Homeland Security Czar Has Bad Track Record For Choosing New Technologies

Is it a bad sign that Michael Chertoff, secretary of Homeland Security, chose Beta over VHS way back when? He thinks not and even uses that mistake to explain why it's taken so long for some cities to upgrade their communications equipment. "The investment in communications equipment is a very, very costly and different investment," he says. "It's similar to something that we face in our own lives," he adds. "I remember 20 years ago, maybe 25 years ago, they came out with videocassette recorders, and you had to make a choice between Beta and VHS. I'm one of those people who made the mistake of getting Beta." Which meant, of course, that he had to switch to VHS.

By Paul Bedard