The incompetent hacks that pass themselves off as “leaders” in this country just don’t get it—our national security is inexorably linked to our economic security. But while these “leaders” nobly force us not to take toothpaste on airplanes, they have watched our housing and stock markets collapse, our national debt soar, and our country become economically subservient to our oil providers and cheap trade partners.

In fact, a recent government report looking 25 years into the future predicts a staggering decline in this nation’s physical and economic security, and its role as a political, cultural, and economic leader in the world. But don’t worry, our crack politicians are on the case, arguing about lipstick and running up the multi-trillion dollar bills we will pass on to our grandchildren.

Almost seven years after 9/11, only 5 percent of all cargo coming into U.S. ports is being inspected. That, despite a Congressional mandate that all cargo be screened for nuclear and radiological threats by 2012. Homeland Security officials were on Capitol Hill yesterday to tell senators again and again what can’t be done. We can’t meet our goals. We can’t implement the law. We can’t screen our cargo. It’s just another example of the incompetence of the Bush administration when it comes to homeland security. Click here for our report.

The Supreme Court yesterday voted 5-4 to extend the constitutional right of habeas corpus—the right to contest one’s detention before a judge—to terrorist suspects being held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Proponents of that change say it’s a victory for democracy and decency. Detractors say it will result in terrorists being released to fight against our country again. Gen. David Grange and constitutional law expert Richard Pildes joined Lou to discuss the implications of the decision.

Keeping the lid on sensitive military technology is not easy. The State and Commerce Departments are supposed to regulate defense trade to ensure critical technology does not end up in the hands of an enemy nation or terrorist group. But a shocking new study by the Government Accountability Office found the agencies are not doing a very good job. Click here to see our special report.

Six states are refusing to comply with the Real I.D. Act, which sets a federal standard for drivers’ licenses. In fact, those states have passed laws saying that they will never comply with Real I.D. That means drivers’ licenses from Maine, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Montana and Washington will not be accepted for purposes such as boarding an airplane. The author of Real I.D., Congressman James Sensenbrenner (R-WI), joined Lou to discuss the law and the defiant states. Click here for our interview.

Our constitutional right to keep and to bear arms is under attack from the federal government. Army reservist David Olofson was convicted in federal court of “transferring a machine gun,” after his 20-year-old AR-15 rifle malfunctioned on a shooting range. That malfunction caused the rifle to fire multiple rounds with one pull of the trigger. Now the father of three is a convicted felon facing prison time.

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You might be forgiven if you thought protecting federal buildings in Washington DC would be a high priority for the Department of Homeland Security. But we’ve learned that budget cuts are hampering the very agency created to protect these potential targets.

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