Change.gov - Protecting America

Agenda #4 - Homeland Security
Overall, there are several vague criticisms of the lack of security, no doubt aimed at the current administration, but there aren't and specific solutions given. He apparently wants to dump more funding into intelligence (yay, more spending).

"Find, Disrupt, and Destroy Al Qaeda: Obama will responsibly end the war in Iraq and focus on the right battlefield in Afghanistan. An Obama Administration will work with other nations to strengthen their capacity to eliminate shared enemies."

Meanwhile the left battlefields will go unwatched (/jk /jk). i am dubious of this claim in light of Obama's stated diplomatic policies, however, i have no problem with renewing focus on Afghanistan.

This is my favorite, i heard about it on Rush earlier today:

Barack Obama will establish a $2 billion Global Education Fund to work to eliminate the global education deficit and offer an alternative to extremist schools.

Yay, we're going to pay to educate would-be terrorists.

The next two points, when compared to one another, just crack me up:

"Eliminate Iran's and North Korea's Nuclear Weapons Programs Through Tough, Direct Diplomacy: Barack Obama will use tough diplomacy - backed by real incentives and real pressures - to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and to eliminate fully and verifiably North Korea's nuclear weapons program." ... "Prevent Nuclear Fuel from Becoming Nuclear Bombs: Barack Obama will work with other interested governments to establish a new international nuclear energy architecture - including an international nuclear fuel bank, international nuclear fuel cycle centers, and reliable fuel supply assurances - to meet growing demands for nuclear power without contributing to the proliferation of nuclear materials and fuel production facilities."

Yes, you read right, Obama wants to follow Clinton's example and give countries that are hostile towards us nuclear power and just hope that they don't develop nuclear weapons because we've been so nice. This is why we're having so much trouble with North Korea. i am wondering how he plans to get any farther with NK or Iran than Bush did when he will not set any preconditions before meeting with these world leaders. Again, Obama wants to make it easier for countries to get their hands on nuclear materials and this is supposed to help defend us. One thing that is a relief, however, is his promise that America will not disarm itself. The irony of this is that he wants to provide the world with nuclear power but denies it to Americans.

Re: Preventing Bioterrorism

"Barack Obama will ensure that decision-makers have the information and communication tools they need to manage disease outbreaks by linking health care providers, hospitals, and public health agencies."

Yet another reason to federalize healthcare?

Here is a nice little bit that i didn't expect about Information Network Security:

"Nearly 10 million Americans are victims of identity theft each year, costing more than $55 billion. We must ensure that the privacy of personnel data in computer systems is better protected. The federal government must partner with industry and our citizens to secure personal data stored on government and private systems. An Obama administration will institute a common standard for securing such data across industries and will back strong legislation to protect the rights of individuals in the information age."

Homeland Security is one area where i felt that Bush was a bit lax. i am not for losing individual freedoms in order to be safer. i don't think an expensive chain link fence is the answer. At the same time, Obama seems to be looking largely abroad, which is pro-active, but what about what's going on here, in this country?

"Create a National Infrastructure Protection Plan: Barack Obama's Department of Homeland Security will develop an effective critical infrastructure protection and resiliency plan for the nation and will work with the private sector to ensure that targets are protected against both natural disasters and terrorist attacks."

This apparently includes chemical plants, airline security, ports, and public transportation. Finally, something that is positive and productive! They also mention border security, but they don't say how they plan to deal with the issue. Hopefully Obama will deliever here; far too often i feel as if his image is saying one thing while he really means another that is completely different.

Create a National Infrastructure Reinvestment Bank: Barack Obama will address the infrastructure challenge by creating a National Infrastructure Reinvestment Bank to expand and enhance, not supplant, existing federal transportation investments. This independent entity will be directed to invest in our nation's most challenging transportation infrastructure needs, without the influence of special interests. The Bank will receive an infusion of federal money, $60 billion over 10 years, to provide financing to transportation infrastructure projects across the nation.

I'm not entirely sure what to make of this, other than the fact that it equals yet more spending. The language is far too vague for me to comment.