14 DAY TRIAL // It seems that working at NASA is not all it's crancked up to be. Although most people are ecstatic when hearing the words "rocket scientist," for these guys there seems to be no break. Three dozen NASA workers at JPL wrote letters to their congressman in recent months, protesting against the new security checks.
Some of you may say that the security measures are normal, in the light of recent terrorist activities in the US, but the problem is some of these folks have been working in the same lab for 30 years and are not even involved in any classified space projects, and they are all still treated as potential enemies of the state.
Dennis V. Byrnes is a veteran engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and among those who wrote to their congressman. Personally, he sent a 1,300 words letter, complaining of "unwarranted intrusion" into his life.
"I have now been at JPL for nearly 30 years, have never been accused of a crime, nor have I committed any," wrote the 64-year-old chief engineer of flight dynamics.
The recently tightened security measures require background checks to get access to buildings and computers. The program includes the issuing of "smart cards," ID badges with a photograph and fingerprints digitally embedded.
Every federal worker, including subcontractors, must fill in a form online about their employment history, past residences and any illegal drug use. Those in more sensitive positions are asked to disclose financial records, list foreign trips and give the government permission to view their medical history.
In fact, everyone must sign a document which allows investigators to access all their personal information. Some people were trying to protest against these measures, and several reported losing or leaving their jobs after refusing to undergo the background checks, though the exact number is not clear.
JPL's answer was brief and to the point: "[it's a] privilege to work within the federal system, not a right".