Civil Air Patrol Homeland Security Support Act

[Spike]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent (PA-15), a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, today announced the introduction of his bill, the "Civil Air Patrol Homeland Security Support Act of 2007," to bolster efforts at securing America's borders. Congressman Dent made the announcement at Queen City Municipal Airport in Allentown, surrounded by volunteer pilots and cadets of the Civil Air Patrol.

"This bill will authorize the Department of Homeland Security to enlist Civil Air Patrol (CAP) assets to help in the fight to keep our borders secure," Congressman Dent said. "This bill emerged in part from what I learned on a Congressional delegation trip to the U.S.-Mexico border at Laredo, Texas."

Congressman Dent's legislation authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to utilize CAP assets in two important kinds of homeland security missions. First, they can be deployed to protect against illegal entry, as well as against "trafficking in goods, currency, people, and other substances." Second, they can also be utilized in response to an act of terrorism or natural disaster by assisting in damage assessment, search and rescue, evacuations, and the transportation of essential materials.

"While at Laredo I was disturbed and surprised to learn that the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) does not have access to enough aviation assets to help them counter the influx of illegal aliens migrating across the Rio Grande," Congressman Dent said. "This legislation would help CBP increase its aerial surveillance capabilities at the border by enlisting the aid of the Civil Air Patrol.

"Our local CAP officials have informed me that they are eager to participate in America's homeland security mission. The cost of flying and maintaining CAP aircraft is relatively inexpensive, the pilots are experienced, and the need for their assistance is great."

CAP is the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force. Congressman Dent said CAP has authorized a "Concept of Operations," which provides the mechanism for CAP assets to be used for missions not specifically directed by the Secretary of Defense. Congressman Dent's bill would formalize that arrangement between the Air Force and the Department of Homeland Security.

"I believe that by bringing CAP into the homeland security equation, this legislation will help in our fight against illegal immigration and will become an integral part of our nation's strategy to maintain border security."

[JohnKachenmeister]

Wasn't this proposed before and, last I heard, was still sitting in some committee somewhere while Congress figures out whether or not homosexuals should marry each other or not?

[AlphaSigOU]

Wasn't this proposed before and, last I heard, was still sitting in some committee somewhere while Congress figures out whether or not homosexuals should marry each other or not?

Ancient history, boss... me thinks that bill died in committee.

Unless he gets some serious big-dog sponsorship by his fellow Congresscritters, it's going to die a slow death again by never making it out of committee. If it was ever reintroduced.

[Spike]

Ancient history, boss... me thinks that bill died in committee.

Unless he gets some serious big-dog sponsorship by his fellow Congresscritters, it's going to die a slow death again by never making it out of committee. If it was ever reintroduced.

Transportation Committee moves Rep. Dent's Civil Air Patrol bill forward

Linky----> http://dent.house.gov/PressReleases.aspx?prid=312

[AlphaSigOU]

About time it got outta committee! Now will it survive a floor vote in the House?

[RiverAux]

As I reported a few weeks ago, it is still in the House homeland security committee.  Not ready for the floor yet.

[JohnKachenmeister]

It is a good thing this bill is dead in committee.  I don't think the DHS is real good to work for after I heard the news today that they are forbidding the Border Patrol agents from wearing surgical masks to protect themselves from Swine Flu.

Janet-From-Another-Planet Napolitano says that surgical masks will make the the agents look "Intimidating."

Funny, they don't make surgeons look intimidating.

[Cecil DP]

I thought that they were supposed to look intimidating. I guess Ms Napolitano doesn't care if the BP/ICE people get sick, as long as they're polite about it.

[ricks]

This is the only information I can locate on DHS and Janet's view of sugical masks. Please state your source.

