Residential alarm systems are being installed today in record numbers. Unfortunately there is a trend towards cheap ineffective systems that rely on someone being in your house before the alarm is triggered. On a recent visit to one of my distributors, I found that the equipment I used to install is now a special order item. I haven't installed alarm systems in about 8 years now, being involved now with consulting and engineering.

Wire is too expensive. That's what I heard. Wireless systems that any trained monkey can install rather than hard wiring that (when installed and designed right) doesn't false alarm and really works. I used to install special systems that need hard wiring to work.

It is only because I am doing work on my home and needed to add to my system that I found out. I want the alarm to trigger while an intruder is still outside, not when he is already inside. Even with good PD response, an alarm that works only when someone is moving inside is useless. Of course when you are home and turn it on at night, only the doors are protected on the systems installed today.

That's great as long as you remember to put up the sign that reads "burglars please use the doors". A sad state of affairs.

False security is worse than no security. You let down your guard, leave things around, and don't take normal precautions.

I guess you get what you pay for. Free alarms are worth just that, nothing. If you are on a limited budget, get a good survey from an expert in physical security. Not a free quote from your local oil company. Your local PD will help. But, keep in mind that the officer that comes over is not an expert in physical security. He is schooled in various aspects of crime prevention, but can't tell you what works and what doesn't. A true consultant knows and has seen thousands of past burglaries just like your local police officer. But he also has special training in precisely how to protect your property.

Think twice, spend once.Don't lie to yourself.

More sensationalism on the ports deal with a foreign entity. Blah, blah, blah. The media needs to give us something new, instead of inciting panic.

How about the existing laws against exporting certain technology. Certainly a foreign firm is subject to these laws. In order to maintain the high level of security that we need (and don't always get) a good security system needs a certain amount of secrecy on the way it operates. If we show everyone how it works, someone can defeat it. That is the reason for confidentiality.

That is also the reason behind the non-export laws regarding technology. If an American firm were to run the operation, they would need to commit treason to help any foreign entity. Not so when we give them what they need.

Our Federal Government has put everyone in a situation of dammed if you do dammed if you don't. Give them the technology they need and we violate secrecy and federal laws. Don't and they can not do their job properly.

We live in frightening times. Live each day to the fullest. Hug your children and tell your family that you love them each day. We never know when it is our last.

How often does it happen? We arm and train an allied country only to have them turn against us in a few short years. Don't we learn from history? Are we doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past? or, are we so blinded by money that a profit or additional tax dollars overrides common sense?

These are questions I asked myself after reading about how strong an ally the UAE (the home country of the new port operator) is to our fight on terrorism. At least that is the official word. What I don't understand is how we can give control of any of our ports or other boundaries to any foreign company.

Over the years I have learned to trust my gut instinct. If it doesn't feel right, there is usually something wrong. I guess you have to give up common sense when you become a politician. Sort of like giving up your humanity when you become a strongarm enforcer.

In this day of increased concern over security, why would any agency condone a deal that rests in the hands of a foreign entity. And, without the normal or common safeguards in these types of deals. I can't believe these deals have common elements, that there are that many of them.

If I were to have a say (and I don't) in the way a deal like this is put together, IF it were to happen, I would insist that a US firm be the actual buyer or licensee. At least allow the laws of our country to affect this company. The firm doesn't even have to keep records available to law enforcement on US soil. Absurd, No? We aren't speaking of a toy manufacturer. We are speaking of a firm that is going to control the ports, the border of our country. This is serious stuff.

In a day and age where you can not bring a cigarette lighter or sometimes even a nail file onto a plane, what is the reason for letting this firm take control of our ports?

Now, the other hand. The press in this country has proven its worth time and again in bringing situations like this to the average person. Bravo for the press. However (the other hand), in this case they are sensationalizing. It is bad enough what is happening. The press doen't need to create panic or hysteria among the throngs of people. This is the type of deal that can be crushed by applying pressure at the right place. By making everyone scared and panicked, the government gets defensive and bolsters its rationale. There is no reason to make it more serious than it is. In this case, the press went overboard and may have done more harm than good.

I have been told that you can't make rational sense of an irrational act. I can't live like this when I work so hard to protect my family from everyday harm. The government needs to get a grip and realize that even though they live in ivory towers, they too are vulnerable to the type of catastrophe that can occur from this type of deal. I remember when one of our NYC mayors came to grips with reality when his mother was robbed. All of a sudden, he realized that any family can become a victim of crime. This kind of thing should be a prerequisite for anyone who wants to work in security or government. Too many lawmakers don't know the reality of life of the average citizen.

I just saw a news segment about an Arab firm taking over responsibility of the ports in NY, NJ, Miami, Philly and elsewhere. Considering the huge responsibility there, I think it would be appropriate for them to have a test contract first. The Secret Service should turn over the responsibility of protecting the President and others of his administration to this firm for a few months to see how well they do.

After all, if this administration thinks it is OK to turn the lives of millions of Americans over to their trust, he should lead the country by example.

The test would be very simple. If nobody in the administration was hurt or killed during the test period, then and only then should we allow them to protect our ports. Sounds fair doesn't it? What do you think the odds are that the President would gamble his own life the way he wants to gamble everyone else's. Or, is it just greed? Is this administration so corrupt that they will roll over for a few extra dollars above and below the table to abandon common sense.

This is beyond bad leadership or bad policy. This is insanity in its truest form.

I am sitting in my basement typing as I feel myself about to die. I have this terrible sense of impending doom that I can not shake. Tomorrow I am flying out to the West Coast. I'm not afraid to fly, I've done it hundreds of times.

I think it has to do with finances. I am spending money like crazy on my home improvement that is already 15K over budget. I was 5k short to begin with so that isn't good.

I also have my daughter's 13 birthday party to pay for. A mere 20 to 25K due within a year. That, plus one of my inane bosses (actually my real bosses wife) is on a rampage. She really is an idiot. She thinks she knows what she is doing, but screws up more than anyone else and then points fingers. She is really lucky she is married to a guy that can give her a job.

My own wife earns more than I do, which is great. She knows her job and deserves every cent she earns. Not like the lunatic I need to work for.

I started putting feelers out for another job. That's how bad it is. And, it's the only thing I really don't like about the job.

I will miss my kids while away. I hope my feeling is wrong, they need me. I still have to finish that life insurance application. Damn! another thing I have to do that I haven't had time for.

I am overwhelmed. I just feel like I can't take it. I hope tomorrow brings me some peace.