As the Democratic National Convention opens Monday, the city of Boston will be under an unprecedented $60 million security curtain. Federal agents have inspected manholes, welding them shut for safety. Mailboxes and most trash cans have been removed from businesses around the FleetCenter, where more than 4,300 delegates and 15,000 members of the media will gather for four days. Interstate 93, the main highway on which traffic flows in and out of the city, will be closed during convention hours because it passes within 10 feet of the convention site. About 40 miles of roads will be closed in total. Full Story

A lot has been written, broadcast and discussed regarding Annie Jacobsen’s recent piece for WomensWallStreet.Com recounting her recent experience on a flight from Detroit to Los Angeles. Jacobsen expressed sincere concern regarding the activity of several Syrian passengers on the flight she was on and her disbelief that they were, as described by authorities, a music group. Additional research has been conducted, including an accounting for which musicians were on the flight. If you’ve read the original account, you ought to read this follow-up article.

I decided to upgrade my Apple Powerbook from the 12in model to the 15in one. Thus far, I am extremely impressed with how great this machine is. I’ve owned laptops from all the major manufacturers and this one is simply the best. In addition, they were running a special on iPods that allowed me to pick up a Gen4 model with the academic discount and a $200 rebate. You do the math.

This is an article that was done last year by the Alumni magazine for Saint Michael’s College. The article is available in PDF format. Download Devost-SMC.pdf

Given I’ve briefed the term “Failure of Imagination” to thousands of people in over 100 presentations in the past couple of years, I thought it might be important to note the original source. Other things I heard that I agree with “America is safer but not safe” and “It is time to focus on need to share, instead of need to know”.

If you were drawn here basd on my cyber security and information terrorism material, you would probably enjoy my latest book. Copies are on their way to Amazon, so ORDERS should be shipped soon. Please feel free to let me know what you think!