by God?? Which God??? Not mine!
Look into Obama's eyes and tell me you cannot see any good in him! This guy is great!

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

John Wilson — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 04:06:13 GMT

Having worked for the Federal Government, I can tell you that this kind of stuff goes on all the time, but this time they were caught. If this kind of stuff is going on with these people, what in the heck do you think that our government is or could do to a regular citizen. Granted this is trival info, but a bigger issue is at hand, specifcally the Government and their contractors pretty much doing whatever they want or told to do. Yes, told to do.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

miriamac2001@yahoo.com — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 04:19:55 GMT

I am absolutely sure that Hillary is too high minded to do such a thing. I am sure that while those tapes of excerpts of snippets of Wright's sermons were playing she just plain forgot that Bill had reached out to invite Wright to the WH? I am also quite sure that the "Senator (not) from NY" she will be quite willing to sell you the Brooklyn Bridge just as soon as she finds out where it is.
Miri, Wantagh, NY

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Sam White, Houston, Texas — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 04:25:49 GMT

Well, as a Govt. contractor for the Dept. of Labor, I can tell you exactly why the company kept the lid on the breach until mid march...because the entire 500+ million dollar contract was not yet awarded to them until about 10 days ago!! They were terrified that if it got out, before the ink was dry, the State Dept. would nix the whole deal and put it up for re-bid. Duh. I'll bet the fired employees were quite new to the office and kept to themselves, just like an intel. asset would.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

A. Zeroid, Kirkland, WA — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 04:28:58 GMT

Great. I renewed my passport in December. Are my vitals being sold to bad guys? I hope they make a severe example out of these and all violators of privacy laws. I guess it takes it a few high profile victims to make the news. Here's to more high profile victims until it stops.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Linda Baugh, Scottsdale, AZ — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 04:30:00 GMT

"The Analysis Corporation is "at the forefront of the fight to safeguard national interests"--what about individual rights? what is implied here is that it is OK to look at individuals' private information just 'cus you want to--and then put up a smoke screen that you are "good guys" because you are committed to "safeguard national interests." What the heck does national interests have to do with violating the privacy of citizens? Sounds too much like Bush/Cheney to me.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Jon, Sacramento CA — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 04:39:46 GMT

Nobody seems bothered by the two most striking aspects of this story. First, what exactly is kept in a passport "file" (if the information is so innocuous why the huge, immediate apology from the State Department?).

And second, how much private contracting is really going on in our government these days? When did these humongous contracts start getting issued? What kind of accountability are these companies being held to? (Iraq has vividly shown us the corruptibility of Haliburton, Black Water, etc.)

I've given up on American news media following up on these issues anymore. Americans themselves have become far too passive about what our government (now 20 per cent of the national economy) is turning into.

In order to have a democracy, an informed citizenry is essential. The mainstream news media used to be counted upon to inform us, but as we now know, they have become arms of the bureaucratic system.

Only American citizens themselves -- and only if they care to (which I don't believe they really do) -- can demand a return to a more honest, transparent, and less sinister government.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

don252@msn.com — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 04:58:55 GMT

I do hope this is looked at more closely. If I remember right both the Stanley Corp. and the Analysis Corp. are both sub-contractors with our friends at Langley. The two employees were let go because they were 1. sloppy and got caught 2. They are scape goats for the folks who ordered them to access the passport info. there is alot more info that is researched when one applies for a passport than what is in the application itself, especially post nine eleven. Good luck in getting to the real bottom of this.

Don Casillas Ukiah, Ca.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Wayne in Kansas City, MO — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 05:26:09 GMT

I totally agree with the assessment that this is a NON-news story! Geez people! This should have been a minor story that was briefly reported on the newspaper equivalent of page 2 or 3, with a paragraph or two update on subsequent days, as details emerged. To hear you people tell it their DNA had been stolen and was about to be used to end life as we know it! Get a grip and stop sensationalizing so much!

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

TR, Little Rock, AR — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 05:42:40 GMT

Ok, maybe I am living in a fantasy world, but I think as American citizens we are ENTITLED to know the background and history of EVERY political candidate. This should be made public knowledge at the onset of a campaign and if someone is afraid of what comes out they should not run. I don't want anyone in office who has something to hide. Besides, what makes their information any more important than anyone else's? We are ALL subject to intrusion of our private information and our homes.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Amy, Phoenix, AZ — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 05:43:56 GMT

Guess what- Britney Spears' medical records were accessed at the hospital where she stayed by curious folks too! The American people are fascinated by anyone in the limelight. There is no conspiracy, just ordinary people making poor choices.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

AnnAlohaFairMedia,PA — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 05:45:58 GMT

So Obama got $2300.00 hmmm is this something to look into?
Political Contributions:
According to federal campaign records, Stanley's Chairman and CEO, Philip Nolan, has made political contributions to prominent Republican candidates and also gave $1,000 to Sen. Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign on Feb. 20, 2008. John Brennan, the CEO of the Analysis Corp, gave $2,300 to Sen. Obama on Jan. 28, 2008, the records show.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Katherine Moore, Raleigh, NC — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 05:46:49 GMT

I am amused at all of the hoopla over the three contract workers who took information from Obama's passport file. The public should know that government agents by now know what color his shorts are and what kind of toothpaste he uses.

visit:www.oneagleswingsfearnoevil.com

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

JB Washington DC — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 05:55:21 GMT

