I think she’s done a helluva job at catching illegal aliens Debbie…
…then releasing them to create more havoc.

RadicalRightWinger on September 12, 2007 at 10:59 am

Hahahaha – nice Clueless poster. At least its something to laugh at, unlike the rest of this fiasco. As to her being a single mother, I thought she was married to some big DC power player.
[HER HUSBAND, JOHN WOOD, IS U.S. ATTORNEY IN KANSAS CITY. THEY FIRED THE PREVIOUS GUY TO GET HIM THE JOB. SHE IS IN DC. SHE IS BASICALLY A SINGLE MOTHER OR HER KID IS WAREHOUSED WITH A NANNY.
DS]

JasonBourne81 on September 12, 2007 at 11:29 am

“Mark Twain said:
Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it.”-DS
Nothing to wonder about here. The entire Department of Homeland Security in general and ICE in particular are being run by imbeciles who really mean it. The FBI is laughing their ass off. DHS/ICE is the foil the FBI needed to make them look competent. Next National disaster, they simply point their finger and some lame brain in DC invents another Department or agency. All the while the heat is off the Famous But Incompetent.

NDN on September 12, 2007 at 1:42 pm

Ah, thanks for the clarification, Debbie. I know the type. Ice princess indeed – sounds like a narcissistic, career focused egomaniac who would rather dump her kid off on nannies/caretakers than raise him/her herself. This while her husband single handedly makes a fortune compared to most American families.
You can call me sexist but she should be home with her kid during her formative years since she can afford to be. My mother is an educated woman, and I come from a middle class background, yet she stayed home with me and our family just did without a second income. I can understand some families cannot do that, but I just never understood women who put their careers over their families. She seems about as maternal as a rattlesnake.

JasonBourne81 on September 12, 2007 at 2:10 pm

The mood around my office today was pretty somber – one of disgust and resignation to the fact that Ms. Myers will all but be confimed, leaving us with another 15 or so months of incompetence and ineptitude.
You gotta love her flubbing at her hearing, though. Check out this quote from the Orange County Register regarding today’s hearing:
“Sen. Claire McCaskill questioned Myers about how many people have been prosecuted under her direction. McCaskill, D-Mo., focused on how many of those criminal charges were brought against employers of illegal immigrants.
Myers said she didn’t know the exact statistics, but that charges had been brought against employers almost every week.
“I’ve spent a lot of time as a prosecutor, and I don’t buy it,” McCaskill said. She added that Myers was “masking the fact that this has not been a high priority” in the department”.
Gee, surprise, sur-flippin-prise – Ms. Myers cooking the books maybe, or just doing the “Potomac Two-Step” to simply avoid the issue?
Well, here’s something she seemed to know – the cost of removing all 12 million illegals from the U.S. I won’t post the article here, but you can link to it at:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/09/12/deportation.cost/index.html
$ 94 BILLION !!! Compare this to the roughly $ 1 billion that ICE receives annually (out of the $ 35 billion DHS receives as a whole). It’s not hard to see the bullsh*t stage that is being set to justify the amnesty – we f*cked up, it’s too expensive to fix, so just turn a blind eye and gloss everything over with amnesty.
Puh-leeze !!! If they’d only do the same with my mortgage, credit card and other debt, I’d be on easy street – and you can bet THAT won’t happen anytime soon.
That said, to you and your family, Ms. Schlussel –
L’Shana Tova … Happy New Year and a blessed holiday period.

4EVERCUSTOMS on September 12, 2007 at 10:24 pm

Okay, cue the press corps….
Julie – “Kyle, get back to that blog and say some good about me or I’ll transfer your puppy a$$ back here to the CAB! Don’t make me release the flying monkeys!”
EVS- “Okay, I’m working on it. My crackberry thumbs can only go so fast!”
Time for the Evervigilant Lapdog to chime in about how everything is getting better in every way. Fetch me the rose colored glasses, bring me another kool-aid, and let’s get busy!

q2thecore on September 13, 2007 at 1:53 am

EVS has left the building.

NDN on September 13, 2007 at 11:29 pm

Wow, I listened to some of the Senate hearings on C-SPAN radio today…I never heard such a double-talking liar in my life. Every response from her was complete double talk, she is completely untrustworthy and disingenuine. If she worked for me, I’d fire her immediately. In fact, she sounded so phoney, it reminded me of the people who run no-money-down seminars, sell heating oil futures in the winter, or tell you to get out of the ‘risky’ stock market and into vending machines. Completely dishonest.

steve ventry on September 14, 2007 at 2:16 am

Most ICE Special Agents and other ICE employees will continue to do their jobs, regardless of our appointed leadership.
I’ve said it for years, “my job satisfaction is largely dependent on my immediate supervisor. If I have the trust and confidence of my immediate supervisor to do my job, to the best of my ability, and I receive credit for the work I do, from that person, the rest doesn’t really matter.”
I have that, and thus, my job satisfaction is very high. Everyone can’t say that, and I understand that, but it’s not the President, Secretary of DHS or Assistant Secretary at ICE that directly impacts your rank and file ICE Special Agents job satisfaction.
q2thecore (aka: Never has anything substantive to contribute) and NDN (aka: Finger),
Bite me boys!! I don’t have time today to play your silly games.
EVS

EverVigilantSheepdog on September 14, 2007 at 8:45 am

Julie’s work is not complete, there are still some good people that have not yet been run off. Agents and Supervisors will still do the job to the best of their ability, but unfortunately everything is micromanaged to such a degree that the agents and supervisors who know what needs to be done are kept from doing that job. Priorities from Headquarters drastically effect the work of the field agent and those priorities are determined by the like of Julie and Marcy. What we’ve seen is politics at its worst.

longshanks on September 14, 2007 at 9:19 am

EVS, That HUNDRED mile drive to and from work seems to be getting to you. Think SIRIUS. NdN is still NOT FingerEleven. Maybe you can get Batman and Robin to solve this mystery. Neither one of them seems to have much to do. Just like YOU, now that I think about it! ET please call home.

