As many of you know, several years ago the Bush administration decided that we needed more military protection to defend the homeland.
I know you've been waiting just like me to see how great a success that would be, as it seems to be important one way or the other.
He created Northern Command. From State of War by James Risen pg 59:
One of the most worrisome aspects of the NSA's move into domestic surveillance is that is appears to be part of a broader series of policies and procedures put in place by the Bush administration that threaten to erode civil liberties in the United States. Across the administration, many questionable actions taken in the heat of the moment after the September 11 attacks have quietly become more permanent, lowering the bar on what is acceptable when it comes to the government's ability to intrude into the personal lives of average Americans. For example, in 2002 the U.S. military expanded its role inside the country with the creation of the new Northern Command, the first military command in recent history that is designed to protect the U.S. homeland. The creation of Northern Command has already raised the specter of military intelligence agents operating non U.S. soil, permanently developing new links with local law enforcement agencies, particularly those near large military bases. Few objections have been raised.
Since Northern Command is here to protect us, I decided to look them up today.
NORTHCOM was established by the Department of Defense in 2002 to oversee defense of the homeland and to coordinate civil support missions that involve the military.
But, GAO found that it lacks the ability to:
- Complete plans for homeland and civil support missions.
- Establish equipment or training requirements.
- Judge the readiness of the military to respond to homeland disasters and acts of terror.
GAO also found that NORTHCOM has failed to effectively coordinate with state and local officials responsible for responding to homeland emergencies.
"Clearly, a bias against playing a supporting role to civilian authorities has resulted in large gaps in NORTHCOM's ability to fulfill its stated mission," Shays said. "The fact is, governors and their National Guard are, and will continue to be, our nation's first domestic military responders. And until they and NORTHCOM can work together more seamlessly, NORTHCOM's ability to be of assistance in homeland response will continue to face significant challenges."
http://www.connpost.com/...
Does appear this is a problem. Just thought I'd pass it along.