It's highly unlikely that this is a Republican conspiracy. The first two breaches of Obama's files occured on January 9th, just after the Iowa and New Hampshire primaries, and on February 21st, just after the Potomac primaries.
Until Mitt Romney bowed out on February 14th, the nomination battle was between him and McCain, and Obama had only just started to emerge as the dominant Democrat on February 12th in the Potomac primaries. At that time, McCain was still being chased by Huckabee and courting the right wing religious vote.
Who would have had the most incentive to dig dirt on Obama on January 9th and February 21st -- the Clintons or the Republicans? On January 9th, Hillary had been soundly defeated by Obama in Iowa and had squeaked by in New Hampshire on an unshed tear. On February 12th, she was skunked. After New Hampshire, McCain had a long shot at Romney and was struggling with him for the nomination. Which of these campaigns, Hillary's or McCain's, would have had the greater interest in January and February in Obama's electronic dossier? And, were it the Republicans who were interested, it is hard to believe that they would not have been able to enlist a high level State Department political appointee who could have reviewed the Obama file with impunity.
Then, in the third breach of the database on March 14th, after McCain became the presumed Republican nominee, and Obama had gained the lead in the Democratic race, both Obama's and McCain's files were targeted.
Hillary Clinton appears to be now contending that her passport files were also breached in this time frame. The only information I can find relating to any such activity is that Bill Clinton's passport information was breached in 1992.
I am a liberal Democrat, and no supporter of McCain; however, I truly believe that Senator McCain would never condone such a breach of ethics and law, while I truly believe that the Clintons will stoop as low as it takes.
It is clear that idle curiosity was not the motivating factor in these breaches. According to the State Department and the contractors involved, the personnel in question had been trained and apprised of the privacy act, their obligations as to this act, and the penalties involved if they failed to conform to this law. Why would some low-level data entry clerk knowingly risk his or her job by accessing unauthorized data just out of curiosity? Surely, the perpetrators of February and March knew of the firings in January and February (assuming that the State Department actually did this).
Qui bono? It's a big contract. The Republican sun is setting. The Presidency and the down tickets are leaning Democratic. Hillary would be ever grateful.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

follow the money — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 07:01:23 GMT

follow the money,
and see who pushes their buttons?

Somebody needed this information, and if you paid enough money,
hey..
even judges can be bought also..
(like in in a detective movie)

follow the money
($$ka-ching$$)

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

M.B. Greenville, North CAROLINA — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 07:20:45 GMT

I think that this is the worst thing that could happen to anyone at this time . But Obama have not a thing hind from the poeple thats the problem he tells the true

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Leslie, Kailua, HI — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 07:26:40 GMT

People--this is the info that is in your passport file. Would you want others to know this about you? Your first, middle & last name; your date of birth; your sex; your place of birth; your social security number; your mailing address and contact phone number; your email address; your maiden name or other name; your father's first, middle and last name; his date and place of birth; your mother's first, middle and last name; her date and place of birth; your height, hair color, eye color, occupation and employer. Your permanent address; your emergency contacts and their phone numbers; your travel plans; your spouse and/or former spouse's name; their place of birth; the date of your marriage; if widowed or divorced and the date. Would it bother you if your file was accessed?

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Martin, South Florida — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 07:55:48 GMT

If the files are private by law, then they should not have been accessed. However, to me, the bigger issue is: should we not have the right to know about the people we elect to run our country and send our kids to war? What about their political and financial connections? This passport file stuff just seems like a smoke screen: get everybody jumping up and down about privacy in order to focus dirt digging away from other dubious and more sensitive issues that might otherwise be just about to surface. (Really, name any politician you could honestly trust with your life or your money.) Either way, once again US politics is the laughing stock of the rest of the world.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

don,lb,ca — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 07:56:11 GMT

Stanley Co.spokeshole Poella says the employees were terminated (taken out back and shot, presumably) the day the breach occurred. The first breach happened Jan.9, the second Feb.21, about a six-week gap. I would have thought the first employee got fired the next day AND everybody in the company would have been warned about unauthorized access to files. There is so much spin, misdirection and deception here that it is obvious that we are being thought of as complete idiots. When cases like this one come along I am fully in favor of an IG investigation. Companies like Analysis and Stanley don't like to see their names in the news, but occasionally they need to come under the spotlight.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

tamera thompson — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 08:51:40 GMT

i want to know where they go to church, how long have they been associated with their spritual advisor. What did their Kindergarten papers State what they wanted to be when they grew up? Where they a member of the BSA (boy scouts of america), what about their parents, did they go to all the PTA (parent teacher association) meetings, or DID they miss some meetings with the teachers for reasons yet disclosed. And finally have they released their TAX records for the last 6 years? Curious minds would like to Know!!!!

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Marty Cox, Moline, IL — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 09:06:40 GMT

As a government contractor programmer, what these guys did breaches the ethics and standards of anyone in IT. If the system was under development and there was an issue with those paticular records, that is the only reason they should ever have accessed them. I personally hope they never work in any form of IT again.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

jcarini1@q.com — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 09:32:30 GMT

Keep up the good work Obama,the Viginia contractors won't keep you from the presidency.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Victor Bowman, Provo, Utah — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 09:44:48 GMT

Why Don't we have Full-Time FEDERAL EMPLOYEES DOING these important jobs? The passport problem is not going away soon, and if you are a career Federal Employee you have very good reasons to follow the Rules !! { LOOK AT THE PROBLEMS CONTRACT EMPLOYEES IN DOD HAVE CAUSED!! }

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Jim Michie, Bethesda, MD — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 10:17:51 GMT

Sometime this past week, a State Department "official" decided to leak to the Washington Times the breaching of Barack Obama's passport file three times, in January, February, and again on Friday a week ago. This obviously is why the State Department decided it had better launch its damage control operation and release it this past Thursday evening to the media at large. Question: if the news had not been leaked to the Washington Times, would State have released the news Thursday evening? I think not.

So, at about 8:00 p.m., on this past Thursday Evening, we learned that the passport records of Senator Barack Obama had been breached no less than three times since January. We know that the State Department's Inspector General did not learn of this until yesterday (at least, this is what State claims), when he should have been notified immediately on each violation, in January, February and again just last Friday. We were told that two contractor employees were fired over this and a third was reprimanded. But we have yet to learn the identity of these three contractor employees, nor will the State Department reveal the name(s) of the the contractor companies. And let's not forget about the Maura Harty, the person in charge of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs, who retired in late February--after two of the breaches of Obama's passport file had occurred and both workers responsible had been fired.

This is an obvious colossal ruse to defuse the violation of Senator Obama's passport record and to cover up why and how Bush's acted in this crime. Late yesterday, it was Obama's passport file that had been violated. Bad news for the Bush/Cheney/Rice regime. So what did they do? Made up a story over night to defuse any thought of a Republican conspiracy to steal information from Obama's passport file. Now, all of a sudden, we hear that the passport files of both Clinton and McCain were breached as well. What is so disheartening and frustrating is the fact that the media seem to have bought all of this--hook, line and sinker. NBC--pray tell: have you swallowed this as well? I sincerely hope not. There is one hellava' story behind all of this. GO FOR IT!

