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There are already many proficient and capable people in the security industry. We must find the proper ways to retain and motivate these fine folks, while at the same time, working to attract additional qualified people to their ranks.

Of course, the mainstream press believes Kerry's lapdog Dean who says the whole concept of homeland security is a farce. Or Daschle's idea that expanding the federal government is the answer to every problem.

This article hits it dead on - private security is an enormously important job in the post 9/11 world, and I personally know many who consider it to be a profession.

The key is to give more responsibility and higher pay to the people we are entrusting with guarding the nation's facilities. I know this works, because I've seen it happen with my husband's company. He in the upper management, and he's out hiring his people personally right now - for more than the going rate. The real lynchpin of the whole thing is to dress them like professionals, treat them like professionals, and pay them like professionals. They know that if they act like professionals, they have a job. If they don't, someone else will have their job - it's that important. As a result, they act like professionals, and they take their job seriously. A living wage and a chance at moving up in the ranks makes a big difference too.

He gets what he wants from his folks, but the hiring process is tedious. He's been out for a week now trying to staff two trucking yards in California, and he won't just take a warm body - the people he hires have to be willing to do more than just sit in a booth. He treats it like the fate of the nation's roadways depends on it. And maybe it does.

When you let your workers know they are important to you, they work like it's important to them.

I work as contract "private" security for an FAA facility. We are quite professional, but no one in our company or management knows security. We get paid a good wage because we are under Federal contract. Is the security program and SOP's good? No. We are an antiquated policy dusted off after 9/11. Most the procedures was to be in place after OKC bombing. Never happened. Then SH*T hit with 9/11 and they went into overdrive. We're strapping .38 wheel-guns and had 1950 firearm quals. Now it's a balance of not knowing if security is going to be cut or given .45 auto-pistols. From the Fed standpoint it seems we are just for show. The employees resent us and a cost overrun for the managers.

I do know some guards working ComED (nuke and coal) plants. They watch their butts just as cautiously as we do. Security is the first defense, yet the first to be cut when money is tight.