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Home Front: Politix
Obama announces WH changes to create new "National Security Staff"
2009-05-27
President Barack Obama on Tuesday announced that he would fully integrate White House staff supporting national security and homeland security into a new "National Security Staff" that will support all White House policymaking activities related to international, transnational and homeland security matters.

Establishment of the new National Security Staff, under the direction of the National Security Adviser, "will end the artificial divide between White House staff who have been dealing with national security and homeland security issues," Obama said in a White House announcement.
Good to know they are at least thinking about such things.
The President also announced that he would maintain the Homeland Security Council as the principle venue for interagency deliberations on issues that affect the security of the homeland such as terrorism, weapons of mass destruction (WMD), natural disasters and pandemic flu. "The Homeland Security Council, like its National Security Council counterpart, will be supported by the National Security Staff," he said.

In addition, Obama said he would establish new directorates and positions within the National Security Staff to deal with new and emerging challenges associated with cybersecurity, WMD terrorism, transborder security, information sharing and resilience policy, including preparedness and response.

Obama said he would retain the position of Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism as principal White House adviser on these issues, "with direct and immediate access to me."

"The security of our homeland is of paramount importance to me, and I will not allow organizational impediments to stand in the way of timely action that ensures the safety of our citizens," he said.
Good again. Hopefully timely action means before something really bad actually happens.
The President also announced creation of a new Global Engagement Directorate "to drive comprehensive engagement policies that leverage diplomacy, communications, international development and assistance, and domestic engagement and outreach in pursuit of a host of national security objectives, including those related to homeland security."
Can someone translate that for me?
The actions were based on a review of findings and recommendations in a Presidential Study Directive that Obama ordered last February to determine how the White House should be organized to deal with homeland security and counterterrorism issues, he noted.
Posted by:Seafarious

#13  A way to get Janet Napolitano out of Obama's inner circle.
Posted by: ed   2009-05-27 19:51  

#12  Redneck Jim, nah, not a Deere.

First off, he's gotta keep it real with a product from Government Motors/Chrysler. And it has to be "green".

So, it would be more like a solar powered Smart Car.
Posted by: Cornsilk Blondie   2009-05-27 17:36  

#11  How does this affect General Jones??? Any ideas?
Posted by: Art ofWar   2009-05-27 15:51  

#10  Heimatsicherheitsdienst, according to my formerly German mother, now here for a long visit (hurrah!), lord garth. Anything with Vaterland in it is streng verboten post-1945.
Posted by: trailing wife   2009-05-27 14:36  

#9  Heimat-Sicherheit Rat
or
Vaterlandsicherheit Rat

would be "homeland security council" in German
Posted by: Lord garth   2009-05-27 14:24  

#8  The President also announced creation of a new Global Engagement Directorate "to drive comprehensive engagement policies

Whole lot o' trips to Tiffany & Co., I reckon.
Posted by: Grenter, Protector of the Geats   2009-05-27 14:05  

#7  Perhaps Obama can entice them to his side with free farmland?

Ummm, 40 acres and a John Deere? (Modern Mule)
Posted by: Redneck Jim   2009-05-27 13:57  

#6  Can someone translate that for me?

Department of Peace.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble   2009-05-27 11:53  

#5  Grom: Komityet Gosudarstvjennoj Biezopasnosti
Posted by: mojo   2009-05-27 11:18  

#4  Gotta keep track of them radical war veterans. Perhaps Obama can entice them to his side with free farmland?
Posted by: ed   2009-05-27 07:49  

#3  international, transnational and homeland security matters

How shall he call it
"People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs"
or
"Committee for State Security"?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru   2009-05-27 06:16  

#2  It seems to me that he continues to bypass the existing cabinet leadership and legislative oversight, wrapping all into his close grasp.
Posted by: tipover   2009-05-27 01:33  

#1  Can someone translate that for me?

It may not mean anything, but it *is* certified ISO 9000 buzzword compliant.
Posted by: SteveS   2009-05-27 00:36  

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