Yet again we hear it. Is Congress listening?
Among the many important findings in the Report Card issued by the co-chairs of the Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Commission, Congress's failure to consolidate oversight of homeland security received a big fat "F." The co-chairs, former senators...
DetailsTSA After Southers: Now What?
With the nomination of Erroll Southers to be the next Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) now in tatters, the question has to be raised, “Now what?” If we do the forensics on why Southers will remain in...
DetailsPride for U.S. Coast Guard Actions in Haiti
The recent earthquake in Haiti has been tragic, with the numbers of those dead and missing constantly rising. Many countries have answered the call for aid, the U.S. second to none. As a former U.S. Coast Guard officer, this...
DetailsFear-mongering at its Worst – A Threat to Water?
The January 12, 2010 headline of The Washington Examiner was irresponsible, reckless, and salacious. Splashed across the front page read: Terror threat to city water.” As a water security guy, I was sucked in. After reading...
DetailsDo We Have Your Attention Now? – Google’s Roar to Exit China
Do We Have Your Attention Now? – Google’s Roar to Exit China
DetailsDropping the Ball: Federalizing a National Moment
As the country’s various homeland and intelligence agencies begin to implement the post-Delta Flight 253 changes ordered by the President, it is becoming painfully obvious that we are falling into the same post-9/11 reaction – we are federalizing a...
Details88, Count ‘Em: A Continuing Embarrassment on the Hill
Last Friday, the editorial board of the New York Times added its considerable weight to the growing list of thought leaders advocating the completion of the 9-11 Commission recommendations – namely, the consolidation of congressional oversight of the Department...
DetailsThe Year in Washington
2009 almost went out with a “bang” and it is that failed attempt by a young Nigerian radical that has dominated the political scene for the last week of the year. But in many respects the almost immediate partisan...
DetailsErroll Southers in the Washington Post: When the Headline Doesn’t Match the Story
Amidst all of the layoffs, reorganizations and personnel moves at the Washington Post, one can only hope someone there has left a dictionary for the reporters and editorial staff to consult. That’s what I thought after I read the...
DetailsRapid Notification – When You Really Have to Know
Last week in Portland, officials conducting routine reservoir testing found something unexpected: E. Coli. Officials reached out to the community via print, television, and radio news outlets, health networks, and their utility Web site. Unfortunately, many in...
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