Lane Evans Hit's back a Veterans data

[Monkeyman]

Statement of Lane Evans in Response to VA IG report on Issues Related to the Loss of VA information Involving the Identities of Million of Veterans

There was a series of failures in this tragic event:ambiguous or non-existent policy access,transporting and use of data with personal identifiers;departmental indifference to five years of warning from its own Inspector General and the Government Accountability regarding its information technology deficiencies; and,in my view, the most egregious-utterly dysfunctional leadership, a total communications breakdown and an alarming lack of urgency within the department in reporting a serious-by-all-measures data breach up the line.

When the employees from whom the data is stolen reports it to VA managers and law enforcement within an hour,yet higher-ups,in a disastrous sequence of bungles and indifference take one week to elevate it seven floors in the same building and another week to walk it a few steps over to the Secretary-not to mention an additional six days to inform Congress and the public-then it becomes clear there was and is within VA a bigger crisis than even the theft of such a massive amount of data.

The Secretary testified before our Committee that he is 'mad as hell' about the data breach.He should be. His actions in light of these IG findings will tell us if those words were deeply felt or simply meant to engender sympathy under intense pressure. His next steps must include a serious and detailed review of why his managers and advisor's botched it and failed to report the matter to him. He must also follow up with bold and decisive administrative action.His failure to do so would compound his agency's gross failures in this matter. I am pleased to see that the Secretary has indicated to the IG his intentions to convene four separate administrative investigations in this regard.

Now you can see why us Veterans will miss this man. For those who do not know Lane Evans is stepping down do to illness.

[MadMaddie]

1. I just read an article about him.....very inspiring fellow.....

[justgamma]

2. Lane Evans is great!

I just hope that wacky righty Zinga doesn't get in. She's disgusting.

[madrchsod]

3. the republicans can`t stand her

the only reason they let her run is that no one wanted to go up against lane. this election the dem will win but the election in 2008 will be a lot different..

[Monkeyman]

4. We are looking for vet to run in 08