Jim Michie
5407 Glenwood Road
Bethesda, MD 20817
301-656-5278

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Tman, Ohio — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 10:23:00 GMT

Your immediate investigation implying that the Clinton campaign was somehow involved was your typical unprofessional job. I don't suppose you apologized to her campaign on the air for your error did you? Ask Fox news to pull back the covers so you can climb in.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Debbie McDaniel, Alameda,CA — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 10:31:20 GMT

This is an extremely big deal that the government seems to be taking very casually. This Administration has been gathering billions of pieces of information about us and storing them and keep telling us that it is all completely secure and we should trust them to make sure we are safe with all our civil rights protected and they can't keep the files of one of the most important people in this country today safe? They don't think it's important enough to even notify the Senator after three seperate episodes. These files have been privatized and this is what happens when you outsource our government to private contractors. It's not just a "passport" that was looked at. It was any and all personal back up data that goes into that file and those contractors now know things that they shouldn't but now can never unlearn. I think this whole scandal is criminal. Who knows what tidbit can be let out that bad people might use? If they didn't have authorization why did the system even let them get access?

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Paul, Jessup, MD — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 11:03:00 GMT

Good work. Keep looking. Tell us more about the military/CIA background of the management at these companies, and the fact that there is supposed to be on-site governmental supervision. Also who these executives associate with.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

mike swick riyadh saudi arabia — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 11:29:03 GMT

every body seems to see a comspiracy I ask who cares these individuals re running for public office they have no real right to privacy when they put their name on the dotted line

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Katy Wakeley , Pittsburd PA. — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 11:40:46 GMT

Obviously, if you people don't see this thing is connected to Hillary all of you are legally blind. It does not take a rocket scientist to realize that. If you follow very well the timing of all that I am strongly agreed with the other writer who mentioned it first. I am republican, and is started to scare me the way the Clintons are doing thing specially with OBAMA. There is anywhere who will be able to see Hillary's fairness in the race. When you take a look back to the story, Hillary's passport was "LOOCKED AT" during a training process by internal employees last year, MC Cain was "BREACHED" sometimes end january or febuary this year.(Just remember the story about MC Cain was not a natural born US Citizen)...But the most critical of all is the OBAMA situation(Check is timing: Right before/after OHIO, TEXAS and right after that stupid controversy eveyone is going crazy about eventhough they know guilty by association is a poor judgment)...In my common sense this Clintons are doing anything to keep this Politic in USA hostage by their lies and influences.Yeah I say influences, because even the Media play a good part now in this all process. And let me explain: Every one who has their head on their shoulder will realize ever since Hillary Clinton tell the Media that they were picking at her they left her alone on every aspect til present day. They are so meany thing they could of talking about right now, but no they stick on Mc Cain mis speaking on the middle East trip, Obama's tragedy with the pastor... for some reason they are not talking about Hillary's lies about NAFTA after her record has been release, or they are not even try to debate about why MC Cain and Obama's inquiries of the privacy information happen in this time. So I start beleiving that these Media(FOX, MSNBC etc..) got a pay off or something. And you people if you never get to the point to leave partisanship behind and think with a clear head you will never see how fake Hillary is (Just a hint Look at her face when she is speaking, her eye will tell you who she is)If I was a democrat I would cut my hand off instead of voting for that woman. I wish that the GOP has a woman on their side. So MC Cain or Obama is find with me at least they respect American people not their personal gain...Think again People!!!

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

John, Las Vegas NV — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 11:43:31 GMT

Some may think this investigation as excessive, yet I remember "Watergate" starting small too - I am not suggesting this is anything, but digging a little is still a good idea; just in case?

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

mary rover atlanta georgia — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 11:50:49 GMT

Don't forget that the company gave Clinton and Obama contributions. If you would read, Obama's contribution was more.So how does this equate to something Clinton master minded. Learn to read, then write.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

James Hedman Byron, GA — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 11:52:12 GMT

I hope the current administration does not find ways to bury this story in red tape.
I am admitttedly sometimes paranoid but I have a gut feeling there is something here beyond curiousity as it was put. We need a full investigation independent of Bush and company as well as Clinton and company. It is time to bring in the FBI. Let's get to the bottom of this and soon!

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Jim M, Pgh. Pa — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 11:52:37 GMT

Time: "the Bush Administration was in the process of greatly expanding the number of agencies and foreign governments that have routine access to that same database."

I just cannot understand how anyone can even think to trust the Bush government now a days. He has lied so many times, has taken spying on us to a new level and has destroyed so many lives.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Jim H, Glendale, CA — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 12:04:12 GMT

It's amazing to me how Hillary is being blamed here, based on the earlier and incomplete list of people the execs donated to. Turns out, it's mostly Republicans, with some contributing $1,000 (peanuts) to Hillary and other amounts to Obama. Here's what happens: a CEO favors whomever, but as an election approaches, they give to people who might be president, and therefore might or might not renew your contract. Flashing a donation is saying, "I'll play along with you, too. Those GOP donations? Just to get the contract." Last year, it was a good bet that Hillary would win. Now Obama is more likely, and money goes there. All of which has no demonstrable connection to whether some employee accessed records. Can we wait for facts?

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Paul D, CT — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 12:25:51 GMT

Would the Bush administration ever partner with private corporations to gain access to information and data on US citizens? Would they ever do so illegally? Privitization of government services can only lead to increased cost, poor service, and corruption. Privitizing functions which deal with security, intelligence, and the military opens up avenues for oppression and fatal abuse. I want to see clear lines of accountability - I doubt they exist, I doubt they are welcome.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Anita Wise, Allentown, PA — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 12:30:17 GMT

If it such a big deal, why are all passports open access to all workers? If some folks need to have their passport info 'secret' why not have security levels and only those with high enough security clearance able to access those?

