Homeland Security Watch

Comment by William R. Cumming

July 30, 2009 @ 1:53 pm

Some reports that she stressed “Info Sharing” as major new effort. Well read the speech and missed her chance to put her stamp on overall approach in my opinion. Hey she was never a brilliant trial lawyer but she does like the press coverage of being Secretary. Again, let’s see how this looks a year in but my guess is that possibly show horse and not work horse. Could be wrong as always.

Comment by William R. Cumming

August 1, 2009 @ 7:52 am

Info sharing was a key 9/11 Commission recommendation. An annual report was issued by the ino-sharing Czar Thomas McNamara(he denies that and says he was always a petitioner to other departments and agencies)on his way out the door by resignation.

Okay so let’s summarize again why DHS was created? First to improve the collection, analysis, and distribution of domestic intel even while preserving fully civil liberties and privacy!
Second, protection of Critical Infrastructure!
Third, development of comprehensive cyber security for US!
Policing of the borders of the US was not a primary reason for formation of the Department. Transportation Security was not a primary reason for forming the Department. Emergency Communications was not a primary reason for forming the Department. Applied scientific and engineering research was not a primary reason for forming the Department. Disaster mitigation, response and recovery was not a primary reason for forming the department. Resilience promotion in all governmental and private sectors was not a primary reason for forming the Department. Do I need to go on?
At least 30% of the Departments day to day programs, functions, and activities have nothing (NADA)to do with protecting the US from terrorism. Was it all just a big mistake. We are almost at the nine year mark after 9/11 so time for full fledged analysis and review.
I would keep DHS and add DEA to it. But spin off some major units including TSA returning to DOT. It does appear now that before the first term or final term of the OBAMA Administration is over, DHS will no longer have much of a role in INTEL, CIP, or CyberSecurity or INFOR Sharing. Hey am I selling DHS short, don’t think so because to do these sectors justice would create the kind of management and policy turmoil that DHS has proved incapable of handling. Even with the possibility of a sixth appropriation dedicated to DHS passing again this year and being enacted, still almost no prioritization within DHS,and still lacking in contract management and policy development. Hey probably because of the three lawyers who have headed DHS. (Diclosure I was one for 34 years for Uncle Sugar.)