Five Things About Homeland Security That Nobody Is Discussing: #5
Posted September 21st, 2009 at 3:56pm in Protect America 
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#5: Interagency Cooperation, The Missing Piece of the Puzzle
Eight years after the September 11 attacks, Congress has enacted legislation in order to keep America safe. They created the Department of Homeland Security not just to integrate the activities of over two dozen agencies and programs, but also to lead a national effort of federal, state, and local government as well as nongovernmental organizations and the private sector.
Yet building a core of homeland security professionals— an important homeland security task has been left unaddressed.
Heritage expert Jim Carafano explains:
Homeland security is a new core competence of government. The professionals that lead the effort must have three essential skills:
- Familiarity with a number of diverse security-related disciplines (such as health care, law enforcement, immigration, and trade) and practice in interagency operations, working with different government agencies, the private sector, and international partners;
- Competence in crisis action and long-term strategic planning; and
- A sound understanding of federalism, the free-market economy, constitutional rights, and international relations.
Today, however, few individuals in government have all of the skills needed to lead the homeland security enterprise.
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R-Ga) also recognizes this problem. In his closing address to The Heritage Foundation’s Protect America Month, he said, “It is hard business to learn how to defend a nation. If we don’t invest in that among our [government] officials, they will not be able to make sophisticated decisions; and if they don’t [make sophisticated decisions], we will pay for it.”
“Five Things About Homeland Security That Nobody Is Discussing” is a series of posts discussing aspects of protecting the homeland. For a comprehensive look at the big picture in homeland security, enroll today in The Heritage Foundation’s Homeland Security University. Click here for details.
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14 Responses to “Five Things About Homeland Security That Nobody Is Discussing: #5”
Whicket Williams Kingsbury, Tx on September 21st, 2009 at 3:56pm said:
They get a really huge chunk of money. Wonder where it goes?
JAB on September 21st, 2009 at 3:56pm said:
What do you mean, Protect America, with a Department ot Homeland Security? The present administration is dismantling, any protection we now have, and Sen. Carl Levin is about to start an inquisition into the effectiveness of that protection. God Bless President Bush for keeping us safe, until this time. In the age of “Big Brother” our government in Washington is ensuring that we will be no longer be secure, in order to diss the Bush Administration. Disgusting!
Lloyd Scallan – New Orleans on September 21st, 2009 at 3:56pm said:
I hope we haven’t forgotten that before 9/11, one of Clinton’s lackeys installed “walls” between government agencies, thus facilitating the attacks by not allowing information exchange that might have prevented the deaths of almost 3,000 people. Does anyone really think Obama will do
anything to help The department of Homeland Security?
Dennis A. Social Circle Ga. on September 21st, 2009 at 3:56pm said:
The dems and obama are intent on destroying this country, not protect it. Look at the way they want to jump on the CIA, look how they are wanting to push international law, do away with the Constitution, or make the constitution read the way they want it to. Look at the recent Supreme Court nomination. This country is on a down hill slide and will fall if the dems keep going. WE MUST GET OUT AND VOTE IN 2010.
MaryAnn, USA on September 21st, 2009 at 3:56pm said:
President Obama has no interest in protecting America. If he did, he would stop Holder’s investigation of our CIA, he would send the troops our military commanders in Afganistan are asking for, he would continue with our missile defense program, and he would stop his assault on our economy. Obama promised to “fundamentally transform” America, and he’s doing it. He does not care what American citizens want or what they are saying. He “won”, and he’s destroying our country.
Jeanne Stotler, woodbridge, Va on September 21st, 2009 at 3:56pm said:
Those that forget the past are doomed to repeat it, We let our defenses down after WWI, ignored warnings about Japan and we got Pearl HArbor, we again became complacent after Korea and Veit NAm and we got 9/11, now we are letting things slide, Look to Fox news and see what is happening in N.Y. and Colo. today. another diaster was deverted let us not forget. Remember the Alamo was a cry for many years, than Remember Pearl Harbor, let us all “Remember 9/11″ and Not forget what can happen if we let our guard down, tell your congressmen that WE DON’T WANT ANOTHER 9/11
Ross writes from Bradenton, Florida on September 21st, 2009 at 3:56pm said:
Like a dangerous street/road intersection, not until too many people die and the citizens rise in anger will anything be done. Regretfully, this too must happen before appropriate action will be taken. Over 3,000 innocent people died on 9/11/01!
Sadly, the question is; How many more innocent American citizens will have to die within our borders before this happens?
beverly hilton on September 21st, 2009 at 3:56pm said:
Still scratching my head over why so many Americans voted for this guy….it’s called THINKING, Americans….we’re too busy FEELING! makes me mad that fellow Americans put us into this situation..
B. R. Denton Easton, MD on September 21st, 2009 at 3:56pm said:
Remember 911 is the rallying cry we need to use to keep our Country alert. The recent arrests in CO and NY should be chilling reminders of what we need to do to keep safe. Obama is ruining our Country with apologies and appeasement. Today we hear again about climate change which is a big Con on the part of Al Gore and Nobama. There is no substantive science behind this Con. We have to stop this after we handle health reform.
Bob on September 21st, 2009 at 3:56pm said:
Liberty and Freedom are not free.We must remaim vigilant.Vote in 2010 and 2012.GOD BLESS AMERICA
Paul Terry Stone on September 21st, 2009 at 3:56pm said:
According to Human Events, Homeland Security’s goal is a 30% success rate thereby allowing 70% of potential terrorist and illegal aliens to get through ports and borders. That’s not not much of a goal and they get away with it.
Daryl Martinez, Fort Gibson on September 21st, 2009 at 3:56pm said:
I did not vote for this administration..I actively rallied against it. The dems and this president are bent on the ruin of this country and still blame the Bush administration…even for the crap they are doing. Open borders, lax civil protection, deflecting responsibility. This country is becoming a topic of jokes amongst the world community and this leader apologizes!!?? A vote for American safety and effective leadership is a vote against the democrats.
Tim, Florida on September 21st, 2009 at 3:56pm said:
This is not surprising that the ‘bamster is pulling this one on us, it’s part of his underlying Alinsky training and the Cloward-Piven strategy. It all fits into his marxist agenda…overload every government bureaucracy with impossible demands while at the same time giving no support, thus the downfall of the society.
Actually, I believe someone else is pulling the strings…the ‘bamster’s just a puppet.
GARY,OHIO on September 21st, 2009 at 3:56pm said:
WE ARE @ THE CROSS ROADS OF OUR COUNTRYS FUTURE,SO MANY ISSUES ARE ON ALL OF OUR PLATE,WE WILL HAVE TO TAKE THEM AS THEY COME,I`M BEING AS INFORMED AS I CAN BE–STAY THE COURSE!! THE CHANGES THAT HAVE COME WERE NOT WHAT WE EXPECTED!!