Re:About time (Score 1)

Hold on, just allow me a moment for Marvel 2099 scenarios to clear....okay..done

(I thought your Tolkien reference needed some balance)

I would have to agree with an agency with the powers and authority of a government agency, we could call them the FBI. While that may sound a bit "snarky" it comes from a life-time (so far) of being in government service.

The problem is that going down that path may very well invoke a long habit of delegating authority (ie - delegating work). This will mean going to profit driven companies because they

1) are already in the middle

2) MUST know all about the "tubes"

3) have a vested interest in it all going well

4) already have the manpower and infrastructure in place to deal with it.

Now Walrus, I realize that you weren't suggesting this, I'm just saying that, in this country, there is a danger of it happening.

On the other hand, if an arrangement like this involved 100% exposure to the public AND had a business model that only brought income from this (in other words, NO commercial activity) this might work.

How about shooting for an entity like the US Post Office (and avoiding a situation like DHL handling being the nations postal carrier....or UPS...or FedEx...). While the USPS does collect fee's, makes a profit, etc....

1) government agency with a defined responsibility

2) have a great deal of authority within their own bailiwick

3) are 100% open to the public