NDN on September 14, 2007 at 11:33 am

A former girlfriend of mine married a Saudi man when she was 18. He was 34 at the time. They had a son and went to KSA in the mid-80?s. There she witnessed the delights of Arab culture including sitting in the next room while one of her sisters-in-law was beaten to death by the family ? honor killing. She returned to the States after a year or so there and in the mid-90?s, after divorcing her Saudi thug husband, he abducted their son and took him back to KSA. She has been emotionally damaged by this and other trauma but still managed to find ways to defend the Arab culture, how Aram men treat Arab women ? we in the stupid West just don?t appreciate the cultural differences because we?re intolerant. As far as I know, that chip is still on her shoulder: she blames George W. Bush for the fact that her son is still in KSA ? though he?s got dual KSA/USA citizenship and could walk into the embassy and get his dusty ass back to Seattle any time he wants. Any American woman who would subject herself to that kind of ?relationship? and that culture is delusional ~ and headed for tragedy of untold depth. And we should not pity them at all. Pity is wasted on that type of woman.

undaunted on September 14, 2007 at 11:55 am

All of Bush’s appointments have FRAT RAT written all over them. Or Sorority Sister. I know how these people treat us peons, I’ve worked around them. I guess if the goal is to not enforce the border, you can just focus on getting all your buds a job. Who cares about the icky American people?

steve ventry on September 14, 2007 at 4:16 pm

While Ms. Myers mucks it up with the Senate, are they looking at this article from msnbc.com?:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20780840/
For the 3rd out of the 4 years of its existence, DHS CANNOT pass an audit conducted by independent accountants. They call such a failed audit one with “disclaimer” opinions, meaning the auditors simply cannot tell if the numbers add up.
I think in the private sector, they called it ENRON and ADELPHIA – offenses for which corporate officers went to PRISON. And the Senate is going to REWARD Ms. Myers with confirmation?
PUH-FREAKIN-LEEZE !!!
What say you, oh wise Senators, to the men and women busting their rears every day, while the money pot evaporates to a point that staffing, training, eqipment and other support funding decline almost daily?
And it’s any wonder that people are leaving in droves; who wants to stick around for this debacle?

4EVERCUSTOMS on September 14, 2007 at 10:13 pm

“And it’s any wonder that people are leaving in droves; who wants to stick around for this debacle?”-4evercustoms
Kyle Barnette (EVS) does.
On 9/14/04 The Wall Street Journal reported that only 33% of Americans believe the U.S. is safer now that it was before 9/11/01. So two out of three Americans believe we are NOT safer now than we were before 9/11.
Is there any wonder that Kyle Barnette has zero credibility in this forum? His bully tactics are obviously not working on the ICE employees who he seeks to intimidate. The overwhelming majority of DS blog readers are not buying what he is selling either.
But thanks for being here, Kyle. Everyday that you post reminds us of the current state of affairs within ICE. Please keep on doing what you do. You sir are a true reflection of the current management team.
For the record, I know NdN but I ain’t NdN. You might want to call off the witch hunt and spend more time on official bidness. Oh well, you are what you are. Those who never even heard of you before your appearance on this blog(FingerEleven included) now know who and WHAT you are. Thanks for being YOU.

FingerEleven on September 15, 2007 at 1:34 am

4EVERCUSTOMS,
Not for nothing Sir, but did you read the MSNBC article you linked us to, regarding DHS’s budget? I did, and failed to see anything about Immmigration and Customs Enforcement and/or ICE Office of Investigations.
DHS as you know is a HUGE agency, and to lay the budget woes of this 500 pound gorilla on ICE’s doorstep is a bit disingenuous, unless you have additional evidence that you’ve yet to reveal.
The article is frankly more critical of the Department of Defense (DOD) than it is of DHS.
Are we then going to say that the U.S. Army, U.S.Marines, and the U.S Air Force is a house of cards, which is corrupt, and about to fail?
Our budget has been fine, up till this last month of the FY. We’ve had the money for training and travel, cars, and necessary equipment.
We’ve got lot’s of people in training (maximum capacity at FLETC), and we have NEVER said “no” to an operational necessity (travel, etc…) even during the first couple of years when our budget was strained due to the shared services issues with CBP.
I’m no budget guy 4EVERCUSTOMS, and perhaps you have more insight into this matter than do I, but that MSNBC article wouldn’t do much to convince me to agree with you.
FingerEleven (AKA) NDN, (AKA) Patrick,
As usual you have nothing to contribute to our conversation.
You sir, are the one lacking credibility, and everyone in your office, and on this blog now realize that.
You state the following as if it were factual:
“The overwhelming majority of DS blog readers are not buying what he is selling either.”
This is your opinion, maybe reinforced by personal strategy conversations with Ms. Schlussel, but unsupported by any evidence. Because you say it (you of all people), does not make it so.
One of your many identities recently said that I was obsessed with you, but if anyone chooses to click on either of your screenames icon’s currently in use (FingerEleven or NDN) you’ll see references to me. Who is it that is obsessed? Or maybe it is actually a crush? LOL
EVS/Kyle

