Concerns From A Former Homeland Security Chief

Homeland Security Director Michael Chertoff was grilled his actions before Katrina by a special House panel on Wednesday in Washington, D.C. Andrew Councill / Abaca

Ex-Homeland Security Chief Michael Chertoff Sees Risk In Current Anti-Terror Policies -- L.A. Times

The former Homeland Security secretary, who has a book due out, talks about America's safety, counter-terrorism and the threats of the 21st century.

Reporting from Washington - Former Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, who has a new book out this week, warned in an interview that national security will suffer if counter-terrorism warriors fear that bosses will second-guess their front-line actions after the fact.

Chertoff said his book, "Homeland Security: Assessing the First Five Years," lays out an architecture for defending the nation against the threats of the 21st century.

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My Comment: I know that he is peddling his book and needs to cause "a buzz" .... but his points are still valid. If I had an important post in any of the security agencies, I will now be looking behind my shoulders to see if there is a bailiff in the wings who is about to give me a subpoena.

Outgoing U.S. Homeland Security Chief Expresses His Views

Battling Terror, Chertoff Felt 'Invisible Burden' -- ABC News

With his tenure nearly over, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff now openly talks about the pressures that have come with his job keeping America safe from the world's terrorists -- and what he calls the "invisible burden" of being on edge at all times.

"I've never taken a vacation where I haven't held my breath waiting for the call to come," he said. "And I've never had a family event where I didn't half expect a tap on the shoulder to go outside and take an emergency phone call."

That's how he summed up the challenge at the center of the war on terror when ABC News asked him in an exclusive interview for any advice he has for Janet Napolitano, the Arizona governor who has been nominated to replace him.

In 11 days, Chertoff will leave a job that many believe is one of the more difficult and, perhaps, thankless in government.

Ironically, he said his worst moment had nothing to do with terrorism.

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My Comment: This is a thankless job, not worth the money and compensation paid for doing it.

But thank God someone is willing to do it.