Comitatus

Stepping onto my soap box for a bit.  Shocking, I know... :)

I read an interesting -- and disturbing -- story this week about a medical doctor in attending the White House Correspondents Dinner with her husband. 

Dr. Seema Jilani -- a New Orleans-born physician who specializes in international healthcare -- is married to a journalist who was attending the correspondents dinner.  Spouses aren't allowed to attend the actual dinner, but show up for the cocktail hour prior to the festivities.  After the actual dinner began, Dr. Jilani realized that her husband still had their keys.  She tried calling him, but he wasn't answering.  She approached the security guards outside of the dining room, and was refused entry because did not have a ticket.

Not an unreasonable response in the slightest...in fact, it was the appropriate response.  The only problem, though, is that the same security guards who refused Dr. Jilani entry into the secured area were allowing other women into that area without questioning their authorized status.  Further, if the reporting is  accurate, one woman who claimed to have lost their ticket was allowed in and personally escorted into the area by the guards.  As Dr. Jilani objected to the double standard, one of the guards threatened to call the Secret Service...remarking that  "We have to be extra careful with you all after the Boston bombings."

Oh, did I fail to mention that the other women allowed in were Caucasian?

I am posting this reference here  not as a political statement nor a criticism but rather as a reminder to we Warriors of the Light who stand in the gap every single day:  our protect-and-serve mission must be carried out objectively and without bias toward any.  It is hard (in both the real and virtual worlds) to eschew cynicism and bias as we stare into the abyss;  however it is only by winning that battle daily that we honor our charges and our charter.  To do otherwise is to become little better than those whom we stand against.  Those Whom We Serve will hopefully respect us and come to rely upon us.  They should never fear us.  This applies not only when screening individuals for events but also when dealing with the business professional who is asking for what appears to be yet another unreasonable exception to information security policy.

Regardless of why you got into this business, true professionals understand that bias and cynicism are luxuries we cannot afford.  If you are reading this posting, I urge you to gently remind those around you of the importance of rising above such temptations.

Okay...stepping off the soap box.  For now :)  Those interested in Dr. Jilani's article can find it here.