Homeland Insecurity: How Washington Politicians Have Made America Less Safe

by Kathleen M. Puckett and Terry Turchie

Book Overview

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... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1933909331
• ISBN13: 9781933909332
• Release Date: September 2008
• Publisher: History Publishing Co LLC
• Length: 313 Pages
• Weight: 0.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.3" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Can Congressional Leaders Violate the Federal Crime Code without Punishment?

Homeland Insecurity: How Washington Politicians Have Made America Less Safe Homeland Insecurity, written by two recently senior security officials of the FBI, is both brave and wise. Brave, because unlike the mainstream media in America today they are calling both Republican and Democratic politicians on the carpet for their lust for power and the devastating effect their resulting actions have had on our national security for the past 35 years. Wise, because they know what they're talking about. I was on the front lines for most of that time, and I saw it happen. During the years 1948 to 1975 I was an FBI street agent (8 cities), a field supervisor (two cities) and an FBI Headquarters supervisor in three divisions. I was an FBI polygraph examiner for the Watergate Special Prosecutor. When I retired, I was Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Crime Commission. Later, I was professor and then chairman of the Criminal Justice Department at West Chester (PA) University, 1975-87. In 2005, I was a lecturer on polygraph to the PA Bar Association membership. I was in the FBI during the Cold War when the CIA failed utterly to penetrate their prime target--the lethal Soviet leadership/intelligence service. FBI operatives, the Childs brothers, achieved full and reliable penetration of top leadership in Russia, China, Cuba and other lesser satellites, enabling the American breakthrough to the Soviet/China leadership in the 1970's. Jimmy Carter, in his gentlemanly way, called it "better than ice cream". Henry Kissinger used this information to move the U.S. safely through this all-important opening. It was a spectacular FBI intelligence/diplomatic success, and as the authors of Homeland Insecurity point out, it didn't involve the CIA. Nevertheless, the authors stress that current FBI Director Mueller has unwisely placed direction and control of its uber critical national security mission with elements of the CIA. Senior FBI security officials are now leaving as early as possible because of the Mueller/CIA insult (see page 252). The authors clearly illustrate how leading national politicians of both parties have successfully and astonishingly asserted their immunity from FBI investigations. The case of Congressman William Jefferson, Louisiana, illustrates a stunning example of the fierce opposition by Federal policiticans of both parties to FBI investigations of their actions. Jefferson remains under a 16 count indictment in bribes and was involved in racketeering, money laundering and conspiracy and staff solicitation of millions of dollars from American business deals. Revelation of the indictment produced such outrage from both Republican and Democratic House leaders that President George W. Bush froze the search warrant underlying these charges because it invaded the "safe harbor" of Congress! See pages 186-190. The general theme here is Federal legislators may do as they please without enforcement of the Federal Crimes C

Honest Look at the FBI versus our political leaders

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!

A must read for those who are trying to figure out what's wrong with today's Washington

A department dedicated to the security of our country sounds like an excellent idea on paper, but in practice, it has problems. "Homeland Insecurity: How Washington Politicians Made America Less Safe" is a highly critical piece attacking the incompetence of Washington and their blunders which have made America less safe since the tragic events of September 11th, 2001. Focusing its persecution on twelve politicians who reside on both sides of political spectrum, it calls their motivations into question, making "Homeland Insecurity" a highly recommended piece of writing, a must read for those who are trying to figure out what's wrong with today's Washington.

The Perfect Book for the Law Enforcement Professional

A perfect book for a criminal justice, political science or history curriculum, and with important revelations for the serious reading public. Homeland Insecurity should be required reading for intelligence experts and law enforcement professionals. Intriguing, informative endnotes share the authors' insider stories. The book contains a convincing and clear justification for maintaining the FBI as the single federal agency responsible for both criminal and national security investigations. The inside information will surprise and fascinate readers.