What is the difference between National Security and Homeland Security?

[Toots]

We have had a National Security Administration for quite some time and in fact Condi was in charge of it when 9-11 occurred. How is it different than "Homeland Security"? and should it now be dismantled in lieu of Homeland Security?

[Robb]

1. Oddly enough

National Security is patriotic, Homeland Security is nationalistic. :shrug:

[BrklynLiberal]

2. Good distinction.

[Echo In Light]

3. The National Security State ruse has been underway for decades

As a means of ensuring the military-industrial complex, and profitability for vested interests - corporate pirates, white collar criminals, and authoritarians who seek theocracy and diminishing liberal policies, ideas and philosophy.

Homeland Security is the title of this corporate police state apparatus, now justified vis-a-vis the phony "war on terror."

[mcscajun]

4. National Security is concrete and takes hard work.

Homeland Security is a smokescreen for destroying our liberties.

One is to be desired; the other, dismantled.

[Echo In Light]

6. I understand how conspiracy deniers march in step on this, however...

Please watch:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4755829652615170641&q=cover+up+iran+contra&total=57&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0

...and keep in mind that the Pentagon has never once "defended" America from anything. It's about offense, no defense ... sold to you bass-akwards, of course.

[mcscajun]

8. I'm speaking of concepts, not the Pentagon...

...and certainly not about Iran-Contra.

[Echo In Light]

9. But Iran/Contra contains many examples of National Security State ruses.

Whether you define it as a "concept" {?} or as matter of fact, the U.S. is one of the leaders in state sponsored terror and aggression and has been for a very long time, despite its efforts to spin its crimes as retaliatory and "defensive."

[jobendorfer]

5. I must be at a low ebb today ...

The first answer that leapt to mind is:

Homeland Security = the function of maintaining a cheap, docile labor supply here in the U.S.
National Security = the function of making a cheap, docile labor supply overseas

J.

[Echo In Light]

7. Both have this in common also: dismantling democracy and transparent govt

[Hosnon]

10. I intuitively perceive a distinction between the country and the society.

National Security seems to be about protecting the nation from other nations and the preservation of the United States.

Homeland Security seems to be about protecting the lifestyle and people of the United States. It also seems to have an element of protecting the political status quo (i.e., stifling un-American activity).