Dum-Dum Memo From Social Security: Why 174,000 Rounds of Hollow-Point Ammo?
Recently, I ran a story about Social Security. It has placed an order for 174,000 rounds of hollow-point (dum-dum) ammunition.
A lot of other sites posted this story. So, the Social Security Administration had its PR department (Office of External Relations) issue a memo. There is a perfectly good reason for this order. You see, there is fraud connected with Social Security. Lots and lots of fraud. So, its agents need to carry .357 magnum pistols.
There are 295 of these agents nationally, the memo says. There is no mention of 174,000 rounds. Why not? Because digital calculators are everywhere. Someone might divide 174,000 by 295. That is 580 rounds per agent.
There must be a whole lot of fraud to police. Are these agents in shootouts often?
Are Bonnie and Clyde are on disability? Or are they just on Old Age Survivors Insurance?
The SSA wants transparency.
If you think about it, the Social Security Administration’s programs touch almost all of us at some point in our lives. That’s why we have opened several social media channels to the public, as we strive to be a transparent and accountable government organization for all of our stakeholders.
“Transparency” is the mantra of every secrecy-bound bureaucracy in the federal government. The Federal Reserve wants transparency. Bernanke says so. He just does not want an audit by the Government Accountability Office.
With those goals in mind, we thought it would be appropriate to address recent media reports regarding the organization’s purchase of ammunition for our special agents’ duty weapons. We should first state that the OIG follows all Federal procurement rules when arranging these purchases.
Translation: “We got our hand caught in the cookie jar this time. That’s why the SSA has a PR department.”
Our investigators are similar to your State or local police officers. They use traditional investigative techniques, and they are armed when on official duty.Media reports expressed concerns over the type of ammunition ordered. In fact, this type of ammunition is standard issue for many law enforcement agencies. OIG’s special agents use this ammunition during their mandatory quarterly firearms qualifications and other training sessions, to ensure agent and public safety. Additionally, the ammunition our agents use is the same type used at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
Our special agents need to be armed and trained appropriately. They not only investigate allegations of Social Security fraud, but they also are called to respond to threats against Social Security offices, employees, and customers.
It’s not just “going postal” these days. It’s “going social.” I mentioned this in my original report on the purchase. Now the SSA admits it.
Social Security has a problem with flamers. I sympathize.
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There are millions of jackasses out there, ready to post. I have the same problem.
In short, don’t mess with SS.
Continue reading on oig.ssa.gov. [In case this page disappears, an image is here.]
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Published on August 21, 2012. The original is here.