lurkitty: (albert)
Rep. Bennie Thompson, Chair of the Homeland Security Committee, responds:

Over the past five years, tens of billions of taxpayer dollars have been dedicated to standing up and building capacity at the Department of Homeland Security. The Department of Homeland Security is charged with deterring, preventing and responding to the threat of terrorism. To that end, systems have been erected to identify risks and communicate them to the American public. With all the resources you have at your disposal and all the progress that you assure us that you are making, I cannot understand why you are quoted in the Chicago Tribune as saying you have a “gut feeling” that we are entering a period of heightened risk this summer.

Words have power, Mr. Secretary. You must choose them wisely—especially when they relate to the lives and security of the American public. What color code in the Homeland Security Advisory System is associated with a “gut feeling?” What sectors should be on alert as a result of your “gut feeling?” What cities should be asking their law enforcement to work double shifts because of your “gut feeling?” Are the American people supposed to purchase duct tape and plastic sheeting because of your “gut feeling?” ...
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Best. Letter. Ever.
(crossposted to [livejournal.com profile] ljdemocrats

Wow - I'm getting spammy!

Listmania

Apr. 14th, 2006 12:39 pm
lurkitty: (Default)
Even though I am a bleeding heart liberal, I count myself patriotic, moreso than the conservatives that keep our troops in harms way, don't bother to go to any serviceman's funerals, and don't even allow us to acknowledge the dead and maimed coming out of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

But, in terms of insults to the men and women who serve our country, this takes the cake. A Marine returns from combat in Iraq with his unit. He has his written orders. He is pulled out of the boarding line by the TSA at the LA airport because he is on the no-fly list, and can't return with his unit.

Why is he on the no-fly list? Because the last time he flew, going to Iraq, they found gunpowder residue on his combat boots. Who'd have thought, an active duty Marine with gunpowder residue on his combat boots?

There is currently no way to remove a name from the infamous no-fly list. The only thing that can be done is a notation can be made to alongside a name. This list has tens of thousand of names. There is no way to find out if your name is on it. This Marine will be stopped every time he flies. What a great reward for serving your country.

His congressman is working to try to remove his name. I say good luck. But what about the rest of the people on it for other obscure reasons? And what about the next time?

This list needs oversight and procedures for removal of names from an agency outside the jackbooted authority of Homeland Security. Congress needs to use this incident to find the temerity to act.
lurkitty: (albert)
Apparently I'm not the only one wigging about Brian Doyle's indiscretions. There will now be a congressional inquiry about DHS hiring practices.

I hope they actually look at this seriously.

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