http://oxdown.firedoglake.com/diary/3575

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/…..63144.html

there are a few more takes on these changes…

And finally, the National Security Council must adapt to evolving challenges. There are traditional priorities that we will manage. But we must also update our outlook and sometimes our organization to keep pace with the changing world. To give you just a few examples, the NSC today works very closely with President Obama’s National Economic Council, which is led by Mr. Larry Summers, so that our response to the economic crisis is coordinated with our global partners and our national security needs. The NSC has worked closely with the White House Counsel’s office as we implement the President’s orders to ban torture and close the detention center at Guantanamo Bay. The National Security Council is undertaking a review to determine how best to unify our efforts to combat terrorism around the world while protecting our homeland. And this effort will be led by Mr. John Brennan

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The two are working close together because there will be a National Infrastructure Reinvestment bank which will be created under Homeland Security policy.

Modernize America’s Aging Infrastructure

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Build-in Security: Ensure that security is considered and built into the design of new infrastructure, so that our critical assets are protected from the start and more resilient to naturally-occurring and deliberate threats throughout their life-cycle.
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Create a National Infrastructure Reinvestment Bank: Address the infrastructure challenge by creating a National Infrastructure Reinvestment Bank of $60 billion over 10 years, to expand and enhance, not supplant, existing federal transportation investments. This independent entity will be directed to invest in our nation’s most challenging transportation infrastructure needs, without the influence of special interests.
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Invest in Critical Infrastructure Projects: Invest in our nation’s most pressing short and long-term infrastructure needs, including modernizing our electrical grid and upgrading our highway, rail, ports, water, and aviation infrastructure. Establish a Grid Modernization Commission to facilitate adoption of Smart Grid practices to improve efficiency and security of our electricity grid.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/agen….._security/

It is my understand that language as loose as ” $ to secure” on page two of the Senate Simulus bill under Homeland Security bulleted items could be enough to establish this.

We’re doomed there anyway in the long haul if history is any predictor, but shooting with intent at members of the drug trade (civilians, warlord associates) will ensure that EVERYone in that country turns on us.

And we’ve no way out.

Like Gilley drew out for us in Iraq with concern for our EXIT routes there, Afghanistan is that a hundredfold.

US and NATO forces are only a few supply route issues away from becoming a sitting duck like the French at Dien Bien Phu.

We are at the cusp of so many domestic and foreign policy issues it’s maddening. Watching it all unfold is like seeing molasses run uphill in winter only the ticking watch is counting seconds like decades. It’s phreakin unnerving.

As always, thanks to Mz. Wheeler and the excellent folks who comment.

But yeah, FormerFed makes such a great, important point.
(And my very limited experience about Marines is as positive as his/hers sounds: smart, no-nonsense, tough.)

The comparison between Condi and Jones is a bit like comparing Colonel Klink (Hogan’s Heros) with… well, maybe not Capt Picard, but at least his First Mate.
I’m not used to experiencing sensations of optimism when reading posts on the topic of the NSA. (This may take a period of adjustment.)

I’ve just been floored by the quote from Condi when the anthrax attacks hit, saying (something to the effect of) “When I took this job I didn’t sign up for all this domestic stuff.”

Absolutely floored me, coming after the anthrax attack.

So maybe I’m just predisposed to this Jones speech today having just relistened to that.

I’ve always had a real soft spot for Marines – they are special folks – and this not to denigrate anyone else in uniform. BTW, I wore the Navy uniform and did most of my civilian time with the AF and the Intel Community.