I think it's clear the Department of Homeland Security is totally useless.

[FormerRepublican]

In a crisis, they can't save American lives. Since that is the sum total purpose for their existence, one must look a little closer at this Department - Bush's Billion Dollar Boondoggle.

We know the Department of Homeland Security has spent Billions to supposedly protect us. We see clearly now that the money they've spent hasn't been spent to protect us. The questions we need to start to ask now is what HAS the Billions paid for? More Bush crony looters?

Since the DHS is Bush's biggest baby in the War on Terror, he needs to be held accountable for the DHS total incapacity to deal with a threat to the American people. It isn't state or local officials who run DHS - it's Bush. It isn't state or local officials who appointed those who lead at DHS - it's Bush. It isn't state or local government who set the policy agenda for DHS - it's Bush.

Since it's clear that the DHS is ineffective - what does that say about Bush?

[Holly_Hobby]

1. Worse than worthless

DANGEROUS TO THE HEALTH AND WELL BEING OF OUR CITIZENS

[Independent_Liberal]

5. You got that right.

:)

[aquart]

2. I always did. Even as a KGB they suck.

Homeland Security was the establishment of a secret police, that's all. But we aren't even competent at that.

[knowbody0]

3. i found some of those dollars

check it out:

[DELUSIONAL]

9. A bunch of these boats around the Navy bases in the Puget Sound

(Washington State).

They love to threaten sailboats -- UNDER SAIL -- if you happen to come close to any of the secret lines in the water.

Millions spent on these babies.

Lots of money to lots of friends of bushie.

[knowbody0]

10. these are supposed to be "gifted" to Russia

per parking lot conversation

[longship]

4. You mean the Department of Hometown Security?

n/t

[ellenfl]

6. if you will recall . . .

bush never wanted a dept of homeland security. it was forced upon him. he will never fully fund it or support it because he never wanted it. he's just thumbing his nose at the people (especially lieberman, i think?) who forced it upon him. you can see how effective it is.

ellen fl

[Lifelong Protester]

7. fleeing to Canada

if we ever really take another hit from terrorists, because if you stay here you can kiss your ass good-bye.
When W. says "The response was inadequate" he makes it sounds like someone ELSE was at fault.
Hey, asshole, who is the leader (well, that is a loose term) of this government? Which is the party controlling two (well, maybe three) branches of the government?
Totally clear that the DHS was a political boondoggle exactly.

[wli]

8. The DHS is there to pepperspray protesters, not save lives. n/t

[Hippo_Tron]

11. But think of all the lives that the color coded terror alert has saved!

[Geek_Girl]

12. DHS = Nazi SS

N/T

[1932]

13. Good thing they wouldn't let airport screeners unionize.

That really worked.

If the victims in N.O.had a job that paid better, they might have been able to evacuate.

[Eloriel]

14. Actually -- what if they were doing exactly what was planned?

Really-- see this thread and think about it:

ATTN DU RESEARCHERS -- LIHOP/MIHOP evidence stacking up
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4588088&mesg_id=4588088

[fujiyama]

15. It failed it's first major test

THe real fact is that Bush can create as many agencies as he wants, but if the existing agencies are not funded and have no leadership, they are meaningless.

Of course, at this point the same can be said of our entire government in general. It has literally been leaderless these last several days. Bush now comes and makes some bullshit statements, providing excuses and nothing more.

What we had in place well before the creation of this worthless department, could have handled this better. FEMA has existed for decades now and in many crises it has done its job. The army corp of engineers provides a purpose - to maintain the infrastructure in this society. If political hacks are appointed and pennies are provided, these are the consequences.

But the aftermath leads me to believe it was wilfull and deliberate neglect.