What has the Department Of Homeland Security accomplished? Bad news does make for entertaining news, so a slant towards less than flattering reports is typical for most news agencies. Yet, I find a pretty large dirth of positive reports on the organization, which is disturbing. What have they done to make us safer?

Consider recent news involving DHS. I would imagine that the additional headaches of airport screenings have affected quite a number of people. I hate going shoeless and beltless through that metal detector, because it makes me feel so vulnerable. What is this, prison? However, federal investigators recently tested airport security by smuggling through parts for a homemade bomb at 21 airports. All 21 failed to detect this. What’s going on over there at the Transportation Security Administration? I hope DHS is busting heads over at the TSA right now.

Then, there’s the United Arab Emirates attempted purchase of US ports. Of course this raised alarm bells with the citizenry. We’ve been put through years of Arab fear-mongering (which, incidentally, isn’t a good thing). So, suggesting that the UAE, which has “Arab” in the middle name, might be controlling our shipping ports in which thousands of containers enter the US from around the world would naturally raise the alarm bells of all American citizens. I didn’t actually think this deal was necessarily bad, by the by. My problem was the lack of informed response from both the President and the Department Of Homeland Security. When asked immediately after it reached the news, shouldn’t both the President and DHS be readily available with answers to quell concerns? Shouldn’t DHS have a very strong interest in knowing why it’s okay to let the UAE buy the ports, as part of Homeland Security? Ports are part of our nation’s borders, too.

Let’s also not forget that the DHS gets an F for its cybersecurity for the third year in a row. If they can’t get cybersecurity handled in house in an agency that has security in its name, what chance do the rest of us have?

Those aren’t the news reports that come to my mind, however. Consider these gems:

Washington Post: DHS patrolling porn in the Little Falls library in Bethesda (Ed. note: probably just a couple agents overstepping their bounds.)

Kentucky Post: Goat preparedness (Ed. note: This is actually reasonable and useful for Homeland Security. It just sounds funny to the general public.)

CNET: DHS names Claria (formerly Gator of spyware fame) to its federal privacy board (Ed. note: Choosing a company that had done spyware and profiling to its privacy board is like asking the wolf to shepherd the sheep.)

BostonChannel (WCVB-TV): Handicapped parking spots at Fenway removed due to DHS concerns (Ed. note: What concerns? Was DHS really involved in this? How dangerous are those parking spaces?)

Tampa Tribune: Mermaids at Weeki Wachee Springs and Dinosaur World on DHS list of “critical infrastructure” (Ed. note: I’m curious as to what they actually meant by ‘critical’. I think Tom Schatz, president of Citizens Against Government Waste said it best: “I think if the dinosaurs and the mermaids can protect us, then we should give them even more money.”)

WKYT: DHS issues grant to prevent terrorists from using charitable gaming to raise money (Ed. note: While only a $36,300 grant, I think there may be bigger targets to worry about — bingo wouldn’t be my first concern. Then again, maybe in Kentucky, it is the only concern.)

Detroit News: DHS cracks down on counterfeit sports memorabilia (Ed. note: While it’s possible that terrorists are using a large counterfeit ring to fund operations, this again seems like a strange focus for Homeland Security.)

Des Moines Register: Trimmed list of critical Iowa assets includes a Krispy Kreme (Ed. note: I like Krispy Kreme doughnuts, but critical infrastructure? I guess I do need a cofee in the morning to get going, but still…)

Boing Boing: DHS enforcing Rubik’s Cube patent (Ed. note: Why is patent infringement a duty of DHS? I pictures terrorists meeting in a cave somewhere, with one of them suddenly piping up: “I know — we’ll flood their markets with products that infringe on their patents, and slowly steal money from all their inventors over decades! It will CRUSH their spirit!” Incidentally, DHS was wrong — the patent had expired.)

Scripps Howard News Service: Paying off your credit card flags you with DHS (Ed. note: I understand the idea of tracking the flow of money, but paying down a $6,522 balance on a credit card seems a little bit broad. Of course, if I were a terrorist, I’d never pay off a bill, because I’d be dead later anyway, right? Right?)

