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Department Of Homeland Security

The Department of Homeland Security is not always taken seriously, or seen as any kind of "Important" Arm of the government. Even by the Administration.

https://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?arti...33557&dcn=e_hsw

The appointment is being touted as just another example of crony-ism in the White House, I.e. It's not what you know, but who you know.

Security Homeland Department

The problem is that the Department of Homeland Security is not taking over any homeland security issues. The majority of the USA's security still relies on the CIA and FBI, with HS being used, and in many cases actually being, just an informant to them, or even just a front for the activities of other agencies that do really protect us. For that reason, they are not taken seriously by the public or even the government. They were created as a front so that the government looked like it was doing something different to protect us other than creating freedom stealing laws.

Department Of Homeland Security History & Civil Business Politics

Konquererz, no disrespect intended, but that is a very strong statement, which I disagree with. DHS was created with 3 primary missions in mind:
1) Protecting the US' borders
2) Ensuring the US is less vulnerable to terrorist attacks
3) Assisting in times of natural disasters

The DHS is basically the US people working locally to protect themselves, instead of this assistance having to come from a federal level. Each state has its own DHS charter, and it employs local citizens of that State who are familiar with that area. While the DHS has come under heavy scrutiny and attacks recently, we must also realize that it is a fairly new organization, and it will go through its growing pains.

Let's not also forget all the jobs that DHS has created in a US economy that was looking at rising unemployment numbers over the next 10 years.

As for the appointment of Hoelscher, I think the author of the article that was quoted is a tad bit biased. Hoelscher was more than a mere secretary in the White House, and became very familiar with the administration and its dealings with various committees and commissions. He has served since 2001, when DHS was basically created, and so has been on board, so to speak, since day 1. My belief is that before we judge someone based on their experience or qualifications, we should study how their first 6-12 months on the job pans out, and then make an educated assessment. My guess is that regardless of who the administration had picked as the DHS Executive Director, Mr. Harris would have found something inherently wrong with them. Just my 2 cents.

Security Homeland Department

Malexander,

Your statements are completely valid and do give credence to the value of Homeland Security. However, I don't think most people are aware of just how much falls under the HS division that is not even handled by the department. Such as the domestic spying program the falls under HS but is handled by the NSA. So many times HS is used as the front, but when we hear of the program going on, and start looking into information regarding it, the actions and decisions are not even handled by HS, but by the CIA, NSA, or FBI and the Justice Department. HS appears to be, in my opinion, a nice little front for these agencies to have less restrictions on what they do. Just my opinion based on what I can research. Obviously, most of the real evidence either way would be classified or simply with held.

Security Homeland Department

PENTAGON EYES WAYS TO USE MILITARY FOR BORDER SECURITY

Faced with growing pressure from Southern states, the Bush administration wants the military to come up with ideas to help solve security problems along the U.S. border with Mexico.
Ref. https://www.cnn.com/2006/US/05/12/border.de...e.ap/index.html

Department Of Homeland Security

HOMELAND SECURITY ACCEPTS FAKE ID

A man using a fake identification card was able to enter the Homeland Security Department headquarters in Washington, he said, even though the United States government considers the type of Mexican-issued card he used invalid.
Ref. https://www.cnn.com/2006/US/06/12/dhs.fakeid/index.html

Department Homeland Security

U.S. Filmmaker Repeatedly Detained at Border
Government targets U.S. Citizens re-entering their own country
By Glenn Greenwald

With no oversight or legal framework whatsoever, the Department of Homeland Security routinely singles out individuals who are suspected of no crimes, detains them and questions them at the airport, often for hours, when they return to the U.S. After an international trip, and then copies and even seizes their electronic devices. Ref. Source 6

Department Homeland Security Politics Business Civil & History

Homeland Security's 'Pre-Crime' Screening Will Never Work

How do you clear suspects of crimes that haven't happened? Ref. Source 8