Preparing the Department

The Department is taking many steps to ensure it continues to operate at full strength throughout the outbreak. As the leader of this Department, I know that if DHS is to protect the safety of our nation, we must ensure that we are doing all that we can to protect the safety of the DHS workforce. This effort has been a top priority for our leadership within the Department, especially working to keep safe our employees who are in the field with face-to-face public interaction everyday. To that end:

CBP has strategically positioned critical assets -including personal protection equipment (masks, sanitizers, etc.) and anti-viral drugs -in each of the nine Border Patrol sectors, in order to ensure that our agents at the border are protected against the virus to the maximum; similar actions have been taken by the U.S. Coast Guard in order to ensure our maritime borders continue to be guarded at full strength.

FEMA and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services are taking similar action to preposition critical supplies and protect their workforces and operations.

ICE is similarly prepared to meet the health and safety needs of its employees as well as those individuals in ICE custody. In preparing front-line employees that may be at risk, ICE has pre-positioned personal protective equipment for its law enforcement and mission-critical personnel not only at our borders and throughout the U.S.

Finally, the TSA is rapidly deploying personal protection equipment to 54 airports along the border and with flights from Mexico. The equipment includes masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer, in case those supplies are needed in a heightened state of precaution. DHS has been in contact with its employees about common-sense precautions they can take against 2009 H1N1 flu, in addition to information about the use of anti-viral drugs, should such a step become necessary.
Conclusion - Testimony of Janet Nepolitano at Senate Committee Meeting April 29, 2009

[JohnKachenmeister]

My source is a Fox News report that was picked up nationally after the story surfaced on local stations in the Southwest.

But what do I know?  I've been declared a "Threat to National Security" by Napolitano.

[ricks]

Can you point me in the direction of the Fox news report. Was it a written report that I can find on thier website?

[JayT]

My source is a Fox News report that was picked up nationally after the story surfaced on local stations in the Southwest.

But what do I know?  I've been declared a "Threat to National Security" by Napolitano.

Because when I think of reliable news, the network that has Glenn Beck as one of their lead guys is the first one to jump to mind.....

And what does a few comments in a DHS report briefly featured in the news week ago have to do with a bit of false reporting with no source?

[Flying Pig]

Right, because Keith Obermann and Matt Lower are top notch reporters on the other side of the house.

[Rotorhead]

My source is a Fox News report that was picked up nationally after the story surfaced on local stations in the Southwest.

But what do I know?  I've been declared a "Threat to National Security" by Napolitano.

You do realize that she apologized and that the VFW accepted the apology, right?

[Larry Mangum]

You do realize that she apologized and that the VFW accepted the apology, right?

Just because she apologized that does not mean that I have to accept her apology nor am I required to believe that she does not believe the report to be the truth. 

[Spike]

It is a good thing this bill is dead in committee. 

It's Dead?  Where can I read that it died in committee?  I need facts, not opinions or beliefs please. 

[Ricochet13]

About time it got outta committee! Now will it survive a floor vote in the House?

H.R.1178
Title: To direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on the use of Civil Air Patrol personnel and resources to support homeland security missions, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Dent, Charles W. [PA-15] (introduced 2/25/2009)   Cosponsors (28)
Related Bills: S.704
Latest Major Action: 4/2/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Discharged.
ALL ACTIONS:
2/25/2009:  Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2/25/2009:  Referred to House Transportation and Infrastructure
2/26/2009:  Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
2/26/2009:  Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
2/25/2009:  Referred to House Homeland Security
3/2/2009:  Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response.
4/2/2009:  Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
4/2/2009:  Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
4/2/2009:  Subcommittee on Aviation Discharged.
4/2/2009:  Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Discharged.

[Larry Mangum]

So what does it mean for a committee to discharge?  Does that mean they recommended no changes or refused to accept it for discussion?

[ricks]

A discharge means that the bill has been in their committee and is now being released back to the floor. It may be sent to another committee, but it is moving.

[wuzafuzz]

My source is a Fox News report that was picked up nationally after the story surfaced on local stations in the Southwest.

But what do I know?  I've been declared a "Threat to National Security" by Napolitano.

