http://www.bozemanhotels.org/

Below the surface is something much more insidious; the belief structure that organisations with power [especially governments, government monopolies, credit 'bureaus', banks] can, and by implication are, justified to, coerce those with less power [individuals who need employment, utilities, bank accounts, health insurance and such to function in ordinary society] to 'voluntarily' give up essential human and individual rights unrelated to the issue at hand in order to survive in that society.

That is the paternalistic belief structure and systemic social operating structure of socialism/communism that is pervading the United States today under the guise of 'protecting' us and 'serving' us; and it is Oh, so seductive and subtle and comfortable - until it bites us!

Some of the ways this is implemented seem innocuous enough, benign or even helpful. The best known is probably the 'Social Security' system. Its benefits are touted loudly, but its cost in loss of personal freedom and responsibility are rarely or never mentioned.

Some are unseen and unknown until they affect us, like the role of credit 'bureaus' who coerce commercial establishments to collect your personal data and your permission to give it to the 'bureaus' to be used against you at some future date. Since they 'purchase' the [your] data, they consider they own it and you cannot take it from them. Collectively, we have allowed these private organisations to take away our freedom to have a personal relationship with a banker or a mortgage lender by reducing us to numbers: one to identify us and another to 'value' us.

Throughout our society, 'Big Brother' rears his ugly countenance in tiny, subtle and large, overt ways that have stripped us of freedom and individuality bit by bit until today our Founding Fathers that fought tenaciously for those freedoms would cry in pain and anger that we have let them slip away in the name of our 'convenience' or 'comfort' or 'security' What a terrible shame and crime!

If you haven't done so, you must read "1984" and compare it to what has happened and is happening to this very day in the USA. DoubleSpeak, DoubleThink, vocabularies that do not mean what the common person thinks a word or phrase mean.

This is what the actions of Bozeman represent, implement and perpetuate. When this can happen in the West of the US, the last bastion of individual freedom, I truly despair for the nation. Here in New York as in other so-called 'liberal' states, the majority gave up on essential American values long ago. We should all be very, very afraid when it is happening in Bozeman Montana!

I guess in today's economy, they let all their HR staff go, and now it's the wild west where anything goes. Don't worry, just make up a fake profile and give them that password if you really want to work for a place with that kind of questionable policies. They probably will want to strip search you, your family and next of kin, before your first interview.

I think I'll skip doing any business in that city. God only knows what they make the local businesses do to setup shop.

Ironically, I'm sure someone will dig up some dirt on the city mayor or council workers that thought this was an ok thing to do, or better yet, let's post the mayor's facebook id and password and we can all show them how "safe" it is to disclose such information.

Of course not entering the information probably would give them cause later to fire you if they wanted to dig up a reason to. Oh, they never disclosed they had a Facebook account they lied, terminate them now.

Yeah, I think I'll avoid doing any business there. Who knows what they make business owners reveal about their customers behind closed doors. This is just what came out. For every one publicized, there's probably 100 more crazy ones not disclosed.

It's 1984 folks (just running a little late) If you don't know about 1984(the book) read it before you have to live it!
What we have now:Cameras, cameras everywhere.....
1. Red Light Cameras
2. Cameras with face detection logic
3. Remote radar cameras for speeders
4. Satellite cameras that can read you license plate
5. Listening devices you would not believe....
they can duplicate your screen from outside your house...
and so much more....They can even see you taking a dump on your own toilet if they wish to.

Have you ever wondered where all those devices were
on 9/11/01? All that evidence is buried....why???

Literally, what a bunch of clowns running that joke of a city!

Uh, Yes, #35 Antonio. This is more intrusive than credit and background checks. Credit reports are full of errors and most of a background check is public record anyway.

This is unacceptable.

If it's a big deal and qualified applicants begin run dry as a result then they will have to modify their policies. Raising a loud, obscene, and objectionable racket does nothing but reinforce their incorrect assumption that the Internet is for people of low moral character.

Like it or not, we associate the people who work for a company with the company itself. Look at the typical disclaimer that is from any professional email address. If we perceive that we were treated unfairly or got bad customer service, we associate that with the company and not the employee that dispensed the action.

