Privacy? What Privacy?

When I first learned about the unauthorized access to Barack Obama's passport files, I was tempted to dismiss it as a minor infraction by curious and bored government clerks. You know, part of the "shit happens" excuse.

But then I learned not only that it happened on three different occasions, but it was all done by contract employees of a unidentified company which was hired to do data entry.

I spent 31 years in the employ of state government, and at first I felt that I could understand -- and dismiss -- the invasion of privacy inherent in this action. But the more I learned, the more concerned I became. Who exactly were these "private contractors" and what was the name of the company they worked for? It wouldn't surprise me to learn that this company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Halliburton or Blackwater or some other wingnut "contracting" company.

But the bigger question, and one that no one seems to be asking, let alone answering, is this: Were these contractors able not only to view Obama's passport records, but were they able to make changes?

Given that the Rethugs are not above such dirty tricks campaigning, it's a question that needs to be answered.

BTW, this is yet another example of the many detrimental things that can happen when government contracts out to private enterprise jobs that should be done -- ought to be done, must be done -- by government employees who, in my experience, are dedicated professionals who take pride in their work. Regardless of what the neocon fascist anti-government flacks in the wingnuttery try to tell you.

So the next time you fill out a government form, for anything from applying for unemployment insurance, a passport or Social Security, are you going to feel safe? Are you going to feel that your privacy is as sacrosanct as you'd like it to be?

I didn't think so.