“Purposeful Redundancy” of Overlapping DHS Oversight Should be Fixed Before 9-11
Within the past few weeks, testimony from former Congressman Lee Hamilton and an Associated Press story both highlighted the cost — in time and money, if not security — of overlapping jurisdiction of congressional oversight of the Department of...
DetailsAppreciating the Lessons of Gardens of Stone
There is solemnity to Arlington National Cemetery that is unique. It is one of the few places in the Washington area that if you stop and look around, you will only hear soft murmurs of people talking, maybe the...
DetailsThe “One Size Fits All” Rhetoric from DHS Does Not Fit the Facts
I have a suggestion for those hard-working, well-meaning and too-often overwhelmed folks in the DHS Public Affairs shop. Get rid of the “one size fits all” term (“OSFA”) when referring to homeland security programs that Secretary Napolitano wants to...
DetailsNew Customs and Border Aircraft Rolled Out This Week
On Wednesday, the Office of Air and Marine at Customs and Border Protection (CBP) held an open house in a government hangar at Reagan National Airport to show off its latest aircraft – the Multi-Role Enforcement Aircraft (MREA). It...
Details“On the Road Again” with Secretary Napolitano, One Logical Trip Missing from Schedule
Last week, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano was in New York to announce the new National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS). Then, at the end of the week, she went to Aretesia, New Mexico, to tour the facility and participate in...
DetailsIt’s a Security Debrief Contest! Tell Napolitano Where to Go Next
The more I thought about DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano’s recent travel schedule, congratulating her on where she has been and wondering about where she has not yet gone, the thought kept going through my head about how the Security...
DetailsKool-Aid and Color-Coded Comments
For a town that is known for its receptions and occasional stiff drinks, it’s a wonder that Kool-Aid is not the official beverage of Washington. Be they on the ideological right or left, this town is full of avid...
DetailsNew National Preparedness Policy – Worth the Wait, but…
Friday is the place where newsworthy items in Washington often go to die. People are worn out from the week, fatigued at what they’ve already read and looking to unplug before the Sunday news shows begin another week’s worth...
DetailsFOIA Foibles at DHS
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is one of those tools designed to open government up to its people. It has been the foundation for: countless news stories and books revealing behind-the-scenes decision making processes and deliberations; the bedrock...
DetailsThe Reality of Trying to Hire Some of the Best for DHS
A few weeks back at Georgetown University, the three people to hold arguably one of the most demanding and difficult jobs in the world sat down to talk about homeland security. During the session with former DHS Secretaries Tom...
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