Nielsen was set to headline one of the premier security events in Aspen this month. For the first time, I am not attending (so don't know if she is still speaking). I understand their invitation, but we all show our outrage in different ways. This is mine. 1/
When John Kelly was Secretary, he rescinded my appointment to the bipartisan Homeland Security Advisory Committee, a whose who of HS experts. I was told by his staff that I was too publicly critical. It was clear that there was no interest in debate or historical expertise. 2/
I stuck to the idea that there was a benefit to believing that the homeland security apparatus may differ on the edges of partisanship, but ultimately we had common space. I've worked with Republicans most my life. 3/
It should be noted that the other person who was booted off was a Muslim, but not Arab American like me. This was during Muslim ban. 4/
Anyway there is value to keeping dialogue open and professionally it's always good to go to events like that. But what is happening with DHS doesn't need me in the audience. I see it clearly. And I wonder whether others are same? End.