At the very least, you could say that the DHS is badly in need of a new publicist, especially for such a new organization looking to prove its worth. With a few years under their belt and 180,000 employees in offices around the country, it had better be getting results. Here’s what they’re supposed to be doing:

Vision: Preserving our freedoms, protecting America … we secure our homeland. The key part there is no doubt security, being in the name. They claim to do this through awareness, prevention, protection, response, recovery, service, and organizational excellence. The problem is, in the eyes of the American voters, this is dedicated to stopping terrorism. In fact, in the DHS’s Strategic Plan (pdf), the introduction notes that it’s specifically to stop terrorism: “The Department’s strategic goals and objectives are directly linked to accomplishing the three objectives of the National Strategy [for Homeland Security]: 1) Prevent terrorist attacks within the United States; 2) Reduce America’s vulnerability to terrorism; and 3) Minimize the damage and recover from attacks that do occur.” Hence, if they do something that’s not related directly to stopping terrorism, we ought to question what they’re doing. One of their guiding principles, after all, is to ‘Be Accountable’, stating: “We will communicate our progress to the American people, operating as transparently as possible and routinely measuring the success of our progress.”

So how about these accomplishments? I never hear about them in the news, but this DHS press release for 12/20/2005 provides a nice list of successes from the past year to review. Just for fun, I’ll put in a “Terror Prevention” note, so you can link it back to their primary mission.

Border Security Efforts:

• Secure Border Initiative Drastically Reduces Detention Times: Refined border policies, new technology, and more border patrol agents all factor into this. Provided this covers all borders (and not just the ones to the South), this is a good thing. However, considering that one of the bullet points was the completion of a fence near San Diego, I find it doubtful. Terror Prevention: Helps keep terrorists from crossing the border.
• Arizona Border Control Initiative Bolsters Resources in Tucson Corridor: More Customs Border Protection agents and resources, though obviously only on the Arizona / Mexico border. Terror Prevention: Helps keep terrorists from crossing the Southern border.
• Security and Prosperity Partnership Creates Common Security Approach: Unifies border procedures for the US, Canada, and Mexico. Common procedures are okay. Better security would be preferred. One only hopes that such is the case. Terror Prevention: Tries to create a larger net around all three countries for stronger overall borders.
• Operation Community Shield Nets 1600 Gang Members: Efforts to combat gangs in America, such as MS-13. This is listed because Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested more than 1,600 illegal immigrant gang members. It’s interesting that they mention MS-13 in particular, because a) it’s a US-based gang, b) we deport the gang members to El Salvador, c) they recruit more members while in El Salvador, and d) these new members try to immigrate illegally to the US. Incidentally, rumors of a link between MS-13 and Al-Qaeda are false.Terror Prevention: Cuts down on locally grown (e.g., not from the Middle East) terrorists.
• Immigration Backlog Cut by 2.8 million: While such a backlog is annoying (especially if you’re one of the ones immigrating), I don’t exactly see why this is improving our border security. It improves the beaurocracy, but not necessarily the security, unless they’re just issuing rejections. Terror Prevention: Um…stripping out suspicious folks from the incoming queue?

Secure Trade & Travel:

• US-VISIT to Complete Deployment of Biometric Entry System: Biometric scanning should improve security, it’s true. However, it’s only as good as the intelligence behind it. It’s also more invasive for foreign travelers. Terror Prevention: More difficult to fake identities.
• Passport Requirements Strengthened: Machine-readable passports sounds like the RFID efforts. As this is still mired in security and civil liberty issues, it’s questionable about how well thought out this plan is. However, this appears to deal mostly with foreign visitors, which is kind of like a xenophobic screw you to other countries.Terror Prevention: Electronically readable format makes it easier and quicker to process information. This implies a large backend database of profiling information. Hmm…
• Global Customs Security Standards Adopted: Again, this is standardizing security protocols with other countries. Provided that the standardization results in higher security, I think this is great. Terror Prevention: Tries to tighten up security around the world, rather than just at home.
• TSA Revises Prohibited Items List: Under the presumption that TSA needs to spend more time screening for more dangerous items, the TSA allows scissors and small knives. Now, consider for a moment that the actual plane hijackings involved knives (box cutters), and you wonder if people are so pumped about stopping terrorists that it’s just not a threat anymore. Terror Prevention: By not focusing on the minor weapons, they can focus on the major ones, I guess.
• Announced 10-Fingerscan Standard for Foreign Visitors: Sounds a lot like the first item in the list: more biometrics. Terror Prevention: Same as the first item.

