PentaFed - as a public service, I will pick apart your post.
Quote:And if you believe that taking positive steps to interfere in a government investigation is akin to using a radar detector which detects speed traps (a civil infraction I might add) than you surely have no baseline that you refer to when you're deciding what is right and what is wrong in terms of YOUR behavior.
The polygraph is hardly an "invetsigation." It is an interrogative tool used to divine information from the subject's own physiological responses. The very term "investigation" connotes rigorous, lengthy scrutiny. A polygraph lasts a few hours and can be beaten by those trained to beat it. That's not an investigation. As for radar detectors, they're legal in many states.
Quote:From what you've written you sound like a paranoid who thinks the government is "out to get him." I wouldn't trust you with my morning newspaper.
Is accusing people of being paranoid your m.o.? This ties into my earlier claim that you are indeed projecting your insecurities on others. Merely questioning authority or the status quo does not make someone paranoid. As for your morning paper, few of us have interest in handling your copy of
The Adventures of Tin Tin, despite its comedic tales of adventurism.
Quote:In your eyes if someone is a polygrapher or works for the government, they have an evil agenda to attack you and all who take polygraphs. The fact is that hundreds of people pass polygraphs every year and, while I don't support their use, the horror and injustices you purport to take place aren't as widespread as you would like us all to believe.
You're actually correct here - hundreds, maybe thousands pass each year. The horrors and injustices aren't that widespread, but I don't think anyone here is saying that it's the end of the universe. The fact of the matter, a non-ignorable number of dreams are shattered because of a flawed machine. This is where we may differ: I find it unacceptable that otherwise qualified people miss out on a lifetime opportunity because a flawed machine said they're lying. People who served in the military, spent 10, 20 years preparing for such a career, qualified folks - all their dreams evaporated in an instant. This is the only country that uses polygraphs so seriously - it's something you'd expect to be used in Iran or North Korea - not America. A thorough background investigation conducted by good investigators will reveal anything the applicant has hid/is hiding. In many ways, the polygraph gives investigators a false sense of security that shouldn't exist.
Quote:Yes, I don't believe polygraphy is a good means to an end. But, we've already seen examples of the kind of wayward thinking that you display, so you're certainly in no position to discuss ethics.
You ask why he calls you "high and mighty." When you speak like this, and engage in ad hominem attacks, you lose a tremendous deal of credibility. You seem to have something to say - try and ariculate yourself without attacking those who disagree/pose different views. You'd really be amazed what a bit of grace and patience would do for your credibility here and elsewhere.
Quote:...If your goal is to educate and informa the public about the weak reliability of polygraphs, fine. If your goal is to lobby the government to end their use, fine. When you get to the point where you're encouraging people involved in an employment or clearance process to take active, dishonest, steps to try and beat the thing, you've crossed the line.
This is a matter of opinion. No one here wants unqualified people in positions of trust. No one. We all love this country. The information here is here for a couple of simple reasons: 1) put nervous minds at ease by demystifying a process that
relies on ignorance to work; and 2) provide a means for more proactive people to ensure they pass when they should. As for malicious people relying on this info, give me a break. First, spies are usually turned, Aldrich Ames-style. Second, anyone who wants to beat the polygraph could look elsewhere to find out how to. This site is just a concentrated bastion of anti-polygraphy sentiment. The info is out there elsewhere.
This reminds me of people who bemoan movies that have intricate terrorist plots - "Oh my, why would you make a movie like that and give the terrorists such an idea?!"
Quote:I'm curious, how do you feel about peopole who actually do have integrity issues beating the polygraph? Do you just support honest people beating the system or are you in favor of having shitbags get access to our national secrets?
See above. No one wants this country to be harmed. BUT we want it to do the right thing- and polygraphs are simply wrong as a matter of policy, stupid as a matter of course, and deeply flawed.