You do realize that she apologized and that the VFW accepted the apology, right?

VFW wasn't speaking for me...

The bill needs an amendment exempting CAP from the TSA badge silliness.  After all, we can't effectively support DHS if we are effectively banned from commercial airports.

[Larry Mangum]

My source is a Fox News report that was picked up nationally after the story surfaced on local stations in the Southwest.

But what do I know?  I've been declared a "Threat to National Security" by Napolitano.

You do realize that she apologized and that the VFW accepted the apology, right?

VFW wasn't speaking for me...

Ditto

[JayT]

Right, because Keith Obermann and Matt Lower are top notch reporters on the other side of the house.

Did I say they were?

Glenn Beck makes Bill O'Reilly and Shawn Hannity appear downright stable by comparison. And it's also well known that Fox has a bias against the curren administration and government.

This is the same network, of course, that photoshops pictures of their enemies to make them look worst.

[notaNCO forever]

Right, because Keith Obermann and Matt Lower are top notch reporters on the other side of the house.

Did I say they were?

Glenn Beck makes Bill O'Reilly and Shawn Hannity appear downright stable by comparison. And it's also well known that Fox has a bias against the curren administration and government.

This is the same network, of course, that photoshops pictures of their enemies to make them look worst.

Compared to Glenn Beck anyone looks sane. I personally don't watch any major news network because it's mostly bashing either democrats our republicans.

[JayT]

But back to topic........

What additional training would be required for homeland security support? Do you think it'll be mostly air crew/comms stuff?

[RiverAux]

That is probably what will be part of the study should the bill be approved. 

[JohnKachenmeister]

My source is a Fox News report that was picked up nationally after the story surfaced on local stations in the Southwest.

But what do I know?  I've been declared a "Threat to National Security" by Napolitano.

You do realize that she apologized and that the VFW accepted the apology, right?

You realize she has never withdrawn the memo, right?

[JohnKachenmeister]

Right, because Keith Obermann and Matt Lower are top notch reporters on the other side of the house.

Did I say they were?

Glenn Beck makes Bill O'Reilly and Shawn Hannity appear downright stable by comparison. And it's also well known that Fox has a bias against the curren administration and government.

This is the same network, of course, that photoshops pictures of their enemies to make them look worst.

"Well-known" by whom?

O'Reilly rated the first hundred days of Obama and gave him a "B" on domestic policy and a "C" on foreign policy.  Now that may not be the fawning, slobbering adoration of MSNBC, but it is a long way from "Bias against."

[JohnKachenmeister]

Can you point me in the direction of the Fox news report. Was it a written report that I can find on thier website?

I heard it on TV.  I have not checked the website.

[Gunner C]

Right, because Keith Obermann and Matt Lower are top notch reporters on the other side of the house.

Did I say they were?

Glenn Beck makes Bill O'Reilly and Shawn Hannity appear downright stable by comparison. And it's also well known that Fox has a bias against the curren administration and government.

This is the same network, of course, that photoshops pictures of their enemies to make them look worst.

"Well-known" by whom?

O'Reilly rated the first hundred days of Obama and gave him a "B" on domestic policy and a "C" on foreign policy.  Now that may not be the fawning, slobbering adoration of MSNBC, but it is a long way from "Bias against."

I'd say something about JT drinking kool-aide, but it was flavor-aide.  If one listens to the opinions of others rather than listening personally, then one will have their information filtered.  [/drift]

The CAP HSSA will never become law IMO.  It doesn't have a large enough constituency.  Even with the HUGE savings it would generate for the nation, no one will care - it only affects 10 or 20 thousand votes. 

[JohnKachenmeister]

Right, because Keith Obermann and Matt Lower are top notch reporters on the other side of the house.

Did I say they were?

Glenn Beck makes Bill O'Reilly and Shawn Hannity appear downright stable by comparison. And it's also well known that Fox has a bias against the curren administration and government.

