Department of Homeland Security
At Port Angeles Washington a ferry arrives from Canada. It is a cold day in December 1999, a couple of weeks before Christmas, and most people are anxious to clear through customs and continue on their journey. The very last vehicle pulls up slowly to the customs inspection area. During routine questioning the driver seems extremely nervous and hesitates when answering questions. The customs officer cannot help but feel that something is just not right. She decides to search the vehicle. Hidden inside the trunk she finds large packages containing white powder. It looks to her like she has just caught a dope smuggler with a large load of cocaine. The powder is tested for several different drugs and comes up negative for everyone. It turns out this man did not come to the United States to make money selling drugs, he came for something much worse. The white powder is finally identified as a very powerful explosive. The man is an Algerian citizen who is involved with a terrorist group called Al-Qaeda. His plan was drive to Los Angeles and blow up LAX International Airport as the world celebrated the new millennium. Thanks to security at the border a major terrorist attack is averted. There would not be such a good outcome the next time. Less than two years later terrorists unleashed the most terrible attack the United States had ever seen on September 11, 2001. After the World Trade -
Center towers fell security became a major focus for the United States. There was a formal review of the attacks and U.S. security measures that ended up with the restructuring of many agencies and the formation of a new department. This was the Department of Homeland Security which was tasked with protecting the United States from terrorist attacks. The Department of Homeland Security has been controversial since its inception, but the work done by the department is important to keep the United States safe. Many feel that it was just unnecessary bureaucracy and the Department has
Center towers fell security became a major focus for the United States. There was a formal review of the attacks and U.S. security measures that ended up with the restructuring of many agencies and the formation of a new department. This was the Department of Homeland Security which was tasked with protecting the United States from terrorist attacks. The Department of Homeland Security has been controversial since its inception, but the work done by the department is important to keep the United States safe. Many feel that it was just unnecessary bureaucracy and the Department has
References: Chertoff, M. (2007) U.S. homeland security is improving. In David M. Haugen (Ed.), Opposing Viewpoints: National Security. Retrieved January 23, 2009, from Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center database at University of Phoenix. Carmack, E.(2007). Fixing the Department of Homeland Security. Retrieved January 23, 2009, from the Progressive Policy Web at http://www.ppionline.org/ppi_ci.cfm?contentid=254508&knlgAreaID=124&subsecid=900019 Department of Homeland Security. (2007). National strategy for homeland security. Retrieved January 25, 2009, from the Department of Homeland Security Web at http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/history/gc_1193938363680.shtm Laskin, S. (2008, Summer). Airport searches of computers concern reporters. News Media and the Law, 32(3), p. 14-15. Retrieved January 23, 2009, from EBSCOhost database at University of Phoenix. Center for Defense Information. (2009) Chronology of major terrorist attacks against U.S. targets. Retrieved February 25, 2009 from the Center for Defense Information website at http://www.cdi.org/terrorism/chronology.html Department of Homeland Security. (2007). One team, one mission, securing our homeland. Retrieved February 25, 2009, from the Department of Homeland Security Web at http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/DHS_StratPlan_FINAL_spread.pdf