Posted on 12/05/2007 4:56:53 PM PST by shrinkermd
In a letter sent late yesterday to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D., Miss.) cited continuing concerns by the committee that problems with the virtual-fence system known as Project 28 aren't fixed. The committee also is concerned that the effort doesn't give agents the technological advantages Boeing has promised.
Further delay of a project already almost six months behind could set back the credibility of both the effort and of Boeing. It also signals a determination by lawmakers to keep a sharp eye on how Homeland Security buys from the defense industry. Boeing's project is part of a larger effort estimated to cost taxpayers at least $8 billion through 2013, although a government watchdog has warned the costs could triple.
The effort is designed to make agents more effective at stopping smugglers and illegal immigrants by substituting technology for personnel. Known as "SBInet," it may eventually monitor 6,000 miles of the U.S. borders with Mexico and Canada. The government has withheld final payment on the initial $20 million contract while Boeing fixes glitches. Representatives for both Boeing and Homeland Security said they hadn't seen Mr. Thompson's letter.
Boeing has been waiting to turn over the first 28-mile section of the fence since the end of November. If the project is accepted, the government will operate the system alongside Boeing during a 45-day test period that may result in a formal handoff early next year.
...To track a smuggler, an agent in a vehicle can remotely operate a camera and radar system mounted atop a 98-foot tower. Officials have said the system will be capable of locating a person five miles away or a moving car at three times that distance. The network will be overseen by command centers that have the ability to tap into every tower.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
I guess that whole ‘building a wall’ concept is far too complicated to work in reality...
“I guess that whole ‘building a wall’ concept is far too complicated to work in reality...”
Building a real fence is too cheap. Boeing saw an opportunity in the push for a fence and offered an expensive facsimile from which it could profit with building costs and decades of maintenance contracts. It presumably pushed politicians to support this boondoggle and voila, we have the ironically named “virtual fence”.
Between the time and money that the government is wasting on these stupid virtual fence schemes, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Navy Seabees could have already built a real wall from California to Louisiana, and at far less cost.
Hmmmmm ..?? The “fence” is working great in San Diego - but somehow the dems are deaf/dumb and blind about it.
Perhaps, but the big attraction is that Bush open borders types can, in just a few minutes, flip a few switches and turn a virtual fence off.
That is very true and very scary.
Totally agreed. The fence, protecting America from other nations, terrorist and ideologies is not a priority. Our government cares more about it’s own perspective and goals than what a proper government should obviously do or We the People want.
A virtual fence....what to keep out virtual aliens?
This virtual fence nonsense was just a way for the Anti-American/Pro Illegal Alien lobby to fight a “real wall”. A real fence will keep real illegals out
“Virtual fences” are only meant to fool virtual idiots.
Note that there is a very tall iron fence around the Casa Blanca.
Put Hadrian on the job.
I don’t understand why taxpayers should have to pay for this fence. Walmart, Sears, Hewlet Packard, IBM, Oracle, Ford, GMC, McDonalds, KFC, and a host of other companies are actively leaching off the Mexican economy while profiting in the Billions. It can literally be said that they are training future illegal aliens in Mexico for jobs in the United States. If they want open trade let them pay for the fence.
ping
The BP already operates a large array of cameras and sensors along various sections of the border. They STILL have problems getting agents to the locations quickly enough to apprehend illegals. They also have problems with aliens attacking the more remote camera towers. By the time they can get an agent there, the damage has been done. The only way a virtual fence can work is if there are plenty of agents on hand and a way to get them to a given location fast. Otherwise, all you’re doing is giving the BP the ability to count how many crossers they’re missing.
Yeah, I'm not surprised. Those "virtual fences" don't work. They're NOT going to keep out illegals or terrorists!
I think we should start giving Congress "virtual pay checks." Do you think that would get their attention? ;o)
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