Report: Faulty Communications Imperil President

[IDemo]

Source: Wired


By Kim Zetter
May 22, 2009

The U.S. Secret Service is asking for $34 million to help upgrade its communication system, and says that without the money the president’s life could be in danger, according to a news report.

The agency says that its communication system is incompatible with the White House communication system, resulting in a “dangerous gap” that could “prevent the attainment of the performance target of 100 percent protection.”

The statements appeared in a 2010 budget request, submitted to Congress this month, according to ABC News. According to the request, the agency’s “degraded” networks and software are “adversely impacting critical operational missions” and could thwart agents communicating in an emergency.

“USSS’ protective and investigative missions will be functionally unable to respond to the increasing volume of threats without additional investment,” the budget request says.

Read more: http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2009/05/secretservice/

[LiberalFighter]

1. $34 million?? I doubt it should cost that much.

More likely Halliburton somehow involved so they can receive a lucrative payoff.

[geckosfeet]

3. $34m is peanuts.

Well, not really but this is one expenditure that I can justify.

The safety of the entire first family is critical.

[Doremus]

2. This is one expenditure there should be no question about. n/t

[truthisfreedom]

4. Watch the repubes come screaming forward demanding cost-cutting.

Tax-and-spend libruls trying to keep our president alive! The horror!