EverVigilantSheepdog on September 15, 2007 at 7:35 am

EVS …
You are correct that ICE was not mentioned in the report, and that the report was more critical of DOD than of DHS. However, this is in line with past reports that DO specifically mention ICE and its accounting/budget problems, problems that I see being exacerbated in the upcoming fiscal year, and especially the lapse of the Shared Services agreement, in which 40% of our FY 2008 will go to services offred by other agencies that we used to get for FREE (I noticed that, in all of your replies to dates, you still haven’t addressed this issue, and I hope that, as a senior manager, a frank response might be proffered to the extent that you can).
What I do know is this. Unlike money that we were able to obtain fairly liberally from the Treasury Forfeiture Fund as Customs (with good accounting procedures in place), now comes what might be the most potentially deliterious course of action to date. As you are aware, sir, based upon recent acccounting events with certain U/C ops, many U/C ops are being merged under program “umbrella” ops within a SAC (this is a national mandate). However, here’s the rub – my sources tell me that the money caps on these new “umbrellas” are being raised by almost 50% (I won’t post the number here for security reasons, but we know it is a six figure number); many local managers (perhaps New Orleans excluded; I won’t speak for your office) now have $$$ in their eyes, and have been instructed to make as many of their investigative groups and cases “U/C” cases as possible to dip into these coverted funds, because they see the upcoming debacle with funding for case-related equipment, travel, etc. In fact, I have become aware from one of my sources that, – on a major case with potential national legal and press implications – because there was no SAC money left and the Forfieture Fund was closed for the year on Major Case funding, a U/C op had to pay for travel, or the case would stall.
Now, I’m no budget person, either, but it doesn’t take much to see how everyone wanting to get their grubby paws into the pot has the potential to create an accounting DISASTER for the U/C Program Managers, who will have to account for EVERY dollar spent to D.C. and the U/C Review Committee during audits and recerts. This would almost certainly be avoidable if ICE OI were properly funded and got to keep its money, instead of having to give its money back to cover other DHS programmatic areas.
Sir, I am NOT a dumb man. I have been in the government for almost 20 years with three agencies (Justice, Treasury and DHS). I have managed programs of national scope – equipment, training and budget – before in my former life with Customs; many of my current friends in OI are administrators both locally and at HQ (yes, even minions like me can have friends in high places). And, I can tell you, based on my read of the current situation, and my past experiences that, mission issues aside, this is a freight train heading for a potential wreck if we do not get our budget, accounting practices and systems in order. The military may not be expandable, but we are.

4EVERCUSTOMS on September 15, 2007 at 10:12 am

4EVERCUSTOMS,
I have no doubt that you are intelligent and
well-intentioned. If something I said
led you to believe otherwise, please forgive me, as I certainly didn’t intend to offend you.
I can’t answer your questions on this site, as candidly as I would like, without divulging information that should not be made available to the public, i.e. law enforcement sensitive material.
I can say that I have not heard (and I have operational and administrative oversight over one of the oldest and most productive u/c op’s in the country) the things you allude to in your post.
Rather than get into that “grey area”, I’ll ask you to write me at my work email address, or call me through SECTOR and we’ll continue this conversation.
You have my word that your identity will remain confidential. Ask anyone that truly knows me, and you’ll find that I am a man of my word.
I really would like to discuss this further if you’ll reach out.
EVS/Kyle

EverVigilantSheepdog on September 15, 2007 at 10:37 am

EVS:
I’m sorry if you got the impression that you thought of me as an idiot; that was not my intent in my last post.
That said, I am no fool, either: I might trust you, but I don’t necessarily trust others in ICE; to out myself to you might serve to endanger me and my sources, and I won’t ever do that. By the way, you don’t think that Mark Felt (“Deep Throat” of Watergate) kept a job and his pension by openly chatting about his concerns with his superiors at the Bureau, do you?
The U/C ops in New York that I refer to here go by the initials “Y.C.” (you know what the initials stand for); the ASAC that oversaw that debacle was none other than Mona Forman, Marcy Forman’s sister. Based on what I know of the inquiries made into the alleged irregularities, criminal charges should have been filed against certain managers and agents for their actions; whether or not they will remains a question for others outside our chain of command. This is why we have the current HQ-driven mandate for consolidation for U/C ops, to eliminate the number of certified ops.
However, my fear is that, in an attempt to solve a problem, HQ is just digging itself a deeper hole by permitting groups that have no business having a U/C op or cases delving into U/C funds simply to cover budget shortfalls out of the general SAC budgets.
I cannot go further without divulging L/E sensitive info or my identity. Suffice to say, as I have said, I am well-connected to both my local senior managers and HQ staff (Unit Chiefs and higher); I KNOW that this is the thinking right now, I have expressed my concerns and have been requested to stand down. I am a good soldier, sir, and do as I am told; all I can do is offer my opinion and concerns once and, if rebuffed, remain forever silent. But, trust me, this is going to create a LOT of problems, and I hope I or others don’t have to answer to OPR, OIG or higher because of it.
Take care, and warm regards.

