Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano told Congress whom she trusts on February 15 when she responded to Congressman (and former Federal Flight Deck Officer) Chip Cravaack’s (R–MN) question at a House hearing. The exchange is exemplified with these remarks: Cravaack: “Is a Federal Flight Deck Officer the last line of defense for our travelling public?” Napolitano: “I think the armed cockpit door actually is.” The term “armed cockpit door” must have been a mistake; she likely was referring to the armored or reinforced cockpit doors installed after 9/11. However, …
One thing every parent knows is that no matter how many toys kids have, they will always end up fighting over one they all want. With children, this problem is usually resolved by adults. But what about when adults fight over a toy? That is the problem House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Peter King (R-NY) and Ranking Member Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS ) confront in their letter to Speaker John Boehner (R–OH), in which they call for consolidation of legislative oversight over the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). While …
On August 23, 2011, a 5.8 earthquake centered in Virginia was felt throughout the mid-Atlantic. Minor by the standards of the West Coast, the earthquake, even on the less-prepared East Coast, resulted in no deaths or serious injuries and only minor structural damage. Yet President Obama still declared the earthquake a “Major Disaster” and, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Administration has distributed over $25.2 million in recovery aid as of January 16. This incident is one of the countless examples of the overuse of FEMA aid …
