Bookmark & share: 
Welcome to reader comments forum, which is offered as
a "public square" for our audience. We view this space as our readers'
section of the Web site, separate from our journalistic offerings.
We hope you will use the forum to advance public dialogue and community
discourse. As such, we ask that participants refrain from personal
attacks and offensive comments. If you believe a comment is inappropriate or
offensive, you can bring it to our attention by clicking on the 'report
abuse' link by the comment. It will be reviewed by online staff.
Please understand that 1) a comment is not "inappropriate" solely
because you disagree with its author; and 2) there may be a delay while
the comment is being reviewed.
Please review our Reader Comment Guidelines.
Sort by: Oldest first | Newest First
pain
of skowhegan, ME
?report abuse
Aug 19, 2008 12:13 AM
i applaud the works gfoing on here. do you want to wait untill the next attack on your own intrest,or be a country ready with all kinds of new tech. stuff,ready to put into action. and why can't maine be the leader? most peeps are afraid of giving up a few$$$,of their hard earned $$$. but if you are against such funding,then,what language are you gonna study,for the winners.
?report abuse
Citizen X
of ME
Aug 18, 2008 6:37 PM
Homeland Security starts at the border.report abuseDisillusioned Voter
of Millinocket, ME
Safer than most will know for a while-
There have been many incidents that have averted terrorist activity through new technology, just this year!
I don’t subscribe to a few of them, such as Ballistic Wood, or the scam to build a ceramic rotary engine that would run on beer. Alternately, we do need to explore technologies that keep up with ever evolving threats.
The key thing to remember about DoD earmarks is that “if” there is a stated need, and “if” you can find a program manager that is interested enough~ then yes your in the game. The abuse here is when heavy contributors (academia or corporations) influence elected officials to support less than creditable technologies.
Past the R&D, was the taxpayer’s money well spent, will it save lives, and will it get into production and create jobs?
Elected officials take a gamble in backing less than creditable ventures, now that they can be prosecuted for current violations, or lose pensions, benefits and more for “past” infractions.
Yup, once these goodies hit the light of day and they’re not needed, or their funding gets altered, reports are made and closed door investigating committees get busy.
.report abuse
Aug 18, 2008 4:27 PM
Jrhmobile-
Safer than most will know for a while-
There have been many incidents that have averted terrorist activity through new technology, just this year!
I don’t subscribe to a few of them, such as Ballistic Wood, or the scam to build a ceramic rotary engine that would run on beer. Alternately, we do need to explore technologies that keep up with ever evolving threats.
The key thing to remember about DoD earmarks is that “if” there is a stated need, and “if” you can find a program manager that is interested enough~ then yes your in the game. The abuse here is when heavy contributors (academia or corporations) influence elected officials to support less than creditable technologies.
Past the R&D, was the taxpayer’s money well spent, will it save lives, and will it get into production and create jobs?
Elected officials take a gamble in backing less than creditable ventures, now that they can be prosecuted for current violations, or lose pensions, benefits and more for “past” infractions.
Yup, once these goodies hit the light of day and they’re not needed, or their funding gets altered, reports are made and closed door investigating committees get busy.
.report abuse
jrhmobile
of Portland, ME
This isn't making us any safer, but is sure is picking our pockets for "enhanced security." I feel SO much safer every time I take my shoes off at the airport ... don't you?
The only thing exciting for the Deputy-Dog-Assistant Sub-Director of Homeland Security is that he gets to buy all this sepcious stuff with your money.report abuse
Aug 18, 2008 3:20 PM
Please. Do y'all really think we're more secure as a result of this? Or do you think we're just creating another artificial economy for select contractors to siphon off public funds?
This isn't making us any safer, but is sure is picking our pockets for "enhanced security." I feel SO much safer every time I take my shoes off at the airport ... don't you?
The only thing exciting for the Deputy-Dog-Assistant Sub-Director of Homeland Security is that he gets to buy all this sepcious stuff with your money.report abuse
You must be a registered user of MaineToday.com to post a comment. Register or log in.
