DHS "Loses" 600 Computers and 13 Vehicles

What in the world is going on at the Department of Homeland Security?

Last week Potluck's One Ticked Chick wrote about the DHS "losing" hundreds of firearms. Now we learn from the Washington Examiner that the inability to keep up with their ... stuff... isn't just limited to firearms:

Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) lost 1,975 items worth $7.6 million, including nearly 600 computers, dozens of Blackberry phones and 300 pieces of expensive night vision goggles, sights and cameras, each valued at between $1,400 and $18,700. One lost "infrared optical device" was valued at $232,000. The agency lost track of 72 personal radiation detectors valued at about $1,300 each.

Among CBP's roughly 550 "lost" computer items was a Storage Area Network system that had been purchased for $871,236. A similar system, worth only $528,359, was also listed as "lost."

How exactly does one "lose" 600 computers? Dozens of Blackberries? I'm just not sure how that even happens.

From the Independence Institute who obtained the report:

"When I look at these inventories with my own eyes, page after page, I still think there's a good chance that we're dealing with some significant security breaches, and possibly insider theft," said Jon Caldara, President of the Independence Institute which obtained the documents. Caldara mailed a letter to DHS Inspector General Richard Skinner asking for an investigation into the losses at both component agencies. "You really have to look at these inventories, and go through them page after page to get an idea of how obnoxious these losses are."

The report is titled "Report of Lost, Stolen, Damaged, or Destroyed Property." So I guess some of this stuff could just be damaged or beyond repair, however the report states that thirteen vehicles were "lost" and not located.

How does this happen?

It just fills you with confidence in the government, doesn't it?

DHS and Rightwing Extremists

Michelle Malkin has confirmed that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) report issued on 4/7 on Rightwing Extremism is for real. At first she thought it might be a joke.

The report is all over the news today and it truly is quite incredible. Consider this excerpt (via Michelle):

"Rightwing extremism in the United States can be broadly divided into those groups, movements, and adherents that are primarily hate-oriented (based on hatred of particular religious, racial or ethnic groups), and those that are mainly antigovernment, rejecting federal authority in favor of state or local authority, or rejecting government authority entirely. It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration."

I can go along with the identification of hate groups. We all know who they are and the damage they cause. But to label those that are "antigovernment" or those that favor states authority as "rightwing extremists" is incredible.

Law Professor William Jacobson's response to this passage points out that "This definition is so broad as to include anyone who seeks to preserve the foundation of our federal-state constitutional distinction, under the 10th Amendment ("The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people"), because such a person could be deemed to 'reject federal authority in favor of state or local authority.'"

It gets worse. Consider this passage - this is the one that really got me [emphasis mine]:

"Rightwing extremists are harnessing this historical election as a recruitment tool. Many rightwing extremists are antagonistic toward the new presidential administration and its perceived stance on a range of issues, including immigration and citizenship, the expansion of social programs to minorities, and restrictions on firearms ownership and use. Rightwing extremists are increasingly galvanized by these concerns and leverage them as drivers for recruitment. From the 2008 election timeframe to the present, rightwing extremists have capitalized on related racial and political prejudices in expanded propaganda campaigns, thereby reaching out to a wider audience of potential sympathizers."

This passage made my blood run cold. If you dislike the President's policys you are now an extremist? And could "expanded propaganda campaigns" be referring to the Tea Parties? Just maybe? What a coincidence that this report just came out. As far as the "restrictions on firearms ownership and use" goes, last time I checked, the Second Amendment was still intact.

And be aware of this passage:

(U//FOUO) DHS/I&A will be working with its state and local partners over the next several months to ascertain with greater regional specificity the rise in rightwing extremist activity in the United States, with a particular emphasis on the political, economic, and social factors that drive rightwing extremist radicalization.
In other words, they're looking for you.

According to this document, if you exercise your right of free speech you are likely to be labeled an extremist. Everyone at the Tea Parties tomorrow will be labeled extremists. Now, we all know what extremists really are. I'd say the Weather Underground was an extremist group, for example. Animal rights groups that bomb labs would be extremists.

If I disagree with funding in the Omnibus bill of tatoo removal for gang members, or for the federal government funding promotion of astronomy in Hawaii, or even funding LaRaza (speaking of extrmists) then I'm the one that should be viewed with suspicion. Got it.

It's quite an incredible document. Michelle has the PDF and Legal Insurrection has more analysis. Critical Narrative also has analysis. American Power suggests that the White House will need to do some damage control on this one, and predicts a larger groundswell of mobilization in the days to come.

Update: The American Legion responds (h/t: Hot Air and Michelle Malkin)