Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Keystone Cops (AKA Department of Homeland Security)

The headline read "53 hours from smoking car to arrest."

Isn't it amazing how efficient our department of homeland security is?

Or did they just get lucky.

I'm thinking its the later.  Let's start at the beginning.  This guy becomes a citizen last year.  A terrorist made it all the way through the screening process to become a citizen.  I find it strange that my wife of five years is still waiting to get her green card.  Note the  following two examples:

1.  She was here on a visitor's visa when we decided to get married.  After five months here, we decided it would be nice if she could stay the rest of the year so we filed the appropriate form called "Request for an extended stay."  The request was turned down.  The reason?  "We have turned down your request for an extended stay because it appears that you want to extend your stay."  I am telling the absolute truth here.

2. After 2 years, we got a green card that was good for 18 months.  This is a temporary measure to make sure the marriage is real.  During that 18 months, we shuttled back and forth between Hungary and the United States.  She spent more of her time there and I spent most of my time here.  When it came time to apply for the permanent green card, another 18 months process, we were told that it would probably be turned down.  The reason, "We will probably turn down your request for your wife to live in the United States because she currently does not live in the United States."  Again, I am telling the truth.  They do prefer that she live with me since that is one way to prove the marriage is legitimate.   However, that is not the only way.  The officer said he had not doubt that we were really married but still...

So, my wife of 5 years cannot get a green card and yet a terrorist can get citizenship.

Anyway, at least they caught the Underpants bomber last Christmas.  Sure, they ignored the fact that his dad told them ahead of time the Who, What, When and Where.  Sure he was caught by a passenger and not the Department of Homeland Security.  I think the entire department was on Christmas break or something.  But in the end, he was caught and backs were patted all around.

Back to New York.  They found the guy using the vehicle VIN and a fingerprint.  This is 1940's technology, maybe older.  There was not database of New York suspected terrorist that helped.  None of the billions that we spent on this was employed.

Now, keep in mind, I am viewing this from the Cheap Seats.  They may have been all over this using their super secret Jack Bauer Utility Belts and such.  But I doubt it.  I think that if they had anything to brag about, they would do it.

Right now they are bragging that they caught the guy.  They are not saying much about how they found him and then lost track of him for a day. They are not talking about how the put him on the Do Not Fly list only to have that list ignored by airport security.

A day after a terrorist attack, a middle eastern man pays cash for a one-way ticket to Dubai from the city that was attacked.  His name is on the Do Not Fly list.  The airlines are told to check the list.  The airline actually claims that they reported the man but fail to mention they only did so after he was caught.  The only reason he was caught was the last line of defense - the manifest was sent (a routine event) to security and they were looking for that particular man.
This is Piss Poor Performance.  In my view, he should never have made it through the citizenship process.  As for the Christmas bomber, when he dropped his fly to light his underpants on fire, an agent should have popped out of his trousers.

We spend and spend on Homeland Security Theater and have nothing to show for it.

Don't tell me a lot is happening that I don't know about.  I once trusted the government.  I watched as they pointed out milk trucks in Iraq and told us they were mobile chemical plants.  It was all bullshit.

We spend and spend on Homeland Security Theater and then pretend we are safe.    Why not put that money to work elsewhere.  We will be just as safe.  We can still pretend.

That's my view...


http://www.worldgratitudelist.com   Leave a list.   Read a list.  Be happy.

j

Monday, May 3, 2010

Random thoughts from an unkempt mind

I am sitting in my hotel room in Florence Kentucky.  At my feet are the remnants of a 10 piece, all dark meat extravaganza (no sides dishes).  No, it's not KFC but you were close.  In my book, nothing beats Popeye Chicken.

Chris Matthews on Harball is fun to watch.  Sure he's a Democrat pretending to be neutral.  What I like is the way the gets after the guys he's interviewing.  Hardball is the perfect name for the show.

I think Family Guy should have its own network.  That way I can watch it any time I want, even when I am on the road and there is no TIVO.

Is it just me or are LEVIS the poorest quality jeans out there.  I used to wear them all the time but the sizes, seemed random.  I took a few years off before going back.  Now they just fall apart.  It's a shame because all I wear are jeans.  Which brings me to today's list. 



Iconic things that are going away (good or bad):

1. Levis
2. Sears
3. The US Postal Service
4. Network television
5. Televisions that can only be used as televisions
6. The GOP
7. Bookstores
8. Traditional Churches
9. The middle ground
             and if we are lucky
10. 100% of the incumbents (state and federal) over the next 6 years.

I think reality television is the worse thing to happen to television - ever.

If a UFO landed and offered to take me for a ride, I would go...but only if they promised to bring me back later.

Sometimes I think Bill O'Reilly goes an entire show without telling the truth once.

I have an old shoe that is smarter than Glenn Beck.

My hotel only gets 25 channels.  Six of them are versions of ESPN or FOX sports.  That's okay though.  My shower has three shower heads and they offer free breakfast.

The writers for House and Breaking Bad are the best in the business.  By comparison, the writers for Greys Anatomy get to work on the small bus.

Things I would look for if I were interviewing people for a job (another list):

1. Good at math
2. Participated in high school wrestling
3. Eagle scout
4. Military experience
5. A creative problem solver

It's been a long day of travel. Time to sleep off some chicken.

http://www.worldgratitudelist.com   Leave a list.  Read a list.  Be happy.

j