sure we should. we're learning much better and hardening state election infrastructure. that's a good thing. i commend the department of homeland security for making a big effort there. trump's department of homeland security. but what we're paying attention to sadly is this craziness about security clearances. and that is zapping a lot of energy it seems to me, demoralizing our intelligence community which needs to pay attention to russia and other countries and i think we need to get past this. john brennan, i don't think is helping himself by the excessive rhetoric but his free speech is important to me and important obviously to hundreds of others. >> since you've brought it up, let's go in that direction right now. tony blanken is one of the people who just signed this letter or at least been released to 175 other national security former government officials. so tony, why did you put your signature on this letter? what message did you want to get across? >> the president has the