Costly virtual border fence in tatters

[n2doc]

By Brian Bennett, Tribune Washington Bureau
October 22, 2010

Reporting from Washington —
The Department of Homeland Security, positioning itself to cut its losses on a so-called invisible fence along the U.S.-Mexico border, has decided not to exercise a one-year option for Boeing to continue work on the troubled multibillion-dollar project involving high-tech cameras, radar and vibration sensors.

The result, after an investment of more than $1 billion, may be a system with only 53 miles of unreliable coverage along the nearly 2,000-mile border.

The virtual fence was intended to link advanced monitoring technologies to command centers for Border Patrol to identify and thwart human trafficking and drug smuggling. But from the beginning, the program has been plagued by missed deadlines and the limitations of existing electronics in rugged, unpredictable wilderness where high winds and a tumbleweed can be enough to trigger an alarm.

Homeland Security officials decided on Sept. 21 not to invoke the department's option with Boeing, the principle contractor on the project, and instead extended the deal only to mid-November, Boeing officials confirmed this week. Boeing has charged the department more than $850 million since the project began in 2006.

more

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/la-na-invisible-fence-20101022,0,7386106.story

[leveymg]

1. Four words: Maginot Line. Expensive Fail.

[Hekate]

2. Every so often I remember just why I hate Bush-Cheney-Inc as much as I do

Loathsome cockroaches, one and all.

[icnorth]

3. Now that's what I call progress...

Let's see. In 2006 the U.S. shared with Mexico 1,969 miles of unsecured border. In four years they have achieved 53 miles of unreliable coverage. According to Sharron Angle the Canadian border constitutes a massive security threat as she says all the terrorists came through there. So, let's throw that into the equation. That now totals 7,494 miles of insecurity. And what about the coastline? Another 12,479 miles of insecurity. Now we're up to 19,973 miles. That about covers the land and sea issue; but sweet mother of Zeus we haven't even thought about the air problem! Let's ignore that for now. Based on the formula of 53 miles in four years, homeland security with unreliable security should be achieved in the year 3517; providing of course there are no complications. I so look forward to the year 3517.

[leveymg]

4. About that vulnerability to terrorism from the air. . . they need to build a taller fence.

Much taller.

[Blue_Tires]

5. did anyone honestly think the fence project WASN'T a free-for-all

contractor cash grab with the subsequent shoddy results?

Boeing? Seriously?? These folks can put together a B-787 for $175 million, but they can't make a virtual fence for a billion??

[JoePhilly]

6. The fence was always a joke.

The GOP knew it would never work. They don't want it to work.

It was a prop. It shows their idiot base how tough on illegal immigration they are, while at the same time, allowing illegal immigrants continue to come work for the business that fund the GOP.

And everybody's happy. Except the tea party whack jobs, who blame Obama for the failure of the GOP's ridiculous fence.