Kerry Campaign: Bush Failed Vital Security Step (Computer Update)

US NewsWire ^ | 6/26/04 | Kerry Campaign

[The Bandit]

WASHINGTON, June 26 /U.S. Newswire/ -- A new report out today reveals that the FBI will not be able to fully deploy a long- awaited computer upgrade to manage the bureau's case files before the end of the year as promised, and that the bureau cannot predict when the entire system would be in place. The FBI's computer problems were a major factor in the intelligence failures that led to 9/11. (NY Times, 6/26/04)

Kerry Spokesman Phil Singer said: "The FBI's outdated computer system contributed to the intelligence failures that led to the 9/11 attacks. But three years later, the Bush Administration is no closer to making the computer upgrades the FBI desperately needs to protect Americans from terrorism. The White House needs to remember that the war on terror is fought both overseas and here at home, and that means making sure the agencies charged with protecting America's security have the tools they need to get the job done. It's unacceptable for the FBI to keep flying blind."

-- Computer Upgrade Bungled So Badly, FBI Might Abandon It --

The Virtual Case File system, which would allow agents to share information easily -- a critical shortcoming of the present system - is already two years behind schedule and one bureau official who spoke on condition of anonymity went so far as to suggest that the program might ultimately have to be abandoned. (NY Times, June 26, 2004)

-- FBI Computer Upgrade Has Been Lagging for Years --

Program Already Over Budget and Behind. "Since 2000, Congress has appropriated millions of dollars for Trilogy, which was estimated to take three years to complete and cost $379.8 million. After the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, deadlines for the project were moved up one year. In February 2002, lawmakers provided an additional $78 million to the FBI in response to its request to accelerate the process. The promised deadlines, however, slipped from summer 2002 to fall 2002 and then to spring 2003. Subcommittee Chairman Judd Gregg, R-N.H., pressured Mueller to give the panel a specific deadline for the project this year, as well as a plan for future IT architecture. 'This panel has dedicated a massive amount of dollars and time to working with the FBI' on the project, Gregg said. 'It's now $2 million over budget and...years behind schedule.'" (Congress Daily, 3/24/04)

System Designed to Help FBI "Connect the Dots." "The VCF system is the cornerstone of the bureau's monumental IT upgrade -- dubbed Trilogy -- meant to automate and tie together millions of pieces of information to help FBI investigators and analysts 'connect the dots' of criminal and terror cases. Last month the FBI told CQ Homeland Security the program would be completed by the end of April. 'The remaining work required to actually deploy a usable and functional initial version of the Virtual Case File appears significant,' Fine's testimony to the panel reads. Moreover, the cost of the system -- once slated at $380 million, and later ballooning to $581 million -- is still a question. And because of the FBI's lax accounting, Fine said, the final tag may never be completely known." (Congressional Quarterly Technology briefing, 3/23/04)

[Mister Baredog]

Is there anything that isn't BUSH'S FAULT?

Kerry is a FOOL

[Defender2]

kerry should keep his trap shut!!!!:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1160580/posts

[mattdono]

Is there anything that isn't BUSH'S FAULT?

No. To these people, everything that happens in the world is Bush's fault.

[maxter]

Continual whining from the left.

[Southack]

So how has Senator Kerry's job absenteeism contributed to this glaring lack of Congressional oversight?

[Wild Irish Rogue]

" Is there anything that isn't BUSH'S FAULT?"

I posted this on another thread about complaining Iraqis.

The Iraqis have been given an enormous gift and yet they continue to spit on the gift givers.
The whiners sound like natural constituents of Kerry's -he should take his doom and gloom tour on the road to Bdad and have a fund raiser.
The other night, I caught a bit of Ben Veniste Nightly News ( formerly NBC Nightly News ) and they had a segment about the lack of power in Iraq and how uncomfortable it is for the residents.
First the segment showed the ancient power plant and the hard hat Iraqi engineers were trying to jerry rig the machinery.
The piece detailed how antiquated the power infrastructure is-no improvements have been made in 40 years.
Those technicians most familiar with this ancient power system-the Germans and the Russians, had fled Iraq when the kidnappings and mayhem ginned up.
The oil pipeline sabotages had deprived the power plants of fuel.
But, BV News couldn't stop there.
They had to find an old crone living in a hot apartment in Baghdad and ask her," who do you blame for the lack of power "?
And good Democrat that she was, she replied- " George Booosh."

[Mister Baredog]

The Iraqis have been given an enormous gift and yet they continue to spit on the gift givers.

Iraqis will "get it", someday soon they'll be voting, and it won't be 100% for Saddam.

I believe that's a media template they're trying to portray.

Just like they're trying to help Kerry everyday.

I feel confident Bush is gonna beat them again.

Misunderestimation is his game, and it sure has worked so far.

I'm referring to 2000 and 2002.

[GailA]

Just who FAILED to FUND the FBI and CIA adequately for 19 years? Sure wasn't Dubya.

[Fiddlstix]

[MadIvan]

Expect Kerry to hit Bush on bad weather next. No, seriously, he'll talk about environmental issues and possibly disaster relief if there are any big catastrophes.

Regards, Ivan

[trebb]

Freakin' amazing - if Kerry had gotten his way, the FBI would be using cans with string stretched between them or carrier pigeons...