Frank Zappa Spinning In His Grave!

An odd analogy, I know... but I did something today that I normally never do.

I censored myself and removed a blog post.

Now, I can't recall the last time I did that, though I have once or twice.

I had done my research, I was confident of my posting and was intrigued when a colleague made a valid point against my actions.

As I have a great deal of respect this colleagues opinion, I listened (read) with an open mind and found this person's argument to be valid and fair.

Hence, I censored myself today.

My idol of free speech and copyright, Frank Zappa would be spinning in his grave right now. '
My apologies Frank, for the misstep.

Frank Zappa on Crossfire
WARNING: This video contains harsh, vulgar language. Young children and sensistive people should not listen to this recording.

Please pardon the frank language, but Frank was being frank that day. (hey, that was a pun!)

Scene 6; Act 3: Guest Author Diane Griffin; Author of Everything You Wanted to Know About the Security Clearance Process, But Are Afraid To Ask

The heat has diminished somewhat, but not by much! Good thing I sits in front of a fan, thumbing through the Virtual Book Tour and wondering who our next guest is. Turns out its:

Diane Griffin; Author of Everything You Wanted to Know About the Security Clearance Process, But Are Afraid To Ask: Professional Guidance for Obtaining and Maintaining a Security Clearance.
Who knew that visitors to the Land of Oz needed a security clearance? Apparently Ms. Griffin did.

She also wins first prize for the longest book title I have hosted to date.

Just kidding, of course, but now on to the business at hand. I present to you our next Virtual Book Tour Author; Diane Griffin.

Bio: Diane Griffin, President and owner of Security First & Associates, says her motivation for writing Everything You Wanted to Know About the Security Clearance Process, But Are Afraid To Ask: Professional Guidance for Obtaining and Maintaining a Security Clearance came from the more than two decades of people she has assisted, both in her role as a private security contractor, and as the head of personnel or security within major governmental contractors, in finding their way through the complicated security clearance chain. Diane, is nationally recognized as an expert in the design and delivery of security throughout the intelligence community and has worked with a variety of clients throughout the US Government and industry. Diane is a past membership chairperson and current secretary of the National Classification Management Society (NCMS) and is active in several professional security organizations.

Diane received her B.S. degree in Human Resource Manager from Colorado Christian Univ. and MBA degree in Management from University of Phoenix. Author of several articles on Security and she volunteers with shelters, collecting used Cell phones for Women of Domestic Violence. In addition, volunteers with the foster care program, creating a program called Bags & Bears for Foster care, collecting pack backs and teddy bears for children in the foster care program. Diane is single again and has one child.

Synopsis: If you have plenty of time to click around through myriad government websites and the patience to cut through red tape and make sense of confusing bureaucratic talk, you may be able to find some of the answers to your questions about the security clearance process,” Griffin says. “Chances are, however, that you will still be left with some of your questions unanswered, because there are some questions that the government just doesn’t address. So, unless you know someone who is well acquainted with the process from a first-hand perspective, good luck.

“What I sought to do was compile all of these answers into one easy-to-read compendium of advice and guidance, giving my readers signposts along the way to assist them in navigating through the clearance process. I believe I’ve come up with a volume that will greatly help its users, and being able to assist folks in working through this process is extremely gratifying to me.”

GROUNDBREAKING SECURITY CLEARANCE EBOOK A ONE-STOP KNOWLEDGEBASE FOR THOSE CONFUSED BY THE SECURITY CLEARANCE PROCESS

Blog:

Today’s economy is one of the most difficult times in recent history to find work, and many people are not even making use of their college degrees as related to employment! The number of people unemployed is staggering, and the overall lasting impact on our nation as a whole is, I believe, still not completely understood. There is hope, however.

