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Learning the Hard Way from British Petroleum's Costly Mistakes

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June 11, 2010

It has been over a month since the tragic Deepwater Horizon explosion, and at this writing, oil continues to pour into the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and onto adjacent land and marsh areas. It is clear that the oil companies worked diligently to produce technologies that could bring oil from deep wells to the surface. It is also clear that they did not develop, on a parallel track, the multi-layered technologies needed to stop and respond to an emergency on the deep ocean sea floor. It is like trying to repack your parachute while in a freefall.

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Arizona Takes Steps the Feds Won’t

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April 26, 2010

Last week the Arizona legislature voted for, and Governor Jan Brewer signed, a strict new anti-illegal immigration law that, among other things, requires law enforcement officers in the state to arrest people they encounter in official efforts who are illegally present in the United States. Tossing aside potential federalism issues with the state law, the fact that a state has felt the need to adopt legislation for what we all agree is a basic federal government responsibility – protecting our borders – is alarming and telling of the paralysis in Washington.

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Terrorist Short List is Getting Longer

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April 22, 2010

On March 29, two suicide bombings targeting Moscow’s subway system killed dozens and injured many others. The bombs reverberated here in the United States. New York immediately beefed up its subway security. Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CN) warned all Americans to be extra-vigilant on buses and trains. However, the American response to the Moscow bombings misses the real terrorist threat to the United States. U.S. intelligence should prioritize and focus on America’s most dangerous enemies. Here is a list of the groups posing the most immediate threat to the United States.

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Legalizing Marijuana Not Worth the Costs

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April 20, 2010

I thought you might be interested in an editorial I wrote for a CNBC special report on marijuana, money and the issue of legalization.

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Under Obama's Lamppost

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April 15, 2010

Here is what is wrong with the Nuclear Security Summit. It reminds me of the old joke about the drunk looking for his keys under a lamppost when he actually lost them around the corner, but he looked under the lamppost because “the light was better.” If it seems like I am arguing the whole thing was for show…to suggest that the President’s road to zero is going somewhere rather than no where…well yes, that is where I think it is going.

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A Closer Look at TSA’s International Responsibilities

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April 7, 2010

Unanimous praise is being lavished on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for its announcement last Friday of enhanced passenger screening protocols for all passengers traveling to the U.S. from abroad. While this appears to be a step in the right direction, this provides an excellent opportunity to step back and take a look at the real threat TSA faces – the threat from inbound international flights. With that in mind, it’s telling to examine what TSA is doing and spending on its international efforts.

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Debating QDR Recommendations for Northern Command

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April 2, 2010

Inside the Pentagon reports there is an important debate taking place over the Pentagon’s plan to downsize U.S. Northern Command forces that are ready to respond to a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or high-yield explosive (CBRNE) attack on American soil. Rather than prepare brigade-sized CBRNE Consequence Management Response Forces, the Quadrennial Defense Review recommends a larger CCMRF while also moving personnel to ten smaller Homeland Response Forces. Critics argue that full-sized CCMRFs are necessary for a potential WMD event.

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Napolitano Halts Funding for Troubled SBInet, Signals Shift in Border Security Policy

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March 18, 2010

On Tuesday, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano halted further funding for SBInet, a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) program designed to create a virtual fence of sensors and cameras along the U.S.-Mexico border. This may be one of those confusing acts of alleged fiscal responsibility that is applauded by liberals and panned by conservatives. Given the current Administration’s previously established anti-enforcement tactics, this most recent scheme may be too much for a public disinclined to trust Washington with immigration reform.

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Airports deploy new security tactics — hand swabs

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March 11, 2010

I thought you might be interested in the story below regarding new security tactics being deployed at certain airports — random hand swabs to check for explosive residue.

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