Democrats: DHS hasn't fulfilled promises

[Judi Lynn]

Posted 12/27/2005 8:23 PM

Democrats: DHS hasn't fulfilled promises

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Homeland Security Department, created in response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, has failed to fulfill 33 of its own pledges to better protect the nation, according to a report released Tuesday by House Democrats.
The report concludes that gaps remain in federal efforts to secure an array of areas, including ports, borders and chemical plants. There also are still delays in the department's sharing terror alerts and other intelligence with state and local officials, the review said.

Compiled for 13 Democrats on the House Homeland Security Committee, the report analyzes public statements and congressional testimony on Bush administration security goals since 2002.

Responding, Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke said the department is prioritizing resources and programs based on "today's greatest threats."

"Rather than looking backward at yesterday's threats, we are building upon what we have already accomplished to meet evolving threats," said Knocke.
(snip/...)

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-12-27-homelandsecurity-criticism_x.htm

[FlemingsGhost]

1. Yeah ... but Big Brother *is* illegally spying on us.

All in the name of national security, of course.

So, we got that going for us ...

[EST]

2. "I don't have a clue but keep spending money."

[paineinthearse]

3. Democrats: DHS Hasn't Fulfilled Promises

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051228/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/homeland_security

Democrats: DHS Hasn't Fulfilled Promises
By LARA JAKES JORDAN, Associated Press Writer
14 minutes ago

The Homeland Security Department, created in response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, has failed to fulfill 33 of its own pledges to better protect the nation, according to a report released Tuesday by House Democrats. The report concludes that gaps remain in federal efforts to secure an array of areas, including ports, borders and chemical plants. There also are still delays in the department's sharing terror alerts and other intelligence with state and local officials, the review said.

Compiled for 13 Democrats on the House Homeland Security Committee, the report analyzes public statements and congressional testimony on Bush administration security goals since 2002. Responding, Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke said the department is prioritizing resources and programs based on "today's greatest threats." "Rather than looking backward at yesterday's threats, we are building upon what we have already accomplished to meet evolving threats," said Knocke.

According to the Democrats, since the department began operating in March 2003, it has failed to:

_Compile a single, comprehensive list prioritizing protections for the nation's most critical and potentially vulnerable buildings, transportation systems and other infrastructure.
_Install monitors at borders and every international seaport and airport to screen for radiation material entering the country.
_Install surveillance cameras at all high-risk chemical plants.
_Create one effective network to share quickly security-related intelligence and alerts with state, local and private industry officials.
_Track foreign visitors through a computerized system that takes their fingerprints and photographs as they enter and exit the country.

"It would be one thing if the department didn't identify security lapses in the first place, but a more troubling situation when they make promises to the American people and then leave them unfulfilled," Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (news, bio, voting record) of Mississippi, the committee's top Democrat, said in a statement accompanying the report.

more......
___

On the Net:

Homeland Security Department: http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/index.jsp

House Homeland Security Committee Democrats:

http://hsc-democrats.house.gov/

[fooj]

4. So much for protecting the citizens of this country...

Peace.

[Kiouni]

5. That Homeland

Security shake up really whipped the fbi and the cia into shape too. don't forget what bang up job they are doing.

[atommom]

6. kick

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

7. And they have accomplished......

.............


um...........

hmm........

eh...........

er...........


Golly, I'm sorry. I'm drawing a blank here. Can someone fill me in on exactly what they've accomplished?

[rodeodance]

8. Democrats Cite Gaps in DHS Record

Democrats Cite Gaps in DHS Record
By LARA JAKES JORDAN, Associated Press Writer
Wed Dec 28,11:18 AM ET



WASHINGTON - House Democrats charge that the Homeland Security Department hasn't kept 33 of its promises to better protect the country.


A report released Tuesday by 13 members of the House Homeland Security Committee says that nearly three years after the cabinet department's creation, gaps still remain in federal efforts to defend the nation against terrorism — including at ports, borders and chemicals plants.

The department also fails to share alerts and other intelligence quickly with state and local officials, according to the Democrats' report, which analyzes public statements and congressional testimony that outline Bush administration security goals since 2002.

"It's our job in Congress to hold the Department of Homeland Security accountable for the work that it does and doesn't do," Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (news, bio, voting record) of Mississippi, the committee's top Democrat, said in a statement accompanying the report.

[rodeodance]

9. Democrats Cite Gaps in DHS Record

Democrats Cite Gaps in DHS Record
By LARA JAKES JORDAN, Associated Press Writer
Wed Dec 28,11:18 AM ET



WASHINGTON - House Democrats charge that the Homeland Security Department hasn't kept 33 of its promises to better protect the country.


A report released Tuesday by 13 members of the House Homeland Security Committee says that nearly three years after the cabinet department's creation, gaps still remain in federal efforts to defend the nation against terrorism — including at ports, borders and chemicals plants.

The department also fails to share alerts and other intelligence quickly with state and local officials, according to the Democrats' report, which analyzes public statements and congressional testimony that outline Bush administration security goals since 2002.

"It's our job in Congress to hold the Department of Homeland Security accountable for the work that it does and doesn't do," Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (news, bio, voting record) of Mississippi, the committee's top Democrat, said in a statement accompanying the report.