Failsafe is really expensive

ARTICLE: Uninvestigated terrorism warning about Detroit suspect called not unusual, By Karen DeYoung and Michael Leahy, Washington Post, December 28, 2009

Usual post-event analysis--and enduring reality. We cannot be expected to preempt everything around the planet, and wouldn't want to live in a world where we could.

Comments

[Ted O'Connor]

More "junk" will now enter the information flow. It always happens. All the "managers" will be in full CYA mode. Put in in..pass it on...let someone else make the decision to delete. I keep hearing about all the analysts who have been hired (FBI, DHS) and I have to wonder...what the h___ are they analyzing? There is a "watch" list with 500,000 names on it? Half a million active terrorists? Really? But only one mentally unstable young man is sent to attack us? And he fails...but only because of his incompetence and quick action by citizens and crew members. Too many agencies, too many analysts, too many managers. Take the 500,000 name "Watch" list and replace it a 100 name "Hit" list. That's my New Year's solution. I guess I'm getting old and cranky.

[William R Millan]

I am not hollering about the fact that we missed this guy. It's what we have done since we caught him that is frightening. Treating him like a criminal allows complete freedom on his part to clam up about his associates. Obama's big mistake is declaring that we are not at war with Militant Islam. This could cost us big.

[large]

Listening to several pundits from both sides, and a few Congress talking Heads tells me that instead of simplifying the situation we're going to re-invent the wheel and attach it to the one that doesn't work now . . .

[Mark]

We know who the bad guys are. Little things, like the 4th Amendment, sometimes keep us from doing something until the bad guy actually DOES something. Trust me you don't want the 4th Amendment bent, suspended or "specially" applied. It covers everyone the same.

To many layers of stuff in the way of getting the intel to the people that can do anything about it. Like inter operable comms...pipe dream, until and unless there is a real need.

Redirect to William. The guy committed a criminal act on, or in this case over, American soil. That means you charge him as a criminal. Embassy bombing...criminal. Picked up in Iraq fighting our troops...enemy combatant.

[Patrick O'Connor]

William, what makes you think he is clamming up about few associates he is likely to have? Is the only intelligence gained that which is acquired outside of the law? Is there a clamor rising from the FBI, military intelligence, the agencies of our allies to take off the gloves? How rich it is for amateurs to accuse professionals of being naive.