4EVERCUSTOMS on September 15, 2007 at 1:55 pm

4EVERCUSTOMS,
I’m barely familiar with the incident you refer to in NYC, and have no first hand knowledge of the facts, so I couldn’t discuss it, even if we would talk.
It is so difficult to address this topic without getting into the grey areas. I’ll try and phrase it this way. I have no knowledge of any U/C Op’s making expenditures that aren’t reasonable and necessary in furtherance of their investigations.
Now I’m not in OPR, or Covert Op’s, and haven’t audited all of them, but I know for damn certain the one I’m involved in isn’t, and I haven’t heard through the overly active grapevine that others are either. I could be wrong, and if I am, it’s a credit to someone being able to keep a secret, that they should keep.
I know of Op’s “back in the day” before we had rules governing what we spent money on and how we spent “proceeds”, that had off site ASAC offices, and other abuses, but I haven’t heard of any of this nonsense for years and years. The semi-annual audits by OPR and the audits by MID make this virtually impossible I would think.
I sign off on the monthly report, every month, and every penny is accounted for.
I’d like to think what you are hearing is rumor, and nothing more.
If you find someone who really knows me, ask them if I can be trusted, and once you’ve done that, give me a call. Hell, SECTOR will patch you through to me, without telling me who you are, if you’re really concerned about it.
I wouldn’t give it up, no matter who asked, and frankly, you haven’t said anything on this site that I’m aware of that would put you at risk anyway.
It’s OK to have a genuine opinion, and to disagree with the status quo. I do it all the time. It’s how you do it, not if you do it. Do it in a respectful/thoughtful manner (as you do), and nobody can take offense. If they do take offense, then they are wrong, not you.
I’m always telling my folks that I don’t have all the answers, and I damn sure know that the people inside the belt-way don’t either.
If you see a problem, and offer a workable solution, who can fault you? I want my people doing this, and I encourage them to bring me solutions all the time.
Now at the end of the day, I may not agree with their conclusion and/or solution, and choose another path to the end game, but a good leader will always listen to well intentioned input, when it’s available, and when you have time to do so, prior to making important decisions. It’s the sensible/responsible thing to do.
Have a great weekend and be safe friend,
EVS/Kyle

EverVigilantSheepdog on September 15, 2007 at 3:02 pm

You’re crazy if you tell that guy who you are.

steve ventry on September 15, 2007 at 6:56 pm

EVS / steve ventry:
Again, I will not reveal my identity here, or anywhere else, for that matter – too much to lose for all involved (mainly me and my sources).
Regarding all that I have posted in this string, I stand by my statements and sources – they are high ranking, “in the know” and have been checked and cross-checked multiple times.
I respect not revealing L/E sensitive information. Nonetheless, I stand by my concerns regarding the upcoming lapse in the Shared Services Agreements and its implications. In addition, the U/C op that I refer to was reported on by Ms. Schlussel some time back, HOWEVER, by the time she did so, I already knew about it, and had verified it with multiple souces 5 ways to Sunday.
I will also reveal tonight that, from my sources there, a Miami agent (initials R.L.) recently pled guilty to embezzlement for skimming U/C funds from a confidential source – he was both the U/C program manager AND the main operative. Sources close to the situation have deplored the lack of programmatic oversight that led to THIS debacle. If you think there are problems now with “Y.C.” and this operation in Miami (which was shut down, and all the cases being worked by the group dismissed by the AUSAs because the agent is now Giglio material), imagine the plethora of problems that are going to exist when everyone and their mothers have their hands in the pot.
I think time and circumstances will bear me out on this. EVS may disagree, and it is his perogative to do so, but I have a pretty good sense for these things, and I think there are a LOT of issues that will have to be addressed from a fiscal and administrative standpoint in FY 2008.
Regards …
BTW: In case anyone was interested, I am NOT a source for this website – I wouldn’t be stupid enough to have direct coms with Ms. Schlussel via e-mail or a phone number associated with me floating around. TYPEKEY is a great way to have a third party keep your ID private, which is just how I (and many others who post to this site) like it.

4EVERCUSTOMS on September 15, 2007 at 9:49 pm

These problems continue to make my point; ICE can’t do both the Customs function and the Immigration function. There is too much focus given to the immigration side at headquarters since it is the issue “du jour”. It is my great hope that some caring politicians will notice what’s being posted on this site and from other sources. The problem can be fixed but not by leaving ICE as it is. Despite what EVS spouts ICE is a mess and will continue to smell until it can be dismantled. I’m curious, was this Miami UC op a Customs or Immigration case? I would suspect it was a Customs Op which would explain why it didn’t have proper oversite.

