Auditors: DHS lacks cost justification for $780 million spent on border network – NextGov
For half a decade, the Homeland Security Department did not collect cost-justification information for invoices from contractor Boeing Co., before paying the company for services rendered on a $1 billion failed, virtual border fence, federal auditors concluded.
Homemade cyberweapon worries federal officials – Washington Times
Two security researchers, working at home in their spare time, have created a cyberweapon similar to the sophisticated Stuxnet computer worm that was discovered last year to have disrupted computer systems running Iran’s nuclear program.
There is solemnity to Arlington National Cemetery that is unique. While there is much that has changed about warfare since the first Union soldiers were interred in Mrs. Lee’s gardens, the carnage of battle and long standing pain of families of those lost in it remains steadfast. So often we are attracted to the ridiculous in life and get wrapped up in the fun of it, all too often forgetting the blood, sweat and tears by which this country was founded. That’s a powerful lesson that should not just be celebrated and shared on Memorial Day or Veterans Day.
In the last few weeks, the Obama White House has made some bold moves in the cyber arena. It has been quite a while coming. Delayed gratification seems to be the strategy with regard to cyber. Well, after a few weeks, most of us are still confused. Industry players are back in the starter blocks, ready to dash, but they still have not divined the Obama Administration’s direction for cyber to a degree that will allow them to move forward.
FEMA Gears Up For Coming Hurricane Season – HSToday
With the nation’s attention riveted by killer floods and tornadoes, the latest onslaughts of an historic spring for natural catastrophes, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) this week sought to prepare the public for the imminent start of the summer hurricane season.
Black swans are another name for Secretary Rumsfeld’s famous category of “known” unknowns, things we know we don’t know – but maybe we should. The Japanese anticipated the double-shot of earthquakes and tsunamis, but not the triple whammy of earthquake-Tsunami-massive release of low-dose radiation from nuclear power plants. It is hard to believe that Washington would not screw up a nuclear incident just as badly as Toyko, particularly if the event happened in the midst of another catastrophe.
Arizona Wins Big in Supreme Court Immigration Ruling – The Foundry
Arizona won a spectacular victory today in the Supreme Court in its ongoing efforts to do something about the hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens who reside in the state and cost Arizona taxpayers an estimated $1.3 billion a year.
Our country is facing some hard times right now, much worse than any time in my lifetime. Despite our problems of today, there still have been millions of great Americans who dedicated their lives to making this country great. As we approach Memorial Day, I would ask that each of us take a moment and thank those who have blazed a path before us and who have built a way of life that all others envy.
Is Preparedness Pointless? – Homeland Security Watch
Watching coverage of the devastation wrought by the EF5 tornado that struck Joplin, Missouri over the weekend, I have been pondering the theme of the Washington State Emergency Management Association’s conference scheduled for later this year: “Preparedness: It’s Not a Mystery.” As catchy as that may sound, I find it hard to accept.
Experts Weigh Likely Terror Attacks, Future Of Al Qaeda After Death Of Bin Laden – HSToday
Authorities should prepare for a higher short-term threat to the US homeland after the death of Osama bin Laden but the long-term outlook for al Qaeda is weakening, experts told the House Homeland Security Committee Wednesday.
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