How Safe are We Now? [more...]

What Makes Terrorism so Hard to Fight [more...]

New Passport Rules for Traveling Children [more...]

How Safe are Cell Phones? [more...]

Another Reason to Stay in School [more...]

Shop ’til You Drop [more...]

Despite recent reports of terrorists lurking in our midst with plans to launch a summer offensive, most Americans seem remarkably unconcerned. Even with intelligence experts suggesting that Al Qaeda’s ranks have swelled to as many as 18,000 disciples, John Ashcroft and the FBI’s Mueller maintain America is safe and our nation is winning the war on terrorism. Moreover, say the experts, we are winning the hearts and minds of those who once opposed us. Here are some of our more notable achievements:

• Intelligence: more agents on the ground worldwide, more cooperation from foreign governments and their intelligence agencies. As a result, dozens of likely attacks have been thwarted here and abroad.
• Air travel: Better passenger screening and fewer delays. Traffic is now close to pre-9-11 levels and the airways are safer than ever before
• Defense bases and weapons labs: Installations are less exposed and better protected. Nonessential operations have been closed or curtailed.
• WMD: Dozens of cities, municipalities, and utilities have protective and response plans in place. Key elements of the nation’s critical infrastructure have been hardened or will receive additional protection. Sports events and other large public gatherings monitored with emergency response teams hidden nearby.

• Cybersecurity: Though government and many key businesses have installed safeguards and are more protected, significant gaps still exist.
• Off-shoring of data processing and customer service functions has put personal information in the hands of foreigners, some of whom are security risks.
• Nuclear power plants: Most are very well protected. Some gaps exist where dollars are scarce.
• Ports: Woefully deficient. 96% of all inbound cargo is not inspected. Globally, only 6% of all ports meet the U.N.’s minimum security standards. Cost to upgrade—about $1 billion a year for the next ten years.

War at best is a confusing, enduring, amorphous, bloody struggle. It is dirty and painful. In this war the heavy lifting has been left to us. Our enemy is shrewd and often well financed. What’s more, their religious fervor and misplaced hatred has encouraged many of them to senselessly die for their cause. As one heartbroken Israeli recently said, “Until the terrorist learns to love his children as much as we love ours, there will be no peace.” An individual willing to die for his cause and exact any punishment on his enemy is almost impossible to stop. Today terrorists are also patient. We now know Al Qaeda’s plan for the 9-11 attacks was almost nine years in the making. They are also well funded. Research has shown, our Saudi allies have funneled hundreds of millions of dollars into Al Qaeda’s coffers. Additionally, Al Qaeda deals in arms, illegal drugs and other contraband. In many regards, the terrorists we face are the perfect enemy. No evil empire could create a more fearsome opponent.

While our enemy is patient and does not tire easily, the U.S. must carry on. We must fight the fight few others are willing to fight. If we don’t, who will?

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American parents seeking passports for kids 14 and younger have to bring the child with them to apply. The new rules require both parents to appear together. Alternatively, one parent may appear and provide a signed statement conferring consent from the other. Reason for the rule change: To help stem the growing number of international child abductions and trafficking. Most frequent destinations for abducted or stolen American children: Europe and the Middle East.

For more information contact the U.S. Department of State, 202.647.5225, or go to www.travel.state.gov.

Because cell phones transmit and receive radio waves, they have long been suspected of posing a health hazard. While research has failed to show a clear danger to humans, scientists are not willing to say the phones are harmless. The real risk: phoning while driving. The use of cell phones while driving increases the risk of a crash by 6%.The Journal of Risk Analysis reports that cell phones are linked to some 2,600 traffic fatalities and 330,000 injuries a year. Hands-free calling does not reduce the risk. The research suggests the distraction of conversation, not holding the phone, may contribute most to the risk.

Source: Consumer Reports, 2004

Research shows that lifetime earnings of people with PhDs or professional degrees, such as law or medical degrees, are more than 33% higher than those of people who have only bachelor’s degrees. However, it is no surprise that that starting salaries tend to be greater for graduates of certain schools and certain specialties. Think Harvard and Yale…medicine and engineering.

Source: The Statistics from Education Pays study from Employment Policy Foundation, Washington, D.C.

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Travel Tip: Finding the cheapest airfares might be easier than you think. Start your research by going on line at Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity. Then search the three low-fare boutiques: JetBlue, Ted (owned by United) and Song (Delta’s new discount carrier). Next, with lowest fares in hand, go the individual carriers and see if they can beat your price. Best bet—check fares right after midnight because that’s when most airlines release seat-blocks and alter their lowest fares.

Looking for part-time work that offers flexible hours and fun perks? Become a mystery shopper and help businesses improve their customer service. To find a mystery shopping service near you, contact the Mystery Shopping Providers Association. The MSPA is an association of companies who specialize in mystery shopping and market research. Member companies agree to uphold the highest standards of ethical, business, and professional conduct in their work. Although most shopping services offer little in the way of pay, their shoppers are reimbursed for all expenses and often allowed to keep what they purchase.
Drawback: Mystery shoppers have to write reports after each assignment. A five minute visit to a jewelry store might necessitate a report that takes an hour to write.

The average human heart beats 100,000 times a day. Happy people make every beat count.

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