longshanks on September 15, 2007 at 10:51 pm

“And it’s any wonder that people are leaving in droves; who wants to stick around for this debacle?” – 4EVERCUSTOMS
OK, 4EVER. You had me at hello, but I have to ask: Why are you staying? You’ve repeatedly questioned why people would stay at this “abortion of an agency” and indicated that agents are saying “C-YA” in mass quantities. I agree with that – I was one. Why are you still in OI? I’ve read where you couldn’t wait to leave – what’s holding you back? Is it your feeling that, since you’ve worked in Florida and New York and earned your degree at the City University of New York (at night) and have two beautiful children and a loving wife that you have too much invested in ICE, nee USCS? Why are you still here?
I’m a dumb, uneducated (OK, I have a bachelor’s degree but I don’t want to spoil the image), backwoods legacy INS agent. I left OI, but not the agency. I agree, OI has considerable problems and they are not relegated to the issues you have raised. But, seriously, as a former 1811, I’m embarrassed by the comments on this blog. As an ICE employee, I’m even more embarrassed. Look at all that we have laid bare for the people we are expected to be serving.
Kyle, what’s the point? Listen, we had brutal budgetary problems from 2003 until 2005. Guess what? They’re over – at least on our side of the house. 4EVER – in INS, cars were always a problem in the big offices. If they are now, it’s a surprise to many of the people I talk to. I’m not discounting what you say, but perhaps it’s a local issue.
Many have said it would take 5 to 10 years for ICE to “gel”. It’s been four and change and we’re not there yet. The open hostility toward legacy INS personnel is less open now but still raging below the surface. Leadership comments on this site would have you believe there is much respect for the immigration mission and legacy INS personnel. But guess what? Regardless of the protests of management, all SES positions in OI selected since 2004 (yes, three years +) have gone to legacy USCS personnel. Prior to that, there were two legacy INS personnel selected into the SES ranks within OI. One is left; so out of, let’s say, 20 SES positions in OI, 1 is from legacy INS? Well, no wonder there are problems managing immigration investigations.
And so this is life – we only have one shot at it, people. I left OI because I felt that my talents were not respected or valued solely because I chose to become, or through happenstance was lucky enough to become, an investigator with the INS. I’m sure if I had taken the TEA test first I would have thought myself lucky to become a USCS investigator and felt the same way many of you do.
In any event, my voice is a rarity here. 4EVER, I wish you well. I hope you find what you need out of life.
At some point, in all honesty, I hope we get to a point where we just stop beating each other up.
Yours,
The 1789er (Again, if you have no sense of humor, you may as well pull the plug!)

The1789er on September 16, 2007 at 5:36 am

longshanks / The 1789er …
While I sense that your comments are well-intentioned, I want to address some important points, for the record (all addressed to The 1789er, except Point 2):
1. You give the impression here that I am beating up on legacy INS employees re. this post. For the record, I swore that off a couple of posts ago, and promised to focus on ISSUES, which I have done here.
2. longshanks: The Miami op was a legacy Customs op; the New York op was a legacy INS op – no matter: poor oversight is poor oversight, period; no excuses. We legacy Customs are thoroughly embarrssed, simply because as a legacy Treasury agency, extra attention was always given the books because Treasury and its components were the guardians of the pursestrings. We are still scratching our heads over this one.
3. Regarding your comments about my wife and kids, they are exactly why I tolerate the B.S. I do – because I KNOW, by experience, what it’s like to be unemployed with a pregnant wife and no $$$ in the bank. My family depends on me for the steady income and benefits and future retirement that this job offers, and I owe it to them to stick it out. Frankly, if I could go to another government 1811 position, I would, but I’m too old for the FBI, DEA or ATF, and I’m not interested in going back to an academy for another 8-16 weeks to take a pay cut to reprove myself. Regarding IG jogs – nice jobs with nice perks, but they are few, far and inbetween, and usually reserved for people with connections.
4. Lastly, your allusion to your former 1811 status says its all – it must have been nice for the legacy INS folks to get the GS-13 grade in the 1811 series, then jump to DRO with AUO and FLSA pay, to boot (rumor has it that some 13s in DRO make way more than an OI supervisory 14; any wonder why there is hostility “below the surface”?). Sure there’s no problem with money at DRO, because ICE is, as Ken Cates stated in a previous post, designed to be the new Immigration, so DRO has and will continue to receive the lion’s share of money, equipment, etc. in this new agency called ICE.
This is not legacy bashing, sir, just some observations rooted in facts – if it look, walks, and quacks like a duck, it is, most likely a duck, and there is little you or anyone else can do to convince me otherwise.
Enjoy your stint in DRO. And, by the way, I failed to see the humor in your comments – must be that lingering “hostility below the surface”.
Regards …

4EVERCUSTOMS on September 16, 2007 at 8:38 pm

4evercustoms, I agree with your comments, I know a lot of guys that are in the same boat. They are early to mid 40s and there’s really no choice other than to ride things out and hope that some positive change comes around. I also agree that it doesn’t help for legacy INS and Customs people to bash each other. What has happened was not any of our doing. But the thinking that we should just learn to live with it doesn’t suit me. I think that if speak loud and often that the politicos may someday realize this will never work and fix the problem.

