BAYNE Home Who is Floyd Other Sites Email Me Commentary-- Updated 2/6/06! WC Archives |
Floyd's Opinion
Homeland Security?November 26, 2002 The Richmond Times-Dispatch P.O. Box 85333 Richmond, VA 23293 Attn: Editor of the Editorial Page Dear Sir, Greetings, good Sir. I trust this letter finds you well. I am once again compelled to sit myself down at the word-processor and voice my opinion on a matter in the news. After the 9/11 attacks awoke our country to the importance of a strong intelligence community the national media bludgeoned us with the failings of that community. Specifically we were told that the NSA, CIA, FBI, BATF, DEA, et.al., were culpable in the attacks because of their inability, or unwillingness, to share information. Information which, by itself may not have led to a certain conclusion, but if pooled could have warned us of the impending attacks and their targets. It is important to remember that each of the mentioned agencies are charged with the responsibility of protecting the United States from various forms of mayhem. Now comes a new agency, The Office of Homeland Security. This creates a new cabinet post as well. Another layer of bureaucracy. More federal employees. More agents working for a different agency. Again, charged with the protection of the United States. Are we now to believe that, all of a sudden, these agencies will begin to work TOGETHER and share the information that they did not share previously? Does TOHS hold sway over these other agencies? If so why was a new agency created instead of empowering an existing agency to hold such power? You will forgive me if I do not share the confidence of those in Congress that this is the panacea that will solve our security problems. Sincerely, Floyd C. Bayne
|
