So with all the saber rattling regarding Iran, we apparently aren't even dealing with the basics.
According to the AP, Democratic Senator Ron Wyden is leading a push to investigate military surplus sales. He's worried that there may be gaping security risks in the program:
A Democratic senator is trying to block the Pentagon from selling spare parts from its recently retired F-14 fleet that are coveted by Iran.
Sen. Ron Wyden (news, bio, voting record)'s bill came in response to an investigation by The Associated Press that found weaknesses in surplus-sale security that allowed buyers for countries including Iran and China to obtain sensitive U.S. military equipment including Tomcat parts.
This is yet another example of our actual Homeland Security falling by the wayside as ideology (not intelligent action) trumps all. And the breaches are apparently real:
The AP reported the Pentagon's F-14 part sales plans earlier this month. Its investigation found that in several cases, buyers for countries that included Iran and China took advantage of security flaws to buy sensitive surplus, including aircraft parts and missile components.
In at least case, surplus gear made it to Iran, investigators say. A Pakistani arms broker bought Chinook helicopter engine parts for Iran from a U.S. company that had bought them in a Pentagon surplus sale, and the parts got to Iran, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
It seems to me we should support Democrats who are trying to get this issue out there. Voters need to realize that when it comes to our ports and other basics, there are major gaps. And the answer isn't to scare us into giving up basic liberties; it should be common sense and reason.