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Cynthia Johnson, Philadelphia, PA — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 12:39:33 GMT

conspiracy, conspiracy, conspiracy, coverup, coverup, coverup....what a mess. What the heck were those contractors up to?...I wanna know! That is a major privacy issue that was breached. family names, addresses, social security numbers, this is truly unbelieveable. How could the government let this happen? These are presidential candidates! Someone could really do some harm to them. If this can happen to them, then I really feel like anything can happen to us (average U.S. citizen). This is really nuts.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Tom Joad, Oslo, Norway — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 13:00:21 GMT

It's probably not smart to just blindly accept (from a government that continously covers up, lies, and spread disinformation, and has a GOAL of being able to eavesdrop without oversight) the explanation now given. Too many times the glib "couple of bad apples" turns out to be a lie. They ALWAYS try this tactic first.

On top of that, how in the world would they know (did they waterboard them?) if it was pure curiousity? A much more likely scenario would be two or three non-givernment privat employees had the thought that if there WAS dirt on a candidate, they could sell it to one of the other two candidates. They could even start a bidding war. That is if it is really true that they checked all three. That also sounds like a possible cover...makes it look "even".

The fact that they didn't reveal this happening until it was leaked doesn't help with trust in their explanation.

On top of that, for you others that say "so what, every tom, dick and harry you hand your passport to" is ignorant. Passport files contain MUCH more information, not just application forms, but can contain medical records, interviews with government agencies, and much more. Do a google on the net about it, it's easy to educate yourself a little before you make bad assumptions.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Joe Laukaitis S eminole Florida — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 14:23:06 GMT

I mut comment on the unbiased reporting, for instance there hardly a mention that Hillary Clintons files were also broken into. They donated to prominent republicans who are conviently unnamed, but Clnton and Obama are named. What trash? The media is losing all credability when it comes to the treatment of the Clintons. The people can see this and she will win despite the biased media coverage.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

B. Anon, Los Alamos. NM — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 14:23:55 GMT

No, the transgression is not to render a unique discovery of a particular candidates historical past thru obviousness. But to conceal finacially related affairs and individuals that were associated to/or with them in the past through the utilization of divergence and obliquity...

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

TONY, WASHINGTON, DC — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 14:31:32 GMT

First of all Bill Clinton is in no way in a position to judge anyone's character (Monica S. Lewinsky).
Other than that I watch CNN each night and I keep hearing especially on Election nights that the candidates should stick to the issues. But what I can not understand is that how is it that Obama and Hillary continue to travel around the country talking about "specific issues" in regards the economy, war, healthcare etc., but somehow CNN and MSNBC find a way to only cover negativity. I am amazed and the American people are tired of the Media breathing life into non issues such pastors, and childish bickering. It is not that the candidates are not covering real issues, it is actually that the Media i.e. CNN and MSNBC will not cover the candidates talking about real issues. The media is trying to sway the voters toward the candidate that they like most and away from the one that they feel America is afraid of or away from the one they feel America is not ready for. Please stop forcing non issues down the thoats of voters. It is not working. GOD has a plan for this country and you see it unfolding in front of your eyes. You can not stop it.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

John Luma, Moorpark, CA — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 14:40:44 GMT

While it's important for unauthorized people to access these "private" records, this issue is really about what's private anymore and what our privacy rights are or should be. Thousands of people who have no right to access our private records now can and do access them via computers, and this is what's wrong. Easy computer access. This is just the beginnning of what's at stake in a world controlled and run by people having control of data bases. "1984" ?? Data bases can now screw millions of people out of jobs, medical and insurance coverage, loans, etc, on the basis of "risk" avoidance. The concept of "...with liberty and justice for all" is out the window.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

K Baker — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 14:54:45 GMT

The right-wingers here are missing a HUGE point: those passport records contain everything needed to steal your identity (SSAN, mother's maiden name, etc, etc).

If "Joe E Orlando" wants to see those details of a candidates's file, then I WANT TO SEE "Joe E Orlando's" SSAN, and other private information! After all, I have the RIGHT as a citizen!

Is that correct, Joe E Orlando?

OR....did you only mean "travel records".

Details are important, folks.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

jkoiner3706@comcast.net — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 15:19:20 GMT

With identity theft on the rise,why would I not question the privacy of ones specific info being lifted by some outsourced employee.My understanding is that ordinary citizens are not flagged if their file is looked into.If caught,and fired,no further investigation applicable.If our Government was as organized as the big corporations,and the Clintons(try to get into those library files},we wouldn't be broke. Jacqueline Richmond,Va.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Valerie Barnes, Tampa, Fl — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 15:35:29 GMT

It's interesting that the company from which the two contracted employees were fired for breaching Sen Obama's passport records reports that it knows nothing about breaches into the files of Sen. McCain or Sen. Clinton.

In addition, while ones passport may be viewed everytime you use it, your background info that allowed you to obtain that passport is not. It's the potential for accessing the background data that makes such an act a breach of privacy. To treat this as nothing is to suggest anyone should be able to look into your credit card application file, because everyone is going to see your credit card and people can see what you buy anyway.

With these thoughts I suggest: Think America. Think.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Jeff Jambeau, Madison, WI — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 15:39:13 GMT

So...if I understand this correctly, Stanley, Inc did NOT report this breach by their subs until AFTER they were awarded the $570m contract? Nope, nothing suspecious there! But if Obama wins the nomination he should have his security keep an eye on Stanley, Inc. subcontractors! Money is power.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Susan, San Jose, California — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 15:56:24 GMT

If there was a breach in July 2007 of Hillary's passport file, (which was a person being trained, with a Supervisor looking over their shoulder and stopped right then. Nothing was looked at, just should have shown the Supervisor that "Houston, we have a problem"!) would that not tell someone that your security system is not up to par? Would you not put safety measures, like it takes three passwords from supervisors, to access VIP's files? No one is really interested in my file, but human nature, being what it is, VIP's files are worth something, to sell, to use in a political election, even just for gossip amongst your friends. I don't want anyone looking at my private information, and not because I have something to hide, but because there are so many bad things which can be done with my info. ID theft for one.
But to not step in and make things more secure after Obama's first look, is just plain not doing your job. And not notifying Senator Obama about the breach is inexcusable! A month later and you have another break in to Senator Obama's file and you still don't fix the security issue. Shame on you! But to have it done a third time to Senator Obama's file and it only becomes known because of a reporter. Everyone at the State Department should be fired! Because you know that this was not kept a secret. People talk and gossip at workplaces. Which gets overheard and passed up. I doubt that the higher uppers did not know. They should have known, because this should have been reported after the first one in January, and the problem fixed. Interesting that Hillary and McCain were thrown in after this looked like a political advantage to Obama. Shame on all of them! I expect you to do the job that you are paid to do, State Department! Not surprised, because if you look at all the Departments under this Administration they are all badly managed.
The Republican's can protect us better than the Democrats? Don't think so. This act has been done five times under Republican Bush terms. This could be a national security issue, as in, the bad guys, the ones we are at war with, are getting information.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Obama4Maine — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 16:31:06 GMT

Please, powers that be, don't let this case die with flimsy explanations of why it happened.

