After all how many years did it take for them to stop distributing the money based on the highway model rather than assess potential risks and targets? I still remember the stories that circulated about how those funds were spent on all manner of things that couldn’t even be said to have a loose connection to anything resembling security while high value targets went begging. I won’t get started on the absurdity of the color codes and the recommendation we arm ourselves with duct tape.

Frankly, I have seen no evidence that the DHS is remotely interested in ‘strategic approaches’ or issues of ‘perception management’. The only thing the DHS seems to do well is to whip the American public into a frenzy of hand wringing hysteria at regular intervals. Therefore, I can’t help but feel that the author of this piece might get closer to the truth if he looked at the function of the DHS as a piece of agitprop rather than dept. actually looking to provide security to US citizens.

Very well said. We have an administration that not only tolerates, but actively encourages and rewards mistakes, as long as the mistakes are made by people loyal to George Bush.

The Bush administration sees war as a way to financially reward its corporate friends and terrorism as a way to win elections. Truth, justice, and the American Way have nothing to do with it!

They should just remain it the Department of Homeland Insecurity because though they're very good at making us afraid, they haven't done much at all to make use more secure.