If Cloud, E2.0, SOA and social computing are so great, why is DHS investing millions and millions in a centralized, consolidated portal? Hmmm…

We swear we are not making this up.

Here was one important explanation for dopey taxpayers and ignorant non-govt IT people from a DHS apparatchik :

"This was a serious bureaucratic exercise, perhaps not fully appreciated outside Washington," Heyman said.

Or, maybe this is the important reason...

"...the need for technology to improve information sharing, noting plans to consolidate department-wide intelligence data into a single computer application..."

Boy, that sure sounds great to me!

Her are more benefits.

"...create an information sharing architecture to consolidate and streamline access..."

Woo-hoo! Let's get started, sounds great!

Don't forget...

"...this will transform the way the department is run, organized and performs."

Man-oh-man, this is going to be GREAT!

Promise. This is NOT made-up. See:

http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20100716_2491.php?oref=rss?zone=NGtoday

Fast forward. It’s 2019. Alpha release of the central, uniform, consolidated DHS Intelligence Portal Application. First photo of system testing --

Okay, okay, we made up that last bit. But really, a portal? A consolidated, ‘single computer application?’ C’mon, it is 2010. This approach has been proven to fail outright for two decades with billions and billions wasted. Why repeat the portal fiascos of the past?