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Homeland Security Watch » DHS (Again) Calls to Consolidate Congressional Committees
Ever since DHS stood up there has been a battle underway to resist the temptation to fund every countermeasure and combat every conceivable threat. By in large that battle is being lost. However, a piece in yesterday’s New York Times by the deputy assistant secretary [...]
Counterterrorism Blog: The Strategic Vulnerabilities of Oil Dependence
In late May, I produced a policy briefing at FDD’s web site analyzing the high cost of our dependence on oil — including the significant disadvantage it poses in the global war on terror, the economic consequences of oil dependence, and the connection between high oil prices and [...]
The truth is out: Congress’ attempt at “energy security” in fact helped cause a global food crisis. According to a confidential World Bank study, as reported by The Guardian, biofuels are the primary cause of the global food crisis, forcing up world food prices by 75%. This is a shocking difference from the usual 3% impact the US government has been reporting. In America, the production of these biofuels was legislated by Congress, through subsidies and mandates requiring their production.
Recent legislation in Denver has outlawed the materials necessary to obstruct passage and access, such as chains, handcuffs, etc, and ‘noxious materials’, such as fecal matter. One would have thought the latter was already covered by statute, but perhaps not. The Denver City Council stated that having learned the lessons of Seattle, they are determined to equip the police with the ability to ensure good public order.
Security DeBrief contributor Randy Beardsworth provided his insight on the current debates among policy experts and politicians about the upcoming DHS transition in an interview with Federal News Radio, following up to his blog posting on the subject earlier in the week.
On July 15th, DHS’ Under Secretary for Intelligence & Analysis, Charlie Allen posted on the Department’s Leadership Journal blog about the National Applications Office (NAO). Entitled ‘Why the Country Needs the National Applications Office,’ the posting responds to criticisms that I and many others have offered about the NAO.
The news that Vice President Dick Cheney has been hard at work censoring congressional testimony broke the same day the Administration announced it was lifting the Executive Order banning offshore drilling, making it a red-letter day for polluters everywhere! That said, the sooner people recognize that ‘the environment’ is a security issue, the better.
Leadership Journal: Clear Benefit
As reported in today’s Washington Post, two recent Congressional reports claim that our Department lacks a comprehensive strategy to protect the American people from the threat of nuclear and radiological weapons and materials, and that our efforts to guard against biological threats are poorly coordinated and have “unclear benefit.”
While we welcome Congressional [...]
There is a broad debate taking place among think tanks, journalists, and policymakers about the future of DHS and the next administration’s approach to homeland security. I have seen and heard some thoughtful, informed discussions about the best ideas for homeland security. I am also hearing some ill-informed and downright silly comments from people who should know better.
The irony is a little too delicious to pass up. The House Homeland Security Committee is holding hearings this month on how well the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission are being implemented by the Department of Homeland Security. Guess what won’t be on the agenda? Congress’s own failure to act.
TSA: Myth Buster: TSA’s Watch List is More Than One Million People Strong
In response to an ACLU news conference alleging that the TSA maintains a Watchlist of over a million names, TSA publishes a blog post disputing ACLU’s claims:
“First, TSA doesn’t have a watch list. TSA is a customer of the Terrorist Screening Center, a [...]
Leadership Journal: Why the Country Needs the National Applications Office
It is unfortunate that recent articles and blog postings have chosen to spend so much time complaining about the past instead of the critical and substantive benefits the National Applications Office (NAO) will provide the American people in the future.
The NAO will act as a clearinghouse [...]
Senator Joe Lieberman, chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, has called for banning al Qaeda from the Internet. Or at least from YouTube. (Isn’t that the same thing?) It’s an endearing, “bless his heart” kind of moment. We all support the senator’s noble effort to fight al Qaeda … even as most of us are amazed at his lack of understanding of how the Internet works. Perhaps he should call Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and ask him how China’s efforts to ban the Internet have worked out.
Canada and Japan Agree to Joint Container Security Program
On June 17, 2008, the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, today announced that Canada and Japan will be placing border officers at key strategic locations in each other’s country by the end of 2008. This initiative is aimed at increasing marine security while ensuring [...]
Employment Verification Debate Pushed Off to Next Year | workforce.com
With the law establishing a government-run electronic system set to expire in November, Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-California and chairwoman of the House Judiciary subcommittee on immigration, says there is too little time left on the legislative calendar to decide whether to expand, overhaul or end the [...]
Beirut Comes to Washington - HUMAN EVENTS
Today, Pennsylvania Avenue is a maze of bollards, vehicle barriers, high fences and heavy gates. Without the appropriate pass it is practically impossible to get a vehicle anywhere near the White House — or any other federal building. In the parlance of security specialists, this is called “offset protection.” [...]
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