Letter to the editor

Following is a response to an FCW.com poll question that asked: "Should managers joining the proposed Homeland Security Department have to reapply for their jobs?"

It has been proven that you can't train old dogs to do new tricks. Many senior executives have let technology pass them by. Many underlings have the technical expertise to step in and assume a command position with little or no training.

This is especially important when merging many facets of the government into a new identity. For example, how much information was lost between agencies because the "good old boys" didn't want the information on hand to be released to another agency?

Dave Edmiston Retired Air Force (In civil service for 44 years)