From: "Armond C Simmons" Subject: Letters Date: Wednesday, September 26, 2001 10:46 PM The drawdown of military forces following Vietnam was appropriate -- further drawdowns by President (Impeached) Clinton's administration threatens our nation's security -- this drawdown without providing funding for increased human intelligence (HUMINT)/signals intelligence (SIGNET) to meet the void left by the drastic drawdown has been a matter of concern since the early 90's and further reiterated in an assessment of the May 1997 Quadrennial Defense Review, http://www.defenselink.mil/topstory/ndp_assess.html. Excerpt: It is not apparent that the QDR has assessed the importance of these (human intelligence/signals intelligence) systems for the future. As the asymmetric challenges of the future increase the complexity of warfare, the importance of human intelligence (HUMINT) and other intelligence disciplines will likely grow. Finally the QDR makes a plea for improved and seamless collection capabilities, but programmatic decisions suggest a different direction. Concerned pleas from major Veterans' organizations, congressional committees,veteran internet forums, think tanks, the CIA and FBI to replace human intelligence (HUMINT) operatives pulled from strategic areas around the world in the 90's has fallen on deaf ears -- (from 1948 thru the Korean conflict, this nation enjoyed a worldwide human intelligence operation second to none) (even saddled with limited funding, manpower and assets, the intelligence community has performed in an outstanding manner -- year after year, having thwarted/captured terrorists before they were able to carry out their deadly acts (aka, WTC, Canadian/Mexican border intercepts, apprehension at foreign airports and even countries of origin)) --- but their limit was reached some time ago -- the deficits in human intelligence (nil) in the mideast left us with little clue as to our vulnerability and today leaves us with little clue as to a positive suspect in the tragedy in NY and DC -- Those leaders responsible for our lack national security are responding today with defensive, guilt-laden rhetoric -- "Don't point fingers!" -- and day-late self righteousness -- "The wake up call came today!" Well gimme a break! -- Sorry your apathy has been interrupted! Armond "Si" Simmons 104 Wadsworth Lane Pell City, AL 35128 205 338 7378 205 812 9085 fax 603 737 0833 psysim@coosahs.net http://psysim.www7.50megs.com/html/dustoff.htm http://members.tripod.com/psysim/msvn.html