The Shutdown Is Doing Lasting Damage to National Security

[Rogue Valley]

The Shutdown Is Doing Lasting Damage to National Security

1/16/19
As the longest government shutdown in American history drags on, it’s not just hurting the morale of America’s federal workforce and the broader American economy. It’s hurting our national security. Some of the damage is already plainly apparent—but in four crucial ways, its harms will persist long after the government reopens. We’re beginning to see indicators of short-term national- and homeland-security vulnerabilities. Airports are short on screeners; thousands of FBI agents, analysts, and staff are on furlough; and our government’s newest cybersecurity unit had barely launched before half of its staff was furloughed. DHS, the agency charged with key civilian cybersecurity coordination and liaison work with state and local law-enforcement agencies, has been hit hard by the shutdown. Both the executive and legislative branches recognize cybersecurity threats as a top national-security priority. Halting cybersecurity work makes it easier for hostile nation-states to steal Americans’ personal information and corporate intellectual property, among other targets. DHS is responsible for thwarting those efforts, by sharing cybersecurity information with the private sector as well as with state and local governments. Moreover, DHS provides services to state and local governments that are working to improve their election security, which we know is under siege.

But the longer-term costs to national security of this shutdown may be even greater than the short-term risks. One is the cost to the federal workforce itself. Experienced staff, such as foreign-service officers, are quitting. Second is the backlog of work that simply doesn’t get done. Third, as national-security lawyers, we also know that a national-security workforce facing financial struggles creates a heightened counterintelligence risk. Our fourth and final concern may be the most worrisome of all: The United States is showing the world how utterly polarized, even paralyzed, we’ve become. This plays directly into Moscow’s strategy to weaken us at home and abroad. More than Trump’s election, the Kremlin wanted America to tear itself apart, leaving it unable to oppose Russian foreign policy or to push for democratic reforms. The first two years of this administration, with Trump at the helm, have weakened our ties to our global allies in favor of foreign policies more sympathetic to Russian strategic interests. Now, at home, this government shutdown further weakens our defenses with every passing day. The president says our security requires the shutdown. But actually, the shutdown is the real national-security threat—and its damage will prove lasting.

All will not be balloons and sunshine when Trumps government shutdown ends. We are currently very susceptible to cyber attack and foreign hackers mapping our critical networks and nodes. Our air traffic security and safety are breaking down. Perhaps worst of all, America is resembling a polarized third-word banana republic. No other country on earth closes down its government to achieve policy goals.

 

[Common Sense 1]

Nancy can end this very quickly. Fund the 5.5 billion that is needed to upgrade and build new physical barriers.
The United States has been susceptible to cyber attack and foreign hackers for the last 20 years... It's nothing new!
The NSA/CSS are on constant alert 7/24. Nancy is opposing the funding for one reason.... to damage president Trump!!

 

[Lord Tammerlain]

Nancy can end this very quickly. Fund the 5.5 billion that is needed to upgrade and build new physical barriers.
The United States has been susceptible to cyber attack and foreign hackers for the last 20 years... It's nothing new!
The NSA/CSS are on constant alert 7/24. Nancy is opposing the funding for one reason.... to damage president Trump!!

Trump can end it quickly as well. End his demand for the 5.5 billion.

 

[Common Sense 1]

Trump can end it quickly as well. End his demand for the 5.5 billion.

"His" demand is more than reasonable. Increased safety/security for the nation. Nancy has NO reason to oppose it
other than to try and damage president Trump. This is nothing but "resist" crap from the democrats.

 

[Jezcoe]

McConnell can end this quickly by bringing the funding bill that was supported 100-0 last month to the floor for a vote.

 

[Lord Tammerlain]

"His" demand is more than reasonable. Increased safety/security for the nation. Nancy has NO reason to oppose it
other than to try and damage president Trump. This is nothing but "resist" crap from the democrats.

That of course is your and Trumps opinion, other people do not share that opinion.

 

[markjs]

"His" demand is more than reasonable. Increased safety/security for the nation. Nancy has NO reason to oppose it
other than to try and damage president Trump. This is nothing but "resist" crap from the democrats.

No it's not, NOTHING about Trump is reasonale. He is the worlds WORST negotiator. You got PLAYED, and you seem proud of it. Pathetic!:lamo

 

[MovingPictures]

"His" demand is more than reasonable. Increased safety/security for the nation. Nancy has NO reason to oppose it
other than to try and damage president Trump. This is nothing but "resist" crap from the democrats.

If Trump cares so much about his border wall, why did have his pen ready to sign on the CR that lacked it just three days before the shutdown?

Answer: He doesn't actually care and this is just a political stunt meant to please his base, that went horribly wrong.

 

[Sampson Simpson]

Nancy can end this very quickly. Fund the 5.5 billion that is needed to upgrade and build new physical barriers.
The United States has been susceptible to cyber attack and foreign hackers for the last 20 years... It's nothing new!
The NSA/CSS are on constant alert 7/24. Nancy is opposing the funding for one reason.... to damage president Trump!!

