But suppose you were being recommended for, or applying for some high level job where they do background checks and gather that sort of information? Even if not elective office, would you give a sh*t then about character assassination?
“But suppose you were being recommended for, or applying for some high level job where they do background checks and gather that sort of information?”
Background checks are easy. So are single scope background investigations. You tell them everything. What you don’t want is to miss something and they find out about it. Or you don’t want to lie about something and they find out the truth. Simply tell them everything, absolutely everything and they will make a determination. Most of time that determination is that you were truthful and therefore trustworthy
Slightly off topic, but one day, I was at a youth event and was holding up some lost and found items. I made an quiet off mic joke about singing some songs to get the items back.
Some old guy, who I did not know heard my comment and accused me of child abuse.
I got in his face just enough to make sure he never, ever accused me of that again.
In our organization, we’re not allowed to be alone with a kid. Once, a boy had an accident just as the others were cresting a hill. Being in the back of the group, I ended up alone with him for a couple minutes where we hatched a plan. As soon as we crossed the hill, I apologized for spilling my water bottle down the front of his pants. (as we were concocting this plan, I made the mistake of saying “this will be out secret.” Good thought, horrible choice of words.
I let the other leaders know what happened and as soon as I was able, I also called his day, just for some transparency.
My unsolicited $0.02? I think that this will eventually percolate down into the personal/private sector. It won't be some crazy ex-girlfriend from the past scuppering a Supreme Court Nomination, or a high-level appointment, or high-profile job....
...It will be some nutcase who overheard you say something that they disagreed with showing up at your work with a half-dozen of their like-minded friends. Calling your boss. Hassling your co-workers. Your Wife and Kids. Church. Other things that are of personal value to you. Some places, it would be no big deal. Others - like work - just won't want the hassle, and it will be easier to terminate you rather than deal with it.
A FReeper wiser than I once said "You will be made to care." They were right, and it won't end well.
:-) Of course, if some nutjob accosted Mrs WBill, her response would be "Harassment? (ker-click) I'll show you harassment!" And her opinion is the only one I really value. Losing a job, etc, though, would be a PITA.