Wikileaks and the Elephant in the Room
The world is astir over the data stolen from U.S. government secure facilities by PFC Bradley Manning and passed to the self-proclaimed crusader Julian Assange. This is an unconscionable act of treason and irresponsibility by all involved. Of course...
DetailsAmerican Leadership: Lessons Borne of Cholera
Despite the recent politicalization regarding the notion of American Exceptionalism, I continue to believe that ours is a nation of promise. We are more than a superpower; we are the superpower. And yet, despite our dominance, capability and resources,...
DetailsUsing Predator UAVs for Border Enforcement Purposes Continues to Raise Questions
Most of the homeland security community spent Thanksgiving week focused on whether the use of whole body imaging technology and groping techniques to find hidden explosives and other non-metallic contraband was overly intrusive, or even unconstitutional. The story that...
DetailsThe Rita Renaissance
While inextricably attached to a state that is proud to call both regions home, the worlds of southeast and southwest Louisiana could not be more different. The louder and better-known half, southeast Louisiana, has the mighty waters of the...
DetailsPistole blinked and other Musings about Protecting your Junk
He blinked. There’s no other way to state it. After what can only be described as an endless barrage of horror stories, TSA Administrator John Pistole has blinked when it comes to the less-than-comfortable pat-downs that the air-traveling public...
DetailsThad Allen – My Interview and Nomination
Several weeks back, I had the good fortune to interview retired U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Thad Allen for Faircount Media Group. In our discussion, he reflected on the lessons learned from this year’s Gulf oil spill, as well as...
DetailsA suggestion for how DHS can allay fears about TSA pat-downs
We have all heard that the best leaders in the private sector, as well as those in government, are those who "lead by example."That thought sticks in my mind as DHS and TSA attempt to defend the use of...
DetailsTSA: Looking for Bad Things, Not Bad People
In watching the news stories, one has to wonder if the TSA is doing Security Theater or do they really believe they are protecting our nation.The basic flaw I see with today’s screening system is that we are looking...
DetailsTony Hayward Speaks – We Need to Listen
There are people in life that most folks would like to go away. For me, people like Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton and their respective train wreck families come to mind. For people on the Gulf Coast, former...
DetailsCongress Heal Thyself – A Repeat Suggestion to the Next Congress
From the time the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) came into existence in 2003, questions have been raised over how Congress should organize its oversight responsibilities. Initially, the U.S. House created a Select Committee on Homeland Security. After a...
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