Homeland Sub-Chair Rogers: 'Border Surveillance System Does Not Work'

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050616/dcth052.html?.v=13 ^

[Happy2BMe]

Gubmint contractors taking good care of our border (and our tax money).

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

[RexBeach]

There is no "system."

[Happy2BMe]

What happens when you let the fox tend to the hen house?

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"Later this year, the Department of Homeland Security plans to roll out a new initiative to expand and upgrade this system. Known as the America's Shield Initiative, this program will expand and replace ISIS to help prevent terrorists from slipping over our borders between the Ports of Entry. It's expected to cost $2.5 billion.

"In December 2004, the Inspector General of the General Services Administration issued an audit. This report found numerous problems with the Border Patrol's contract for the Remote Video Surveillance Program.

"For example, the initial $2 million award was made to the International Microwave Corporation, known as IMC, without documented evidence of a competition. Interestingly, however, one year later IMC received an extension worth $250 million dollars -- for many tasks outside the scope of the original contract.

[HiJinx]

We'll also hear from the President of L-3 Communications, the company that acquired IMC.

L-3 Communications has a pretty decent track record...one of their acquisitions built the red phones GEN Schwarzkopf used in Gulf War 1. I'm betting their president is sorry now that he ever considered acquiring International Microwave.

[nathanbedford]

Worse, I am beginning to believe this is precisely the state of affairs desired from the top down. As one who rigorously eschews conspiracy explanations, I am nevertheless hard pressed to offer any better explanation for the willful refusal of this administration to enforce American immigration laws.

The breech has endured too long, is too blatant, too damaging and certainly too dangerous in a time of terrorist threat not to be a willful and deliberate policy of the administration to ignore its oath that the laws be faithfully executed.

[afnamvet]

"For example, the initial $2 million award was made to the International Microwave Corporation, known as IMC, without documented evidence of a competition. Interestingly, however, one year later IMC received an extension worth $250 million dollars -- for many tasks outside the scope of the original contract.

End this program.You would expect that the Department of Homeland Security would have legal eagles wise enough to write a contract with protections/oversight guaranteeing completion on budget.

I think we should hire the Israelis...their fence/security system seems to work well.

[HardStarboard]

>>>There is no "system."<<<

Your comment reminded me of a TV interview with Israel's El Al Airline's head of security. This was maybe 12 or 18 months after 9-11. He was asked what he thought of our improvements to the airline passanger security screening system.

He replied: "You don't have an airline security system, you have a system to pissoff passengers".

Bingo!

[RexBeach]

I agree, Nathan, it's mighty curious.

[DumpsterDiver]

Gubmint contractors taking good care of our border (and our tax money).

From one of the many sources out there:

The vice-president of International Microwave Corporation is a woman named Rebecca Reyes. She is the daughter of Texas Congressman Silvester Reyes. He is a former Border Patrol chief from El Paso.

(I'm not sure if Reyes is still in Congress.)

[Americanexpat]

And what kept the Border Patrol from inspecting the work to insure it was done to specification?

I worked as a Security specialists for the Navy and any time we contracted work I inspected it to make sure we got what we paid for.

[Just another Joe]

Homeland Sub-Chair Rogers: 'Border Surveillance System Does Not Work'

Duh!

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

Important thread. Good work, Happy!

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

"Duh!"

Yes, but it's official. That's significant.

[Happy2BMe]

The General Services Administration is involved - MEANING A WHISTLE BLOWER (or several) have emerged.

When jobs in the GSA are on the line (they got caught), congressmen and senators usually lose elections.

2006.

[upchuck]

Sounds to me like there were a whole bunch of criminal acts committed here.

The one that burns my ass the most: "... an operations center where contractors and government employees did little, or no work, for over a year; and not surprisingly, numerous cost-overruns."

I would suggest that the "government employees," at least, be charged with theft and forced to return their salaries for this year.

Everybody knows in an organization the size of the federal government there's gonna be some waste and inefficiency. But outright fraud and theft? This need to be stopped and there needs to be restitution.

[RexBeach]

Man, he knocked that one right out of the park! Thanks very much for the message!

[sasafras]

There is only one deterrent that will work


A WALL similar to what Isreal has installed! - cost less than an additional 5000 border patrol agents and is on the job 24 hours a day.

[blackie]

Protect our borders and coastlines from all foreign invaders!

Be Ever Vigilant!

Minutemen Patriots ~ Bump!

[Iron Matron]

The breech has endured too long, is too blatant, too damaging and certainly too dangerous in a time of terrorist threat not to be a willful and deliberate policy of the administration to ignore its oath that the laws be faithfully executed

If Bush proceeds with his little "integration Fantasy" I quite imagine the United States of America will see a brand new "BAND OF BROTHERS" arise and save this Nation.

If not, we deserve to live under the tyranny we can see coming.

[Iron Matron]

The breech has endured too long, is too blatant, too damaging and certainly too dangerous in a time of terrorist threat not to be a willful and deliberate policy of the administration to ignore its oath that the laws be faithfully executed

If Bush proceeds with his little "integration Fantasy" I quite imagine the United States of America will see a brand new "BAND OF BROTHERS" arise and save this Nation.

If not, we deserve to live under the tyranny we can see coming.