GovernmentExecutive.com

Return to Article: Ridge: Fighting terror takes 'People plus technology'

• 42396
  

  It seems like all these programs being proposed are designed to implement a bigger government. We are are being coerced into believing that we are under dire threat and therefore we should give away our rights that we fought hard to acquire to allow the government to do as it pleases. Big government resembles more a totalitarian state, more of a fascist state than the land of the free. People are forced into sublmisson by this fear mongering media owned by the corrupt elite that only promote their interest and their agendas via news outlets such as Fox News and CNN. The people own the governement and government is supposed to worked in their favour. The government does not own the people, its supposed to be its representative. All this surveillance and monitoring of citizens is highly suspect as we do not know what this information is being used for. They claim is to thwart of terrorism but that's very suspicious coming from a government that said their we're weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Who's benefiting from all this ? Those who are already in power behind the scenes have money, make money from the wars that they promote at the expense of the average American citizen and their children's future. They own the Major Media Stations and can distort news daily to the masses through their pundits to the masses that are scared into submission. IF government is to monitor and spy on its citizens, then what guarantees the citizens that they can claim their government if ever it were high-jacked by corrupt individuals at the highest executive levels. Who are they accountable to, if the citizens who have the rights foolishly gives it away to them. What right will you call on, if ever your own government were to turn against you ? That's why we have rights, to protect our selves and country to always represent the peoples best interest.

  Fame Posted January 28, 2008 1:14 PM
• 42306
  

  Mr. Ridge is right this country is looking at smoke a mirrors when it comes to a secure ID managment program, especially when we are looking at the states information tech. networking systems. Most of them are years behind any normal program for todays technology, especially in "national public-safety network system" and they want to blame the federal government for their own blind eye tech. program, if it is not needed today why get it.So when a DISASTER HITS THEM THEY CRY OUT IT WAS ALL THE FAULT OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. Yet when the federal givernment wants to create a better safety network they start screaming, out to all the special interest groups, that BIG BROTHER IS TRYING TO TAKE OVER OUR STATE, WHAT A BUNCH OF BULL--- A National Biometric database system is the only answer, so lets stop all this politicial B----/ and do something about it. IT IS TIME THE PEOPLE THAT REALLY WANT A REAL NATIONAL SECURITY SYSTEM COME TOGETHER A STOP ALL THESE SO CALLED CIVIL-LIBERTIES WATCHDOGS GET SLAMMED FOR A CHANGE. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.

  DD HORTON Posted January 26, 2008 10:10 AM
• 41985
  

  Ridge was impotent as head of DHS, and let the FBI run rings around him. He gave away terrorism funding investigations to them, and let the FBI veto a name change for ICE, from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, to Investigations and Criminal Enforcement. After that debacle, he came to our office to speak, and nobody asked a question. We all just stood there with our arms folded, and glared at him. He left without accomplishing anything of substance, other than leaving behind employees with destroyed morale. He then took a cushy private sector job, doing business with the very department he headed, and is now a pundit full of pithy comments. Good bye and good riddance!

  ICEd Posted January 22, 2008 5:02 PM
• 41970
  

  While I agree with the negative comments re Mr. Ridge and the incompetant DHS, we can't go back to those simple Revolutionary War days of no electricity, central heating, TV, cellphones, and, of course computers. Forget Ben Franklin's quotes, the world, for better/worse has changed beyond the Founding Fathers wildest expectations. Foreigners, including Americans who travel abroad must have identification,period. Why do the 18th Century privacy nuts worry about 'freedom' for visitors to our shores? Guess they don't travel outside the US too much.

  US Customs Senior Inspector (Retired) Posted January 22, 2008 1:15 PM
• 41969
  

  Definition of 'Oxymoron': Tom Ridge and Homeland Security. Anyone (with half a brain that is) taking time to listen to his recommendation(s) regarding a course of action is lacking in the complex of mental and ethical acuity individualizing a person.

  CAE Posted January 22, 2008 12:23 PM
• 41949
  

  I still have a large supply of duct tape and plastic wrap, still on hand, from the sermons of Tom Ridge, when he was in charge. I'll sell it cheap!

  CoCo Posted January 22, 2008 10:03 AM
• 41882
  

  Tom Ridge.. Now here is a guy that has no clue about Homeland Security. He helped create this debacle in the first place only to leave to get that big fat paycheck by being on a board to a company that he allowed(as the head of DHS) to get an enormous DHS contract. This man helped ruin certain effective agencies. Who does he think he is to give advice??

  Derwin Posted January 18, 2008 9:16 PM