Who is this Maura Harty person and what connection does she have with the Clintons?

This is no real democracy, if suspicious activities like this can happen and people just get away with it.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

John Merkin, Philadelphia, PA — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 16:41:14 GMT

The Republican posters are trying to frame this as a non-issue.

America remembers that a similar incident happened during Bush's father's administration when Bill Clinton's passport files were spied upon for political purposes in the run up to the 1992 elections.

The questions are "Why is a counterterrorism group looking at these people?" and "Why did Stanley have their contract renewed 2 days before this story broke?"

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Bret m Portland Oregon — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 16:58:15 GMT

Dont worry...soon the job of storing our information will be outsourced to India.And anyone who has tried to get customenr support recently knows they dont speak english anyway

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Kelvin Antrum, St. Louis, Missouri — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 17:10:28 GMT

Hillary Clinton is all about Hillary!

She will say anything to destroy another democrat, but it just happens to be Obama, this time. She will destroy the Democrats chances at the White House to secure the Democratic nomination. In a general election she can't win. White women are not just democrats, they are republican too. The republicans hate the Clintons more than anything.

Its Barack Obama thats bringing new people to vote for the first time.

And Obama has re-generated old democrats who have given up on Hillary Clinton type of democrats.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

rrc; sturgis, s.d. — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 18:10:44 GMT

You would have thought that the State Department would have notified Secret Service about the security breach since all are presidential candidates. If these people's privacy can be so easily violated imagine how easily someone could just purchase the information from one of these subcontractors for just about anyone. How much is privatization of government work really costing Americans?

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

rrc — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 18:16:59 GMT

There is nothing wrong with asking for travel information from candidates but they should have the right to be informed that its released. There was other private information that was also accessed, like social security numbers. Bad news for anyone, but especially for public figures that someone might want to target.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Bill, Sacramento CA — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 18:30:54 GMT

CAPITAL HILL BLUE - A State Department official in charge of the department during two of the three breaches into the passport files of Sen. Barack Obama has a direct tie to Bill and Hillary Clinton and department officials are investigating whether she furnished information to Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.

Maura Harty was in charge of the Bureau Of Consular Affairs during the first two breaches of Obama's passport. Former President Bill Clinton appointed her to an ambassadorship during his Presidency.

Harty retired last month from the State Department. She joined the State Department in 2002 after serving as ambassador to Paraguay for two years of Bill Clinton's Presidential term. Sources within the State Department told Capitol Hill Blue this morning that revelations of the first two passport breaches surfaced only after Harty left her State Department job.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

ever seattle — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 18:44:44 GMT

the fact is there are other things like personal
data involved that could lead to identity theft thats why people are upset.with information like that your life can be put at a stand still.
am i surprised no! because some people will do anything to stop obama from winning.am very sure they included mccain and hillary to diffuse the impact that it was only obama! the drama continues!

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Daniels ,Ga — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 18:47:14 GMT

Once again our goverment is paying non-goverment companies to do want goverment employee should do. Once again these individals are tried to the Bush family. All of homelands new agencies are tied to the Bush family. When will we as the people of America stop not just Bush but All politican from stealing at feel will and taking are hard earn money are there play funds.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Wiliam Sabin, Cedar Rapids, Iowa — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 19:35:33 GMT

I believe that one well-known U.S. TV news organization has, among some of its news "superstars"and website hacks, a calculated and deliberate campaign to minimize and trivialize McCain and to maximize Obama at every conceivable opportunity. We, the public, should not be subjected to this propaganda.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Roger, Herlong, CA — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 20:21:13 GMT

To: Stan Trybulski, Branford, CT
Contracting was actually started under Clinton, not Bush. And once it's started you can forget the government ever taking it back.
Maybe if Clinton had cut back the military and other government agencies in his zeal to make sure the "poor" get what is "owed" to them, this incident would have never happened.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Enough-o-rama of Obama — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 21:09:36 GMT

What is just amazing to me is that PMSNBC has completely failed to report that the contractor, The Analysis Corporation, has as their CEO John Brennan. This same John Brennan sits on the Obama campaign staff as an advisor on foreign affairs. It was one of Brennan's employee's that illegally accessed Hillary and McCain's data. Yet we hear not a peep from PMSNBC. It's been clear for a very long time that the MSM and in particular PMSNBC are in bed with Obama and how would you expect honest reporting from them. And yet CNN got it right. Go figure

Having said that, when are you all going to demand an investigation into the Obama link and why his staff had his advisor do it in the first place. My guess is you won't because it doesn't fit the template of the Obamarama fans.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

pj, dc — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 21:27:10 GMT

John Brenna did not just contribute money to Obama's campaign; he is an advisor to Barack Obama. His ties to the the senator are deeper than Nolan's are to Hillary Clinton or John McCain. A quick google of the names will tell anyone this information... but this seems to be missing from the story? If you're going to report on Obama's poor "why are they picking on me" non-story; better change it to - "Why am I picking on me?" hmm, I wonder why he is?

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Penny New York, New York — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 22:16:47 GMT

I heard one reporter state that there is a lot of personal information in your passport files at the State Dept. (ss# etc). Can anyone confirm this? I think its a lot more information than what is actually on your passport itself. The fact that someone could access the info. in training is an indication of how incompetent this dept. is managed.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Ben Samson, St Louis MO — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 23:21:29 GMT

Keith Olbermann was pinning all this on George Bush the night the story came out. In light of these facts Olbermann's assessment seems pretty knee-jerk and flimsy now.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Tina D — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 23:52:24 GMT

The CEO of the firm is an Obama adviser and gave 2,300 to his campaign. But you will not hear that on MSNBC.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Mary OK, Chicago — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 00:00:35 GMT

CNN has Headline as follows:

"Chief of firm involved in breach is Obama adviser:
Check it out!

