Is there some irony here? ( Archived) (9)

Nov 13, 2008 5:34 AM CST Is there some irony here?
Indyfella
IndyfellaIndyfellaindianapolis, Indiana USA152 Threads 8 Polls 18,150 Posts
By Jackie Calmes

updated 12:57 a.m. ET, Thurs., Nov. 13, 2008
WASHINGTON - Want a top job in the Obama administration ? Only pack rats need apply, preferably those not packing controversy.

A seven-page questionnaire being sent by the office of President-elect Barack Obama to those seeking cabinet and other high-ranking posts may be the most extensive — some say invasive — application ever.

The questionnaire includes 63 requests for personal and professional records, some covering applicants’ spouses and grown children as well, that are forcing job-seekers to rummage from basements to attics, in shoe boxes, diaries and computer archives to document both their achievements and missteps.

laugh
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Nov 13, 2008 5:38 AM CST Is there some irony here?
rusty_knight
rusty_knightrusty_knightGozo, Malta175 Threads 2 Polls 6,840 Posts
Indyfella: By Jackie Calmes

updated 12:57 a.m. ET, Thurs., Nov. 13, 2008
WASHINGTON - Want a top job in the Obama administration ? Only pack rats need apply, preferably those not packing controversy.

A seven-page questionnaire being sent by the office of President-elect Barack Obama to those seeking cabinet and other high-ranking posts may be the most extensive — some say invasive — application ever.

The questionnaire includes 63 requests for personal and professional records, some covering applicants’ spouses and grown children as well, that are forcing job-seekers to rummage from basements to attics, in shoe boxes, diaries and computer archives to document both their achievements and missteps.


Well, he obviously doesn't want Alaskans! tongue
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Nov 13, 2008 5:39 AM CST Is there some irony here?
lusciousmile
lusciousmilelusciousmileThere, Aland Islands Finland25 Threads 2 Polls 11,989 Posts
I thought they only expected that, of people wishing to visit Ireland. laugh


Obama's aunt has been living there illegally, think they'll fine him? laugh
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Nov 13, 2008 5:40 AM CST Is there some irony here?
Indyfella
IndyfellaIndyfellaindianapolis, Indiana USA152 Threads 8 Polls 18,150 Posts
lusciousmile: I thought they only expected that, of people wishing to visit Ireland. Obama's aunt has been living there illegally, think they'll fine him?



Naaa....he'll just boot her out of the country. laugh
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Nov 13, 2008 5:42 AM CST Is there some irony here?
lusciousmile
lusciousmilelusciousmileThere, Aland Islands Finland25 Threads 2 Polls 11,989 Posts
Indyfella: Naaa....he'll just boot her out of the country.



I'd probably do the same.


Hey, business before family. rolling on the floor laughing
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Nov 13, 2008 7:08 AM CST Is there some irony here?
shipoker58
shipoker58shipoker58Las Vegas, Nevada USA30 Threads 2,969 Posts
I think he is handling his decision making with plenty of thought and investigating everyone well. If he lets someone in with just a hint of a questionable past, conservatives will be all over it!!
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Nov 13, 2008 8:14 AM CST Is there some irony here?
Thalassa
ThalassaThalassaRome, Lazio Italy104 Threads 2,410 Posts
I'm not sure how this application/questionnaire truly differs from some in previous administrations. I'd like to have a look at it, actually.
I am a government employee and I am about 1000 rungs DOWN the ladder from future cabinet members. Yet, when I applied almost 7 years ago, I filled out a very lengthy (multiple pages) application, had to write a biography, had to write an essay about myself and why I wanted the job and would be well-suited for it, and had to sign a lot of documents. This was just the initial application process....and I am a secretary. Subsequently, when I was offered the position, it was conditional at first, pending my full background check and security clearance, which took months to complete. I just recently had to re-submit a lot of the same information and update previously provided data in order to renew my security clearance.
And, yes, it takes a lot of rummaging through old documents and finding former addresses and telephone numbers of friends, relatives, etc. It's extremely lengthy and extremely time-consuming.
Some might consider this an invasion of privacy. To those people, I would simply say to avoid such a job, then. I sought this job and wanted it very much and am so glad I was hired. And, I would also ask everyone to consider this....
Many government officials have access to classified information, not just the top dogs. Don't you think that these people (myself included) should have a clean background and our friends and associates are not on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list?
Although the clearance process is not fool-proof (case in point, Robert Hansen et al.), as some government agency employees DO occasionally become spies or informants for other nations, it is at least a means by which the truly inappropriate candidates can be weeded out.
It's very difficult for people who are not associated with the government to understand such a lengthy application and clearance process, but I am glad it's this way. National security is not just a movie plot; it's a very real necessity. I've personally seen breaches of national security that never made the news, but that could have cost innocent lives in the end, had they not been detected beforehand.
And these would-be cabinet members have either filled such forms out many times already and are well used to them, or they will just have to get with the program if they want the job.
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Nov 13, 2008 8:23 AM CST Is there some irony here?
DazzleYou
DazzleYouDazzleYouSeattle, WA, Washington USA39 Threads 1 Polls 836 Posts
I do guess however that the irony comes in because Obama didn't face the same scrutiny from the media.
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Nov 13, 2008 3:36 PM CST Is there some irony here?
Indyfella
IndyfellaIndyfellaindianapolis, Indiana USA152 Threads 8 Polls 18,150 Posts
shipoker58: I think he is handling his decision making with plenty of thought and investigating everyone well. If he lets someone in with just a hint of a questionable past, conservatives will be all over it!!


I listened to some of the questions....Hell, he can't meet those standards. rolling on the floor laughing
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