longshanks on September 16, 2007 at 9:32 pm

Guys/Gals,
There are legitimate concerns being discussed here this weekend, without any name calling, and/or legacy agency bashing. I feel like I’ve been logging onto the wrong blog all day!! How refreshing.
I have always believed that once you’ve “earned the right to bitch” by paying your dues for your employer, you should speak your mind, but do it in a respectful manner.
Some of the things we all complain about are out of the hands of our law enforcement leadership, and within the purview of our appointed leaders. We may not like it, and maybe it shouldn’t be that way, but it is what it is.
Those of us who came from Customs aren’t used to the extreme politics that accompany immigration investigations, and that is going to take some getting used to.
I doubt we’ll ever like it, anymore than our brothers from legacy INS did, but they learned to deal with it (not like it, but deal with it), and we must too, until the pendulum swings.
There is no doubt in my mind that most ICE agents would prefer working investigations (either side of the house) that directly relate to our national security and contributes to our nation’s war on terror. That is what Homeland Security means to me.
We are involved in this critical mission, but in this man’s opinion, not to the degree we could be or should be.
I don’t want to see anyone with talent and integrity leave ICE/OI, whether they came to DHS from Justice or Treasury.
I personally appeal to the few that have left us locally, attempting to convince them to stay, and ride it out. Sometimes I am successful, other times I’m not. It’s all I can do at my level. Some positive peer pressure/support in this area would be tremendously helpful, if you felt like you could do this in good conscience.
I hope ya’ll have a great week. Work safe.
EVS/Kyle

EverVigilantSheepdog on September 16, 2007 at 10:16 pm

“I personally appeal to the few that have left us locally, attempting to convince them to stay, and ride it out. Sometimes I am successful, other times I’m not. It’s all I can do at my level. Some positive peer pressure/support in this area would be tremendously helpful, if you felt like you could do this in good conscience.”- EVS
And how would you feel if the agent you talked into staying was killed in the line of duty? Back in June you said you would feel terrible therefore you would never ask anyone to stay. Barnette, you talk out of both sides of your mouth mouth, which is the book on you. You are also well known as a vindictive, vicious, vengeful manager who revels in intimidation. You have proven that beyond a reasonable doubt in this blog. You owe your position, which you abuse, to a couple of well placed cronies in high places.
As you are so eager to talk personally to posters on this site, you might want to check your messages and start returning those calls before you solicit more callers. You are a legend in your own mind and anybody who would trust you is either uninformed or delusional.

FingerEleven on September 17, 2007 at 12:04 am

Patrick (FingerEleven et al),
And then the slimey side of the DS blog raises it’s ugly head in the shape of Finger/NDN. I guess I knew the civililty couldn’t last.
Patrick reminds me of a spoiled little kid that can’t stand the fact that the grown-ups are having a conversation, and has to run in and interrupt the adults every now and then with some silly shit, so everyone knows there is a snotty-nosed child in the house. Does anyone else get this impression or is it just me?
If you had a lick of sense, or could just read and comprehend what you read, you would recall that I said I wouldn’t try to talk someone out of retiring when they were eligible, smart guy, not leaving before then. It’s on the record if you’d like to go back and check, and then you can come back and apologize for your mistake (fat chance).
You see, the truth never changes, and you don’t have to memorize what line you used before, so you don’t get tripped up later. Try the truth sometime Pat, you may find that it’s easier to work with.
Your stupidity is once more on display, for all to see. You spew these lies about me, when you’ve never met me, and you know you couldn’t produce a singe source or ICE employee that shares your view.
I owe my position to what? Let’s pull out our 612’s and compare our qualifications, and we’ll let the readers decide who’s qualified.
Your words tell me you are without credibility, and don’t like the fact that you’ve lost your anonynimity, having been publicly identified for what you really are.
The rest of ya’ll have a great day. This guy couldn’t have a great day if his life depended on it.
EVS/Kyle

EverVigilantSheepdog on September 17, 2007 at 8:13 am

Thanks Kyle. Your above post speaks volumes about your character as well as your management ability. I thank you for continuing to show the world who and what you really are. Believe me, you are getting the message out better than I could ever do by myself
Thank you for showing your true self and being the most visible example of a high level ICE official. All I ask is that you keep on doing what only you can do. I sincerely believe that the rank and file of ICE will collectively benefit from your demonstrations of poor good judgment and your obvious lack of self control.
I stand by my previous post and present your response to that post as the best evidence for my beliefs.

FingerEleven on September 17, 2007 at 10:15 am

EVS,
I’ve noticed on a couple of occasions that you’ve asked the finger to apologize for his mistakes, yet I’ve not seen you do this yet. I think most of the DS posters see your actions as being deserving of a big “I’m sorry”.

longshanks on September 17, 2007 at 11:01 am

longshanks,
I’m man enough to apologize for anything I’ve done wrong, or if I’ve inadvertantly offended someone. If you’d be so kind as to point out those errors, I’ll be glad to consider proffering an apology, as appropriate.
Finger doesn’t deal in truth or facts though, and I doubt there will be much apologizing in that area.
Thanks,
EVS/Kyle

EverVigilantSheepdog on September 17, 2007 at 1:11 pm

DSAC Barnette, as an ICE manager (GS/15) are you questioning the integrity and veracity of a current ICE Senior Special Agent? If that is the case, IMHO you may soon be living the words of Chris Isaak,
“People take their places, down at the Courthouse
People stand in line to see you fall
Everybody says they’re in your corner
Be surprised to find one friend at all.”
You may have crossed the Giglio/Henthorn point of no return and put an agent’s ability to earn a living in jeopardy. Of course this is not legal advice and should not be interpreted as such. It is however my observation of your lack of intelligence and managerial responsibility.
http://tinyurl.com/ytm89p
NdN
Esquire

NDN on September 17, 2007 at 2:25 pm

Hi from a former “Iceling”. When I left last year, I was in a relatively productive and happy AOR. I had scores of agents (including management) ask me to take them with me. It really opened my eyes, because I thought I was the only one looking around. If this is indicative of what other ICE SAC’s are facing, I sense an exodus. By the way, Mr. DSAC, in looking at the time of your posts and comparing to the time in N.O., it appears you spend most of your day posting and surfing this site. Maybe you don’t have enough to do, or, maybe you need frequent breaks from the onerous job of DSAC. Most real DSACs I knew didn’t have enough time to use the bathroom, yet, somehow, you find the time to BS this Blog. Sad waste of $150k a year. I’ll bet the average taxpayer would be offended. I sure as heck am.

