One federal official was conspicuous by her absence at a recent House Homeland Security Committee hearing — the secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano.

The Jan. 27 hearing was called to examine the attempted Christmas Day bombing of Northwest Flight 253, but Napolitano sent Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Jane Holl Lute to testify in her place.

Democrats on the committee openly expressed their displeasure with Napolitano as the hearing proceeded, CNSNews reported.

Rep. Chris Carney of Pennsylvania said during his question period: “I am very dismayed that the secretary herself wasn’t here. I mean, it’s probably fair to ask, ‘Where the hell is Secretary Napolitano?’”

Rep. Jane Harman of California declared: “This is the committee with primary jurisdiction over the Department of Homeland Security. She is the Secretary of Homeland Security. She is in Washington, D.C. She was invited to testify at this very important hearing, and she should have been here.”

Two days after the Christmas Day bombing attempt, Napolitano had told CNN that “the system worked,” referring to security measures. According to CNSNews, Republicans on the committee believe Napolitano did not appear at the hearing because she did not want to field questions about that comment.

Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson of Mississippi said the committee had first been told that Napolitano could not attend the hearing because she would be out of the country, then discovered that she was in fact in Washington but would not attend anyway.

It is interesting that the United States has fallen into this false sense of security ever since the 9/11 episode. Since that time, we have had 28 - count’em, 28!! – failed terrorist attacks against our country.

First glance seems to indicate that we’ve been successful in protecting the United States against foreign threats via the airport security systems currently in place.

Not so fast.

Before I go further into the failings of the system in place, I’m going to go down Memory Lane and remind you as to what has brought this on in the first place. Let’s just say that it stems from one source: Usama Bin Laden.

Remember him? The originator of the 9/11 incident in New York City? Anyways, before the 9/11 incident, Bin Laden was issuing “fatwas”. For those who are unfamiliar, a “fatwa” is a legal opinion that is typically issued by an Islam scholar; they rule whether a given act is considered obligatory, permitted or forbidden.

Bin Laden fired the preemptive strike, quoting:

“Fight and slay the pagans wherever you find them, seize them, and beleaguer them and lie in wait for them in every stratagem.”

Of course, the head of al-Qaeda has vowed to not let up and find ways to discredit, embarrass and kill Americans as these actions are the stock and trade of the radical Muslims. Yet nearly 10 years later, we’ve fallen into that false sense of security again. And we have no one to blame for this but ourselves.

To paraphrase an NFL term, your best offense is a great defense. Based on that analogy, the U.S. is the equivalent of the 2009 version of the St. Louis Rams – very little offense and even less defense. Which explains the poor security mechanisms in place at out airports. Not to mention that the government has dropped the ball. And it took a recent event to magnify this.

Does the name Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab mean anything to you? It should. He’s the guy arrested in Detroit. MI on Christmas Day for unsuccessfully detonating an explosive device on an international airliner which originated in Nigeria. And get this – the government knew about this fella yet failed to revoke his visa, flag him for further screening or put him on the “no-fly” list.

And folks, there’s more where this came from. This is hardly an isolated incident.

There’s also the incident involving five youths from Northern Virginia – presumably empowered by localimams from the localmosques – who flew all the way to Pakistan; fortunately, the local authorities picked them up before they could join al-Qaeda or some other terrorist cell and possibly hurt anyone.

And just as importantly, President Obama has dropped the ball. First, there was the political correctness applied by him and his henchmen in the White House, preferring not to use the words “war on terrorism” and other lame phrases. But then again, Obama, as of late, has been channeling his inner Rev. Wright.

His leadership skills – or lack thereof – tend to lend credence that he is clueless in terms of foreign policy. Let’s begin with his indifference regarding the USA Patriot Act.

The Patriot Act was designed to ensure that our nation was air-tight secure with the tools and technology available that would thwart any terrorist actions. But rather than continue the Patriot Act, Obama opted to just use a six-month extension, which was attached to the Defense Appropriations bill. Which is a bad move, in my opinion. That’s political expediency at its best.

Obama also screwed up when he declared a set date for the return of American troops by way of a withdrawal from Afghanistan. Not to mention that our Commander in Chief decreed that fewer troops than General Stanley McChrystal requested be sent overseas. You want more? Try this on for size.

Obama even has gone so far to “pretend” that the U.S. isn’t at war against al-Qaeda. Which in and of itself is troubling. Certainly the terrorist cells (al-Qaeda and others) would beg to differ with our President. If anything, Obama is “politicizing” the war on terror, which is a grave mistake. And we don’t have to go back that far. As a matter of fact, it goes back as recently as the Carter presidency. The Middle East made a mockery of Carter, as they’re currently doing to Obama.

