Kerik to replace Ridge.(Insider Report)(Tom Ridge)(Bernard Kerik)

On November 30, after spending more than a year pelting the American public with dire predictions of impending terrorist attacks, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge announced his resignation, insisting that America is safer because of his work.

"I am confident that the terrorists are aware that from the curb to the cockpit we've got additional security measures that didn't exist a couple years ago, that from port to port we do things differently with maritime security," Ridge declared as he announced his departure. "I am confident they know the borders are more secure. I am confident they know we have developed and are sharing information with state and local law enforcement." Because of these changes, Ridge continued, terrorists know that "America is a different place to work and operate in."

While terrorists may "know" all of these things, Ridge "acknowledged he could not prove the enormously expensive and complex security measures put in place since 2001 have foiled any terrorist attacks inside the United States," reported an AP story describing the press conference.

To replace Ridge, President Bush nominated former New York Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik, a close adviser to former ...