This is the same network, of course, that photoshops pictures of their enemies to make them look worst.

"Well-known" by whom?

O'Reilly rated the first hundred days of Obama and gave him a "B" on domestic policy and a "C" on foreign policy.  Now that may not be the fawning, slobbering adoration of MSNBC, but it is a long way from "Bias against."

I'd say something about JT drinking kool-aide, but it was flavor-aide.  If one listens to the opinions of others rather than listening personally, then one will have their information filtered.  [/drift]

The CAP HSSA will never become law IMO.  It doesn't have a large enough constituency.  Even with the HUGE savings it would generate for the nation, no one will care - it only affects 10 or 20 thousand votes.

Gunner:

I agree with you that the chance of this bill actually becoming a law are somewhere between "Slim" and "None," but for a somewhat different reason.  We can ALREADY do that which the new bill would allow us to do.  We just have to do it as an element of the Air Force.

Anytime the CAP is supporting any agency of the Federal Govt., we do so as the auxiliary of the Air Force.  This bill is a remnant of the reign of HWSRN, and his goal was to actually place CAP under the DHS in a co-equal position with the Coast Guard.  (The US Civil Air Patrol, you might recall.)

Now there MIGHT be some fine-tuning of the laws related to Posse Comitatus, which might allow the CAP to engage more directly in support of Federal law enforcement, but to allow the DHS to directly task CAP without the CAP falling under the USAF won't happen.  And, in my Threat to National Security opinion, shouldn't happen.

[Spike]

This bill is a remnant of the reign of HWSRN, and his goal was to actually place CAP under the DHS in a co-equal position with the Coast Guard. 

You are mistaken Sir.  It is not a remnant of Pineda.  This never came from Pineda, was never suggested by Pineda and never originated in any Office associated with Pineda. 

The only things that are remnants of Pineda are our Senior Leadership. 

[JohnKachenmeister]

This bill is a remnant of the reign of HWSRN, and his goal was to actually place CAP under the DHS in a co-equal position with the Coast Guard. 

You are mistaken Sir.  It is not a remnant of Pineda.  This never came from Pineda, was never suggested by Pineda and never originated in any Office associated with Pineda. 

The only things that are remnants of Pineda are our Senior Leadership.

You will, of course, forgive my skepticism, since I recall HWSRN testifying in support of the proposal. 

I recall it since he was wearing his then-brand-new TPU while other military folk wore ACU/BDU, and that sartorial difference was the origin of numerous comments on-line.

[C/MSgt Lunsford]

"This bill will authorize the Department of Homeland Security to enlist Civil Air Patrol (CAP) assets to help in the fight to keep our borders secure," Congressman Dent said. "This bill emerged in part from what I learned on a Congressional delegation trip to the U.S.-Mexico border at Laredo, Texas."

Sounds Interesting. 

[Gunner C]

Gunner:

I agree with you that the chance of this bill actually becoming a law are somewhere between "Slim" and "None," but for a somewhat different reason.  We can ALREADY do that which the new bill would allow us to do.  We just have to do it as an element of the Air Force.

Anytime the CAP is supporting any agency of the Federal Govt., we do so as the auxiliary of the Air Force.  This bill is a remnant of the reign of HWSRN, and his goal was to actually place CAP under the DHS in a co-equal position with the Coast Guard.  (The US Civil Air Patrol, you might recall.)

Now there MIGHT be some fine-tuning of the laws related to Posse Comitatus, which might allow the CAP to engage more directly in support of Federal law enforcement, but to allow the DHS to directly task CAP without the CAP falling under the USAF won't happen.  And, in my Threat to National Security opinion, shouldn't happen.

This is yet another dimension of the issue.  IMHO, we'll never get our share of DHS missions as long as Ma Blue is the sole arbitor of who flies them. 

