As Congress Seeks to Cut Waste, It Should Start with Duplicative DHS Oversight
At a time when Congress is looking to cut federal spending, why won’t it eliminate the “waste” caused by its own dysfunctional DHS oversight? The apparent answer is that is it far easier to talk about reforming someone else...
DetailsHappy Birthday DHS
In spite of all the external threats and internal bickering they must deal with, the men and women of the Department of Homeland Security deserve a “pat on the back” and a hearty 8th birthday cheer.Their mission is critically...
DetailsThoughts on the DHS Anniversary Program at Georgetown University
It really was one of those truly unique occasions when you can gather a select group of individuals together to talk about a subject that they alone can talk about with authority as well as historical perspective. Such was...
DetailsThe Quest Tragedy and a Strategic Response to Piracy
Here’s a piece I published on the Defense Media Network about increasingly violent events in East Africa.With the sad news of the murder of four Americans by Somali pirates off the coast of Africa, the United States and the...
DetailsFlip-flops Against Chemical Security – Really GreenPeace?
At a time when “compromise” and “civility” are the new black, GreenPeace wasted little time showing off its true colors last Friday when the group’s legislative director, Rick Hind, decided to protest during a House Homeland Security Subcommittee hearing...
DetailsHope from OMB – Improving Communication between Government and Industry
While much of Washington’s energy is appropriately focusing on the President’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2012, there was a release from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) that is worthy of attention from those who want to...
DetailsProposed DHS Budget Does Not Reflect Secretary Napolitano’s Testimony on the Threat of Radicalization
Today, the Obama Administration submitted its proposed FY12 Budget to Congress. Over the next several months, much will be said and written about the budget priorities and the amount of funding that ought to go to (or be cut...
DetailsPistole Channeling his Inner Reagan
With all of the Reagan Centennial activities starting to get underway, it is completely understandable for public officials – regardless of their political ideologies – to embrace “the Great Communicator.” Republicans have been doing this for ages, and this...
DetailsHarman’s Departure from Congress
Today’s unexpected news that Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA) is departing the US House of Representatives to take over as the new Director of the Woodrow Wilson Center is a tremendous blow to the Congress and in particular House Democrats....
DetailsPistole’s Union Decision – Checks the Box but with lots of Strings
There’s always been a long standing rule that if you want to bury a news story, release it on a Friday afternoon. If that is the case, then the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is intent on making sure no...
Details