Comment Number: OL-10502640
Received: 3/2/2005 2:33:33 PM
Subject: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Request for Comment
Title: National Security Personnel System
CFR Citation: 5 CFR Chapter XCIX and Part 9901
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Comments:

page 7569 left column, last paragraph Consultation and consult are important words to make NSPS a success. I believe that the use of these words in the NSPS context distorts the common definition of these terms. Webster's dictionary defines consult as to have a regrad to: consider and to ask advice or opinion of. Consultation is the defined as the act of consulting or conferring. The dictionary continues that the root of the conferring comes from the latin meaning to bring together. The meaning of consult and consultation includes consideration of another opinion, recognition that the opinion may have merit and what another has to say on a topic of mutual concern is important. Consultation is an intimate act of information transfer and understanding, but not necesarily full agreement. The meaning now being advanced and proposed to be codified is aloof, cold, distant and dictatorial and is radically different from the common usage of the words. The degree of detachment and disdain that the new use of the words delivers is inappropriate to the colloaborative process that are needed to make any personnel system a success.