(History to make the point)
For years, congress allotted BIG bucks for Special Operations Forces but the three services siphoned off the money.  We literally had to buy some of our own equipment while the money earmarked for us was diverted into barracks upgrades for non-SOF unites.  Congress finally got so tired of what the services were doing, they pulled all SOF funding, including salaries, and put it in a separate program fund (if memory serves) Program 11.  Army, Navy, and USAF aren't able to touch it - it is soley managed by USSOCOM, making it nearly a separate service.  The moral of the story:  the services (USAF in our case) are going to look out for themselves, not for side shows like SOF or CAP.

Until congress passes a law giving us training money to get us up to speed and keep us trained, makes CAP the "go-to" component, and generally gets the Posse Com stuff ironed out, we'll be in the same rut.

[JohnKachenmeister]

Gunner:

I agree with you that the chance of this bill actually becoming a law are somewhere between "Slim" and "None," but for a somewhat different reason.  We can ALREADY do that which the new bill would allow us to do.  We just have to do it as an element of the Air Force.

Anytime the CAP is supporting any agency of the Federal Govt., we do so as the auxiliary of the Air Force.  This bill is a remnant of the reign of HWSRN, and his goal was to actually place CAP under the DHS in a co-equal position with the Coast Guard.  (The US Civil Air Patrol, you might recall.)

Now there MIGHT be some fine-tuning of the laws related to Posse Comitatus, which might allow the CAP to engage more directly in support of Federal law enforcement, but to allow the DHS to directly task CAP without the CAP falling under the USAF won't happen.  And, in my Threat to National Security opinion, shouldn't happen.

This is yet another dimension of the issue.  IMHO, we'll never get our share of DHS missions as long as Ma Blue is the sole arbitor of who flies them. 

(History to make the point)
For years, congress allotted BIG bucks for Special Operations Forces but the three services siphoned off the money.  We literally had to buy some of our own equipment while the money earmarked for us was diverted into barracks upgrades for non-SOF unites.  Congress finally got so tired of what the services were doing, they pulled all SOF funding, including salaries, and put it in a separate program fund (if memory serves) Program 11.  Army, Navy, and USAF aren't able to touch it - it is soley managed by USSOCOM, making it nearly a separate service.  The moral of the story:  the services (USAF in our case) are going to look out for themselves, not for side shows like SOF or CAP.

Until congress passes a law giving us training money to get us up to speed and keep us trained, makes CAP the "go-to" component, and generally gets the Posse Com stuff ironed out, we'll be in the same rut.

Well, we still can contract with state agencies and get THEIR DHS $$.  There are certain advantages to being a corporation.  In Florida, we expect that as much as 50 percent of our missions will be state funded.  More if we get hit with a lot of hurricanes.

[PaulR]

But what do I know?  I've been declared a "Threat to National Security" by Napolitano.

That makes two of us...  I am shocked and dismayed to hear my own "boss" say that about her own Iraq war vets...

[PaulR]

You do realize that she apologized and that the VFW accepted the apology, right?

Merely a PR formality... Unfortunately, we all know where her faith and beliefs lay.

I thought that the Air Force set aside a pot of money for the sole use of the CAP?  How much is this, annually?  Also, where do the Dues go?  I am about to pay my first senior membership check in CA...  Not cheap by any means!

[Auxpilot]

Right, because Keith Obermann and Matt Lower are top notch reporters on the other side of the house.

And it's also well known that Fox has a bias against the current administration and government.

OK I have to ask - can anyone give me one piece of data that supports the "bias" claim here? Maybe as opposed to the other networks getting all soft in the knees when ever our current president walks into the room.

Remember why the founders gave the press the protections that they have - the ones that heros have died protecting - so they could be the ones that watched every move that our government makes to be sure that they are serving us, not the other way around.

Personally I have no problem that MSNBC had bad things to say about President Bush (when they were real, not fabricated) because he made some mistakes along the way and without good reporting (like watergate) we would never have known about it.

That being said, notwithstanding Fox news, the press in general is doing a terrible job at reporting and a great job at cheerleading. What Fox is doing is not bias, it's just calling them like they see them.

