USD College Republicans

For those who want to castrate US Intelligence

Jay Davies has a great op-ed in today's Washington Post Davis was a weapons inspector in Iraq following he first Gulf War, is a member of the DoD's Threat Reduction Advisory Committee, and has done lots of other stuff, which you can find at the end of the article.

Davis essentially discusses what would happen after the detonation of a nuclear device on US soil, and what the government should do about it. Now, I'm naturally wary of government. All who regularly read this blog know that. However, I do realize that the US needs to beef up its ability to track and deter terrorists from achieving a nuclear device- and tracking down perpetrators if/when one is detonated in the US.

Those who want to castrate the US Intelligence Community's ability to perform these functions need to read this article. Hopefully, it will open their eyes.

Here are Davis' recommendations:
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"First, we should update our 20th-century program to confront 21st-century enemies. Much of our field and laboratory equipment dates to the Cold War. So do most of our personnel. We need to develop and manufacture advanced, automated radiation analysis equipment that can be deployed to the field and is backed up by improved laboratory measurement. We need enhanced computer simulation and modeling capabilities. And we need to establish a federal initiative to reinvigorate the field of nuclear chemistry.

Second, international collaboration is essential. Nuclear material can have a unique signature depending on its source reactor or fuel facility. A shared and appropriately accessible international database of nuclear samples can help to more quickly match debris from an explosion with its original source.

Third, we must consider what it will take for the world to believe our analysis. The U.S. intelligence community's failures in assessing weapons of mass destruction in Iraq could well result in international skepticism regarding any nuclear forensics investigation we might perform. A group of recognized experts not associated with our federal investigation should be established to provide independent validation of the forensics analysis.

Finally, we need to manage expectations and prepare for the inevitable political pressure to respond quickly after an attack. Through realistic drills, our leaders can become aware of the strengths and limitations of the nation's nuclear forensics capability. Even with these changes, forensics analysis will take time, and results will not be immediately conclusive. Our leaders must recognize that, at times, decisions may need to be deferred or made amid uncertainty."
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-Matt Hittle

Posted at 03:10PM Mar 25, 2008 by College Republicans in War on Terror  |  Comments[3]

House Democrats clueless

The Democrat-controlled House passed the Democratic terror surveillance bill

The bill does not contain immunity for telecommunications companies that cooperated with the government in spying on suspected terrorists. Republican Lamar Smith made a good point:

"We cannot conduct foreign surveillance without them. But if we continue to subject them to billion-dollar lawsuits, we risk losing their cooperation in the future."

Of course, that doesn’t upset the Democrats. What’s worse, they’re clueless about the real world implications of warrantless wiretapping. For instance, Rep. Shelia Jackson-Lee of Texas said:

"We couldn't have gone more of an extra mile to make sure we're doing the best for national security," she said.

Really? You tie the Intelligence Community’s hands, and then pat yourself on the back so your constituents think you’re doing good? Shameful.

The libertarian in me hates government intervention. However, that same libertarian also doesn’t want to be blown up in a terrorist attack that could’ve been prevented. The Democrats should stand down and let the Intelligence Community do its job.

Luckily, it’s getting vetoed anyway.

-Matt Hittle

Posted at 04:04PM Mar 14, 2008 by College Republicans in War on Terror  |  Comments[4]

Volante Column: Tim

Check out Tim Carr's new Volante column.

It details his thoughts on torture. A very well-written column.

-Matt Hittle

Posted at 03:42PM Feb 18, 2008 by College Republicans in War on Terror  |  Comments[0]