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Team 7 Investigation Exposes Border Security Threats (i.e., border security = joke)
Sierra Times ^ | 2/17/03 | Kirotv

Posted on 02/17/2003 4:21:18 PM PST by hoosierskypilot

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1 posted on 02/17/2003 4:21:18 PM PST by hoosierskypilot
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To: hoosierskypilot
"Crossing in that area is probably not the best thing to do because the chances are extremely great that you'll be spotted by a camera and there will be a response," said Paul Beeson of the Border Patrol.

What you are hearing is the sound of a "team player" handling communications with the public. Remember the name Paul Beeson, known liar.

If you meet him, your duty is to spit on him. Remember. Remember forever. If enough Paul Beesons are run out of town, the government will someday run short of willing liars.

2 posted on 02/17/2003 4:35:50 PM PST by eno_
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To: eno_
You know what matters to a bureaucrat, and what's foremost in their minds: 'six years 'till retirement... don't make waves... unused vacation and sick time count towards time-in-service... easy street'
3 posted on 02/17/2003 4:45:31 PM PST by banjo joe
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To: banjo joe
That's why we need to make examples of individuals. Show them the downside.
4 posted on 02/17/2003 4:52:16 PM PST by eno_
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To: hoosierskypilot; Free the USA; B4Ranch; FITZ; Yaelle; pgyanke; Tancredo Fan; Fish out of Water; ...
ping. KIRO spent 6 months investigating the border in Washington last year. Chris Halsne connected the contract for the hi tech cameras to Congressman Reyes daughter.

Monday, November 25, 2002
Border Security Breakdown Captures Attention of Congress
Chris Halsne
KIRO 7 EYEWITNESS NEWS INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER

http://www.seattleinsider.com/partners/kirotv/specialreports/border_cams2.html

Chris Halsne

KIRO 7 EYEWITNESS NEWS INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER
An exclusive KIRO Team 7 Investigation exposes a border security breakdown.

You're paying millions more than you should for a high-tech security system along the Washington-British Columbia border that doesn't work very well.

Investigative Reporter Chris Halsne reveals what the federal government wants to keep a secret.

We've discovered a series of computers and cameras that are supposed to stop terrorists, drug smugglers, and other illegals from entering the US malfunction on a regular basis.

What we've uncovered has grabbed the attention of both Congress and the Department of Justice.

In theory, the lenses aimed at a rural stretch of the U.S.-Canadian border, create an impenetrable shield. 32 cameras that see miles in the dark aren't suppose to miss any movement.

However, an exclusive six-month KIRO Team 7 Investigation discovered massive deficiencies in the system.

"It's a threat to national security if this information isn't made available," says Retired Border Patrol Chief Carey James.

James says Remote Video Surveillance (or RVS) was a great idea in the beginning, but bureaucratic meddling from Washington, D.C. ruined its chances of succeeding.

"I will have a little trouble sleeping at night and I think all of us should be a little worried," James says.

We obtained documents, which reveal hundreds of specific daily breakdowns with RVS near Blaine.

"All cameras: Controls not working 95 percent of the time."
"It's another warm day and the cameras are once again not responding."

The system was suppose to be a $5 million pilot project, but it's already ballooned to $8 million, and counting.

"We continually pour money into these systems and people are not held accountable or responsible."

A 100 page report, filed deep inside INS headquarters in Washington DC, says it will take millions more tax money to fix equipment.

KIRO Team 7 Investigators were denied the report under a new Homeland Security law. We were told release "would cause the government harm," even though camera failure rates are considered "sensitive, but unclassified papers."

"We've requested a copy of this report that you've brought to our attention," says U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell.

Cantwell has been a big supporter of funding more agents and more technology along Washington's border.

"We need accountability by the INS and we need accountability by the individual contractor of the technology. We need to give the border agents the tools to do their job," Cantwell says.

Our investigation discovered that the main contractor on the camera project is a company called International Microwave Corporation. The company's Vice President is the daughter of Texas Congressman Silvester Reyes.

IMC recently received a $200 million no-bid contract from the Department of Justice to install security systems along all US borders.

Congressman Reyes says he did not exert influence on behalf of his daughters company.
 


5 posted on 02/17/2003 4:55:36 PM PST by madfly
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To: All
Here's the link to the original article, Nov. 25, 2002.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/797389/posts
BORDER SECURITY BREAKDOWN CAPTURES ATTENTION OF CONGRESS

In the thread is an update article printed Nov. 29, 2002.

6 posted on 02/17/2003 5:02:24 PM PST by madfly
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To: hoosierskypilot
Good find!
7 posted on 02/17/2003 5:10:01 PM PST by madfly
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To: madfly
How is it even legal for a $200 million dollar contract to be let without a bid?
8 posted on 02/17/2003 6:29:24 PM PST by 4Freedom (America is no longer the 'Land of Opportunity', it's the 'Land of Illegal Alien Opportunists'!!!)
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To: JackelopeBreeder; Spiff; FITZ; JohnHuang2; glock rocks; mrsmith; Squantos
Pinging y'all to a good article.
9 posted on 02/17/2003 6:36:33 PM PST by B4Ranch (A Fine is a Tax for doing Wrong. A Tax is a Fine for doing Well.)
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To: hoosierskypilot
L-3 Communications Acquires International Microwave Corporation on Monday, Nov. 21, 2002

NYSE: LLL

10 posted on 02/17/2003 6:39:47 PM PST by B4Ranch (A Fine is a Tax for doing Wrong. A Tax is a Fine for doing Well.)
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To: madfly
Reyes is a Dem, a big supporter of Mexican immigration, buddy to Vicente Fox. Rather odd (?) that his daughter's company just happens to provide security cameras on the border that don't work...
11 posted on 02/17/2003 6:51:24 PM PST by janetgreen
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To: B4Ranch; madfly
Thanks for the heads up. You dont see but I am here. Another beautiful snafu!
12 posted on 02/17/2003 7:22:28 PM PST by Madcelt (Lynchburgh TN: Dry county,but they make darn good whiskey!!(How'd that happen!))
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To: madfly
Good catch
13 posted on 02/17/2003 8:13:25 PM PST by MissAmericanPie
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To: madfly
There are problems with the cameras. However, even with the problems that occurr the Border Patrol is still able to use the cameras to catch illegal aliens and smugglers. Even with the problems that exist the RVS cameras are still a great asset.
14 posted on 02/18/2003 1:17:48 PM PST by Ajnin
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To: Ajnin; Marine Inspector; MissAmericanPie; B4Ranch; JackelopeBreeder; FITZ; Spiff; HiJinx
Thanks for your input. Freepers are lucky to have you to "edit" these stories for us. Glad something is aiding you in, with all your restrictions.
15 posted on 02/18/2003 2:43:58 PM PST by madfly
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To: Ajnin
bttt
16 posted on 02/18/2003 3:03:55 PM PST by Marine Inspector
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To: Ajnin; madfly; MissAmericanPie; B4Ranch; JackelopeBreeder; FITZ; Spiff; HiJinx

17 posted on 02/18/2003 7:38:02 PM PST by Marine Inspector
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To: PsyOp
Pong to #17
18 posted on 02/18/2003 7:38:52 PM PST by Marine Inspector
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To: Marine Inspector
BTTT
19 posted on 02/18/2003 7:46:46 PM PST by cibco (Xin Loi... Iraq)
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To: Marine Inspector; SandRat; SAMWolf; JackelopeBreeder
I darned near fell off my chair when I saw this in Sunday's paper.

20 posted on 02/18/2003 8:05:34 PM PST by HiJinx (I love the high desert!)
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