If America’s Homeland Security operation seems to be a bit rudderless of late, maybe it’s because head man Michael Chertoff is so busy making amends for blunders by his associates that he doesn’t have time to run the store.

Al Kamen of the Washington Post has termed Chertoff a “serial apologist” and remarked: “Every time you turn on the tube, there he is apologizing for some bonehead move by a senior agency official. Might as well just book a daily half-hour into his schedule for the morning mea culpa.”

First came a phony recent FEMA news conference on the California wildfires by deputy administrator Harvey Johnson. Chertoff was quick to call it “One of the dumbest and most inappropriate things I’ve seen since I’ve been in government.” The fake briefing brought floods of derision.

The latest bungle was by Julie Myers, an assistant secretary for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. At an agency Halloween party, Myers was on a three-judge panel that gave a “most original costume” award to a white employee dressed in prison attire. He wore dreadlocks and dark makeup, making him look African American or Hispanic. Myers had her picture taken with the winner.

Supposedly the photo was destroyed, after complaints from offended employees. Two days after the party, Myers sent an e-mail to employees saying that “it is now clear that : a few of the costumes were inappropriate and offensive : I and the senior management : deeply regret this has happened.”

So Chertoff had to roar back into action. “Here’s the bottom line,” he said publicly. “People do dumb things.” Critics say “particularly in the Department of Homeland Security.” At least he doesn’t dodge issues like this.

Nonetheless, is it surprising that a lot of observers believe the DHS is a disaster in motion?

The racism aspect of the controversial costume caused enough of a flurry. Adds Kamen, “But there’s also the matter of a law enforcement agency making fun of the people it’s imprisoning for immigration violations at a time when ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) is expanding its daily detention population, from about 20,000 two years ago to 28,000 this year.”

Where in the world does our government employment service find such people? And how long will it take DHS and its director to overcome the most recent surge of dolt fever?

However, and not to condone dumb, careless acts, it should be remembered that through the efforts of Homeland Security and numerous federal, state and local agencies, this country has avoided deadly security breaches.

Rather than easing up on security efforts and becoming complacent because there have not been any successful terrorist actions, it’s time for the government to toughen its security efforts and do a better job of policing various security personnel. Our enemies are not going to lessen their efforts to harm this nation and its people.