Just curious: Does anybody still believe the nonsense that government officials keep spewing out about securing our homeland? The nation’s chief homelander, Michael Chertoff, was in town today announcing a new strategy for resuming port operations after a terrorist attack. The plan covers 130 pages and includes stuff like making damage assessments and prioritizing cargo and vessels based on public health, national security and economic concerns. All worthy goals. But Chertoff, who talked about making sure "we spend as little time as possible paralyzed by an attack," makes me very nervous. I just can't help it. Whenever I see him interviewed, he sounds remarkably ill-prepared and anxious - not what most of us are looking for in a homelander czar. Not that the port should be ignored – it’s just that ... er, do we have to rely on this guy? Oh well. (LAT)