NASA employee punished for political blogging

Blogs are bringing the Hatch Act until places no federal employee has gone before. Federal Computer Week reports that a NASA employee at the Johnson Space Center has been suspended for soliciting donations and writing politically partisan blog posts and sending e-mail messages while at work.

The person promoted local and state candidates through a blog he worked on at work -- and solicited small donations. The employee has been suspended for 180 days without pay.

Special Counsel Scott Bloch -- who is being investigated allegations that he retaliated against subordinates -- said his office is cracking down on Internet- and technology-based Hatch violations.

“Today, modern office technology multiplies the opportunities for employees to abuse their positions and — as in this serious case — to be penalized, even removed from their job, with just a few clicks of a mouse,” Bloch said.