Naval Yard shooting just proves how much "Homeland Security"

[justiceischeap]

is a syphon for money and not much else. One would think that, at least, our military sites would be more secure than this. I know Ft. Hood was because of a soldier who was cleared to be there. Basically, anyone with a DoD ID could gain access to this location and from what they're reporting on MSNBC that is how they got in tells me there just wasn't enough security at these sites.

So, what is Homeland Security doing to really secure the "homeland?" This isn't just some schmo who walked into a building to shoot stuff up. This, appears, to have been planned.

[el_bryanto]

1. I think it's too early to really declare what went wrong here

There is going to be a trade off between allowing people access to places like this and security.

Bryant

[GeorgeGist]

2. Obviously, more spying is needed.

[former9thward]

3. I am opposed to the money sponge called Homeland Security..

but way too early to give them the blame. This is an office complex not a base like Ft. Hood. At this point we don't know what the relationship between the shooter(s) and the military.

[MineralMan]

4. Unless Homeland Security has the responsibility for

security at this facility, I fail to see how they can be blamed for what has happened. There appears to be a logical disconnect in your post somewhere.

[aolwien]

5. DHS Federal Protective Services

has jurisdiction at all Federal properties.

[MineralMan]

7. I believe the U.S. Navy has its own security.

Perhaps you are incorrect with regard to this facility.

[aolwien]

11. The entire district is Federal

They have an all encompassing jurisdiction in DC.

[justiceischeap]

12. The logical disconnect is that Homeland Security is a money pit

We were told that they are there to "keep us safe" but it seems to me, their main goal is to soak up money that could be better spent elsewhere.

[indepat]

26. Isn't siphoning off untold hundreds of billion dollars a year on Homeland Security/the MIC

what this is all about? Otherwise, why would a country with some 5% of the world's population need to siphon off almost one-half of what the entire world spends on national defense? What would possibly explain this?

[Roland99]

6. It's a military site? I was unaware of that.

http://dc.about.com/od/washingtondcmuseums/a/WashNavyYard.htm

[MineralMan]

8. It is, indeed.

There are also museums and historical features of the overall site.

[Roland99]

10. But it's an administrative site. More like an office building

not like there are armed troops walking around 24/7.

[justiceischeap]

17. Why aren't there armed troops? Are you saying that military administrative buildings

don't deserve the same security as say, a base or any other military-type installation?

[Roland99]

20. Don't ask me. I'm not in charge of the place.

[justiceischeap]

13. Lets trade links, shall we?

http://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/ndw/installations/nsa_washington.html
http://www.militaryinstallations.dod.mil/pls/psgprod/f?p=132:CONTENT:0::NO: 4_INST_ID,P4_INST_TYPE:5170,INSTALLATION

[Roland99]

15. sure thing

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=3676931

[Historic NY]

9. You just can't walk or drive in there.......multiple checkpoints.

security are armed civilian. Shooter most likely had access or his access was disrupted accounting for the shootings of police & security initially.

[Skidmore]

14. At this point, for all we know this could simply be

the rampage of a jilted lover or a jealous boyfriend. Let's wakt and get some facts. DHS aside, base security obviously did not do what it should have.

[justiceischeap]

16. And who is in charge of the base security in the District? nt

[msanthrope]

18. Little soon, eh? Can we wait 'til the bodies are cleared before jumping to

conclusions?

[Eddie Haskell]

19. We'll never know

I say let the perps talk to the press. We might learn something.

[Recursion]

21. Navy Yard is mostly open to the public. The Navy Museum is there.

It's not a "base" in the sense you would normally think of a base.

[rustydog]

22. I've had Homeland Security training in Alabama

The police and civilian response appears to be excellent.

Homeland Security is an Umbrella Organization that teaches us how to plan BEFORE the attack. Anticipate resources, drill on how to respond and, when these horrific events occur, re respond accordingly in the hopes of mitigating losses and damages.

Remember the incompetent response to Katrina and the Bush administration's "Let them eat cake" response voiced by Momma Bush in defense of her Son's abject failure...Homeland Security (Center for Domestic Preparedness) is in response to that and their training is great.

[SheilaT]

23. While I realize we don't know anything at this point about the shooter

or possibly several shooters, all that needs to be done is never communicate electronically with each other.

Guns are easy to get. Someone who is willing to shoot and kill, and who doesn't talk/text/email about the plans, can go wherever and start shooting. Plus, if there's security at the entrance to the facility, just shoot that person and go inside.

Again, I'm not assuming anything about this specific incident, just know that all it takes is determination and access to guns.

[HappyMe]

24. Too early to say what went on here.

I just heard that the gun-man used another employee's ID to gain access. The employee whose ID he used was at home, and was taken into custody.

There may still be one other guy on the loose.

[tjwash]

25. If only the naval base was armed, then this would not have happened