Homeland Insecurity: How Washington Politicians Have Made America Less Safe

by Terry Turchie, Kathleen M. Puckett

Many of the same people who inhabited the political jungles of Washington, D.C. during Watergate are still in power today. In their constant jockeying for political power and influence on public opinion, they foster the same ill will and distrust of the FBI they have for 30 years. Their political persecution has not improved the FBI’s performance or insured that Americans are safer today within our borders than we were before the attacks of 9/11. In fact, current partisan political control of the FBI, as well as the public hammering of the Bureau by politicians using the media to broadcast their agendas, has resulted in a disheartening and dangerous paralysis of operations in the Field. In an effort to gratify the White House and Congress, the Bureau has rushed to implement ill-advised and hasty changes in its own structure and the way it does its work. In Homeland Insecurity, authors Terry D. Turchie and Kathleen M. Puckett name politicians from both parties who are responsible for undermining the ability of the FBI to protect Americans from both domestic and international terrorism. They warn readers that purely partisan assaults on the FBI, if unchecked, will destroy the last impartial defender of United States law and the rights of individual citizens in the current terror war.

Genres: Nonfiction

300 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2007

Reviews

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written by former FBI agents, this work sets forth the idea that the FBI and the war on terrorism have been hampered by Washington politicians from Nixon through the second Bush ignoring excesses of authority by the FBI under Hoover. The authors argue that the FBI should be responsible for intelligence dealing with terrorism throughout the world and any limit on that would endanger the security of the USA. At least that's what I got out of it. Both sides of the issue need to be taken with a grain of salt.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Homeland Insecurity: How Washington Politicians Have Made America Less Safe (Hardcover)
I previously read Hunting the American Terrorist by Terry Turchie and Kathleen Puckett and was very impressed with their complimentary writing style and the presentation of their hunt for UNABOMer Ted Kazinski.

I bought "Homeland Insecurity, How Washington Politicians Have Made America Less Safe" at the same time and added it to my list of readings. Unfortunately I waited four months before I pulled it off the shelf to read. This is a book for every American to read and be forewarned about the possible dismantling of the FBI by corrupt and compromised politicians whose addiction to power is patent. I agree that the FBI is the only entity capable of the transparency needed to investigate many of these politicians and adhere to the "Rule of Law". Unfortunately, the steadfast adherence to this principle by the FBI has made many politicians nervous because of their own corruption or their being reminded that the FBI is and has always been a "whipping boy" for their mistakes or failure to do their jobs in leading the country.

This book and its authors, Turchie and Puckett did an excellent job in summarizing many of major "black eye" events for this country over the last fifty years. And emphasizing how politicians have used the FBI as the scapegoat to hide their own failures. If you have been alive during some or most of these events, you should read this book! The blame is not based on partisan politics but on the addiction to power by our leaders irrespective of party affiliation.

I am not surprised that there is no promotion of this book by any mainstream media. It is obvious to me, that they do not want accolades for the FBI's indefatigable work on behalf of the American people and the rule of law. This just doesn't sell papers or sell advertisement. The media would rather wait for some faux pas to emblazon their presentations.

Our FBI has been too often excoriated for doing the job that has to be done to protect and defend the American people. There is no organization, I know of, that can hire such principled men and women for an often super-criticized effort, who could be earning "big" bucks in the private sector. Instead, they sacrifice and dedicate themselves to upholding the rule of law for their fellow Americans.

As Americans, this book is a must read!

[Bill Buckley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book looked interesting when I was shopping at the book store, and it was. Mostly about the FBI, and how politicians, of both parties, or literally 'addicted to power'. It read a lot like a long series of newspaper articles, covering everything from Watergate to 9/11 and the war on terror. Interesting.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm the co-author of this book, and I give it five stars! :-) Please note: the subtitle is an earlier version; title was published as "Homeland Insecurity: How Washington Politicians Have Made America Less Safe."