Skelton: We Caught Him, We Caught Him

By Benny Martinez
University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

Rep. Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) used just three words to describe how the United States has handled the Times Square bomb scare incident: "We caught him."

Skelton along with fellow Reps. Silvestre Reyes (D-Texas) and Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) told reporters on Thursday that he supports the administration's response to and handling of the capture of the alleged plotter, Faisal Shahzad.

Thompson said that under the Constitution, Shazhad, who according to Attorney General Eric Holder was mirandized sometime after his arrest, was a naturalized citizen and therefore entitled to have his rights read to him.

"Few have focused on the facts that we also stayed true to our cherished constitutional principles," Thompson said. "To those who seek to politicize this very serious terrorist incident by attacking Miranda, the Fifth Amendment and due process, I say shame on you."

The Congressmen all applauded the efforts of the citizens of New York, saying that every American plays a role in counter-terrorism.

When asked why Faisal Shahzad was not being monitored by intelligence agencies after flying to Pakistan, Reyes said, "We know that we can't keep every single person under surveillance, that's not what you do in a democracy."

"The totality of this case says we've got our stuff together," Reyes added. "We're able to confront these threats...[and] I think we all need to understand that we all have a role to play here."

Mass security

The challenge of protecting mass gatherings from acts of terror was discussed by the House Homeland Security Committee. Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) said that though the federal government is involved in high-level national events, places like state fairs, collegiate sporting events, and shopping complexes often lack adequate security.

After speaking three minutes over his alloted time making statements during questioning, Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) was denied an extension of time by acting chair Rep. Donna Christensen (D-Virgin Islands,) a decision Pascrell tried to reverse through debate. Christensen expressed concern that local governments would be unable to meet the medical need after a disaster, noting that many hospitals are already full. Rep. Christopher Shays (R-Conn.) asked said he believes the public has the right to know if intelligence suggests an event is at risk.

Colonel Robert Stephan, USAF (Ret.) of the Department of Homeland Security said federal, state, and local governments have improved their ability to work with one another and said that security and capability gaps are being recognized and fixed sooner. Stephan said the next presidential administration will need to work to make an efficient and even budget.

Hurricane Katrina still ruining lives

Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss.) testified in a hearing for the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management. He said that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) needs to get its priorities in order and produce the National Disaster Housing Strategy, which was due in July 2007 as part of the Post-Katrina Reform Act of 2006. He said that 5,741 families still living in temporary housing units provided by FEMA.

He said that The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has been diverting funds that were necessary for reconstruction in Mississippi. Thompson said that the Governor of Mississippi redistributed $600 Million of HUD money that was appropriated for building low to middle income housing and diverted it towards a project towards port expansion. Thompson said that this is one of the major problems facing Mississippi, along with the fact that there are only 1,500 available rental properties statewide.

He said that we must hold federal agencies accountable for their mistakes, especially when they endanger the health of disaster victims.

CAP panel discusses the "State of Homeland Security"

The Center for American Progress held a discussion today on “The State of Homeland Security” with guest speaker Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), the first ever Democratic chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee. A panel discussion with other guests who are knowledgeable about homeland security followed his remarks.

Thompson outlined eight primary challenges that the Department of Homeland Security faces, including an effective border protection plan, an adequate budget, chemical security measures, communication with small companies and various departments, employee diversity, stabilizing management, reducing reliance on contractors, and maintaining national security without infringing on civil rights. He stated that there are currently 86 subcommittees with jurisdiction over the DHS, which is “too many” to maintain efficiency. Thompson called for bipartisan solutions to these problems, stressing that “when the bad people show up,” meaning terrorists, they are not going to ask about party affiliations.

Panelist Philip Crowley, CAP director of homeland security, explained growing pressure on the DHS to not only prevent attacks on the U.S., but also to anticipate and respond to natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina. He also said that the notion of a “War on Terror” should be retired because it is misleading and cannot be successfully waged or won. He noted that at the federal level, America spends twice as much defending Iraq than its own country and ten times more on offense than defense.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff testifies before the House Committee on Homeland Security over the FY2009 budget.

Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) opened the hearing today outlining his national security goals. He said that he wants to enhance security for all modes of transportation, shield the nation's critical infrastructure from terrorism, implement border and port security, and inspire minds for the future of Homeland Security. Thompson issued criticisms of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) FY2009 Budget saying that it failed to address mass transit rail concerns. He also criticized the budget for cutting funding from certain grant programs, including an initiative to fund local governments' security programs.

Ranking member of the Committee Peter King (R-NY) commended DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff for his work at the department and said that he acknowledges that the U.S. has not been attacked since September 11th, 2001 as a result of the phenomenal work and progress of the DHS. He said that he had some criticisms of the budget but said that he does not criticize Chertoff's leadership. He told Chertoff that the more time he spends testifying before committees is less time that he can spend protecting the homeland.

DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff called the department's $50.5 billion budget “sound and fiscally responsible.” The figure represented a 6.8% increase over the 2008 budget. Chertoff said that the nation needs a robust and effective Homeland Security Department that acts with a “strong fist” but said that it also needs to be able to adapt to evolving global threats. He warned that Europe was in danger from terrorist attack and cited several recently foiled terror plots in Germany and Spain. He said that 294 miles of fencing has been built so far along the border with Mexico and said that the budget asks for $3.5 billion to hire and train border patrol agents. He also said that the budget asks for funds to build an effective emergency response system including $164.5 million for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) initiatives.