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Willful Neglect: The Dangerous Illusion of Homeland Security    by Charles Faddis Amazon.com order for
Willful Neglect
by Charles Faddis
Order:  USA  Can
Lyons Press, 2010 (2010)
Hardcover, e-Book

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* *   Reviewed by Bob Walch

In this disturbing book, former CIA operative officer Charles Faddis discusses the illusion of safety created by the Homeland Security system and why the efforts of this agency have fallen so pathetically short in providing real protection.

Although an effort has been made to make sure an attack resembling 9/11 doesn't occur again, Faddis points out that the rest of the country's vital infrastructure - from military installations and water treatment plants to sports stadiums and chemical plants - are exceedingly vulnerable.

'Stay out!' and 'No trespassing!' signage and guards who look inside a car or check out a person's handbag are not going to deter a trained terrorist from attacking a desired objective. 'I choose to write this book as a wake-up call, in hopes that it would attract attention, force some debate, and, perhaps, save some lives,' writes the author.

Not only does this one time chief at the CIA's Counterterrorism Center in Washington, D.C. assess the present protection afforded to some of the country's key targets, but he also explains why the existing security measures are inadequate.

'We cannot afford continued inactivity. We cannot afford continued deliberation, hesitation, and indecision,' explains Faddis. 'We do not need more studies, more conferences, or more experts thinking deep thoughts about the problem of terrorism. We need action.'

In addition to calling attention to security problems and flaws in the system. Faddis also makes a few suggestions on how to deal with the shortcomings he discusses. And athough the focus of this book is the problems in the United States' security system, the issues the author raises would apply to any country dealing with the threat of terrorism.

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