Strategic Direction:

• Largest Terrorist Attack Drill in History Preformed: Drills are always good. The goat drill still seems funny to me, though. What were the results? Did we do well? Are we prepped? Some news about how ready we are would be nice. Terror Prevention: We’re ready for the aftermath of an attack.
• $2 Billion Awarded to State and Local Governments: Hopefully this is not to protect more Krispy Kremes or dinosaur parks. Hopefully there will be good oversight on the spending. Right? Right? Terror Prevention: Varies. Depends on what people actually do with the money. I sincerely hope there is top-down input into what the state and local governments should prioritize, along with a little oversight.
• Standard First Responder Training Developed: If the training is good and gets good deployment to various humanitarian organizations, then this is a good way to respond to the aftermath. Terror Prevention: None. This is an aftermath solution.
• Counterterrorism Training: Also a good thing — having law enforement and emergency response teams able to know what to do with incidents is a good thing. However, one hopes DHS is doing well enough to prevent them having to use this knowledge — it’s also an aftermath solution. Terror Prevention: None. Aftermath again.
• Secure Data Sharing Network Established: This asks two questions: 1) why aren’t existing communications this secure to begin with, and 2) what is this information they’re sharing? Considering their third year of an F in cybersecurity, any improvement such as this would be good, especially if they’re keeping profiling data. Terror Prevention: If terrorists can’t eavesdrop on our intelligence, they won’t know what we know. If DHS doesn’t get better marks on their security on the other hand…
• Sharing Intelligence Information: This is a good idea as well — sharing intelligence with state and local governments, though sharing with the private sector is interesting. Hopefully the intelligence network itself is good. Terror Prevention: As good as the information they get. What resources state and local governments are putting together to address issues of security from that intelligence, however, is questionable.
• Secret Service Operation Taps Network to Arrest 28 Globally: Is this terrorist action, or just global policing? They mention tapping a computer network to arrest folks who stole nearly 1.7 million credit card numbers. Are these terrorists, or just criminals? Terror Prevention: Theoretically helps stem the tide of money to terrorist cells. Provided that’s how they’re actually funded.
• Community and Individual Preparedness: A $465 million campaign (much of that donated), and yet, I’ve not really heard of the Ready campaign. Is it working? Terror Prevention: Helps communities and individuals be prepared if a disaster occurs. What’s the site? However, this again is an aftermath response.

I don’t include their discussion about disaster response to Katrina, because they aren’t directly related to terror prevention. Disaster recovery is a part of their mission, however, so shouldn’t be entirely overlooked — the Coast Guard, the American Red Cross, and FEMA all worked to provide support during that disaster (among countless others).

All of the above gives pretty short shrift to the Department of Homeland Security, and isn’t entirely fair. I do believe that something like the DHS is necessary. I also think that having one agency coordinating homeland security efforts is a good thing. In addition, I understand that they are a new organization, and time must be spent in terms of building out infrastructure before getting successes. The sheer complexity of the organization also must be a nightmare: 180,000 employees in different states makes it difficult to have top-down control and oversight. It’s also difficult to publish all of the successes of DHS, for security reasons. Also, while a lot of people think that DHS should take care of business for everyone, DHS appears to believe that local resources should be responsible for handling security. This isn’t unfair: just make sure this message is clear. Let us know that funds are being earmarked for better surveillance or anti-terrorist squads at the state and local level. Don’t leave us with visions of putting razor wire around a Krispy Kreme.

However, as a citizen in a democratic society, it’s also my duty to ask questions. Are agents acting unilaterally without oversight, implying top-down control is difficult? (Checking on porn in libraries and enforcing Rubik’s Cube patents seem to say so.) Are we really safer from terrorist attacks? (Citing a lack of recent terrorist attacks as proof is like saying the DHS also prevents panda attacks: do you see any pandas?) Is money for DHS grants being spent effectively? (Protecting a Dinosaur World implies maybe not, though I don’t know the details of why that’s on the list.) Have we revitalized our intelligence networks within the country? (Note that setting up a secure network does not equal setting up an intelligence network.)

Hiding behind a veil of national security is no excuse for providing no information. One of the goals of DHS is to be accountable. So be accountable. The citizens of this country put forth billions of dollars into DHS (note: that includes Border Security, the Coast Guard, and Emergency Response funds). Most citizens have faith that DHS is doing good. Tell people why they can rest easier, and keep it simple. The American public just wants to feel safe.

The problem is, in the absence of information, people just start making things up. Is DHS cracking down on borders because conservatives don’t like immigrants? Is this department set up just to monitor and profile the American public? Does the DHS want to start policing businesses? Is the DHS being used as a political thug, leaning on people they disagree with? These are absurd ideas (though I guarantee you some crackpot thinks they’re true) — you can put down that dog-eared copy of 1984. Without a steady stream of information, especially from such a new agency, silly statements like this start sounding true, which is a problem. The American public would start feeling unsafe. Put the Security back in Homeland Security, and celebrate the successes — we want to drink a beer and hear about them. Thwarted seventeen terrorist attempts last year? Is California putting training a DHS militia to respond to threats? That’s great — tell us about it! Don’t forget to hire a publicist. Then we can all laugh about the early days of Rubik’s Cube terrorism.

