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TSA to Block "Controversial Opinion" on the Web

BenBurch said:
OR Randi Rhodes. Cuts both ways.
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Yeah, but I figured the conservatives raising a ruckus over this nontroversy wouldn't be so interested in that.

You'd think Conservatives would want those being paid tax dollars to do what we pay them for? No?
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Makes you wonder why they got so wound up about SEC staffers surfing for porn on the job.
 
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/jul/6/sughed-tsa-backs-down-internet-site-policy/

"After an uproar from conservative bloggers and free-speech activists, the Transportation Security Administration late Tuesday rescinded a new policy that would have prevented employees from accessing websites with "controversial opinions" on TSA computers at work.

The ban on "controversial opinion" sites, issued late last week, was included as part of a more general TSA Internet-usage policy blocking employee access to gambling and chat sites, as well as sites that dealt with extreme violence or criminal activity."



Damn those free speech activists!!!
 
applecorped said:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/jul/6/sughed-tsa-backs-down-internet-site-policy/

"After an uproar from conservative bloggers and free-speech activists, the Transportation Security Administration late Tuesday rescinded a new policy that would have prevented employees from accessing websites with "controversial opinions" on TSA computers at work.

The ban on "controversial opinion" sites, issued late last week, was included as part of a more general TSA Internet-usage policy blocking employee access to gambling and chat sites, as well as sites that dealt with extreme violence or criminal activity."



Damn those free speech activists!!!
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Are you going to address the rebuttals or just pretend they don't exist?
 
Cleon said:
Last time I checked, "free speech" doesn't apply when you're at work.
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Actually, it does, but this isn't a free speech issue.

The simple fact is, when you log into a government (or an other employer) computer or government network, you are agreeing to use that machine only for authorized purposes. Browsing the internet is not one of them. Whether or not it's rigidly enforced is another discussion, but they're entitled to do whatever they want with the network traffic and you've agreed to that. Like I said before, The Onion used to be blocked, yes it's stupid, but I have no need to go there during work using equipment given to me for the sole purpose of working, not goofing off. And again, I'm sorry if the bag checkers are bored, but that doesn't grant them the authorization to goof around on the internet.

Applecorp seems to be under the impression that the blocks are now gone, and if it's true he's incredibly naive. They're going to continue to block whatever sites want, they're just going to shove it under another category. Employers have been restricting web content since they started providing the internet to their peons, this isn't anything new, nor is it an issue. When they start doing it to your personal machine, then it becomes an issue.
 
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Cleon said:
Uh, try telling your boss off and then suing if he fires you. Somehow I don't think "freedom of speech" will hold up in court.

Call me skeptical.
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They don't fire you for talking, they can't. However, they can fire you for 'creating a hostile work environment' or something along those lines. Being abusive is certainly grounds for dismissal.
 
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excaza said:
They don't fire you for talking, they can't. However, they can fire you for 'creating a hostile work environment' or something along those lines. Being abusive is certainly grounds for dismissal.
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I think you'll find that depending on the state, they can fire you for pretty much any damn thing they want (as long as it isn't discriminatory etc).

I don't think you'll find any lawyer who'd agree with you, but this is OT.
 
Cleon said:
I think you'll find that depending on the state, they can fire you for pretty much any damn thing they want (as long as it isn't discriminatory etc).

I don't think you'll find any lawyer who'd agree with you, but this is OT.
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The "anything they want" is either explicitly stated somewhere in your contract, or you've signed something acknowledging you've read the 'code of conduct' (or whatever terms they use) of the company and agree to it. They're not just inventing reasons out of thin air, there's plenty of laws preventing that. You'll find plenty of lawyers who agree to this, they're the ones who write up the contract/'code of conduct' in order to save the company's rear end.
 
excaza said:
The "anything they want" is either explicitly stated somewhere in your contract, or you've signed something acknowledging you've read the 'code of conduct' (or whatever terms they use) of the company and agree to it. They're not just inventing reasons out of thin air, there's plenty of laws preventing that. You'll find plenty of lawyers who agree to this, they're the ones who write up the contract/'code of conduct' in order to save the company's rear end.
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Nope.
 
I wonder what Applecorp thought of the SEC's internet-porn surfing scandal.
 
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