NotICEnow on September 17, 2007 at 5:49 pm

EVS, I’m pretty sure that everyone knows what I’m talking about here, but just to make sure, it has to do with a link to a photo. I think most people would agree that it was a mistake, don’t you?

longshanks on September 17, 2007 at 5:58 pm

longshanks,
Many people may think the link to the photo you refer to was a mistake, but I don’t. Had the agent I identified been a real working agent, and certainly had he been working undercover or any possibility of ever doing so, it could have been construed as “over the line” to prove my point.
However, if you’ll check his own posts, he has advised everyone that he’s checked out sometime ago, and he’s the happiest guy in the office, doing nothing.
I know who he is (I won’t say it again or DS will kick/ban me again), where he reports (notice I didn’t say work), and I know what his group does.
It isn’t undercover work by any stretch of the imagination. His new pen name, NDN, would have us all believe he’s Serpico on a stick, but because I know better, I’m not buying it.
The photo link proved the association between his numerous aliases, and for that reason, was relevant. Otherwise he’d have just said “that’s not me”, and called me some more foul names. Instead he went into damage control mode. I had the goods, and I produced it for one and all to evaluate. Didn’t stay up long, but plenty saw it.
I have known the former SAC in Dallas (Ken C.) for many years, and on most topics he and I agree. This just doesn’t happen to be one we agree on. Remember, I didn’t pick this fight, but I’ll not run from one either, or turn my cheek, as some would advise. Ken knew this guy was doing what he was doing on here, and could have shut it down way before it got to the point where I identified his friend. He didn’t do it, for reasons known only to him.
Hope that clears it up for you sir. If there are others, please advise.
NotICEnow,
My time is well spent, doing ICE business, but as I’ve said many times, I can do “this” and “that” without missing a beat. Call someone in New Orleans that you know and ask about me before you get all “offended”. You might be enlightened.
EVS/Kyle

EverVigilantSheepdog on September 17, 2007 at 9:18 pm

What I think is irrelevant. You need to convince your boss and ICE OPR. What’s the case category for Blogging? Maybe someone ought to check your LEAP hours…

NotICEnow on September 17, 2007 at 9:45 pm

NotICEnow,
Your first sentence is absolutely correct.
If you’ve been following this blog, you would also know that I’m not the least concerned with convincing my SAC or OPR of anything, as it applies to this little hobby of mine, as I’ve not done a thing that violates policy.
When you worked for ICE, I’m guessing you worked your average ten-hour day, without a break, every day? Never stood by your buddies cubicle getting caught up on the gossip, or worked out more than your allotted three hours a week? What case category did you place those hours under? Oh that’s different, because you were an agent, not a DSAC, right?
OK, enough said.
NdN (finger),
Did you think that argument up all by yourself? LOL You need to do a bit more research on the topic.
I’m not at attorney either, but I could, if I were so inclined, shred your argument here for all to see. I won’t do that though, as most people that have a clue realize your ploy is without merit.
Goodnight boys and girls,
EVS/Kyle

EverVigilantSheepdog on September 17, 2007 at 10:14 pm

Any agent can be called upon at any time to work short term undercover, but that’s not the only reason not to want your photo out there. Some people including the finger may joke about not doing much or maybe he’s serious, but if he puts on the gun and the badge and shows up for work he’s taking the chance that something bad can happen. It doesn’t matter what group an agent’s in they can be called on at any time to risk their lives.
I don’t think most of us cared if you proved your point or not. It is my opinion that you went too far and that you made a mistake. But that’s what this blog is all about, opinions. I hope that clears it up for you.

longshanks on September 17, 2007 at 10:16 pm

longshanks,
I appreciate your comments, but respectfully disagree with the conclusion that you’ve arrived at. Let’s just say we’ll agree to disagree on this point.
Once again I’ll say that I didn’t take his picture and put it on the internet, but merely directed you to the location where HE had it posted. Big difference.
I worked undercover for years (granted it was before ALGORE invented the internet) and there is no way my photograph and true name would have been out in a public domain. He made that decision, not me. He then chose to pick a fight with me, and now he’s the poor victim? I’m not buying it, but you are welcome to do so if you’d like.
Have a good evening,
EVS/Kyle

EverVigilantSheepdog on September 17, 2007 at 10:32 pm

So which is it DSAC Barnette? One post you say Finger11 is the happiest agent in the office. The next he is the most miserable. You have repeated this pattern over and over. You continuously side step direct questions and go off on your moronic tangents. You started this fight when you came on DS and told the world that you were a high level ICE official. You then proceeded to throw your considerable weight around when someone disagreed with you. You told posters to quit ICE if they dared show you up (which is really easy to do by the way). Your ignorance and vindictiveness are boundless. You really don’t have a clue how you come off on this blog and how you are representing ICE management at the highest levels. You are abusing your power and authority. You continue to brag and gloat about your shameful acts of retribution and continue your unfounded character assassination of a subordinate. You have been given numerous chances to come to your senses but instead you continue to abusive and misuse your power and authority.
You are your own worst enemy and my new best friend. It seems that every Dawg DOES indeed have his day. Your total lack of self control and poor judgment (which was legendary in Customs) guarantees that your day is coming.

