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Author
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Topic: A question about our new Cabinet Position
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Morat
Self-Made User
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posted September 24, 2001 10:35 PM
  
Is it just me, or does "Department of Homeland Defense" sound a little too close to comfort to the whole Fatherland/Motherland secret police sort of thing? Department of Domestic Defense sounds better. I'm kind of curious, however, as to it's actual role. Given the FBI, a revamped Civil Defense force,the military, CIA, NSA, and the rats nests of Federal, State and local police agencies all over the place, are we talking a coordinating post? A department designed to gather information from a variety of sources and to utilize pre-existing (and possibly augmented) forces? Or are we talking a whole new FBI/CIA/NSA level organization? Will they supercede the FBI? FEMA? I mean, in all honesty, how do these guys fit in? The only thing that makes sense to me is as a analytic department designed to collate information from pre-existing agencies and information on a specific topic (terrorism and other subtle forms of assualt). I can see some of their money being farmed out to the CIA or the NSA to develop specific resources in places specified, but I don't see the outlay necessary to form an entirely new organization. Still, the name gives me the creeps.
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Lisa! In this house we obey the Laws of Thermodynamics! --Homer Simpson IP: Logged |
Cropherb
Self-Made User
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posted September 25, 2001 10:05 AM
First, a nitpicky terminology clarification: the cabinet-level post to which Governor Ridge will be nominated (future tense - I've not seen any indication that his nomination has been officially presented to the Senate) is to be termed the "Office of Homeland Security". So, judging from the name, the purpose of the office is to shape policy promoting the general security and safety of citizens within US borders, a mission which may include a defense component, but will also probably involve law enforcement, investigative efforts, and even fiscal and foreign policy. Also, note that it is designed as an "Office" rather than a department or agency; Ridge is to act as a sort of "Security Czar" (with, presumably, some sort of support staff), primarily responsible for coordinating the efforts of existing agencies, insofar as their activities impact on strategies for improving security against terrorist or "rogue state" threats.In a press briefing last Friday, White House Spokesman Ari Fleischer was somewhat short on specifics about the proposed new office, but seemed to characterize it as primarily a coordinating role, with the actual footwork to be carried out by existing agencies, acting within their customary areas of concern. I agree with Morat that the term "homeland" has some unfortunate associations - the only explanation I can offer is that "domestic" has particular technical meaning in policy cirles, that might inhibit the ability of the new Office to work effectively with e.g. the CIA. The phrase "Homeland Security" appears to have entered the present discourse via the Hart-Rudman Commission reports on National Security. [This message has been edited by Cropherb (edited September 25, 2001).] IP: Logged |
Morat
Self-Made User
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posted September 25, 2001 11:22 AM
Wasn't the formation of this position a recommendation of several panels over the last few decades? And I hope our Security Czar has more luck than the Drug Czar. I'm terrified that they same stupid mistakes will be made...(willful and blind denial of reality). I do like Ridge though. I still wish he'd make the VP slot instead of Cheney. He might have moderated some of the Bush policies I dislike. But with his pro-choice views (for a Catholic, at least..) he was a lightning rod Bush didn't want to hold.
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Lisa! In this house we obey the Laws of Thermodynamics! --Homer Simpson IP: Logged | |
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