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/22/passport.files/index.html

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Christian Moore, Palm Springs, CA — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 00:06:18 GMT

I got a big kick out of your comments..Turns out that the CEO of the company that made the breeches into both Obama's and most importantly McCain's info is an adviser to Obama...the real issue here is that someone breeched McCain's passport file from an Obama adviser's company. You should have the facts before you make fools of yourself..that goes for BO too.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Greg, New Brunswick, NJ — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 00:13:26 GMT

I must say that the article and most of the comments here miss a basic fact. The link to any Obama or Clinton supporter or advisor is a real stretch. These are 3000+ companies of mostly contractors who probably barely know their CEOs or top management. As contractors they report directly to state department supervisors not their own company. So to suggest that their contract companies and CEOs would deliberately risk this type of exposure by utilizing low-level employees to carry out these types of activities (heck any smart person knows the files are monitored for unauthorized access) is ridiculous. If there is anything of substance behind these activities, it'll be within the State Department itself.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

MaryOK Chicago — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 00:14:19 GMT

CNN Web sit now reporting :
Chief of firm involved in breach is Obama adviser
Check it out.

Barack Obama has a history of criticizing colleagues of voting for bills that he has also voted on. I wonder if it is possible that he raises concerns about activities that he has had a hand in. I don't know, but this doesn't look good if it is accurtate.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Beth, Seattle WA — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 00:38:46 GMT

I work with medical records, and human resources records. Every year I have to sign a confidiality agreement stating that I will not look at any record without a need to know. This includes looking at or for records of relatives, friends, co-workers, politicians, celebrities etc. There are criminal penalities in addition to being fired if I violate these rules. One does not look at a politician's record accidently. The employees at this company knew what they were doing, they knew it was illegal, and they knew they could be fired. They got what they deserved.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Steve Othic, Marceline, Missouri — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 01:26:19 GMT

Its President and CEO is John Brennan, the former head of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) and the Deputy Executive Director of the Central Intelligence Agency from March 2001 to March 2003.

Why are these kind of people awarded multi-million dollar contracts? There is the real story.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Paul, Cincinnati, OH — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 01:27:55 GMT

The third contractor worked for The Analysis Corporation (TAC), headed by John O. Brennan who also happens to be an ex CIA officer and an advisor to the Obama campaign on intelligence and foreign policy. Does this make him eligible to be the worst person in the world?

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

John, Charlotte — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 01:42:16 GMT

This article clearly shows the bias of MSNBC. What MSNBC is purposely under reporting is that the CEO of Analysis, Inc. is a Senior Advisor to the Barack Obama Campaign.

One of the contributors here stated to keep digging because where there is smoke there is fire. I perfectly agree with this. It is a little too convenient that the CEO of the employee that has yet to be fired for this is a SENIOR ADVISOR to the Obama campaign. This is a little too convenient.

So you can call me a conspiracy theorist, but the facts here speak for themselves. Barack Obama is a charlatan and a snake in the grass. You can judge a person by the company he keeps...first the racist bigot Wright and now this slimy CEO of Analysis, INC.

Barack Obama is time to be honest with the American public on who you really are!!!

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

wdregan@hotmail.com — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 02:57:00 GMT

Does the government do ANY of its own work? Or do we just hand out these HUGE sweetheart contracts left and right for EVERY POSSIBLE FUNCTION OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT?????

Bill Regan Crosslake, MN

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Gregory Fleischman, Los Angeles, CA — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 03:13:00 GMT

Stanley's CEO made a $1,000 contribution to Clinton, and you are all going wild....but TAC's CEO made a LARGER contribution ($2,300) to Obama, and you all ignore it.

Oh, and there's this little tidbit:

TAC's CEO, Brennan, is an advisor to Obama. And yet there's not one peep from you all.

Methinks you protest the wrong contribution.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Charles Strube columbia, mo. — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 03:27:57 GMT

poor Obama lets all cry for him, thats what he seems to want. let him pay for a congressional review l dont want my tax money going for one.if its such a big deal what about McClain and Clintontheir not crting foul only poor obama and Ms. Rice did she call the other two?

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Mark Olympia Wa. — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 03:51:49 GMT

The other company involved in this passport fiasco is headed by a guy named Brenan(ex CIA), advisor for foreign affairs to Obama. Brenan also gave $2300.00 to Obama's campaign.

Why Brenan's employee was not fired and the two employees from the other company were terminated is mysterious and needs to be investigated. Especially if Brenan(ex CIA) is advising Obama.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Mark Streamwood IL — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 04:40:17 GMT

The key document worth gaining access to is the appliocation for a passport. It contains one's social security number, driver's license, Birth certificate, Mother's maiden name etc. With this info, any good hacker can access EVERYTHING you have, and easily plant or remove anything he wants. He can also assume your identity.

The automatic trips that went off are only for high profile individuals . . . are not on average Joe's file. This is where it gets ugly. It took three months for the trip to work with a system in place to watch for it. How long would it take for average Joe to find out his identity has been stolen, if ever? Anyone with a passport should be very wary.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

JF, Los Angeles, CA — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 05:18:24 GMT

Nothing sensitive in passport papers maybe, but it makes for great distraction headlines. CNN is reporting (3/22) that Brennan (CEO of Stanley) is an ADVISOR to the Obama Campaign (weren't they looking for a distraction from that Rev Wright story). Sounds like Sen Obama may actually be just a politician after all.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Betsy Z., Lakewood, CO — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 07:28:28 GMT

Someone said this..."I've had many passports throughout my life. There is NO sensitive info in your file regarding your passport. Simply your name, age, address and the countries you visited. "...wrong. These files include SSNs and other private information. I thought immediately that this had a stink of Clinton, as soon as I heard about it. I wouldn't be at all surprised if the reports about same thing happening to Clinton and McCain were lies, to make it look as if it wasn't just Obama. People that can get into this system can make it look like anything they want to say happened, happened. If it hadn't just been Obama, we'd have heard it was all three of them at the same time. The Republican support changing to the Clinton support and the dates of the "looks" and donations are just too convenient to be not connected.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

nocatnowaco — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 08:11:16 GMT

So, the CEO of both companies are Obama's and Hillary's supporters !!! Are there any orders involved ???

