Homeland Security Outlook

Osama Bin Laden is dead. Those are the words we've all wanted to hear. I know it is un-Christian of me to celebrate the death of someone, but the President's announcement of Osama Bin Laden's death in the East Room of the White House was one of those high-five moments in life I will have to explain to God when my time comes. Something tells me God will give me a pass on this one.

By, Tim Tinker, Lane Bailey, Lisa Farbstein and Dave Ray

In August 2010, The National Capital Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) hosted an expert panel discussion entitled, When the Crisis Hits the Fan...Whatcha Gonna Do?

The three suspicious packages sent to government officials in Maryland and Washington, D.C., last week, including one addressed to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano that ignited in a mail facility, are just the latest incidents underscoring the critical need for security solutions. Daily headlines from all corners of the globe confirm that security has become an international concern, and governments and organizations worldwide are looking for concrete strategies for mitigating threats.

The Obama administration plans to intensify a crackdown on employers of illegal immigrants with the establishment of an audit office designed to bolster verification of company hiring records.

If floodwaters rise and block the roads, or wildfires sweep across the hills; if a train loaded with hazardous materials derails, or raw sewage from Mexico contaminates the land and water, local first responders will be swamped. But with a little training, your church or community group could come to the rescue.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano on Friday canceled the controversial virtual fence along the U.S. border with Mexico, citing technical problems, cost overruns and schedule delays since its inception in 2005.

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced earlier this month that the Pentagon will reduce projected defense spending over the next four years by $78 billion. The projected savings will come from pursuing a number of savings and efficiencies initiatives to halt wasteful and unnecessary spending, including cancelling or slowing down programs that are not performing as needed. Although Gates's plan only slows down the rise of projected spending, rather than producing a much-needed reduction in the budget topline, President Obama should build on the momentum of the secretary's announcement in his State of the Union address later this month. In particular, the president should use this opportunity to announce three budget-saving goals.

Summary: In Process - Federal agencies use a layered security strategy to address foreign seafarer risks, but opportunities exist to enhance DHS seafarer inspection methods.

American Muslim leaders, who have struggled to present a clear public voice or organize politically in the decade since Sept. 11, are increasingly apprehensive about the direction U.S. Rep. Pete King will take when he convenes hearings next month on the threat posed by radical Islam in America.

How many more members of Congress have to be victims of politically motivated violence before we acknowledge terrorism is defined by the act and not the identity of the actor? Any person who "use[s] violence (or the threat of violence) against civilians in order to attain goals that are political or religious or ideological in nature ... through intimidation or coercion or instilling fear" is a terrorist.