One of Wyoming’s best kept secrets has got to be Grand Targhee. While many have heard of Jackson Hole (forty miles to the West) not as many talk about GT, and with good reason: that way they can keep Grand Targhee all to themselves.

The basic facts show that it’s a decent mountain: 2,400 vertical feet, 2,000 acres, and 500+ inches of snowfall a year. However, you might be put off by its seemingly simple trail map — don’t be fooled. Yes, you’ll be bored if you stick to groomers, but if you’re sticking to groomers, you’re missing most of the mountain. Not to mention most of the fun. There’s also a decent acre to skiier ratio (yes, those are in the right order) — quite often, you’ll be all by your lonesome as you cut down the slopes.

The trick is to have a local show you the mountain the first time through. They have free guided tours every day at 11:00am, but after experimenting a bit, you’ll be a pro. Go off trail. It’s the only way to really experience Targhee. Fortunately, the mountain is set up decently to allow you to end up on a cat trail (or escape to one, as the case might be). Here’s how to run the mountain like a local:

After a night snow fall, take the Shoshone beginner lift up, then take the path down to the Blackfoot lift. The Blackfoot lift has to be one of the oldest lifts still around — it’s a double chair with no foot rests and no restraints. It’s almost as if someone took the idea of a T-bar and extended it just slightly. If you take that chair, I hope you’re not afraid of heights! At the top of Blackfoot, take the cat trail off to the skier’s right side, and keep going until you pass a sign marked “no groomed runs beyond this point”. This will put you in the Powder Area, where we often got fresh tracks (in powder, of course) in the morning. Just make sure to cut over to the skier’s left at the bottom, lest you end up on a traverse.

All set on fresh tracks for the morning? Cut over to Dreamcatcher, and ride up. Go to the skier’s right along the cat track, and work your way over to the ridge running by The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, a trio of “trails”. The Good is a steep ridge that drops you into a bowl. The Bad is similar, except you have an eight foot ledge to start (don’t worry, the landing is soft!). The Ugly is a smaller ledge, but jumps straight away into trees. When done with that, play in the East Woods for some more powder tree skiing fun.

Take Dreamcatcher back up, and cut down to the skiier’s left, and you’ll often find powder in wide spaced trees. Just be careful if you end up on the Instructor’s Chute or Patrol Chute — those are steep! You’ll most likely end up on the Teton Vista Traverse trail, which meanders to the bottom. You could ride this all the way to the bottom, and then take a cat trail off to the skier’s left to get to the Sacajawea lift. You could. Or, you could notice all those “Sacajawea Open” signs along the traverse, and realize that if you cut through trees, you’ll end up there in style. Going through the woods you may find a little two foot wide trail at the bottom of a ravine, which I believe is the Waterfall trail. Don’t bother looking for it on the map — it’s not there. It’s a wild ride down this narrow trail, which will dump you back onto the cat track heading to Sacajawea.

Take the Sacajawea chair up, and get on Northern Lights. Bomb down the trail as fast as you can, because you have an uphill climb to drop into a bowl between Northern Lights and Half ‘n Half — another great source of powder.

What, you still want more powder action? Take Dreamcatcher up, and take the cat track down to the skier’s left, and you’ll find a ridge to walk up. It’s a fifteen minute hike (if you’re in shape, much longer if you’re like me and not). After admiring the view, traverse to your skier’s left to get to the ridge over a treeless bowl; jump in for some deep powder fun.

Whichever way you cut down the mountain, be sure to stop by The Trap — a quite fitting name. Stop in and drink with the friendly locals in an open, well-lit atmosphere. They know how to mix drinks well here, and the higher elevation means it doesn’t take much. Plus, the food is excellent — we ate there often, and enjoyed it every time. Of course, if you want a really good meal, head down to the airport in Driggs. Yes, you read that right: the best eating in town is at the airport. The Warbirds’ Cafe offers a top notch dining experience, as well as an airplane museum with a changing inventory. Their Elk medallions were outstanding, as was their prime rib. Bon appetit!

We went for a week, with the idea that we’d spend a few days at Grand Targhee, and a few at Jackson Hole, yet we never made it to JH. Targhee was just too fun! While this gives us reason to come back, I imagine we would want to hit up GT for a few days again. I highly recommend anyone who’s into skiing check it out. Just keep it under your hat: it’ll be our little secret.