Yeah, give into terrorist and piss away 5 billion. no thanks. McConnel and Trump can end this, but Trump is a baby and MCConnel an absolute scumbag

sorry, Trump even rejected a deal republicans worked out with other republicans. And there was a deal, until the POS Trump listened to the nuts on Fox news.

You right wingers can lie and dump piles of **** all over the place, doesn't change the reality. This is Trump and the GOPs shutdown

Trump can end it quickly as well. End his demand for the 5.5 billion.

And the dems are happy to give him that much, just not for a dumb, pointless wall so he can brag to his idiot followers

 

[Hicup]

You guys still don't get Trump do you? He's not going to blink. He's been at this game for decades!

Tim-

 

[MovingPictures]

Yeah, give into terrorist and piss away 5 billion. no thanks. McConnel and Trump can end this, but Trump is a baby and MCConnel an absolute scumbag

sorry, Trump even rejected a deal republicans worked out with other republicans. And there was a deal, until the POS Trump listened to the nuts on Fox news.

You right wingers can lie and dump piles of **** all over the place, doesn't change the reality. This is Trump and the GOPs shutdown



And the dems are happy to give him that much, just not for a dumb, pointless wall so he can brag to his idiot followers

I think Trump/Graham/McConnell went into this fully expecting the Democrats to cave, because they're so used to Democrats rolling over in these hostage games.

What they didn't calculate was that Democrats had Trump on tape admitting the shutdown was a purposeful tactic to get what he wanted. The public was listening to that and no attempt to twist the facts by Republicans will undo that damage.

 

[Middle_Ground]

Nancy can end this very quickly. Fund the 5.5 billion that is needed to upgrade and build new physical barriers.
The United States has been susceptible to cyber attack and foreign hackers for the last 20 years... It's nothing new!
The NSA/CSS are on constant alert 7/24. Nancy is opposing the funding for one reason.... to damage president Trump!!

Since 52 million people voted to give Nancy the power to say no. So No!

 

[Mr Person]

All will not be balloons and sunshine when Trumps government shutdown ends. We are currently very susceptible to cyber attack and foreign hackers mapping our critical networks and nodes. Our air traffic security and safety are breaking down. Perhaps worst of all, America is resembling a polarized third-word banana republic. No other country on earth closes down its government to achieve policy goals.

At this point, I wouldn't put it past "them" to see it as a bonus if an actual terrorist really did get in through diminished airport security, since they could simply tell their minions to blame the Democrats for forcing them to shut down the government (SMACK! ---> "Look at what you made me do!"), and the minions would obey as always.

 

[Mr Person]

"His" demand is more than reasonable. Increased safety/security for the nation. Nancy has NO reason to oppose it
other than to try and damage president Trump. This is nothing but "resist" crap from the democrats.

You guys still don't get Trump do you? He's not going to blink. He's been at this game for decades!

Tim-

Why didn't Trump demand this of the first two congresses during his office, when the GOP had a majority in each house and senate?

Why did he only wait until now?




^
Questions Trump supports never answer because even they can't keep a straight face while lying about it. Democracy is ****ed because, ever since 2007, these people have taught themselves to hate phantom hallucinations of "liberals" so much that they're willing to burn everything down around them, just so long as they can tell themselves they might have upset a liberal somewhere by doing it.

The most craven behavior I have had the misfortune to witness.

 

[trouble13]

The Shutdown Is Doing Lasting Damage to National Security

All will not be balloons and sunshine when Trumps government shutdown ends. We are currently very susceptible to cyber attack and foreign hackers mapping our critical networks and nodes. Our air traffic security and safety are breaking down. Perhaps worst of all, America is resembling a polarized third-word banana republic. No other country on earth closes down its government to achieve policy goals.

Tell that to Pelosi and Schumer.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[Hicup]

Why didn't Trump demand this of the first two congresses during his office, when the GOP had a majority in each house and senate?

Why did he only wait until now?

Good question. I don't know, but I'm willing to guess, if that suits you? See, as much as a lot of you hate to admit it, Trump is a lot smarter than you think. His instincts are uncanny, and he knows most of the politicians (on both sides of the isle) very well in his dealings with them over the last few decades. I suspect that he had support in the house at the time, but without the majority in the Senate (Remember McCain was still alive and Flake was being flake), meaning, he knew he couldn't pass it with all of the Republican Congress on board. However, as the strategist that he is, how does he turn a failure into a win. This is what you're seeing play out right now before your eyes. Trump knew exactly what Pelosi and Schumer would do, and he also knows that his message is the winning one, despite how many times the LSM tells you otherwise, and how many POLLS skew the facts, the truth is that MOST average everyday American's want to border secured, period!

