David Olive

"Purposeful Redundancy" of Overlapping DHS Oversight Should be Fixed Before 9-11

May 31, 2011

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 Homeland Security. House Judiciary Chair Lamar Smith told the AP that Congress intended a “purposeful redundancy” when it created the DHS. Are you kiddin’ me?

The "One Size Fits All" Rhetoric from DHS Does Not Fit the Facts

David Olive |

May 24, 2011

I have a suggestion for the DHS Public Affairs shop: get rid of the “one size fits all” term when referring to homeland security programs that Secretary Napolitano wants to change. As far as I know, from its inception, DHS has talked about “layered security” and has consistently avoided a “one size fits all” security mantra. Yet to hear Secretary Napolitano and her team these days, one would conclude that it was the only approach her predecessors took. This cannot be a coincidence and DHS ought to be ashamed.

New Customs and Border Aircraft Rolled Out This Week

David Olive |

May 13, 2011

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). What struck me about the new MREA is how much more cost-effective capability it brings than the unmanned Predator UAV.

DHS Hampered by a Maze of Oversight

David Olive |

April 28, 2011

Today’s NorthJersey.com story by Herb Jackson is the latest in a series of stories about how the mis-mash of congressional oversight is hampering the ability of DHS to perform its mission. The words of former NJ Governor Tom Kean are particularly appropriate, and Congressional leadership should pay close attention. Check out the story for some excellent reading.

It's a Security Debrief Contest! Tell Napolitano Where to Go Next

David Olive |

April 25, 2011

Tell DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano where you think she should go, and you can win a prize! The more I thought about Napolitano’s recent travel schedule, I wondered how the Security Debrief family might be helpful to her…and have some fun in the process.

“On the Road Again” with Secretary Napolitano, One Logical Trip Missing from Schedule

David Olive |

April 25, 2011

DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano has been making numerous public appearances throughout the country. I applaud Secretary Napolitano’s efforts communicating with the public, but what I do not understand is that among her many domestic travel destinations, Napolitano has never visited the one place Arizona where DHS has made a major investment – the area where the “SBInet” technology has been deployed and is currently being used with great success.

CBP's Predator UAV Use Raises More Questions, Answers Elusive

David Olive |

March 22, 2011

Last week, as the world was focused on the crisis in Japan and the military action in Libya, the Associated Press reported on the use of Predator UAVs to help Mexican authorities in their war on drug cartels. Yet, at a conference at MIT’s Lincoln Labs on Homeland Security technology, I learned that the Predator was ineffective for wide-area surveillance during the Deep Water Horizon disaster. It was scrapped after less than two weeks. Congress should look closely at the cost/benefit of UAVs and how their use in Mexico deviates from the DHS mission.

Rep. John Mica claim TSA "cooked the books" merits inquiry as Congress looks to rein in DHS costs

David Olive |

March 14, 2011

Congressman John Mica used a recently updated GAO report to claim that TSA has “cooked the books” when it comes to comparing costs under the Screening Partnership Program. When Administrator Pistole is testifies before the House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, members should ask Pistole some questions to clarify his decision on SPP.

As Congress Seeks to Cut Waste, It Should Start with Duplicative DHS Oversight

David Olive |

March 2, 2011

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 than oneself. What the Congressional bloviators seem to ignore is Congress’ own culpability in creating many of these duplicative programs. The perfect place to address this issue, should they choose to look inside their own house first, is the mishmash of congressional committees that claim jurisdiction over DHS. It remains an area ripe for reform.

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