...laid the groundwork for an overhaul of the embattled agency.
Why do I get the feeling that, if our current DC powers were to "overhaul" the ATF, the bureau would still come out the other end with a much larger budget to boot? Sure, they might get a straight and narrow, hard line, new set of rules to follow, but hey, they'll need to double their budget in order to implement this new policy, right?
I can't imagine that their budget will be cut and/or their regulative authority restricted. No, that's unimaginable IMO.
I'd like to hear what the most we can practically hope for here is, but all I can imagine is that a few individuals will be removed from the bureau. And that's it. Maybe, just maybe they will be given a small set of new rules to follow. Something like,
"don't do this again", or
"next time, these operations need to be run through Grassley's committee" or
"the Office of Homeland Security has to okay all future ATF operations".
Sort of like "federalizing" airport security; yeah, what an improvement that was.
Again though, all government agencies who claim to be as underfunded,
always need their budget overhauled (doubled) if DC really expects them to be able to follow any new rules. :banghead:
Call me cynical.