At 10 year mark, Time to "Say Something" Constructive about DHS
This past Monday, Politico hosted a Playbook breakfast conversation with the three individuals who have served as DHS Secretary since its inception – Tom Ridge, Michael Chertoff and Janet Napolitano. Former Governor Ridge who addressed why America needs a...
DetailsAn Often Overlooked Aspect of Business Continuity
Makers and users of anti-terrorism products and services have more to fear than terrorism itself. After certain technologies have changed hands, the sellers may face future liabilities that can halt further production and/or the continuation of services. To guard...
DetailsCongress Heal Thyself – Here We Go Again
In this morning's Roll Call, incoming Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee Mike McCaul (R-TX) has an op-ed admonishing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to "fix" its management problems. Chairman McCaul's commentary would have more credibility if...
DetailsWhite House Homeland Security Partnership Council – Finally Some Answers Emerge
On Tuesday morning, the White House issued a new fact sheet and posted a blog on the President’s blog site concerning the newly created White House Homeland Security Partnership Council. Both documents go a long way toward answering some...
DetailsCongratulations CBP Air and Marine Office on “One Size Fits All” Success
Congratulations are in order for the amazing success recently achieved by CBP’s Office of Air and Marine. CBP plans to award a sole source contract to General Atomics to buy up to 14 Predator UAVs, at a potential cost...
DetailsWhite House Executive Order on Homeland Security Leaves more Questions than Answers
On October 26, the White House quietly issued an Executive Order entitled: “Establishing the White House Homeland Security Partnership Council.” For the life of me I cannot figure out why this was released. I’m not sure that anyone from...
DetailsCongress Heal Thyself (Campaign edition, Sept. 2012)
The Heritage Foundation’s Jessica Zuckerman posted an Issue Brief on the need for reform of Congressional DHS oversight jurisdiction. Zuckerman calls the morass of overlapping, uncoordinated and unnecessarily expensive oversight the result of “Politics Over Security.” She’s right –...
DetailsObservations on the 2012 Aspen Security Forum
The Aspen Institute's Security Forum, held at the end of July, proved why it has become, in only three years, a "must-attend" event for those of us working in the homeland and national security space. The four-day program was...
DetailsAfter the Storm – Thoughts on the June Derecho
With the recent heat waves and storms that have impacted millions of people throughout the United States, much is being written about the nation's inability to prevent and recover quickly from destructive events. I am not yet ready to...
DetailsCongress Heal Thyself – You Gotta Be Kidding Me!
The House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation Security held a hearing today: “TSA's Efforts to Fix Its Poor Customer Service Reputation and Become a Leaner, Smarter Agency.” The sole witness was TSA Administrator John Pistole. Subcommittee Chairman Rogers lectured...
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