President Obama plans on hiring 270,000 people for federal jobs. Many of those positions will require a security clearance. These jobs will become available in varying fields, and encompass all types of skills sets. The war on cyber crime has been declared, but our country is facing a shortage of computer professional holding valid security clearances,

Federal jobs, as I am sure you know, provide an opportunity for a solid career path complete with its own set of benefits and rewards that are becoming less and less common as small business America is forced to spend less and less money on these things for its employees in a tough economy. As I mentioned, most of the federal jobs that will be available for your students will require a security clearance of some type. For those with the skills to obtain a high-paying or advanced position, higher and higher levels of security clearances will be needed. This is nothing new, but with the changes that have taken place since the Patriot Act was enforced, the process is quite complex. Many people are discouraged by this and end up taking jobs elsewhere as a result when they could be quite successful if they could just get past that initial phase of getting the security clearance.

For the past 20 years, I have been walking people through this process and helping them get on the right path to security and success. My company, Security First and Associates, has assisted individuals, government contractors, and entire companies in getting the security clearances they needed in order to get the job, be awarded that contract, or be able to continue working as a vendor to the federal government.

Everything You Need to Know About the Security Clearance Process, But Are Afraid to Ask is now available for $19.95, from my website, amazon & lulu.

Amazon: Everything You Need To Know About The Security Clearance Process But Are Afraid To Ask

Lulu: Everything You Need To Know About The Security Clearance Process But Are Afraid To Ask

Security First Associates

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Reviews:

5.0 out of 5 stars Actionable guidance in 65 pages, June 14, 2010 By L. Evans "collaborative-action" (Pacific NW) - This review is from: Everything You Need To Know About The Security Clearance Process But Are Afraid To Ask (Kindle Edition) When I read an instructional book, I'm looking for help. That means it needs to be easy to understand and formatted in a way to quickly find what I'm looking for. Diane Griffin's book, "Everything you need to know about the security clearance process, but are afraid to ask" does this and more. She even adds a bit of humor that may address some people's real fears about the security clearance process. ... all in a fully-packed 65 pages of actionable instruction. Well done! -Lori Leavitt Evans, Performance & Risk Management Expert Abrige Corp. ([...]) & C-Secure Systems ([...])

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive Guide On The Security Clearance Process- Highly Recommended!,June 12, 2010 By CFH "chillnhill" (Blue Ridge Summit, PA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER) This review is from: Everything You Need To Know About The Security Clearance Process But Are Afraid To Ask (Kindle Edition) "Everything You Need To Know About The Security Clearance Process But Are Afraid To Ask" is an excellent resource for individuals and companies that need to understand the often intimidating process of obtaining a security clearance. Back in the early 1990s I went through the Security Clearance process to get access to DoE and FAA facilities in order to work on Data Networks and truly wish that Diane Griffin's comprehensive book was availible to me at that time! The book is easy to read, leaving out unnecessary jargon, and covers all of the questions that an applicant will have and many that I didn't think of on my own. The inclusion of sample forms was very helpful but most importantly, the chapter containing the "odd" questions Diane has been asked will likely put a few minds to rest about what will and won't be a considered an impediment to obtaining a clearance. Highly Recommended! CFH

So close... yet so far away!

Having completed chapter 40 last night, it would seem that my 40 chapter goal is being exceeded... by at least 4 more chapters.

Not quite my intention but the story dictates the length and the story is really progressing now.

Ad hoc, ad loc, quid pro quo... So little time, so much to know!

Nearing the Finish Line!

On the Summer Solstice, I set myself to the task of writing Family of Oz. I had been awaiting the muse for some time and it was during the evening of the Summer Solstice when the muse finally chose to strike.

Since then, I have been actively involved in the writing, along with several other projects tertiary to this one.

I usually average a chapter a night, though this book has gone a bit slower than both Magician of Oz and Shadow Demon of Oz. It has now been 41 days and I've completed 36 chapters. At just a hair over 60,000 words so far, I'm very pleased at my progress so far, though I never thought Family of Oz would wind up longer than Shadow Demon of Oz.

With the end in sight, I have finally brought together all the elements that had been developed over the last two books.

Now, it's time to wrap things up and complete Her Majesty's Royal Command.

Soon, the fun really begins!