Should we be concerned?

Question

I got my letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs today about the theft of personal information, possibly mine, from a laptop. Should we all, as Americans, be concerned about the governments lax handling of our personal information? Why was a laptop with names and SS# of millions of current and former military employees allowed to be "taken home"? Does this show the "concern for security" that the government likes to talk about?

freetyme813: Do you understand what "veteran" means?
The letter begins:
Dear Veteran:
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has recently learned that an employee took home electronic data from the VA, which he was not authorized to do and was in violation of established policies. The employee's home was burglarized and the data was stolen. The data contained identifying information including names, social security numbers, and dates of birth for up to 26.5 million veterans and some spouses, as well as some disability ratings.

Would you like me to fax my letter to you?

Better yet. Want to see it?
http://stolworthy.us/letter.html

I have my DD214. Want a copy of that, too?

Why should I need to prove myself to people like you. It's not like anything a lib like myself says actually gets heard over Fox news blaring in the background.

I didn't give Gore or Kerry a free pass either. I voted against both of them, but not for Bush. It's called "thinking outside the box." You should try it sometime.

Insult withdrawn. Semper Fi.

Answer 1

I'm so sorry this happened to you. In all honesty, the government doesn't care. They put up a paltry reward of $50K for the return. Whomever buys this information, sadly YOUR information, will pay much much more than $50K.

If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention.

Answer 2

Funny, none of the 50 vets I know have heard a word.

Hey, I didn't realize you were a vet. Besides, I thought it was active military.

Oh, sorry, I know how you libs like to pose like you served in the military. Hope I didn't spoil your pretend games.

John - do you know what government means? It seems to me you should be wondering about the individual who took the information without authorization than THE BIG BAD GOVERNMENT. I am to assume you had no problem with gore taking illegal campaign contributions in exchange for our most prized missle secrets. He's a lib, so he gets a pass right?

Forget faxing me the letter.

That won't prove you're a vet. What was that MOS and what did the military ask you to do with your 214 on discharge. This catches all the posers.

Nope, that's fine John. I just find so many posers here I like to flush tehm out.

GO AIR FORCE!!!

Answer 3

Bro thanks for your service first of all. To answer your question, yes you need to be concerned. It is not just the government but private industry that treats our personal information like a business card in the back pocket.

Answer 4

Yes, what will you do? Nothing is sacred anymore. The amount of information we are made to give out should be handled with care. If not, what is our recourse?

Answer 5

The information on this laptop was not allowed to be taken home. It was taken home without permission.

Answer 6

Its only amatter of time until this govt kills everything and everbody in it.Life is a bad science fiction novel.

The Govt doesnt care. Scary but true.

Answer 7

Watch "Enemy of the State".... Starring Willis Smith. You will get the answer.

Answer 8

Some illegal will probably sell it. Change your SS# before it's too late.