Yesterday I came across the website Live Science for the first time. One of the features of this website is they do lists of the "top ten" scientific whatevers. Among these I found a list of the Top 10 U.S. Disaster Worries.

I'm not sure what methodology they used to rank the risks, and to be sure the vulnerability to a particular type of disaster varies widely around the country. The piece is also short on detail. Still it does make interesting reading for those of us who evaluate risks, vulnerabilities etc. Its a short slide show kind of thing. It will only take a few minutes of your time, so give it a look.

Fort Bend Now is a news ite here in Fort Bend County, Texas. Earlier today they published a commentary on preparedness that I wrote. I though my readers here might like a look at it.

I use hurricanes as an example in this article to make my point. The editors at Fort Bend Now decided to use a headline which focused on this. However the points I make are applicable to almost any large scale emergency, including those resulting from terrorism.

I am grateful to Fort Bend Now for the chance to stress the need for preparedness to their readers. This same article is being separately syndicated across the internet so that its preparedness message will gain and even bigger audience.

One phrase we're certain too hear over and over the next three days is "Veteran's Day Sale !" Sometimes I fear that people only hear the third word of that phrase. But of course it is the first two that give Monday's holiday the meaning it deserves.

Why should we in homeland security care ? Because we know what it is to serve. Because we like all Americans, and our freedoms are protected by those who serve in our military. Because the members of our military are part of the homeland security/homeland defense team.

I would like to see such a day for first responders. Some have even proposed expanding Veteran's Day to include them. I would prefer a separate day for first responders, this day belongs to our brothers and sisters in the military.

We who know what it is to serve need to make it a personal mission to make sure Veteran's Day keeps its true meaning. Like those of us in the homeland security/ emergency management community the members of our military give selflessly to their fellow citizens. Many have given their lives. Monday is not about the screams of sale ! sale ! sale! It is about the screams of sacrifice. We who serve alongside those in the military more than any others must never let their service and sacrifices be forgotten.

I stated publicly both here and at the Houston Chronicle's White House blog, that I thought Rumsfeld was history. Geez, the Democrats haven't even popped the balloons or swept up the confetti from their victory parties, and guess what ? Rumsfeld is not only gone, but replaced.

Obviously the president had a Plan B in place in case things turned out exactly as they did. Replacing Rumsfeld was apparently the first piece in Plan B. But is this change sign of a real change in policy toward Iraq, or just musical chairs ? We'll have to wait and see.

I'll also be interested to hear what Secretary of Defense Designee Gates feels about the homeland security aspects of the Defense Department's mission.

Yesterday was not a good day to be a Republican ! But how did those of us concerned with homeland security fare ?

There are three things to look at here. One the Democrats took the U.S. House, BIG ! The Senate as I write this is hanging in the balance waiting on the results of two very tight races, best case the Republican Majority will loose strength. More Democratic governors, a lot more. This is important because governors control national guard and state defense forces units. Governors also have a lot to say about how "pass through" grants are distributed. In most states they are also very involved at setting budget and law enforcement priorities.

I' still digesting yesterday's results but here are my opening thoughts.

1) Rumsfeld is gone. I had said before the election that this would probably happen anyway. The newly emboldened Democratic leadership will insist on it. Look for the administration to find a graceful exit for the secretary of defense.

2) Shifts in Funding.Tax and spending bills according to the U. S. Constitution must begin in the house. Democrats as a rule look to shift money away from national security,law enforcement, and homeland security to social programs. Expect to fight for every penny of every allocation. We'll be very lucky to see any funding increases anywhere. One place this will hurt us badly is the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard's Deepwater Initiative has never been funded as it should be. In fact Deepwater funds have been raided just to keep the existing fleet of ships and aircraft going. This is the problem. The Coast Guard's cutter and aircraft fleets are old and falling apart. Spare parts are getting next to impossible to find. Deepwater is just one glaring example of what's at stake here.

3)Immigration Policy- I expect that immigration policy over the next two or three years will trend toward "amnesty", and away from enforcement. Amnesty has been tried and has failed repeatedly in the past, and I don't expect it will succeed this time.

4) Appointment confirmations- These will get tougher. Even if the Republicans manage to hold on to a slim senate majority, I expect the two independents to side with the democrats most of the time. The administration will need to be much more openminded in their choices.

5) Iraq The Democrats will push hard for a firm timetable for withdrawl from Iraq. This would be a major mistake for too many reasons to go into here. My fear is they will get it.

On balance I think yesterday was a very bad day for those concerned with homeland security. One of the major themes that brought the Democrats this voctory was their promise of a change in policy toward Iraq. I expect that they will force a premature withdrawl from Iraq, which will likely lead to a collapse of that country's infant government. I don't even want to think about how many years, and lives will be lost in that mess. I keep saying that sometimes it would be nice to be wrong. This is one of those times. Come on Democrats ! Make me eat my words,please !