Homeland Security Department Praised for Its Response

Washington Post ^ | 8/11/06 | Spencer S. Hsu and Sara Kehaulani Goo

[advance_copy]

The domestic response to yesterday's arrests in Britain drew cautious praise for the Bush administration's often beleaguered Department of Homeland Security.

Secretary Michael Chertoff yesterday emerged as the undisputed public face and voice of the U.S. government response in Washington, outlining a "well-planned and well-advanced plot" in carefully choreographed statements that began before dawn and continued with television interviews into the night.

U.S. authorities detailed dramatic new security measures for airline passengers and, for the first time, elevated the color-based threat warning system to red -- its highest position -- for commercial flights from the United Kingdom to the United States -- indicating a "severe" risk of terrorist attacks.

The actions drew few complaints yesterday, compared with other terrorism alerts since 2003, which often provoked conflicting or critical remarks from authorities such as the attorney general, the mayor of New York City and congressional committee chairmen.

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Well done, Secretary Chertoff. Even the WaPo has to admit (sort of) how fortunate it is that you are on the job.

[Solamente]

Color me stupid, but my first mind has the muslim brit mules handing off the bomb-stuffs to the 11 muslim exchange "students."

Guess we'll know soon enough.

[NormsRevenge]

Why Borders Matter ^
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1680945/posts


Sensitivity toward Muslims is so raw that Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff this week felt compelled to express disappointment that the FBI put out an alert for 11 Egyptian students who failed to show up at Montana State University. They entered the country on visas, then vanished. Chertoff said not to worry, just a bunch of kids cutting class. No threat here.

Three were arrested Wednesday, but how can Chertoff be so sure the 11 weren't deployed to videotape skyscrapers or train for jihad?

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

Not by Richard Clarke, on Nightline.

(Look the other way, Mods.)

DickHead Clarke.

[syriacus]

Not by Richard Clarke, on Nightline.

He's looking even more dissipated than usual, isn't he?

I guess he's still disappointed that the terrorists didn't cyber-attack us like he predicted. He didn't realize that terrorists can't fit through cables.

[Intolerant in NJ]

Homeland Security Department Praised for Its Response...except of course by the 'rats, who rather than celebrating this latest victory in the war on terrorism rushed to point out that we still weren't doing enough monitoring of cargo coming in through our sea ports - they are pathetic......

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

He appeared very disappointed with today's VICTORY.

[celtic gal]

That was my thought too..the news continues to say these missing " students" are not a terrorism threat..but it does not give me a warm fuzzy feeling. Then again could this be a smoke screen of sorts so the remaining ones are less inclined to hide?

[advance_copy]

I think Richard Clarke is bucking to be Secretary of DHS. Think about that. Yikes!

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... in '08 for a RAT administration.

[goldstategop]

He's done nothing of the sort. Homegrown terrorists from Dearborn Michigan, Ali Houssaiky and Osama Sobhi Abulhassan, were caught and detained by Ohio authorities. And their mother is still reported to be working at Detroit Metro. The Feds have been clueless from Day One about the Jihad.

(Go Israel, Go! Slap 'Em Down Hezbullies.)

[Phil in San Diego]

I starting a pool. How long before the Dems say this whole thing is an election year ploy?

Any takers?

[TomasUSMC]

We are on the defensive. Awaiting more and more attacks. Why don't we go on the offensive and attack the source - IRAN. this type of KGC national defense will only result in - sooner or later, a terrible attack getting through.

Instead of inconveniencing Americans at the airports, why not inconvenience Iranians... make them sleep outside for 6 month while their capital is rebuilt.

Time is not on our side - Pres. Bush 29 Jan. 2002

[Cobra64]

I thought the same thing.I give it until Monday. Friday is typically a slow news day. And they need the week-end to cook up a vitriolic statement.

[syriacus]

I think Richard Clarke is bucking to be Secretary of DHS. Think about that. Yikes!

Yikes and yuck!! I caught his perfomance for the Joisey Goils. The man is repugnant. I guess he could be of some use if he employed his repellant qualities on the terrorists. Maybe his slimy-ness could cause jihadists to lose their footing.

[syriacus]

Keith Olbermann was dancing all around this topic tonight. His guest said that he thought the president could not have timed the plot, but was taking political advantage of the situation.

I give Olbermann one more day before he comes right out with accusing Bush of setting this up.

Michael Moore must be up late tonight, cooking up some conspiracy theory, too.

[DannyTN]

"my first mind has the muslim brit mules handing off the bomb-stuffs to the 11 muslim exchange "students." "

Very doubtful. The 11 exchange students could acquire the bomb-stuffs here without arousing as much suspicion as trying to smuggle it on board a plane.

You wouldn't try to move all components simultaneously, or in carry on, if you don't intend to mix them on the plane.

[Solamente]

If the 11 were versed in bomb-making, they'd be put to that use instead.