FBI, Heal Thyself

WASHINGTON — Three or four FBI laptop computers are lost or stolen each month and the agency is unable to say in many instances whether information on the machines is sensitive or classified, the Justice Department's inspector general said Monday. Despite new tracking systems designed to help the FBI account for thousands of weapons and personal computers, the bureau reported that 160 firearms and an equal number of laptops were lost or stolen during a recent 44-month period, according to a new Justice Department audit. Of the computers that were lost from February 2002 to September 2005, at least 10 contained sensitive or classified information, according to the review by the Justice Department's inspector general. One of those computers, the review said, included telephone numbers and addresses of bureau employees, as well as software used to make bureau ID badges.

• JJ Commentary: So, this is the organization that is supposed to protect us?