Concerns Raised on Border Fence: Lawmaker Seeks To Delay Handover Of the Boeing System

Wall Street Journal ^ | 6 December 2007 | AUGUST COLE

[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.

[kinoxi]

I guess that whole ‘building a wall’ concept is far too complicated to work in reality...

[Shermy]

“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”.

[Diogenesis]

The ONLY realities are that they don't care about the fence.
They don't care that Americans want the fence.
They don't care that the enemy is using the lack of fence now.

[kinoxi]

Yeah, a (properly built) masonry wall would last hundreds of years and require very little in the form of upkeep. Why use what’s been proven to work over thousands of years when flashy graphics can net millions (billions?) off the government teat?

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

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.

[CyberAnt]

Hmmmmm ..?? The “fence” is working great in San Diego - but somehow the dems are deaf/dumb and blind about it.

[kinoxi]

I think that some care about it. I think that the rest should heed your tagline.

[RJL]

I guess that whole ‘building a wall’ concept is far too complicated to work in reality...

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.

[kinoxi]

That is very true and very scary.

[veracious]

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.

[UCFRoadWarrior]

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

[Travis McGee]

“Virtual fences” are only meant to fool virtual idiots.

Note that there is a very tall iron fence around the Casa Blanca.

[Puddleglum]

Put Hadrian on the job.

[Brad from Tennessee]

Apparently when this “virtual fence” reacts to an intruder, “non-virtual” personnel have to respond. It seems like smugglers could hire any number of human decoys to probe and activate this system simultaneously and overwhelm the responders.

[californio]

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.

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

[gubamyster]

ping

[John Jorsett]

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.

[NRA2BFree]

problems with the virtual-fence system known as Project 28 aren't fixed.

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)

[SwinneySwitch]

Virtual ping!

If you want on, or off this S. Texas/Mexico ping list, please FReepMail me.

[SwinneySwitch]

ping!

[Calpernia]

>>>..."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.<<<<<

Is this what Chertoff allocated the PHYSICAL border fence money to????

[melancholy]

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.

Good point. Not only turn it off, which is reversible, but also, sabotage key pieces of equipment. That would take months plus foot-dragging to replace.

Build an old-fashioned wall, NOW.

[Calpernia]

The Secure Fence Act written by Congressman Duncan Hunter, Presidential Candidate 2008, would extend THIS "San Diego Primary Fence" throughout our southern border states.

[SwinneySwitch]

Duncan Hunter on the fence.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTfId2lJtKA

[NRA2BFree]

I think that the rest should heed your tagline.

I have wondered what your tagline says, so this is a good time to ask. :o)

[Redleg Duke]

"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."

You couldn't be more wrong if you tried. I worked the proposal for this contract on another team, and this is what the government wanted! Don't go blaming the contractor.

[Osage Orange]

They are hundreds of miles of border...that I don’t think a fence is practical..If not impossible to build.

[Liberty Valance]

Can a virtual fence be paid for with virtual money?

[Redbob]

The “Boeing System”???

Why don’t we just try the “Home Depot System?”

[stephenjohnbanker]

” think we should start giving Congress “virtual pay checks.” Do you think that would get their attention? ;o)”

How about we give them a photocopy of their checks

LMAO!!

[wolfcreek]

There’s already a blimp outside Marfa,Tx. It’s tethered a couple of thousand feet in the air and can see for quite a ways.

Why not have more of these?

[kinoxi]

They are hundreds of miles of border...that I don’t think a fence is practical..If not impossible to build.

We have got over 2 and a half million miles of paved roadway in this country. Much more complicated and costly to build. To think that we are incapable of building a proper wall to protect the citizenry seems to be lacking in perspective. We have the money, it may ultimately save money on enforcement. We have the manpower, or we could (IMO) use some illegals to help with the labor :) . There also seems to be a strong desire by many who are affected by the illegal influx to have a government act in accordance with it's mandate to "establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare," etc.

[Osage Orange]

Ever build a fence down the middle of a river?

[kinoxi]

Lintel it. I’ve done it. Rather extensive masonry/structural experience here. If the river is too wide it will act as a natural barrier leaving a wall across it unnecessary. The ‘virtual fence’ can take care of that IMO. Humans have been buildings structures across bodies of water for many thousands of years using the most archaic tools and techniques imaginable. I think the US government could manage to build a few. It doesn’t need to to be a wall across a river. The wall is a barrier. A fence delineating the sovereign border. Water can and has deterred just as effectively.