Olyen Scott
Liberty University
Foundations of Homeland Security
The Homeland Security Paradigm
Dr. Mac
What homeland security related law or policy do you find most useful to the cause and
why?
The homeland security related law or policy that I find the most useful is the U.S Patriot
Act. Although there were various directives, policies, programs, and laws implemented in
response to 9/11, this one was integral to capturing domestic attacks within the homeland. In the
wake of 9/11, America established the Patriot Act with pure intentions and goals of
reinforcement to strengthen security protocols. This Act broadens the powers amongst local law
enforcement agencies to aid in terrorist identification and stoppage.
“The Patriot Act breaks down barriers to information sharing, enabling law enforcement
and intelligence personnel to share information that is needed to help connect the dots and
disrupt potential terror and criminal activity before they can carry out their plots” (Nemeth,
2016,p.82). Among all things, the Patriot's Act allows for the surveillance, searches and seizures
on all things known to be related to terrorism. Furthermore, this act allows for roving wiretaps to
occur to capture Intel on terrorist. Additionally, Marcovitz (2008) argues that the Patriotic Act
establishment has been effective in leading to the arrest and conviction of thousands of people
planning attacks on America and its allies. The Bush administration in 2005 prosecuted four
hundred defendants.
Should homeland security include what might be deemed emergency management
functions or should it only focus on terrorism, and why?
I believe that homeland security should include emergency management functions as they
play a highly significant role in disaster response and the four phase of emergency management.
Without them the government would crumble and convert back into the Civil Defense era that
took decades to get out of that drastically failed the country. Meanwhile, disasters shift the entire
focus of governments once they strike. Governments need an effective and ever evolving
emergency management plan as well as a counter-terrorism framework.
For instance, “The August 2007 collapse of the Minneapolis area I-35W Mississippi
River Bridge, a dramatic infrastructure disaster, impelled national policymakers to shift a portion
of federal defense spending to the replacement, repair, and improved maintenance and inspection
of the nation’s bridgeworks. The 9/11 terrorism disaster induced policymakers to move federal
emergency management into a holding company of agencies implementing policies ranging from
immigration control, border security, coastal maritime work, aviation security, public health,
domestic intelligence collection, right up to Secret Service protection of government leaders”
(Sylves, 2015,p.22).
What do you see as the 3 biggest threats/hazards to our homeland and why?
The three biggest threats to our homeland is the protecting of critical infrastructure, cyber
security, and vital assets of the U.S from enemies domestically and abroad. Those are all
challenging separately but seeing them together brings about doubts and numerous concerns.
How is America going to sustain in these ever evolving areas in a rapidly technological
advancing era? “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for
all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet”(Matthew 24:6). These threats could
bring down the government, exploit sensitive information of the American people, weaken
information sharing, and limit tools and resources. Terrorist organizations are highly skilled
hackers as well who use Trojans, worms, and ransom ware to abuse hospitals around the world.
Not to mention the preparedness concerns for natural disasters. What do you think class?
References
Holy Bible King James Version, Matthew 24:6
Marcovitz, H. (2008). Privacy rights and the Patriot Act. Edina, MN: ABDO Pub. Co.
Nemeth, C. P. (2016). Homeland Security. [MBS Direct]. Retrieved from
https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781498749121/
Sylves, R. (2015). Disaster Policy and Politics: Emergency Management and Homeland
Security. [MBS Direct]. Retrieved from
https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781483324135/
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