In a free market, employers can demand all sorts of things that some may find inappropriate or objectionable. Conversely, in a free market, no one has to work for those employers. I have worked for a company that had prayer sessions, one that required community service time, and another that wanted a signed document indicating that I was representing the company even away from the office. Some of these I found unreasonable and resigned and others I made a exceptions because the compensation package was worth it. At the end of the day, as long as we get to make our own free decision and compromises, then I'm okay with it.

Of course, reporters are protected by shield laws, so anyone wanting to hand over that kind of information to inquiring minds has little to worry about, IMO.

I am also *quite* sure that citizen watchdog groups will rise to the occasion and find *somewhere* to make their findings known so concerned citizens of Bozeman can take appropriate action. I mean, what with the internet making it so easy for like minded people to get together and take action.

Well, just thought I'd put in my 2 cents.

Cheers, Bozeman morality squad. May you have long and distinguished careers, each and every one of you.

http://www.rightnow.com/privacy-social.php

Hello,

I need you to give me your bank passwords, records of purchase (as far back as possible,) and credit card statements so that I can check for any untoward business affairs or questionable purchases leading up to the next municipal election. I promise to only look at things that I am explicitly not disallowed to look at by the constitution.

After all, we have to make sure the people that we vote for have the highest moral character and are a good fit for the City.

Taking someone's email account information would grant you every bit as much information as purchase records and bank statements. All of the means to take over my banking, identity, and whatnot are contained in my accounts. It is highly irresponsible and inappropriate to request this material of anyone.

You should be ashamed -- and prepared to loose your job -- over this matter.

I think it's a fine idea for this particular city and state as it will eliminate people who actually do seek out social contact. Better they restrict their jobs to people like Theodore Kaczynski (better known as the Unabomber) and yes, he lived in Lincoln, Montana, not Bozeman, but you get my point. To think, if he hadn't been arrested, he might now be a "Meter-man" in Bozeman.

I applaud the Bozeman city protocols which should result in attracting primarily social iconoclasts and outcasts, much like those that implemented these policies.

Don't mind while they log in to your computer and check the files on it. After all, they need to make sure you aren't embezzling or doing any other funny stuff.

Don't worry, when they do the rectal exam, there will just be a few people in the room to ensure your aren't enjoying it too much.

fucknards.

And whose moral compass are they using as a guide to determine that? Is there a moral czar working for the city of Bozeman, MT? If so, I'd like to see her online footprint.

I'd also like to see the objective criteria that they would use when conducting social network/email reference checks. What would constitute bad moral character? How would they remove subjective bias from the process?

Perhaps they should investigate all current city employees and conduct moral investigations on all residents living in the city. Surely, they wouldn't want any bad moral characters living in Bozeman, MT - why stop at applicants for city jobs?

However, in general, this is a foolish practice - many people use the same passwords for a variety of online transactions, including banking and sensitive information. Someone needs to point out that the city does not need that information to find out how the employee is portrayed online.

Better yet, let's inject everyone working for the city with GPS-enabled RFID chips, so we can ensure these employees' continued commitment to acting with upstanding moral fiber at all times. Post their positions online, in real time! The citizens of Bozeman can proudly watch their tax dollars at work; city employees never slacking off or going off for an elicit affair.

But seriously, what idiots had such an idea? I hope no one applies to these positions ever again.

To Bozeman, please bite me. "Highest moral character" my goddamn ass. Who gets to decide this? Anyone working for Bozeman ever had an affair? Been divorced? Shoplifted as a kid? Hey, these fucking moral failings in my book, and I'd like some documentation of those too.

Here's some problems with moral character: Senator Conrad Burns accepted money from Jack Abramoff, and look there's a whole section on his wikipedia page to cover various other distasteful behaviors. And check this one out he "has jokingly referred to black people as "niggers" and Arab oil sheiks as "ragheads.". What moral character! Or maybe this is the low bar that's been set for Montanans.

Unfortunately, that's very likely not the case.

Now, to the article in the question: Do they have the right to ask?

Sure, you can ask me those things all day long, but you'll never get an answer from me.