Then there is the call by the White House – presumably with the Presidentialstamp of approval – for legislation which would provide a “mass amnesty for illegals, which would put the Department of Homeland Security in an even stickier situation than it’s already in. And moving these terrorists from Guantanamo Bay to U.S. prisons and sending others to nations that are “terrorist-friendly” (Yemen comes to mind) sends messages to al-Qaeda which seem to embolden the terrorist organization.

I suggest that the U.S. take some lessons from the Israel airline El Al. But don’t just take my word for it. Just know that this airline has not had a terrorist attack in 35+ years. And it isn’t like we don’t have the financial resources or the proper training and personnel. Just because we haven’t had a terrorist attack place on almost ten years doesn’t mean that our system in place is perfect. If anything it is far from it. the Christmas Day incident illustrates how behind that we are; we’ve been extremely lucky in that respect.

But if we do not correct this problem immediately, then the likelihood of a terrorist attack taking place on American soil will likely increase. But this time, we won’t be so lucky.

Jim sent this in:

Maricopa County (Arizona) Sheriff Joe Arpaio — hailed by many as America’s Sheriff – is under attack for cracking down on illegal aliens. The liberal-left politicians, activists and members of the news media are vilifying Sheriff Arpaio for his department’s immigration and crime sweeps in and around Phoenix.

In response to the federal complaints regarding his activities, Sheriff Arpaio dispatched deputies on a two-day “crime suppression” operation. While heralded by the men and women he serves,  Arpaio’s sweeps have been characterized as racial profiling by opponents of immigration enforcement.

The nationwide enforcement of immigration law has been under the gun since President Barack Obama took his oath of office. Many political leaders, mostly Democrats, have targeted enforcement agencies and agents over the past few months with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi calling immigration raids “Un-American” and Congressman Luis Guttierez calling Border Patrol agents “The Gestapo.”

Attorney General Eric Holder has also threatened Arpaio with a federal investigation of his Sheriff’s Department and its activities as a result of his success at capturing hundreds of criminal aliens.

“Nothing has changed,” Arpaio told a Reuters reporter while overseeing an operation in a suburb northwest of Phoenix. “We’re still going to be doing what we’ve been doing tonight and during the last two and a half years. I don’t take orders from anyone.”

Sheriff Arpaio first carried out the sweeps after his deputies underwent training offered by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that gave participating state and local police officers authority to make immigration arrests during the Bush Administration. However, during the Obama Administration deputies have now lost their arrest powers as far as immigration laws on the streets.

The Homeland Security Department claims the reason for curtailing the program with local law enforcement is the current restructuring of the ICE program. However, Arpaio states that his officers are still allowed to determine the immigration status of detainees held in county jails.

Sheriff Arpaio was first elected in 1992 and is praised for his success in reducing violence and crime within his jurisdiction. While strongly supported by a majority of citizens in his county, Arpaio is routinely lambasted by Hispanic activists, liberal organizations and civil rights leaders such as Rev. Al Sharpton.

Sadly, at the same time as this government/media crackdown on Arpaio, the Department of Homeland Security estimates that the total unauthorized immigrant population residing in the United States is 10 million. Their total includes those who entered the United States illegally and those who entered legally but overstayed their authorized period of stay. Critics dispute the federal statistics saying that the number of illegal aliens is closer to 20 million.

Another recent study by the GAO estimates that there are about 15 million illegal aliens living in the United States. The study estimates that nearly 700,000 aliens enter the United States illegally or overstay their authorized period of stay each year.

Their report contained information on the number of criminal aliens incarcerated, their country of citizenship or country of birth, and the cost to incarcerate them. Congress also requested that the GAO provide information on the criminal history of aliens incarcerated in federal and state prisons or local jails who had entered the country illegally.

In the GAO study of a population sample of 55,322 illegal aliens, analysts found that they were arrested a total of 459,614 times, averaging about 8 arrests per illegal alien.

Nearly all of the illegal aliens in the study sample had more than 1 arrest. Thirty-eight percent (about 21,000) had between 2 and 5 arrests, 32 percent (about 18,000) had between 6 and 10 arrests, and 26 percent (about 15,000) had 11 or more arrests. They were arrested for a total of about 700,000 criminal offenses, averaging about 13 offenses per illegal alien.

