September 6, 2005, - 6:25 pm

Russ Knocke: Homeland Security Chicken a la King

By Debbie Schlussel
Tonight, I’m on Westwood One, heard on about 350 radio stations around the country (listen to it here, 10pm-1am Eastern Time). Russ Knocke, chief spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security, was scheduled to be on the show.
Mr. Knocke was made well aware of the topics we would be discussing–the Hurricane Katrina disaster, immigration, counter-terrorism, etc. But, within the last hour, Mr. Knocke apparently decided that neither he nor his department could answer the questions I have been raising for months about his department–and even his own actions (he attended the annual convention of a radical Muslim group that supports Hezbollah and HAMAS and refuses to recognize Israel).
First, he insisted I ask only questions about hurricane relief and no immigration questions. Then, no 9/11 or terrorism questions. Then, his office claimed that DHS Secretary Chertoff (who is supposed to be in New Orleans, not DC with Knocke) wanted Knocke to hang out with him tonight. What–are they drinking buddies hanging out at the Capitol Grille, while New Orleans is still a mess and the 4th 9/11 anniversary approaches with few positive changes?
I’m not surprised Mr. Knocke turned out down at the last minute. His appearances–for example on ABC’s “Nightline,” regarding the DHS handling of PKK terrorist –are woeful, even in the few cases when the facts are on DHS’ side (as in the Parlak case).
I would have been fair and given him a chance to respond to these questions. Now, though, I will still ask the questions. And as usual, with this absentee press chief for Homeland Security–whose bloated salary YOU are paying–there will be no answers.




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9 Responses

Debbie, I’m not surprised that this guy scurried away from your questions. I’m also not surprised when these guys attend Jew hating conventions with Hamas, etc. Polite WASP/State Department type circles in D.C. have always been comfortable with fellow anti-semites, and now they can pretend it’s part of their job.

shleppy on September 6, 2005 at 8:00 pm

I Knew it. almost wrote in the a.m. to say no way he would come on and talk to you.but ,didn’t want to be the wet blanket.Took the dog ‘ORNA’ to the beach instead.My kibbutz Nahal Oz was a short way from the shore.so now…sorry got off track.I guess we need to get you a prime time slot.People are ready to hear ‘but for the life of me I don’t know why you think it’s worth the effort.Dylan’s the same way I’m jelous.But then again my mom helen has #’s on the left arm.so sitting with her is my meaning in life .love you debbie

danny on September 6, 2005 at 9:54 pm

I have you on the radio right now 8.37p.m.california time. the fence + also high tech (oz vision)developed in israel on my kibbutz ‘ nahal oz ‘does work. O.K. to little to late , but what do you do? I worry about the ones who hate us and want to pull more attacks on the u.s.a. sad to say it’s already a given, to little to late.

danny on September 6, 2005 at 11:53 pm

In this day and age of information, why do people not spread this informed information and put pressure on the President and others to get these people out of these posts. We are supposed to feel more safe after 9/11? I feel it already.

countommula on September 7, 2005 at 3:41 am

As we study this disaster, let us see why the disaster response required that every one in the command chain make an immediate, correct analysis of the situation and take that action, within the law, that would be unarguably the best action to take. Any law that works only if everything is perfect is a really stupid law. A system that falls apart if any single component fails is a bad, bad system. Bad systems are the fault of bad designers.
1. Congress, in the comfort and ease of your offices, rewrite the laws so as to make the best use of whatever information, people and materials are at hand. Make those laws with the knowledge that perfection is the enemy of good enough. Until congress is perfect it is hypocritical for them to demand perfection of others.

Walter E. Wallis on September 7, 2005 at 9:42 am

Good luck tonight…not that I feel you need any, it just seems that with the limited scope of questions they are willing to answer, you’re pretty much wasting your time. Is our government really so blind or are they just to chickenshit to discuss the real issues?

MichaelRoland on September 7, 2005 at 4:01 pm

Good luck my Jewish Jewel!

KOAJaps on September 7, 2005 at 7:37 pm

Unless La Deb is appearing again, it’s a little late to wish her luck as she was on the show on Tuesday night. I made the supreme sacrifice, giving up a night of listening to JT The Brick on Fox Sports Radio to gird up my loins in support of Debbie.
Somebody soon is going to offer Debbie a nationwide radio or TV gig and she will be a huge star. She’s funny, sassy, and smart.
The highlight was the last hour focusing on Oprah. If you haven’t heard her shrieking about being mad and her trying to connive her way into the Superdome by saying “I’m a strong woman, I can handle it…”, you have to find some audio. Like someone else mentioned, it was hilarious when this woman said she called Oprah’s company to tattle on Debbie and how she was saying bad things about the most caring person in the world, high priestess Oprah.
I’d actually watch an Oprah show if she would book Debbie, but it won’t happen in a million years.
Great job, Debbie!

The_Man on September 7, 2005 at 8:28 pm

Deb, one word of advice? If you criticize a staff employee of any adminstration, be it Democrats or Republicans, be sure to be very careful. Today’s neo-facists both the Neo-Cons and Neo-Libs tend to do bad things to people who criticize them. Two such examples are: Clinton and Ron Brown and GWB and Howard Stern. So be careful my darling. I have to remind people that the leader you are supporting? Aint what govt should be.

KOAJaps on September 8, 2005 at 5:26 am

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