@Nabuquduriuzhur:Granted, while the efficacy of the polygraph is open to debate, and will be forever, the background checks for security clearances vary from the superficial for a “confidential”, to very rigorous indeed for anything above “secret”. But, all the checks in the world won’t prevent someone from violating the oath they take when obtaining the clearance.
Backround checks (good ones) are expensive. I have had 3 done on me while in the Navy for Top Secret clearance – no problem. Have had basis backround checks for Security licenses, and pistol permit – again no problem.
Yes, they do investigate. I was investigated before I got a clearance; I was interviewed personally by an investigator. However, what gets me is that you have to submit to a lie detector before getting a higher clearance, despite the fact that lie detectors are so unreliable that you can’t use them as evidence in a court of law.
Now if they did the debate the way some behavioural tests are done……have the debators wired and give buzzers out to 2-3 neighbourhoods in a couple of cities in EVERY state…… wouldn’t matter if the debators told the truth. What would matter is if the people holding the buttons…..like what they hear.
I wonder what would happen if all sides in a debate were required to face a reliable testing of the truth. Until then we are faced with what Abe Lincoln said.
Ron Dunn Premium Member about 12 years ago
That is a great idea have romney and obama stand on shock pads, if one tries to lie about something give em a shock.
marshalljpeters Premium Member about 12 years ago
He’s got them both worried.
legaleagle48 about 12 years ago
And people wonder why this strip always attracts the political comments. It’s hard NOT to make political comments when the strip itself makes them!
euston about 12 years ago
Looks like it’s going to be a pretty quiet debate…
euston about 12 years ago
‘Quiet’ on the strip I meant… Obviously not in the comments…
piloti about 12 years ago
@Nabuquduriuzhur:Granted, while the efficacy of the polygraph is open to debate, and will be forever, the background checks for security clearances vary from the superficial for a “confidential”, to very rigorous indeed for anything above “secret”. But, all the checks in the world won’t prevent someone from violating the oath they take when obtaining the clearance.
celeconecca about 12 years ago
that’ll do, that’ll do.
J Short about 12 years ago
Depends whose “facts” you are using.
jtviper7 about 12 years ago
The end of politics the way we know it today…
owizcs about 12 years ago
All politicians lie.
tirnaaisling about 12 years ago
The one’s who believe are the ones you really shouldn’t elect.
Bruce McKinney Premium Member about 12 years ago
Oh, if only it could be so.
runar about 12 years ago
Rmoney would have been toast.
coulterjc about 12 years ago
smart move!
Totalloser Premium Member about 12 years ago
If only they used that in our debates. Should be a collar around the next so they really feel it. The more they lie they bigger the jolt
Rickapolis about 12 years ago
THAT is an invention.
beaver48612 about 12 years ago
Romney would have passed out within 5 minutes in to the debate.
lcdrlar about 12 years ago
Backround checks (good ones) are expensive. I have had 3 done on me while in the Navy for Top Secret clearance – no problem. Have had basis backround checks for Security licenses, and pistol permit – again no problem.
Cartoonacy about 12 years ago
I’ve found Factcheck.org to be generally unbiased, and is often cited for its reliability. I read it after every speech and debate.
K M about 12 years ago
Yes, they do investigate. I was investigated before I got a clearance; I was interviewed personally by an investigator. However, what gets me is that you have to submit to a lie detector before getting a higher clearance, despite the fact that lie detectors are so unreliable that you can’t use them as evidence in a court of law.
Hunter7 about 12 years ago
Now if they did the debate the way some behavioural tests are done……have the debators wired and give buzzers out to 2-3 neighbourhoods in a couple of cities in EVERY state…… wouldn’t matter if the debators told the truth. What would matter is if the people holding the buttons…..like what they hear.
bigbird804 about 12 years ago
I wonder what would happen if all sides in a debate were required to face a reliable testing of the truth. Until then we are faced with what Abe Lincoln said.
fhhuber about 12 years ago
Just shock em every time they say anything… you’ll be correct 99.99999999% of the time
Applies to any politician.