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Steve, Missouri — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 10:18:50 GMT

MSNBC is behind on the story. On CNN and Foxnews the following is being reported: John O. Brennan, president and CEO of the Analysis Corp., (The owner of the firms that have the contract with the state department)advises the Illinois Democrat on foreign policy and intelligence issues, the source said.
Brennan briefed the media on behalf of the campaign this month. The executive is a former senior CIA official and former interim director of the National Counterterrorism Center. He contributed $2,300 to the Obama campaign in January.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Fran McManus, Miller Place, NY — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 11:59:58 GMT

As usual, people want to believe what they want to believe, according to who they are backing. All this talk about change is baloney. Each campaign team can get down and dirty when it comes to promoting their candidate. If you think your candidate is above it, you are delusional! I have a bridge I want to sell you!

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Tim, Philadelphia — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 12:30:28 GMT

Wow, it looks like the contracting company is owned by an Obama supporter. Back to your Prozac all you paranoids.

Maybe he just donated becasue Karl Rove forced him to do it with his superior mind control skills.

Bet Kieth Olbermann and Chris Matthews won't be quite as rabid on that angle as they were when they were hoping it was targeting Obama. Just a wild hunch.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

A. Newman — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 12:45:01 GMT

Obama adviser heads firm whose employee breached passports!!! Now that we know that the passport files were accessed by an employee who works for The Analysis Corporation, which is headed by John O. Brennan, an Obama adviser, I want to see Keith Oblermann and Howard Fineman go after this story like they did the night it first broke. They desperately wanted to believe that, and made it sound like, it was a Republican or Clinton conspiracy, but now it turns out that it was done by an Obama operative. It is so obvious that your network, and especially Keith Olbermann is an Obama, supporter that you have even less credibility than Rush Limbaugh!!! So much for objective reporting. Shame on all of you. You are not journalists, you are political hacks for the far left.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Michael R. Yonkers, NY — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 12:53:37 GMT

John Brennan, the CEO of the Analysis Corp, gave $2,300 to Sen. Obama on Jan. 28, 2008, the records show.

It's kind of odd that Clinton's and McCain's records were scrutinized last year and no word came out. When Obama's were looked at it is a tragedy. Seems to me that Brennan must have gotten word the story was being investigated and has Obam's records checked on purpose to show there were no political motives. Seems the Obama supporters fail to mention that the CEO-pro-Obama runs the agency. Now isn't that a huge surprise...or not!

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Helen, OHIO — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 13:10:05 GMT

aAgain, the Obama campaign and supporters point to Clinton in this scandal.I use the word scandal, because the truth of the matter is, the Analysis CEO Joe Brennan, is not only an Obama contrbutor, But actively involved in hid campaign as a security advisor. UH_OH> The candidate of CHANGE has been caught again.POLITICS AS USUAL doing illegal snooping(PRIVACY ACT VIOLATIONS).Passportgate will not be explained as a need for what? Can't be racially motivated. Just another advisor with poor judgement? It is amazing how the candidate of change has surrounded himself with the old guard. And keeps getting caught. Imagine if he were in charge of a national security mission? Just wondering when the American voters open their eyes, much wider.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Rob B orlando — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 13:21:55 GMT

The facts are that the Obama campaign employs the TAC contractor as their security advisor...He is the only one that is being held as supect by the State Department...His employ is only suspended so that they can question him fully by way of lie detection....stay tuned...

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Leigh, Rochester, NY — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 14:15:51 GMT

Curious how you eliminated the extremely pertininet information that John Brennan, CEO of The Analysis Corporation, is a foreign policy advisor to the Barack Obama campaign.
I don't know what Clinton did to MSNBC to incur their wrath, but your unashamedly biased journalism against Hillary Clinton is downright disturbing. Feeding the flames of conspiracy left wingnuts is an exceedingly irresponsible and disgusting tactic. Roveian tactic I dare say. There are some intelligent people out here who actually have IQ's above that of a fencepost. And we see what the score is.
Go ahead, don't print this.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Bruce, Birmingham, AL — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 15:21:11 GMT

Finally, the REAL OBAMA, please stand and take a bow! I hope it's not too late for the American people to see the REAL YOU! Maybe you can walk across water for your next feat, O!

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Jan Terry, Henderson, NV — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 15:47:09 GMT

Well, it is now known that the employee who breeched the records works for a Virginia-based company, which is headed by an adviser to Barack Obama’s campaign.

The employee still works for The Analysis Corporation and TAC is headed up by none other than John O. Brennan, advisor to Barack Obama on intelligence and foreign policy matters.

Either Obama is behind the action or he continues to show an amazing lack of knowledge of, and judgment about, the people he surrounds himself with it. How convenient that this headline screams its way into the news when Obama needed something, anything to squelch the whole Wright racism issue.

It's not surprising though that the media's love affair with Obama continues and that this latest tidbit of news isn't being reported on the front page by MSNBC. I mean, really - it might sully Obama even more and we can't have that.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

duane — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 15:55:36 GMT

Amie.......You must be a Ralph Nader supporter......When they say "unauthorized access" this means these agents do not have privilege to social social numbers or any account info...........You walk into Chase Bank and the day janitor says hell see to your home mortage loan application..........get it?

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

S. Holland, Glendora, CA — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 15:59:24 GMT

RE: Passport Scandal leads to Virginia Contractors

One little fact left out! Don't you think it's worth at least mentioning that John Brennan, the CEO of The Analysis Corp., one of the firms accused in this incident, is an advisor to Senator Obama? Maybe you should change your banner: Shallow Background?

