Take the Test Commissioner

PRC Commissioner E. Shirley Baca claims she is the victim of a witch hunt. She says that the marijuana and glass pipe found in her luggage does not belong to her. That may all be true, but it doesn't change the fact that she has a public relations nightmare on her hands. You see, it hasn't even been a year since the Judge Brennan drug use scandal. (D) after a politicans name is starting to look like an abreviation for "Druggie."

It is essential that the Commissioner does some spin control as quickly as possible, and showing up at work smiling, relaxed with claims of a witch hunt is just not going to cut it. It might in fact fuel further speculation among those who research the warning signs of marijuana use.

Not to worry Commissioner Baca, it just so happens that I am a public relations professional. As a non-partisan, goodwill gesture, I am willing to present you with a simple solution to your current PR dilemma.

I recommend that you consider following the actions taken on June 17th of this year by eight Republican candidates. In what Democratic Party Chairman, John Wertheim, dismissed at the time as nothing more than a "disingenuous publicity stunt," these candidates volunteered to take a drug test. (Sidenote: John, you might want to rethink your position.)

Yes, Commissioner Baca, with this simple action you could put much of the speculation to rest. People might be inclined to believe that a grand TSA conspiracy was the result of your unfortunate situation at the Albuquerque Sunport. Who knows, you might even start a reversal of the current trend of people preferring the (R) label. Just think of the potential impact. Politicians everywhere will follow in your footsteps to get the "Baca (D)" after their name. It will certify them as "Drug-tested" and ready to serve.