GAO Slams DHS Over BioWatch Biological Defense System

Mansing writes "Citizens need to evaluate if they are indeed safer for all the 'security precautions' put into place. 'The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has rushed to acquire a new, multibillion-dollar version of the BioWatch system for detecting biological attacks without establishing whether it was needed or would work, according to a new report by a nonpartisan investigative arm of Congress. ... The existing system's repeated false alarms have triggered tense, high-stakes deliberations over whether to order mass evacuations, distribute emergency medicines or shut down major venues.' Is this just more money funneled to U.S. companies, or is this really keeping the U.S. safer? Are the same types of 'security precautions' being instituted in Spain and the UK? Or is this preying on fear a uniquely U.S. phenomenon?"

Comments

America is being had...

[CFBMoo1]

I'm really looking forward to the day when America stops treating terrorists like terrorists and just treats them as common criminals. Then maybe this whole terrorist boogie man boondoggle can go away finally. It'd sure kill the romance of a terrorist as being something more then a common thug or crook.

Re:America is being had...

[Anonymous Coward]

You poor deluded chump.

The whole "terrorist" bit is being used by the US government to control the US population.

Read this quote several times until the truth finally sinks into your tiny little brain :

"The people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country." - Hermann Goering

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Re:All you need to know

[ATMAvatar]

Generally, yes. But the prospect of having an "objective" computer giving out false positives all the time to keep the terror alive is the fulfillment of at least part of the DHS mission statement.