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Marie Chesapeake, VA — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 16:08:32 GMT

I wonder what these nosy nellies were looking for??? Three employees and each took a month to breach Obamas. McCain once and a training exercise for Clinton last year. Bah!! Are we all assuming that there is just basic information in our passport files? Someone I think is on the dole.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Roger Murdock, Los Angeles, CA — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 17:42:46 GMT

Breaking News From MSNBC - The Obama Network
One of the "breachers" is an employee of the Analysis Corporation headed by John Brennan, CEO, also advisor to the Obama campaign....what??? wait! cut! go to commercial! Quick Keith, Chris..make up something about the Clintons!
From MSNBC: Sorry For The Brief Interruption. We will bring you further misinformation as it becomes available.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

linda j, california — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 19:00:47 GMT

last I heard the contract company was owned by an advisor in the Obama camp, so I guess that is the last we will hear about the "scandal"
Linda, Calif.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Michael Mullaley, Hingham, MA — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 19:04:47 GMT

Stanley's $570 Million State Department contract for the Passport Program was renewed last Monday, March 17th. A contract renewal over $0.5 billion would have to have been approved at the highest levels of the State Department. Could it be that security violations in January and February were covered up until this contract was renewed? Certainly a question worth asking during the Congressional investigation.

[BTW, Stanley's CFO sold approximately $1.6 million in stock at $28/share on March 13th. Stanley had traded over $38 in November 2007, but had plunged to below $25 in February 2008.]

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Doreen, Buffalo Grove, IL — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 19:44:38 GMT

It was an Obama supporter who heads the Company that looked into Obama's and McCain's files. Get the truth out there. It's obvious the Obama supporter wanted to look at Obama's files to get rid of any dirt in there about Obama, and looked in McCain's files to see if he could find any dirt to give to the media. Once again, msnbc is given Obama a free pass on another terrible scandal.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Judy Johnson, Wyoming — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 21:40:08 GMT

This is a whole bunch of bull from all three candidates. The only fallout I see, and its stretching it, is that Obama's security guy,this Brennan guy, ends up looking like a fool. His own employee breached security? and he is Obama's national security advisor? LOL

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Donna, Southern, IL — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 21:40:22 GMT

I bet the Clintons are responsible for the hospital employee that looked at Brittany Spears' medical records too. You conspiracy hounds have mental issues that need addressed. I hope Hillary wins so you can have medical insurance and get the help you need. By the way the CEO from Analasys Corp donated 2300 dollars to Obama's but I don't see that mentioned by the Obama cult followers

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Bob M, Corpus Christi, Texas — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 22:21:12 GMT

Maybe waterboarding would get them to tell what they did with the information. After all it isn't really torture. Right? Just kidding, but I am appalled that something like this could go on under George Bush's watch. After all he pledged to restore honesty to government and stop scandals. i guess his people did try to prevent the scandal by keeping the lid on it. Very comforting.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Shawn, Richmond V.A. — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 22:36:01 GMT

Does anybody care about the issues, its time to pick a president, thats all that should matter. All of you that have the time to discuss conspiracy, spin etc... PLEASE! take the time to vote come November.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Brad, San Antonio, TX — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 22:41:37 GMT

ummm no mention that one of the compaies that looked into these records is headed by a advisor to .... Barrack Obama. Hmmmmm?

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Dominic in Columbia Tn. — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 00:15:36 GMT

CNN is reporting that Analysis Corporation CEO John Brennan is an Obama adviser. Check Cnn.com for more on this story!

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Jeanne Pugh, Austin, Texas — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 03:38:23 GMT

"John Brennan, the CEO of the Analysis Corp, gave $2,300 to Sen. Obama on Jan. 28, 2008, the records show."
In case some of you who are bashing Hillary for the $1,000 contributed to her campaign and finding it fishy....if you kept reading past Hillary's name, you would find the rest of the story. Also, the breach on Hillary's file was a year ago, but Rice just recently told her about it happening, along with McCain's. It's nice that they told BO about his before they admitted it happened to the other candidates also. "Oh, by the way.....so was yours" But poor BO...he always gets mistreated...blame that on the Hillary camp too!

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Jeanne Pugh, Austin, Texas — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 03:43:31 GMT

When it happened to Bill Clinton's file in '94, it was investigated and discovered that the guy in charge illegally authorized the breach. He was demoted, but it was determined that it wasn't a criminal offense so that was it....no jail time, no firing...nothing. Oh, but that was Bill, this is BO...I almost forgot. Throw the book at them!!

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Tom Ulcak, Austin, TX — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 09:52:23 GMT

arnie, they did not "get their guys". someone obviously told these employees to open the passport file of Sen. Obama. that is who they need to get, and, it will no doubt either lead to bush and cheney or the GOP. security personnel at this level don't just suddenly "forget" that you do not open these files without authorization. now, the GOP has the information on Sen. Obama and you can bet they are doing their own covert investigations to dig up things they can smear Sen. Obama with. Someone wised up at the last minute and instructed those security employees to also open mccain's and clinton's files to so it didn't make it look like an direct intrusion against Sen. Obama. But, this is what it is all about. Someone in the GOP camp needed that information about Sen. Obama and they got it.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Tom Ulcak, Austin, TX — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 09:58:35 GMT

Joe and Arnie, let's get two things straight. First, what is wrong with opening passport files? Nothing: AS LONG AS YOU HAVE AUTHORIZATION AND IT IS LEGAL TO DO SO. This was not the case here because, whoever wanted this information, didn't want to be identified.
Second, your passport file is not just a copy of your passport - this clearly shows an ignorance on the subject. Your passport file contains a lot of sensitive information that your passport does not. And, by the way, we are guaranteed privacy by our CONSTITUTION. hey, why don't we open up bush's military records for all to see, to show he was AWOL during the Vietnam war.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

Norma, NC — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:21:39 GMT

CEO of Analysis corp. is an ADVISER to Obama campaign. Funny how this article doesnt mention that. How come no analysis on Analysis Corp?

I am sure this wont be posted cuz most of the MSM is an AWE of Obama. Saint Obama cant do no wrong, even if he does it again and again.

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

aleiii palm bch gardens fl — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 13:50:08 GMT

these people should have been jailed period,no questioned asked,the government should be doing this job not outside people

Passport scandal leads to Virginia contractors

turkey — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 05:48:16 GMT

Thanx You.. Perfect Docs