000			04080nam a2200313Ia 4500
001			177787
003			0000000000
005			20211104033719.0
008			090501s2009 nyum a001 0 eng
020			_a9780312534875
035			_a(AEA)EA8765ED6D894263B1F6DDAC8BCFE900
050			_aHV 6432 _b.R435 2009
100			_aRidge, Thomas J. _9110051
245		4	_aThe test of our times : _bAmerica under siege-- and how we can be safe again / _cTom Ridge with Lary Bloom.
260			_aNew York : _bThomas Dunne Books, _c2009
300			_axv, 288 p. _c25 cm.
500			_aIncludes index.
504			_aIncludes bibliographical references and index.
505			_aTo the fields of Shanksville -- We're all expendable -- A powder keg -- Culture of secrecy -- The colors of fear (and laughter) -- The politics of terrorism -- Underneath the scenes -- "Buttoning up" Iraq -- Matthew Broderick's day off -- Anthrax at the Oscars -- Internationally speaking -- Christmas orange -- FEMA and the gathering storm -- The politics of terrorism -- E pluribus unum -- An enlightened congress -- Beliefs and choices.
520			_aWhen our nation called, Tom Ridge answered. Appointed by the President to head up domestic security, Ridge established the Department of Homeland Security. In this probing and surefooted memoir, Ridge takes us through the challenges he and his new department faced, including Anthrax scares and reports (both real and false alarms) of new Al-Qaeda operations sprouting up in the United States. A "law and order" Republican who was on the shortlist to be John McCain's running mate in 2008, Ridge writes with refreshing candor on both the successes and missteps of the DHS. He details the obstacles faced in his new post-often within the administration itself-as well as the failures of Congress to provide for critical homeland security needs, and the irresponsible use of terrorism by both parties to curry favors with voters. Ridge also reveals: ΓÇó How the DHS was pressured to connect homeland security to the international "war on terror" ΓÇó How Ridge effectively thwarted a plan to raise the national security alert just before the 2004 Election ΓÇó How Ridge had pushed for a plan (defeated because of turf wars) to integrate DHS and FEMA disaster management in New Orleans and other areas before Hurricane Katrina Finally, Ridge offers a prescriptive look to the future, advocating ways that America may reaffirm its safety-including his provocative support for a national ID card program and for comprehensive immigration reform-without sacrificing personal liberty. Television captures every word and every expression. I was reasonable to think that our enemies would look for any sign of weakness in the person who in a few days would be responsible for protecting America against them. At that moment, I experienced a royal flush of emotion-after all, I was leaving the state I loved, a loyal staff, many friendships developed over a lifetime, the frustration of work unfinished, to head into the unknown and the undoable. In normal times, I might have shed a tear at such thoughts. But I was determined not to do so as I said my farewell. If I needed any reminding, I glanced down at the note I had written for counsel. "The bastards are watching." We can never guarantee we will be free from another attack. We must also understand that every day thousands and thousands of our fellow citizens work here and abroad to take us to a new level of readiness and security. For in the end, Americans do not live in fear. We live in freedom. And we will let no one take that freedom away. -Tom Ridge, from THE TEST OF OUR TIMES"www.shelfari.com"
650			_aEmergency management _zUnited States. _991134
650			_aSeptember 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001. _931759
650			_aTerrorism _zUnited States _991135
650			_aTerrorism _zUnited States. _991135
650			_aWar on Terrorism, 2001-2009. _93361
700			_aBloom, Lary. _9110052
942			_cALR
999			_c76553 _d76553