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Thursday, October 20, 2005
CHINFO/FHTNC/USAFNS Debacle - #10 - Summary
This is my final posting in the CHINFO/FHTNC/USAFNS debacle series. I regret that the "whole story" is so long, but CHINFO has presented multiple reasons for withholding the releases from USAFNS.com. I suppose the theory being that "if one throws enough stuff against the wall, some of it will stick."
Point by point, each reason given for withholding FHTNC releases has been addressed, and not one of them hold up to the light of scrutiny by even a casual observer. In my opinion, they have made a decision, and are sticking with it - and have the attitude "I have the power, my mind is made up, don't confuse me with the facts." It reminds me of a boot Third Class Petty Officer that doesn't know how to handle authority, and has to learn how to use it. Or, as is often said on active duty, they are "in over their heads."
One thing to be remembered is that they are not improving the security of our troops by withholding the releases from USAFNS.com. That is because the releases are being distributed to over 10,000 newspapers, most of which have websites, and publish the releases on the web. The internet is an aggregating medium, so, if the information is on the internet, it is available to the world. The net effect of withholding the releases from USAFNS.com is that U.S. Marines, Sailors and Coast Guardsmen are being deprived of the morale boost that comes with seeing their names in print. And, that is one of the primary missions of CHINFO, and the primary mission of FHTNC.
The mission of CHINFO & FHTNC is prescribed by laws that congress has passed, and continue to fund each year. In my opinion, CHINFO & FHTNC are scofflaws and are ignoring the law by withholding the their releases from anyone or any organization that is low abiding and is a U.S. Citizen, or a duly recognized and legitimate taxpaying U.S. business entity. Withholding FHTNC releases from one single website does not make the troops and their families any more secure.
Speaking of scofflaws, the first Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request filed on 11 September is now 9 working days overdue. Tomorrow will make two weeks overdue. I wonder if they will be a scoff law regarding my FOIA request. On the 25th of October, the second FOIA request that I made will become due. and then on 1 November, the third FOIA request that I made will be due. I think that the probability of them being answered is pretty remote. In my opinion, that will confirm the supposition that CHINFO/FHTNC are scofflaws.
One final opinion - I haven't had anyone come forward with sufficient information to verify the rumor that FHTNC's legacy software system will be cut off next month. I can't verify it, but I believe it to be true. That belief is based upon the NMCI "Reach Back" termination test being conducted this week. The test was announced last month to "validate the expected impact" of the permanent legacy system shutdown. I am 100% confident that the shutdown will occur, but I cannot get a definitive date of the shutdown. I haven't head anything from any of my contacts regarding the problems that are being encountered this week, or if the temporary shutdown has even occurred. I am waiting and watching, and will continue to do so.
~G: This is my final in the Debacle series, but I will make postings as the FOIA saga unravels.
Point by point, each reason given for withholding FHTNC releases has been addressed, and not one of them hold up to the light of scrutiny by even a casual observer. In my opinion, they have made a decision, and are sticking with it - and have the attitude "I have the power, my mind is made up, don't confuse me with the facts." It reminds me of a boot Third Class Petty Officer that doesn't know how to handle authority, and has to learn how to use it. Or, as is often said on active duty, they are "in over their heads."
One thing to be remembered is that they are not improving the security of our troops by withholding the releases from USAFNS.com. That is because the releases are being distributed to over 10,000 newspapers, most of which have websites, and publish the releases on the web. The internet is an aggregating medium, so, if the information is on the internet, it is available to the world. The net effect of withholding the releases from USAFNS.com is that U.S. Marines, Sailors and Coast Guardsmen are being deprived of the morale boost that comes with seeing their names in print. And, that is one of the primary missions of CHINFO, and the primary mission of FHTNC.
The mission of CHINFO & FHTNC is prescribed by laws that congress has passed, and continue to fund each year. In my opinion, CHINFO & FHTNC are scofflaws and are ignoring the law by withholding the their releases from anyone or any organization that is low abiding and is a U.S. Citizen, or a duly recognized and legitimate taxpaying U.S. business entity. Withholding FHTNC releases from one single website does not make the troops and their families any more secure.
Speaking of scofflaws, the first Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request filed on 11 September is now 9 working days overdue. Tomorrow will make two weeks overdue. I wonder if they will be a scoff law regarding my FOIA request. On the 25th of October, the second FOIA request that I made will become due. and then on 1 November, the third FOIA request that I made will be due. I think that the probability of them being answered is pretty remote. In my opinion, that will confirm the supposition that CHINFO/FHTNC are scofflaws.
One final opinion - I haven't had anyone come forward with sufficient information to verify the rumor that FHTNC's legacy software system will be cut off next month. I can't verify it, but I believe it to be true. That belief is based upon the NMCI "Reach Back" termination test being conducted this week. The test was announced last month to "validate the expected impact" of the permanent legacy system shutdown. I am 100% confident that the shutdown will occur, but I cannot get a definitive date of the shutdown. I haven't head anything from any of my contacts regarding the problems that are being encountered this week, or if the temporary shutdown has even occurred. I am waiting and watching, and will continue to do so.
~G: This is my final in the Debacle series, but I will make postings as the FOIA saga unravels.
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