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US Supreme Court Says NASA Background Checks OK

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]."

9 of 172 comments (clear)

  1. They only ask important questions by elrous0 · · Score: 4, 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!

    --
    SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
    1. Re:They only ask important questions by elrous0 · · Score: 3, Funny

      You're not getting hired, buddy!

      --
      SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
    2. Re:They only ask important questions by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      yes, but they said they were very sorry and that they wouldn't do it again.

    3. Re:They only ask important questions by elrous0 · · Score: 5, Funny

      They were aiming for the stars, but accidentally hit London.

      --
      SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
    4. Re:They only ask important questions by Anonymous Coward · · 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...

    5. Re:They only ask important questions by nohelix · · Score: 3, Funny

      Obligatory "Our Germans are better than their Germans." (From The Right Stuff)

    6. Re:They only ask important questions by syousef · · Score: 4, Funny

      Sort of, some were ex-Nazis, but point taken. That was the whole point of operation paperclip.

      They were Nazis but they got better? ;-)

      --
      These posts express my own personal views, not those of my employer
    7. Re:They only ask important questions by idontgno · · Score: 3, Funny

      What, a "newtzi?"

      --
      Welcome to the Panopticon. Used to be a prison, now it's your home.
  2. What was the suit? Wool? A blend? by jeffmeden · · Score: 4, 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?