Delineation of Authorities and Responsibilities (Federal/State)

If you so feel obliged (and it will be worth your time as a Homeland Security professional), review the 3 strategic-level, foundational, overarching key documents previously-mentioned. You will surely regain an appreciation of what was/is the federal government’s role and responsibility in protecting the Nation’s CIKR. Did you notice that the states also have authority to implement protective measures in addition to the federal government? Do you recall where you saw this authority? If the states already had the right to implement protective measures in addition to the federal government, why didn't they do so?

!! Remember !!  Interpretation is the key – some citizens and politicians see the roles very clearly indicated, some not. Perhaps you made bullet/talking points for later use; if not, consider doing so – you will use these again if you work in the Homeland Security arena. You should be capable of discussing, in pre-9/11 context, how these federal and state roles/responsibilities should/could have been used to implement what we now refer to as  CIKR protection activities. You should also be able to defend your position about whether the federal government held the full responsibility for identifying and protecting the Nation’s CIKR (whether residing in the public or private sector) or whether the states shared some of that responsibility and if so, to what degree. In other words, where is the line of demarcation? It’s not a black & white issue – but rather many shades of gray!