[Hildy]

Back in the 50's my husband was admitted to a very prestigious apprenticeship program at General Dynamics (Or one of the top government aerospace companies. I can't remember which one off hand) here in San Diego. It was quite a big deal, he was written up in the papers, I've seen them myself. A week before he was to start, he received a telegram simply stating that his "services will no longer be needed." His crime? His uncle was a member of the Communist Party here in San Diego. That's the story and it's true. My husband became a bricklayer and then a commercial fisherman. His life would have been very different, wouldn't it have? I'm not complaining, I'm just saying he was a innocent bystander.

[Hunble]

So?

While working for the Department of Defense, my security clearance could be revoked for many trivial reasons. Without my security clearance, I would have been fired.

This is a good thing!

If there is even a hint that your personal activities could be used by foreign agents for black-mail, then your security clearance is immediately suspended.

[JG52blackman]

Having a Communist uncle is not a CRIME. But if I were evaluating your husband for a security clearance I would definitly consider a person with a Communist uncle as a POSSIBLE security risk, (not a "loyalty" risk)and would be very hesitant about giving him a clearance.

[Luis Gonzalez]

"I agree with Ann Coulter"

I know a FReeper who probably has this tattooed on his butt.

[squidly]

Tough break for your hubby. Security clearances don't have anything to do with nice or fair, they just have to do with security and potential risks. At least, that's the way they're supposed to work.

[Hostage]

Sad but most likely misunderstood. Many commnunists that sucessfully penetrate security and infiltrate government use the current blacklist items to their advantage. KGB agents become Jewish emigres, communinsts become anticommunist.

Communists, progressives, ideologues and the corrupted who have snaked their way into positions of influence, will cause persons such as your husband to be turned away while they bring another person in to replace him, someone who they can order around and who will add to their growing network.

This is not conspiracy drivel. Scientology tried to infiltrate and populate the IRS with its members in the 70's and 80's. Physicians from India took over residency programs in NYC in the 90's and accepted only politically designated progeny of wealthy members of India society.

On the other hand, maybe someone in GD's HR department was ordered to find a reason, any reason to turn away your husband, so that someone else could get the job.

Being a bricklayer and a fisherman are great occupations and in my opinion more honorable if pursued honestly.

I worked for NASA in the 80's in a high profile position, with alot of influence and weight. I can tell you that one of GD's premier Space Shuttle programs was laced with gross safety violations. The worst part was the management and staff tried to coverup the violations because they were under budgetary pressure. That is not only dishonest but criminal. I was very much a significant voice in canceling GD's STS program. That was in 1985.

I am sorry that you faced an injustice but I am surprised to find anyone in this life that has not. My advice to all is to make sure you get the facts before jumping to conclusions. Often all is not what it appears to be.

[onyx]

During the 40's and 50's San Diego was a major Navy & Marine base. Coupled with Convair, SD was the West Coast hub of defense/military activites.

The Communist party in San Diego presented a huge danger to the security of the entire US. Its members, while few in number, were particularly dangerous, since Convair and the Navy bases and Marine Corps. bases were smack dab in the middle of residential areas with easy access.

If Coronado counts, I am a 3rd generation native of San Diego, who's fairly well versed in the history of San Diego.

Your husband's uncle was probably monitored and deemed a danger, which would have hurt your husband. Not knowing you, but knowing a bit about the Commie party in San Diego at that time, I would guess that your husband's uncle was Jewish.

[Hugin]

That may be, but it had nothing to do with McCarthy.

[nopardons]

Your husband couldn't pick his relatives; but, that's the way it is. Tough break for him, but I'd rather he didn't get that apprenticeship AND McCarthy had NOTHING to do with his losing it.

[ctonious]

It was quite a big deal, he was written up in the papers, I've seen them myself. A week before he was to start, he received a telegram simply stating that his "services will no longer be needed."

I'm not denying that may have happened, but the aerospace industry is the most capricious "profession" I have ever seen. As an astronautical engineer I got my TS, and beyond TS clearances yadeyadeya...but when the Soviets up and gave up in '88 - the entire aerospace industry collectively said TS to their workers and went off to make toasters (actually true of one company that made inertial guidance systems for MX - a pretty funny story), credit checking systems and auto parts.

Be thankful, in a way, that your husband had the freedom to live and be free, because I'm glad I'm out of an industry where you can lose your clearance and thus your job because of a late Macy's bill (Almost happened to a fellow IBM'er who I worked with in high-clearance work). What BS.

[Ben Bolt]

He built things and was a provider . # 23 noted .

[Lancey Howard]

My wife was a manager at a large software company in the '80s and she had lots of programmers working for her. One of her particularly bright programmers applied for work with the NSA and, as a courtesy, informed my wife that if the opportunity presented itself he would accept the job.

Two years went by and this young fellow had long ago given up on hearing back from the NSA. Then one day, to his astonishment, he was notified that the security check/vetting process had been completed and that he was found acceptable. He took the job and went to Washington.

They don't mess around down there.

[Eva]

There were a lot of innocent bystanders, my Grandfather was one of them, the FBI ruined his life, but it had nothing to do with McCarthy or McCarthyism. It had to do with politics and the HUAC, a completely separate entity, that pre-dated McCarthy by about fifteen years.