Forget rocket science, space researchers are at the heart of an extraordinary legal battle over privacy. The case will help to clarify
whether the US federal government can legally perform extensive background checks on employees doing non-classified work. It could also affect NASA's
ability to attract top scientists.
In 2005, Robert Nelson, a planetary scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, led a group of 28 colleagues in
objecting to background checks introduced by JPL as part of efforts to beef up homeland security.
The group sued, claiming that the checks
were "intrusive" because they gave NASA permission to collect information – such as a person's medical history and sexual habits – which was
unnecessary for workers at the laboratory, who use satellites and robotic spacecraft to explore the solar system. "They wanted to know who we slept
with," says Nelson. "We thought that was off-limits, out of bounds."
Source:
www.newscientist.com...
I hope you read the source story. It goes on to what NASA's defense claim was in the lawsuit and the counter-claims-All I find very interesting, in
light of the recent Don't Ask Don't Tell battle going on. And, of course, general privacy arguments overall.
So, where does your privacy stop/start when working for the Feds (or any gov't agency)? Personally, I think getting into ones sexual conduct
(now-a-days) is going to far. I can't believe I am writing that but, things change-including me.
If something were to come down to two equal canidates (in every way) etc. I don't want the deciding factor to be who the person is sleeping/having
sex with. If we don't make being gay a big deal (like it has been/is with the Feds) then it takes the whole argument away about homosexuality being
used as a blackmail weapons (or the alike).
What's your thoughts? Can't wait to see/read.
PS: I think the whole "they could get close to the shuttle with their clearences....." is a total joke. I am sure one or two homosexuals (in the
closet of course) that have been on missions. I am sure that will be a story once the whole D.A.D.T battle is done with. What is NASA thinking? If
they are gay, they have more of an opportuinty to do something bad/harmful?
