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Contributor:

Rich Cooper

Observations on Obama's "Sputnik" State of the Union Address

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January 26, 2011

As a number of commentators and political pundits have opined this week, State of the Union’s are often unmemorable affairs where the words and substance are quickly forgotten in favor of some other major remarks by the President and Congressional leaders. It’s too early to say where President Obama’s remarks will measure in history, but there were still a couple of points that I thought worthy of highlighting.

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Perspectives Gained from Across the Pond

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January 25, 2011

Where you sit often defines how you look at the world around you, and last week I got to spend some brief, albeit quality time in the United Kingdom. Much has been written over the past few years about the decay of the “special relationship” that exists between England and her former American colonies. In meetings with various UK government personnel and businesses, it was interesting to hear their perspective on a range of items. Here are some points that I took away from last week’s visit.

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The New Politics of Homeland Security

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January 12, 2011

In Washington, some things never change. There are and always will be vigorous debates about policies, programs and of course money. What does change are the names and faces of the people who make many of those decisions, and unless you’ve totally tuned out on the comings and goings in town, here’s a rundown of some things you should know.

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But Why Dad? Unanswered Questions in Arizona shooting

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January 10, 2011

Like the majority of the country, I’ve found myself moved by the tragic events of this past weekend’s shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and more than dozen others outside a Safeway in Tucson, AZ. With breaking news reports coming over the car radio on the car ride home, my 10-year-old son listened intently and asked a question that I think all of us asked ourselves in one shape or another: “Dad why would this guy just starting shooting at people? It’s bad enough he shot that lady but a 9 year old girl? Why?”

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A New Year's Wish for DHS

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January 3, 2011

There is every reason to applaud the beginning of a new year. It brings a sense of hope and renewed energy for the future, and if ever there was a place for that, it’s the Department of Homeland Security. Yet, with many confirmed leaders in critical DHS positions, there should be no more excuses when it comes to actions and decision making. Leadership vacuums and transitions are certainly reason enough why some decisions can’t be made immediately, but those excuses are no longer plausible or believable.

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A Well Done to Mike Hickey on his Retirement

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December 14, 2010

Mike Hickey, Verizon’s Vice President for Government Affairs and National Security Policy, has decided to do the unthinkable – he’s retiring to enjoy the good and great life he has earned for himself and his family. For those of us fortunate enough to work with Mike, his professionalism, level-headedness and willingness to hear things out became the measure by which we would judge the leadership of various groups working in homeland centric areas.

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Wal-Mart: America's Best "Bad Day" Friend

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December 8, 2010

I’ve watched with some frustration and amusement the coverage that has unfolded regarding DHS’ announcement earlier this week of working with Wal-Mart as part of its “See Something, Say Something” campaign. The coverage has been pretty cynical, and that’s really disappointing. The truth is there is probably no better company in America to aid this country’s bad days than the worldwide enterprise headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas. The partnership DHS is putting forward with Wal-Mart to engage the public in keeping an eye out for things of concern makes perfect sense on so many levels.

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Bin Laden's Victory – America's Debt?

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December 2, 2010

In the days before the 2004 Presidential Election, Osama Bin Laden released a videotaped message that essentially told the world what he was up to. Within his remarks there was one sentence that has stayed with me: “We are continuing a policy in bleeding America to the point of bankruptcy.” After taking a look at our country’s financial situation and continuing explosive debt, it might be easy to declare that Bin Laden and his cronies can celebrate in their caves in “where-ever-istan” they might be currently residing. At least that is the conclusion you might derive from the recently released report of the President’s Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform.

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The Rita Renaissance

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November 29, 2010

Here is a piece I wrote for the 2010-11 Year in Homeland Security about life in Southwest Louisiana five years after Hurricane Rita. Rita struck southwest Louisiana on Sept. 23, 2005, bringing unprecedented 50-foot storm surges inland into homes and communities that had been in place for nearly two centuries. As home to the strategic national stockpile and over 25 percent of the natural gas that fuels more than half the homes and industries of the United States, southwest Louisiana has more often than not been overlooked and underappreciated for the value it brings to America. The same holds true in recognizing its place in the most disastrous hurricane season in U.S. history.

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