BTW - Sean Hannity is not Fox News any more than Alan Colmes is. They are commentators not reporters so don't use them as part of your bias evidence. Give me one example where Fox is more bias than any other news network - I bet you can't.

[Smithsonia]

OK this just strayed into my field. Nancy Grace, Kieth Obermann, Shawn Hannity, Matt Lauer, Rush Limbaugh, etc. are entertainers. They are opinion - policy commentators.
They are NOT news journalist, news people, reporters, or news readers. They are the same as anyone at a cocktail party who spouts off about everything... although in this case it's a big cocktail party and their voice carries.

In an effort to make news more plentiful (24 hours on CNN etc) Folks at the networks needed people to push the stories to be important - to matter to the viewing audience - to be provocative - to make people care about things they don't normally care about - to boil the various sides of an issue down to a few phrases, cliches, sayings, etc.

This commentator thing has blurred the lines. Even straight news folks, because they have time to fill, now routinely give a personal comment... and are therefore commentators.

You (Mr. and Mrs. America) need to develop the skills to see the sell and differentiate that sell from actual fact. YOU are now the editor. YOU have to look at things with an editorial eye. This eye is NOT cynical but critical. Analysis of the commentators - not to what they say - but how they support their issue - which facts they rely upon. This is an important thing to learn in this media rich environment.

My answer is to pick authoritative sources, read more, view less, be responsible for your own brain and what is in it.

[Spike]

^ I would add that we need to stop acting on opinion and feelings, but on Fact itself.  If every person in the world would stop letting their emotional and opinion driven subconscious mind drive their actions, everything would be positive in the world. 

The universe is not Positive and Negative.  It is only Positive.  Humans create the negativity, and have little faith in themselves. 

I am so tired of politics.  Our society is driven and too dependent on our political faces. 

Anyway, off my philosophical wagon.  Back to the CAP Homeland Security Support Act.....

Anyone heard anything new??

[JohnKachenmeister]

^ I would add that we need to stop acting on opinion and feelings, but on Fact itself.  If every person in the world would stop letting their emotional and opinion driven subconscious mind drive their actions, everything would be positive in the world. 

The universe is not Positive and Negative.  It is only Positive.  Humans create the negativity, and have little faith in themselves. 

I am so tired of politics.  Our society is driven and too dependent on our political faces. 

Anyway, off my philosophical wagon.  Back to the CAP Homeland Security Support Act.....

Anyone heard anything new??

Nice thought, Spike, but nearly impossible.

Everything we see, hear, taste, smell, and touch is instantly filtered through the prism of all of our prior experience and knowledge.  When Obama talks policy, I remember the same policy talked by Jimmy Carter.  I remember it didn't work then, so I conclude that it isn't going to work now.

Where most people get into logical trouble is being unable to use this experience filter in relevant ways.  It is relevant to compare policy now with a failed policy in the past.  It is not relevant to support a policy because the person proposing it looks like your Uncle Ed, and Uncle Ed is really smart.

[Earhart1971]

Homeland Security Mission? It is guaranteed to be another UNFUNDED Mandate for addition of another "Mission"and I count about 15 or so now for CAP. What CAP ask for more funding? It will never happen in my lifetime.

[RiverAux]

Unfunded mission?  How is that?  Is the Air Force not paying for SAR missions?  Are we being force to fly CD missions on the corporate dime because the appropriate agency isn't reimbusing us?  If anything CAP is so focused on making sure that we get reimbursed that it hampers our ability to develop relationships with local and state agencies that could lead to lots of funded flying. 

[Earhart1971]

If it's working, why are there no Form 5 Check pilots within 50 miles of me?

Its not working, and we are running out of pilots.

Nobody in their right mind would want to be a Wing Ops Officer under these conditions.

[NAYBOR]

Update:

http://dent.house.gov/PressReleases.aspx?prid=321