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The problem here is a classic one of context.  What we have hear is a fairly open forum where a wide range of people, with their bias and background coloring their interpretations of others. I suspect there is a lot less actual malfeasance than either side believes.

We have:

1. People who have been falsely accused, mostly in polygraph screens, who are draw here because of the rather deep hurt that is caused. This is especially true when people have been enthusiastic about careers in LE or possibly a spook agency. Most of these are people oriented to serving others and are quite idealistic. What others think of them, especially regarding integrity, is extremely important. The decptive way in which the polygraph is utilized just inflames these people more.

2. Then you have the polygraphers. They often encounter people who are clearly deceptive (by transparent confession), about important issues. This reinforces the belief in the polygraph so that with highly responding people there is a greater tendency to conclude the person is deceptive rather than just reacting to accusations. People that use the polygraph for investigative purposes likely see it's value in the contect of other "fuzzy" investigative tools, such as eyewitness accounts, or simply self serving testimony. In these areas anything that works even part of the time becomes one more tool amongst many.

Thus each side sees the other with a jaundiced eye.

-Marty

Batman wrote on Dec 14^th, 2002 at 1:56pm:


Riddle me this Batman, how can the FBI let a known spy back on the street?

You would think that they would act upon someone they have deemed to be a spy, now, wouldn't you? I prayed that the FBI would take their allegations seriously and INVESTIGATE, but they don't.  But yes, I was clearly accused of espionage.  As I did with polylawman, I will direct you to my personal statement posted here on this site.  You can see how the FBI came to the conclusiuon that I was a spy.  

I, too, am puzzled as to why there is no investigation.  What if I really was a spy, a bad one, worse than Hanssen or Ames?  And 10 years form now, I am uncovered.  What then?  Won't the FBI look stupid for finding me and letting me go?  

Almost makes me wish I were a spy.  Almost . . .

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Unfotunately, the FBI believes that the polygraph is an accurate, effective, tool.  And the polygrapher is infallable.  He becomes judge, jury, and executioner on an applicant's chances at the FBI, and subsequently any other government agency.  I call the polygrapher "deranged" only because he is the only person who can believe in such methods of screening applicants as "effective."  (I guess by that definition, polylawman is deranged as well -- interesting).

I know you "find it hard to believe" that this is how the system works, but believe me, Batman, if you got wrapped up in the situatiuon like I have been, you would be pretty passionate about it, too.

Chris