One arrest incident may include multiple offenses, a fact that explains why there are nearly one and half times more offenses than arrests.

Almost all of these illegal aliens were arrested for more than 1 offense. Slightly more than half of the 55,322 illegal aliens had between 2 and 10 offenses. About 45 percent of all offenses were drug or immigration offenses. About 15 percent were property-related offenses such as burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and property damage. About 12 percent were for violent offenses such as murder, robbery, assault, and sex-related crimes. The balance was for such other offenses as traffic violations, including driving under the influence; fraud–including forgery and counterfeiting; weapons violations; and obstruction of justice.

Eighty percent of all arrests occurred in three states — California, Texas, and Arizona. Specifically, about 58 percent of all arrests occurred in California, 14 percent in Texas, and 8 percent in Arizona. In addition, the FBI estimates that there are upwards of 50,000 illegal aliens who are members of crime gangs such as MS-13, the Mexican Mafia and the Latin Kings.

“If the US Attorney General and his boss President Obama are concerned with investigating criminal activity, perhaps they should focus on criminal aliens and gangs rather than persecuting an effective law enforcement commander such as Joe Arpaio,” said former NYPD detective and Marine Sid Frances.

Jim sent this in:

Secretary Janet Napolitano’s Department of Homeland Security reportedly stripped Maricopa County, Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio — also known as “America’s Sheriff” by many admirers who hail him as a hero – of his federal authority to arrest suspected illegal immigrants based solely on their immigration status. The federal authorities under President Barack Obama wish to do away with local cops enforcing our nation’s immigration laws.

Arpaio’s deputies attended the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Center in order to be trained for immigration enforcement as part of their regular law enforcement and jail management duties. In addition to the DHS attempting to curtail Sheriff Arpaio’s immigration enforcement activities — he states he will not stop arresting illegal aliens — Obama’s Attorney General, Eric Holder, is threatening to investigate Sheriff Arpaio and his department.

Sadly, at the same time the Department of Homeland Security estimates that the total unauthorized immigrant population residing in the United States is 10 million. Their total includes those who entered the United States illegally and those who entered legally but overstayed their authorized period of stay. Critics dispute the federal statistics saying that the number of illegal aliens is closer to 20 million.

Another recent study by the GAO estimates that there are about 15 million illegal aliens living in the United States. The study estimates that nearly 700,000 aliens enter the United States illegally or overstay their authorized period of stay each year.

Some illegal aliens in the United States have been arrested and incarcerated in federal and state prisons as well as local jails, adding to already dangerously overcrowded prisons and jails, the Government Accountability Office reported to the US Congress’ Homeland Security Subcommittee on criminal aliens that were incarcerated in federal and state prisons and local jails.

Their report contained information on the number of criminal aliens incarcerated, their country of citizenship or country of birth, and the cost to incarcerate them. Congress also requested that the GAO provide information on the criminal history of aliens incarcerated in federal and state prisons or local jails who had entered the country illegally.

For a population of aliens that entered the country illegally and were incarcerated in federal or state prisons or local jails, the GAO report addressed the following questions:  How many times have they been arrested?  How many and what type of criminal offenses have they been arrested for? What states were they arrested in?

In the GAO study of a population sample of 55,322 illegal aliens, analysts found that they were arrested at a total of 459,614 times, averaging about 8 arrests per illegal alien.

Nearly all of the illegal aliens in the study sample had more than 1 arrest. Thirty-eight percent (about 21,000) had between 2 and 5 arrests, 32 percent (about 18,000) had between 6 and 10 arrests, and 26 percent (about 15,000) had 11 or more arrests. They were arrested for a total of about 700,000 criminal offenses, averaging about 13 offenses per illegal alien.

One arrest incident may include multiple offenses, a fact that explains why there are nearly one and half times more offenses than arrests.

Almost all of these illegal aliens were arrested for more than 1 offense. Slightly more than half of the 55,322 illegal aliens had between 2 and 10 offenses. About 45 percent of all offenses were drug or immigration offenses. About 15 percent were property-related offenses such as burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and property damage. About 12 percent were for violent offenses such as murder, robbery, assault, and sex-related crimes. The balance was for such other offenses as traffic violations, including driving under the influence; fraud–including forgery and counterfeiting; weapons violations; and obstruction of justice.

Eighty percent of all arrests occurred in three states — California, Texas, and Arizona. Specifically, about 58 percent of all arrests occurred in California, 14 percent in Texas, and 8 percent in Arizona. In addition, the FBI estimates that there are upwards of 50,000 illegal aliens who are members of crime gangs such as MS-13, the Mexican Mafia and the Latin Kings.