FingerEleven on September 18, 2007 at 3:38 am

Oh, let’s not forget he called me “queer” (a slanderous word for the gay/lesbian audience) and threatened violence on numerous people who disagreed with him. Shameful representative of upper management. Very unprofessional. Also, I believe the “relative morality” defense is pretty weak when challenged on how he spends his time. He gets paid much more than the average Agent and should be held to a higher standard as a DSAC.

q2thecore on September 18, 2007 at 2:22 pm

Patrick,
Your use of the screen-names DeeIced, finger11, FingerEleven, J. Leyn, Rasta P. Rulz, JaxBeachBum, and I believe NdN, to state your position on this site, could certainly be considered models of appropriate decorum and professionalism. I hope you recognize this as sarcasm.
All anyone needs to do is review my posts and those of yours Patrick, to see who’s shown restraint, and who is, in this man’s opinion, out of control. Hopefully you are more restrained outside of this virtual world.
I’m tired of wasting peoples time on this blog responding to your continuous nonsensical claims though, so I intend to put you in the “ignore column”, along with q2thecore, and a few others that never have anything to contribute, and only post in an attempt to get a rise out of those of us that are having what I believe to be rational, thought-provoking conversations, about something we care deeply about, namely making ICE a better agency.
You can rant on, but you’ll not provoke me.
I apologize to those readers who come on here only for their regular entertainment, to see these little back-and-forths, but I’m tired of talking to this guy. I hope ya’ll understand.
Those intelligent posters and readers on here will know that you aren’t actually having the last word Patrick, but rather simply talking to hear your head rattle. Perhaps you can argue with one of your many aliases? Just a thought.
EVS/Kyle

EverVigilantSheepdog on September 18, 2007 at 9:55 pm

Kyle,
I just logged into this Blog log and read your last comment about me. I do appreciate you trying to call me today and perhaps we will be able to connect tomorrow. I DO also take exception to your comments about me…first, I rarely read this blog or listen to anything about ICE as A: I am retired and long ago figured out that little can be done at even a Senior field level to positively improve this outfit, and B: I have another job and responsibiites after ICE which makes me focus on other far more important things currently….but….just to be clear…I didn’t know you and finger were going at it on this blog, if I had known, I don’t control finger’s personal opinions, private actions or editorial views..not now not ever. So saying that I could have somehow affected what was posted is just wrong. I am entitled to my opinion of ICE just like you are, just like Finger is, just like everyone on this site is…but NEVER would I or should anyone, particularly a manager of your experiance do anything that would positively identify an 1811, provide a link to him and his identity on the web…its just wrong, a mistake, a bad decision…period. That’s all I ever said about the exchange between you two…everything else is freedom of speech and thought…that’s what these sites are for!. I suspect you let your emotions get the best of you when you outted the real identity (not just name..but photo too!!!) of this 1811. And I will say again, that despite your opinion of him, or perhaps what is reported to you by others…had you checked..you would have found that Finger was a highly productive, very successful and capable Criminal Investigator. He worked and perfected many, many complex criminal cases, had prior threats made against him and his family and still is assigned to work in the same AOR that all this took place in. I can’t address why he is posted in ICAT (a valuable organization in my opinion-that’s why I started it in Dallas!, but if management can’t figure out the best way to get the best out of an agent with this experiance level or any other such agent…Customs, INS, Whatever…that is a management failing.
Ok..I really am tired of this personal bashing stuff. Kyle, You and I have been friends for years and I plan on keeping it that way. I think you were over the line on the photo ID…the rest of this stuff is all rhetoric and banter for entertainment. I am about to leave for several months of overseas duty and I hope that when I return…all is well with you, with finger, with ICE (well…I doubt that last one!!!).
“Can’t we all just get along????” – Rodney King
“I only use my gun…..when kindness fails!!!” – Robert Earl Keene

Ken1811 on September 19, 2007 at 12:23 am

Ken,
I think that EVS is so self-obsessed, that even your voice of reason is lost on him. Besides, what has been done is done and is a matter of record. It is better to sit in silence and have them think you a fool than to open your mouth and prove them right. Keep posting EVS. Entertainment is in the eye of the beholder.

NotICEnow on September 19, 2007 at 9:55 am

Ken – Because we can, you and I will talk
off-line, so as to not further entertain those who come here for that purpose, or bore those who come here for substantive discourse.
NotICEnow,
You don’t have a clue. Good day.
EVS

EverVigilantSheepdog on September 22, 2007 at 8:52 am

I really do not need a clue. You have given enough “clues”, for the audience here who matters. Your statements speak for themselves.

NotICEnow on September 23, 2007 at 12:10 pm