Is Cyberterror Real?

Throughout the history of emergency management in the United States, priorities set for government emergency management agencies have been driven by the most widely perceived threat or hazard. In your opinion, is DHS's current focus on terrorism the right area to be focused on, or should more attention be paid to natural disaster management?

DHS's focus on domestic terrorism is warranted. We only have to turn on the television to be reminded why daily. Media pundants and politicians are constantly reminding us why our nation is at war abroad, due to 9/11. The security theatre known as the TSA, wants us to be ever vigilant and aware that at anytime, someone may slip a bomb in their shoe (again) and attempt to board a plane. There is too much focus on terrorism prevention, and again, all one needs to do is turn on the evening news to see why. There have been less than ten confirmed, terrorist attacks on U.S. soil, since 9/11. However, the earth is in turmoil. Weather events are becoming increasingly violent and the loss to property and life is rising. For example, in 2011, there were 1706 confirmed tornados in the United States, six of which were of EF5 status. Meaning that winds in excess of 200mph were recorded. 300+ tornados were a part of a deadly outbreak across the southern region which cost over $11 Billion dollars in damage and claimed the lives of 325 people . It is events such as this which prove that the focus on natural disaster response is needed. FEMA's response was immediate and vast, sending hundreds of disaster assistant employees (DAE's) from all over the country to flood the area and begin the process of providing aid, shelter, and financial assistance. Mitigation and planning for events such as this could help minimize damage in the future. DHS should focus more on making the public aware that disasters could happen anywhere, at any time. Numerous people are far more likely to be affected by sudden floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, etc., than the far off chance of another large scale terrorist attack. While we should not turn a back to the enemies who may want to attack us, we should be vigilant of the silent threat that is Mother Nature.

What issues have been raised concerning some of the authorities granted to government agencies in the PATRIOT Act? How have those issues been addressed?

The PATRIOT Act has been constantly under scrutiny by Americans. We are a nation who believe in the tenants of the Constitution and are fiercely protective of the rights it affords us. Many see the PATRIOT Act as an attack on civil liberties under the guise of national security. Some of the most disputed allowances of the PATRIOT Act, such as wiretapping and electronic surveillance, were a part of numerous provisions that were later placed under "sunset" laws that allowed them to expire and cease being used. The issues with these practices were the secrecy in which they were conducted. Nothing more