“If the US Attorney General and his boss President Obama are concerned with investigating criminal activity, perhaps they should focus on criminal aliens and gangs rather than persecuting an effective law enforcement commander such as Joe Arpaio,” said former NYPD detective and Marine Sid Frances.

A unique artillery unit in Afghanistan is charged with protecting Forward Operating Base Blessing with the M-777 Howitzer.

The first of thousands of new M-ATVs are being deployed to Afghanistan.

The President and NATO’s Secretary General met to discuss the situation in Afghanistan and missile defense.

The Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard are again participating in Operation Deep Freeze.

Select personnel working with the Department of Homeland Security now have access to Defense Department information.

A blast in the southern Philippines Tuesday killed two U.S. service members and a member of the Philippine Marines.

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus completed his tour of the nation’s shipyards with a stop in Newport News, Virginia.

It may take three weeks to clean up a fuel spill in the Houston ship channel, according to officials there.

Military families across Illinois came together to welcome home soldiers from Afghanistan.

Jim sent this in:

US agriculture generates more than $1.5 trillion per year in economic activity and provides an abundant food supply for Americans and others. Since the September 11, 2001 attacks, there have been new concerns about the vulnerability of US agriculture to the deliberate introduction of animal and plant diseases (agroterrorism).

Several agencies, including the US Department of Agriculture, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Defense, play a role in protecting the nation against agroterrorism.

 

The Government Accountability Office examined the federal agencies’ roles and responsibilities to protect against agroterrorism, the steps that the agencies have taken to manage the risks of agroterrorism, and the challenges and problems that remain.

 

After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, federal agencies’ roles and responsibilities were modified in several ways to help protect agriculture from an attack. First, the Homeland Security Act of 2002 established DHS and, among other things, charged it with coordinating US efforts to protect against agroterrorism.

 

The act also transferred a number of agency personnel and functions into DHS to conduct planning, response, and recovery efforts. Second, the President signed a number of presidential directives that further define agencies’ specific roles in protecting agriculture.

 

Finally, Congress passed legislation that expanded the responsibilities of USDA and HHS in relation to agriculture security. In carrying out these new responsibilities, USDA and other federal agencies have taken a number of actions. The agencies are coordinating development of plans and protocols to better manage the national response to terrorism, including agroterrorism, and, along with several states, have conducted exercises to test these new protocols and their response capabilities.

 

Federal agencies also have been conducting vulnerability assessments of the agriculture infrastructure; have created networks of laboratories capable of diagnosing animal, plant, and human diseases; have begun efforts to develop a national veterinary stockpile that intends to include vaccines against foreign animal diseases; and have created new federal emergency coordinator positions to help states develop emergency response plans for the agriculture sector. However, the United States still faces complex challenges that limit the nation’s ability to respond effectively to an attack against livestock.

 

For example, USDA would not be able to deploy animal vaccines within 24 hours of an outbreak as called for in a presidential directive, in part because the only vaccines currently stored in the United States are for strains of foot and mouth disease, and these vaccines need to be sent to the United Kingdom to be activated for use. There are also management problems that inhibit the effectiveness of agencies’ efforts to protect against agroterrorism. For instance, since the transfer of agricultural inspectors from USDA to DHS in 2003, there have been fewer inspections of agricultural products at the nation’s ports of entry.

 

To enhance the agencies’ ability to reduce the risk of agroterrorism, GAO recommended, among other things, that USDA examine the costs and benefits of developing stockpiles of ready-to-use vaccines and that DHS and USDA determine the reasons for declining agricultural inspections. USDA, DHS, and HHS generally agreed with the GAO recommendations. However, according to officials at GAO, the DOD and EPA made technical comments but took no position on the report’s recommendations.

 

Source: Government Accounting Office, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, Department of Agriculture

 

Soldiers with the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade are undergoing MRAP training at Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan.

Residents of the Green River Valley in Washington State have been notified by the Army Corps of Engineers that a leak at local dam could lead to serious trouble this fall and winter.

Two men have been indicted on charges of conspiring to murder U.S. military personnel.

Pennsylvania National Guardsmen are joining the mission to provide security in the city of Pittsburgh during this year’s G-20 summit.

The Defense Department is now allowing certain Homeland Security personnel access to classified terrorism-related information.

NATO officials are reporting five American troops died Thursday in separate attacks in southern Afghanistan.