TSA to Block "Controversial Opinion" on the Web

[KingMerv00]

So porn is still okay?

Depends. Some porn is better than others. It's certainly better than it was in the 70s.

 

[mortimer]

So porn is still okay?

They don't need porn websites at the TSA. They've got the full body scanners.

 

[GreNME]

Look past the "C"... cLEON ... Leon ... TROTSKY! He's also a Marxist!

We need to demand answers to these questions we're raising about Cleon. If Obama and his Socialist minions don't want to supply those answers, then I believe that's suitable reason Obama (and Cleon) should be impeached... and possibly brought to trial for working against the United States of America.

 

[DavidJames]

That's a controversial opinion.......delete.

Sorry, too controversial.... delete.

delete.

You represent the best Republicans can offer.

 

[GrouchoMarxist]

It states that as of July 1, TSA employees will no longer be allowed to access five categories of websites that have been deemed "inappropriate for government access."
The categories include:
? Chat/Messaging
? Controversial opinion
? Criminal activity
? Extreme violence (including cartoon violence) and gruesome content
? Gaming

They don't need porn websites at the TSA. They've got the full body scanners.

Why do they need the internet at all?

 

[Dancing David]

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31727_162-20009642-10391695.html

"
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is blocking certain websites from the federal agency's computers, including halting access by staffers to any Internet pages that contain a "controversial opinion," according to an internal email obtained by CBS News.
The email was sent to all TSA employees from the Office of Information Technology on Friday afternoon.
It states that as of July 1, TSA employees will no longer be allowed to access five categories of websites that have been deemed "inappropriate for government access."
The categories include:
? Chat/Messaging
? Controversial opinion
? Criminal activity
? Extreme violence (including cartoon violence) and gruesome content
? Gaming




The email does not specify how the TSA will determine if a website expresses a "controversial opinion."

TSA employees are supposed to use work comoputers for work related activities?
TSA issues standard boiler plate work place policy?

 

[Dancing David]

That's a controversial opinion.......delete.

Um I know of places that dismiss you for ANY non-work related use of computers.

 

[leftysergeant]

Employees accessing unauthorized websites are, as I understand the tactics, one of the portals through which hackers can gain access to government computers. That said, you can probably figure why I would rather government employees of any department, but most particularly an agency charged with fighting against terrorism, be prohibited from connecting with Stormfront.com on a government computer.

 

[Ocelot]

I'm sure if they could provide a legitimate business reason why they needed access to an otherwise blocked website then an exception could be made. That's what we do in my office.

Can't see why US taxpayers would complain about the salaries they pay not being frittered away surfing the less reputable parts of the cyber-toobs.

 

[Dumb All Over]

The decision has been rescinded:

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.

From: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/jul/6/sughed-tsa-backs-down-internet-site-policy/

 

[excaza]

Federal government regulating the use of machines the federal government owns. Every employer does this. Why is it news?

The first thing that pops up when I go to log in to my work machine is that it's provided for US government approved uses only. You consent to this in order to log in to your machine. I don't see the issue with it. They're not stopping you from doing whatever you want on your own time or machines, but when you're on government time and a government machine, you should be doing work. Granted, I'm of the opinion that some breaks are necessary for sanity, but I'm not going to run around saying the government blocking my access to The Onion (it happened a few years ago, unblocked now) from a machine and network they own and maintain is a violation of my rights. Same thing goes for any employer. This is a non-issue, the government has always filtered content on government networks.

I'm sorry the bag checkers are bored, but that doesn't make them entitled to access unauthorized content on government machines

 

[GrouchoMarxist]

Federal government regulating the use of machines the federal government owns. Every employer does this. Why is it news?

Ask the ACLU.

 

[WildCat]

Ask the ACLU.

The ACLU doesn't appear to be interested.

 

[thaiboxerken]

Hmmm, Apple is upset because the TSA is trying to stop people from goofing off on the internet during work hours..

Doesn't Apple also argue that government agencies are inefficient?

 

[defaultdotxbe]

You represent the best Republicans can offer.

thats because the intelligent republicans realize theres no problem here

 

[KingMerv00]

Has applecorped lost interest in his thread?

 

[joobz]

So porn is still okay?

Just as long as the porn stars aren't discussing abortions.



Worst....porno....ever.

 

[GrouchoMarxist]

The ACLU doesn't appear to be interested.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/jul/6/sughed-tsa-backs-down-internet-site-policy/[/

"There's always a danger that threats are used to justify over-broad restrictions on speech and other freedoms," said Jay Stanley, an American Civil Liberties Union privacy expert, before the TSA announced it was dropping the idea. "But it's disturbing to see the TSA get the balance all wrong on that."

 

[Marquis de Carabas]

Worst....porno....ever.

"Hung with a Hanger"

 

[GrouchoMarxist]

Hmmm, Apple is upset because the TSA is trying to stop people from goofing off on the internet during work hours..

Doesn't Apple also argue that government agencies are inefficient?

If goofing off on the internet during work hours is stopped, Apple's revenue will plummet.