He also knows that by shutting the government down for months, he can effectively demonstrate beyond all reasonable doubt that Government itself is too bloated. Meaning, there is no need for a lot of these self=made agencies to exist at all. Their whole purpose is to look like they're doing busy work, do nothings, that serve only to make themselves even larger. Added feature is that by law, after one month, all of these employees are effectively permanently laid off.. Did you hear that? yes, they are permanently laid off. Another win!

Oh, and he's not done out maneuvering the clown dems.. There's a lot more to come, in fact I think he prefers it this way with the dims taking the house. He's more comfortable, IMO

^
Questions Trump supports never answer because even they can't keep a straight face while lying about it. Democracy is ****ed because, ever since 2007, these people have taught themselves to hate phantom hallucinations of "liberals" so much that they're willing to burn everything down around them, just so long as they can tell themselves they might have upset a liberal somewhere by doing it.

The most craven behavior I have had the misfortune to witness.

You're not being rationale, and it's easy to spot. Go out, get some sun!

Tim-

 

[Mr Person]

Good question. I don't know, but I'm willing to guess, if that suits you? See, as much as a lot of you hate to admit it, Trump is a lot smarter than you think. His instincts are uncanny, and he knows most of the politicians (on both sides of the isle) very well in his dealings with them over the last few decades. I suspect that he had support in the house at the time, but without the majority in the Senate (Remember McCain was still alive and Flake was being flake), meaning, he knew he couldn't pass it with all of the Republican Congress on board. However, as the strategist that he is, how does he turn a failure into a win. This is what you're seeing play out right now before your eyes. Trump knew exactly what Pelosi and Schumer would do, and he also knows that his message is the winning one, despite how many times the LSM tells you otherwise, and how many POLLS skew the facts, the truth is that MOST average everyday American's want to border secured, period!

He also knows that by shutting the government down for months, he can effectively demonstrate beyond all reasonable doubt that Government itself is too bloated. Meaning, there is no need for a lot of these self=made agencies to exist at all. Their whole purpose is to look like they're doing busy work, do nothings, that serve only to make themselves even larger. Added feature is that by law, after one month, all of these employees are effectively permanently laid off.. Did you hear that? yes, they are permanently laid off. Another win!

Oh, and he's not done out maneuvering the clown dems.. There's a lot more to come, in fact I think he prefers it this way with the dims taking the house. He's more comfortable, IMO

I really am amazed that you typed all that with a straight face.
Notice how absolutely nothing you said has to do with their being a crisis at the border that threatens natural security?

Notice how absolutely nothing you said has to do with the idea of actually needing a wall?

Notice how every single thing you crowed about had to do with some idea that this is all being done because Trump thinks he's setting a trap?

You just admitted exactly what I was saying: it's all a political stunt designed to whip the brainwashed Trumpist minions into a tizzy against the Democrats. If the wall mattered, Trump would have been on it from day 1 when the GOP had majorities. He only waited until now because he knew he could dupe you into blaming the Democrats for his misdeeds. :lol:





And the dumbest thing about what you just admitted is that you're not even right that it's a 'winning message'. Only the remaining deluded base likes what Trump is doing. Everyone else, including a lot of GOPers and independents, do not think we need the wall and recognzie that this is actually hurting the GOP.

But be my guess and bury yourselves. The sooner you are politically marginalized, the sooner we can get back to fixing the damage you have proudly caused to America and perhaps improving it.

 

[Hicup]

I really am amazed that you typed all that with a straight face.
Notice how absolutely nothing you said has to do with their being a crisis at the border that threatens natural security?

Notice how absolutely nothing you said has to do with the idea of actually needing a wall?

Notice how every single thing you crowed about had to do with some idea that this is all being done because Trump thinks he's setting a trap?

You just admitted exactly what I was saying: it's all a political stunt designed to whip the brainwashed Trumpist minions into a tizzy against the Democrats. If the wall mattered, Trump would have been on it from day 1 when the GOP had majorities. He only waited until now because he knew he could dupe you into blaming the Democrats for his misdeeds. :lol:





And the dumbest thing about what you just admitted is that you're not even right that it's a 'winning message'. Only the remaining deluded base likes what Trump is doing. Everyone else, including a lot of GOPers and independents, do not think we need the wall and recognzie that this is actually hurting the GOP.

But be my guess and bury yourselves. The sooner you are politically marginalized, the sooner we can get back to fixing the damage you have proudly caused to America and perhaps improving it.

You're still not paying attention I see. Trump is very adept at using inflammatory words. Meaning, he knows exactly how to excite all of you. He knows there's no crisis; it doesn't matter what he says, only in the reaction is engenders from all of you.

Now do you get it?

Tim-

 

[Rogue Valley]

You're still not paying attention I see. Trump is very adept at using inflammatory words. Meaning, he knows exactly how to excite all of you. He knows there's no crisis; it doesn't matter what he says, only in the reaction is engenders from all of you. Now do you get it?

So ... Trump wanted to excite 800,000+ government workers and remove their source of income for ****s and grins?