Can someone tell me what this is?

[Mari333]

http://www.aws.com/aws_2001/homeland/index.html

[Dookus]

1. it appears to be...

a URL ;)

[GregD]

2. weatherbug is tied in too

When I saw your link, I remembered this one:
http://www.weatherbug.com/aws/index.asp

Lot's of little contracts running around - can't imagine what that beast must be costing us...

[newyawker99]

5. Hi GregD!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[bushclipper]

7. weatherbug? That little piece of spyware?

...hmmmm.

[inthecorneroverhere]

3. weather prediction in situations

It's a weather prediction thing. Let's say some creep releases petunia blight as an attack on the esthetics of American suburban lawn edging. Well, petunia blight can get carried on the wind and it flourishes in humid, rainy conditions.

HS might want to know which direction the wind will blow the blight, and thus recommend to extension services whose petunias need a quick application of beneficial bacteria (organic) or Ridomil (chemical that kills petunia-eating mildew).

I made a silly example on purpose, to avoid Terminator-style gore and violence in the plot. :D

[TreasonousBastard]

4. Fascinating...

an entire new bureaucracy, and a new company undoubtedly set up by a Friend of George's, to tell what the weather is.

I thought emergency response teams were already aware of calling up some weather people to find out about these things. Perhaps I was wrong, and the security of the nation depends on some new program.

As an aside, NYC has for years had direct connections to three, count 'em-- THREE, commercial weather services for predictions on snow in order to decide whether or not to pay the overtime bringing the trucks out to be ready. I believe they also look at atmospheric conditions to predict air quality, smog, heavy rains causing flooding, high winds, heat waves, etc. So, now they have another one, eh? And this one is better?

I don't have Weather Bug on my computer, largely because of the prominant homeland security logo. Weather Pulse does the same thing without hassles or calling home to Daddy. So does the Weather Channel. So do the weather reports every 10 minutes on the radio.

Usually, I just look out the window.

[neebob]

6. Misuse of public funds?

I'd be surprised if there wasn't plenty of capability in the government to do this job, but that would involve agencies working together and making proper use of their funding. Why bother when there are so many companies clamoring to do business with the government, who will jump through all the hoops and move heaven and earth to deliver what that other giant conglomo agency that can't work with itself has ordered.