How To Catch A Terrorist (Obviously, Don't Rely On The TSA -- That's Not What They're For)
As I wrote in my op-ed on the absurdity of unskilled workers who get their job off pizza boxes being the ones we supposedly count on to root out terrorists:
If the TSA's actual mission were its stated one - "protect(ing) the Nation's transportation systems" - checkpoints wouldn't be staffed by low-wage, unskilled workers, and they wouldn't be searching everyone. They certainly wouldn't be waiting until terrorists get to the airport to root them out. Meaningful measures to thwart terrorist acts require highly trained law enforcement officers using targeted intelligence to identify suspects long before they launch their plots.
Of course the granny gropers at the airport didn't find anything -- it was (see above) "highly trained law enforcement officers using targeted intelligence to identify suspects long before they launch their plots."
From ABCnews.go.com, Olivier Knox writes:
The CIA thwarted a suicide plot by al-Qaida's affiliate in Yemen to bring down a U.S.-bound airliner near last week's one-year anniversary of Osama bin Laden's death with an upgraded "underwear bomb," the Associated Press reported Monday. The White House quickly released a statement insisting "the device did not pose a threat to the public.""We had no specific, credible information about active terrorist plots timed to coincide with the anniversary and reiterate that this device never represented a threat to the public," a senior Obama aide told Yahoo News Monday on condition of anonymity.
The AP, citing unnamed U.S. officials, said the CIA seized the explosive, an improved version of the weapon used in the failed Christmas 2009 plan to bring down a commercial airplane over Detroit.
The device did not contain metal, making it likely that it could have eluded detection by traditional airport security. But it was unclear whether controversial new full-body scanners would have located it.
Of course, as I wrote in my op-ed about the real mission of the TSA:
The TSA's main accomplishment seems to be obedience training for the American public - priming us to be docile (and even polite) about giving up our civil liberties.
Little shows it better than how we leave the actual terrorism detection to people whose job options aren't as follows: "Defending National Security or Home of the Whopper."
I went on a blind date with one of the FBI guys who, according to him, was on the team that broke the first WTC bombing case. (He did work for the FBI -- a bunch of cute guys who went to my gym did, and my dry cleaner set me up with him.) As a human being, this guy was about as far away from being one of those mindless gropers at the airport as one can be.
Amy Alkon at May 7, 2012 11:49 PM
...and reiterate that this device never represented a threat to the public...
So this statement clarifies that they're protecting us from things that aren't threats in the first place?
Well we must be doing something (even if it's really nothing).
Fatherland security at its finest.
DrCos at May 8, 2012 3:51 AM
Now, let's not go insulting Whopper Floppers by lumping them in with TSA gropers. Getting people fed (even if it's only fast food) is an important job.
And no, I'm not going to say anything about handling meat here, though I could.
Old RPM Daddy at May 8, 2012 5:47 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2012/05/08/how_to_catch_a.html#comment-3179886">comment from Old RPM DaddyI appreciate fast food workers, but I don't want them running security (or "security," as it is).
Amy Alkon
at May 8, 2012 6:00 AM
I haven't seen anything yet, but I can just imagine how this will be spun by the TSA so that we need them now more than ever.
Goo at May 8, 2012 6:12 AM
...and the sheeple will agree.
Goo at May 8, 2012 6:13 AM
All of the so-called "terror threats" in the news of late have been FACILITATED by the gummint.
jefe at May 8, 2012 9:06 AM
"Defending National Security or Home of the Whopper."
I think the idea that TSA defends national security is one hell of a whopper.
Elle at May 8, 2012 2:49 PM
Working at a fast food restaurant is a legitimate, honorable vocation. Working for TSA is morally degenerate.
Ken R at May 8, 2012 11:12 PM
Gun parts found in boy's stuffed animals at Rhode Island airport:
WTF?
Earlier it said: "It appears to be the result of a domestic dispute," said Rhode Island Airport Police Chief Leo Messier. Which might mean the mom was trying to set him up. But it still is questionable.
Jim P. at May 9, 2012 4:27 AM
I was singled out at LAX for an in-depth groping due to a 1/4 roll of certs left in my pocket. If the wand is so effective why do we need the backscatter at such a high price? Couldn't be friends in high places could it?
gmiller at May 9, 2012 5:59 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2012/05/08/how_to_catch_a.html#comment-3181793">comment from Jim P.Yes, gun parts were found, but they were found using the means we had before 9/11. Also, they were not part of terrorism. Terrorism you root out using trained intelligence officers not fast food workers with better-paying, Constitution-violating jobs.
Amy Alkon
at May 9, 2012 7:19 AM
Meanwhile, look it up. No commercial airliner has been downed by small-arms fire to the airframe.
Note how CNN sells fear? "Frightening discovery". Interviewing skeptical people who don't know anything about the investigation that cleared the man to proceed.
Americans buy their own fear. In the process, they agree to be handcuffed for their own safety.
Radwaste at May 10, 2012 6:27 PM
Leave a comment