In Case Of Emergency, Read Blog

I was very unhappy to hear on my iPod this week that the public radio show, “Homeland Security Inside & Out” is ending production after three-and-a-half years. I was a podcast subscriber and a big fan of the weekly program hosted by Dave McIntyre and Randy Larsen.

“Homeland Security Inside & Out” was not only a well-produced, enjoyable hour of radio, but it was a very valuable homeland security resource that will really be missed. It covered the broad and evolving homeland security field in a comprehensive, even-handed manner. During the show’s run, Dave and Randy interviewed 900 guests (I was honored to be one of them last year). I have written a number of times on the blog about ideas, events and perspectives I first heard on the program.

“Homeland Security Inside & Out” is coming to an end not for lack of ratings — nor, as Dave pointed out on the last show, for illness or indictment — but because of the hosts’ professional commitments. Randy has become the executive director of the Commission for the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism, and Dave, who runs the Integrative Center for Homeland Security at Texas A&M, is considering running for Congress.

Two of the guests on the final episode offered their own tributes to the show: CNN’s Jeanne Meserve said: “it’s really a loss that you’re going off the air.” And the Heritage Foundation’s James Carafano added that the show provided “a great public service for bringing [homeland security] issues out”. Unfortunately, “Homeland Security Inside & Out” is now out as well.

The archives with all the previous shows and interviews will still be available at http://homestation.typepad.com/hlsinsideandout/.