It occurs to me that if the CIA, the FBI and the Airlines industry hadn't had their heads up their asses there is a high likelihood that 911 would have never happened so that a homeland Security Department and other measures taken as a result of the attacks are overkill. Beyond that they are an indication of the success of the attacks; terrorists have forced us to compromise our freedoms. I think that a few measures such as getting the security agencies that we already have to get their sh** together would be perfectly adequate.
Of course _I_ am suspicious of the motives of the Bush administration anyway... http://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/12/politics/12SECU.html?todaysheadlines "Attorney General John Ashcroft, in particular, said Al Qaeda's "hidden but active presence in the United States" required a loosening of legal limitations on law enforcement." and "Any executive branch would love the opportunity to be unchained from the troubles of democracy," said Representative David R. Obey of Wisconsin, the ranking Democrat on the House appropriations panel. "But the need for this department does not give the administration the freedom to reign as kings." Phew! At least most of the congress seems to be interested in preserving the constitution. Doug
