Pornography 'systemic' at National Science Foundation - January 28, 2009
Employees at the National Science Foundation aren't just looking at spreadsheets. In at least six cases, employees have viewed pornography on work computers, and in one case, an employee participated in extensive online pornographic chats, according to a report from Politico, based on a semi-annual report from the NSF inspector general, dating to September 2008, which can be found here.
The report documents multiple instances of pornographic images and videos being saved on network drives. One employee reported hearing sexually explicit sounds coming from another employee's computer speakers. The employee who participated in the explicit online chats acknowledged charging $40,000 to his own credit card, over two years, to pay for his habits. Inspectors estimated that over that time, he spent 20% of his work hours involved with pornography -- worth more than $58,000 in his taxpayer-supported salary. Inspectors called for installing Internet filtering and changes to "IT training".
On Tuesday, Senator Chuck Grassley, ranking Republican on the Finance Committee from Iowa, fired off a letter to the NSF, demanding explanations for what he termed a "systemic issue."
Comments
Really, until reading this news I thought that Italy was at the top among all other Nations of the world, at least, as regards pornography!
What does it means pornography? Probable future law Testamento Biologico, suggested by Italian Governement, has something to do with pornography?
Posted by: Sergio Stagnaro | January 29, 2009 07:45 AM
Did I misunderstand--the reason Grassley knows about this is because the NSF inspector general reported it and was taking action against it? And he is now damning an entire organization based on reports of issues regarding seven employees in an agency employing well over a thousand people? In a world where "transparency" is a priority, shouldn't we be pleased that this is being acknowledged and actions are being taken? I'd be more concerned about government agencies who claim they have absolutely no problems at all.
Posted by: Marcella Petrie | January 30, 2009 01:02 AM
When a Senator or congressman uses the word "systemic" to characterize a specific situation, in this case a few employees using the sex internet on the job, then you know he/she is trying to divert money from one agency to some other area in his/her committee jurisdiction. In the case of Grassley, I don't know what his "pet" area is, but it surely is not NSF. What I am saying is that this situation is more a reflection of how our legislative branch, not our executive branch bureaucrats, behaves in a negative and pernicious manner. Grassley's posturing is no more than a variation on the McCarthy era "witchhunt."
I am very saddened that the latest victim of these "witchhunt" tactics, is one of the most respected and cost-effective agencies in the federal government. I think Grassley ought to hang his head in shame over his simple-minded actions to discredit NSF, and divert money elsewhere. He will get no colleague support on this one, and hence the whole issue will will "blow over." NSF will be rightfully funded the increase, simply because most people in Congress and elsewhere know that NSF is one of the best investments (and one of the few that are fool-proof) of the tax-payer's dollar.
Posted by: John Perhonis | February 2, 2009 04:29 PM