US Supreme Court Says NASA Background Checks OK 172
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by
samzenpus
from the tell-us-everything dept.
from the tell-us-everything dept.
coondoggie writes "In a long-running dispute about privacy and security, the US Supreme Court today sided with NASA saying its background checks were not invasive and that the information required for not only NASA but most government positions was a reasonable security precaution and that sufficient privacy safeguards existed to prevent any improper disclosures. You may recall that in this case, 28 scientists and engineers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory filed suit against the US government and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in 2007 saying that NASA's invasive background investigations as required by government regulations [inappropriately violate workers' privacy]."
They only ask important questions (Score:5, Funny)
Questions like "Are you now, or have you ever been a Communist--or voted Democrat?" "Have you ever criticized NASA, one of its employees, or a relative of one of its employees?" and "Does the movie Red Dawn give you an erection and, if not, why?" are vital in assessing the security risk of a new employee or contractor. Otherwise, they had might as well put a sign out that says "Pinkos and homosexuals welcome!"
NASA is the first line of defense, people. Their job isn't to hire good engineers, it's to hire good AMERICANS!
Re:They only ask important questions (Score:4, Funny)
You're not getting hired, buddy!
Re:They only ask important questions (Score:2, Funny)
yes, but they said they were very sorry and that they wouldn't do it again.
What was the suit? Wool? A blend? (Score:5, Funny)
...28 scientists and engineers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory filed suit against the US government and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in 2007 saying that NASA's invasive background investigations as required by government regulations.
Perhaps you meant to finish that sentence with a verb or two? I am forced to guess... Did the background checks insult their mom and kick their dog?
Re:They only ask important questions (Score:5, Funny)
They were aiming for the stars, but accidentally hit London.
Re:They only ask important questions (Score:1, Funny)
Sort of, some were ex-Nazis...
Sure... "Yes, well, I *did* participate in mass-genocide for the Aryan Race, but I don't believe in that stuff anymore...
Re:They only ask important questions (Score:3, Funny)
Re:They only ask important questions (Score:5, Funny)
Sort of, some were ex-Nazis, but point taken. That was the whole point of operation paperclip. [wikipedia.org]
They were Nazis but they got better? ;-)
Re:They only ask important questions (Score:4, Funny)