Aviation and airport security

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Surface Transportation Security Assessment: Not A Big Bleeping Deal

April 6, 2010

The Department of Homeland Security released new international aviation security directives. In Washington, a Friday (especially Good Friday) release always raises red flags. Even more curious, the press statement also announced the release of a “Surface Transportation Security Assessment.” Why the two initiatives were released at the same time is baffling. With most of the country’s attention on how the Administration is improving international security screening protocols, this announcement is a bit like hearing from your doctor that he’s found a cure for your cancer and your athlete’s foot too.

Unions vie for TSA hearts and minds

Media Watch |

April 5, 2010

Unions vie for TSA hearts and minds – GovExec
On the administration’s list of priorities, the Transportation Security Administration hasn’t exactly come out on top. It took until September 2009 for President Obama to nominate an administrator for the embattled agency, Erroll G. Southers, only to see him withdraw in January. And recently, the president’s second nominee for the post, former Maj. Gen. Robert Harding, withdrew his name for consideration.

Rich Cooper |

April 2, 2010

Following my March 29 blog, “Sunk by Snoring: The Robert Harding Withdrawal Debacle,” about the major general’s withdrawal from nomination for TSA Administrator, TIME Magazine called me for additional comment. Here are some excerpts from the article.

Security Debrief |

April 1, 2010

Think you’ve heard it all? We beg to differ. For this special April Fools edition, we’ve collected recent news reports that the rest of the media somehow missed.

David Olive |

March 29, 2010

In the next several days, there will likely be a lot written about the debacle of the nomination, then withdrawal, of General Robert Harding to be Administrator of TSA. There will likely be calls for a head or two to roll in the White House personnel office. TSA needs strong leadership, of that there is no doubt. TSA also needs (and deserves) the unwavering public support of the DHS Secretary and the White House, and right now, there is as much of a vacuum in that area as there is in the personnel office at the White House.

Rich Cooper |

March 29, 2010

In a town that has seen just about everything, especially after all the drama of the health care debate, you couldn’t help but shake your head in laughter late Friday night when word came that TSA Administrator Nominee MG Robert Harding, withdrew his name from consideration. After going through two confirmation hearings last week and emerging relatively unscathed, it appeared Harding was on his way to confirmation. But along came some strategic and completely fair questions by the Washington Post and, “BOOM!” Harding’s quest went up in smoke. Someone in the White House was either so desperate to fill this critical position that they just put Harding out there without taking a good hard look at things or they are just plain incompetent at doing their job.

T.S.A. Could Be Leaderless for Months After the Withdrawal of a Second Nominee

Media Watch |

March 29, 2010

T.S.A. Could Be Leaderless for Months After the Withdrawal of a Second Nominee – NY Times
The agency that guards airline security inside the United States is likely to remain without a Senate-confirmed leader for months to come after President Obama’s nominee for the position abruptly withdrew late Friday night amid questions from Congress about his work as a defense contractor.

Chris Battle |

March 27, 2010

Will the TSA ever get an Administrator? After original pick Erroll Southers withdrew his nomination after months of waiting and facing opposition for his refusal to take a position on unionization, now second pick Robert Harding withdraws due to questions about potential conflicts of interest related to his work as a defense contractor.

Senator seeks five IG reports on TSA nominee

Media Watch |

March 26, 2010

Senator seeks five IG reports on TSA nominee – GovExec
A key Republican senator said on Wednesday she is not ready to endorse President Obama’s pick to head the Transportation Security Administration, saying the White House has been slow and misleading in providing information and that she has learned there are five inspectors general reports into the nominee’s previous work.

Security Debrief |

March 25, 2010

Only two months ago, Erroll Southers withdrew his name from nomination for TSA Administrator. His withdrawal came after months of waiting, with holds placed on his confirmation for various reasons; largely, because of the much-debated issue of collective bargaining rights for TSA employees. Recently, he made a move to the private sector.

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