Homeland Security Dep't Turns 5

With the Department of Homeland Security celebrating its fifth anniversary Saturday, Secretary Michael Chertoff says six attack-free years could tempt the next US administration to make cuts in his agencies, the Christian Science Monitor reports. He said he has a "moral responsibility" to make choices he might not see bear fruit, rather than take the usual Washington approach of post-disaster recriminations.

“One thing I am sick and tired of,” Chertoff said, is federal officials taking the attitude of “‘Let's not pay attention until the disaster happens,’” then punishing perpetrators and spending “a lot of money making up for what happened.” He added, "If you are only interested in making yourself look good and benefiting yourself through applause, go to the private sector." (More Department of Homeland Security stories.)