National security

America needs to rethink national security apparatus

As we continue to gather information about theOrlando terrorist attack, which left 49 people dead and more than 50 wounded, it is already clear we should be asking two vital, related questions: How many innocent people will die before America reforms its domestic national security apparatus? And how many attacks must we endure before the cliches end and specific actions begin?

The Orlando shooting is exactly the kind of attack we've been expecting since those of September 11, 2001. After the attacks in Paris; San Bernardino, California; and Brussels; the threat of attacks directed, enabled or inspired by groups like ISIS reached all-time highs. Yet our domestic national security apparatus remains the same.

The reality is that when it comes to the lives of innocent Americans, talk is cheap and deadly. Congress, President Barack Obama and our law enforcement community need to act. Now.