When it comes to airport security, profiling is the only answer. Weapons and bombs are useless without people. Terrorists are people. People that use weapons and bombs to kill innocents for sport. Jihad is the new jai alai or something.
Law Enforcement agents are trained to react to human behavior. For example, in a police traffic stop, a driver is stopped for speeding, the officer approaches the vehicle and profiles the driver while asking for his/her driver's license, registration and proof of insurance. If the officer picks up on any suspicious activity or odors he would then react differently to the subject. The Department of Homeland Security has taken this training and instinct out of airport security.
Not exactly layers of *security* there, eh? And as for training:
"Depending on the assigned function, a TSO's initial training consists of about 130 hours, 70 of which are on the job. The training involves classroom training on the passenger checkpoint that features a combination of instructor-led lessons and demonstrations; a Web-based introductory overview of what officers should expect; and on-the-job certification."
So let me get this straight, not all TSA agents are law enforcement agents and more than half of their training is "on the job". Feel safer yet?
The FBI, local law enforcement and in larger more at risk airports, the National Guard seem like better folks to be carrying out our security don't you think? The TSA can continue to help stranded motorists and assist air travelers in digging their cars out after blizzards.
Over the weekend some people were outraged by this video showing a TSA agent searching three-year-old, Mandy at Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport:
This child was not singled out. According to TSA's website:
"We have to screen everyone, regardless of age (even babies), before they can go through the security checkpoint."
First of all, I'm sure that little Mandy's daddy, reporter Steve Simon, wasn't too upset that this happened to his tot. Secondly, Mr. Simon, who refers to his daughter as "cranky" (perhaps because her teddy bear was taken away) notes: "First they [TSA agents] tried a hand-held metal detector, Mandy was not in the mood."
I know what you're thinking...but she's a child traveling with her mommy and daddy, terrorists don't blow up airplanes while traveling with their families. I agree but, as Ed Morrissey over at Hotair points out:
"We can’t know for certain that terrorists wouldn’t use a child as a mule to get explosives or other weapons through airport security, of course. In fact, we’ve seen al-Qaeda use children and the mentally impaired as “suicide” bombers in Iraq, so we know they have no scruples in doing so."
Airport security evolves usually after incident, not before. The new "everyone gets screened" policy went into effect after last year's failed underwear bomb attack. Even though he should have never been on that flight because Umar Farouk AdbulmutallabDID NOT have a passport. But never fear because "the system worked". Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise, I mean the attack was a failure and if the crotchbomber hadn't gotten on this flight we'd still be at risk for this type of threat, right?
I support the Patriot Act (I know, I know...RINO) and any policy that keeps terrorists off of airplanes. The full body scanners which show your everything to TSA screeners, and may have shown Adbulmutallab's crotch bomb, aren't going over well with travelers. Not only are the body scanners seen as invasive and intrusive but some say they may also put you at risk for unsafe radiation exposure. The FTLA (Future Trial Lawyers of America) are smiling. Cha-ching! Not into radiation, no worries you can always opt for an "aggressive" pat-down.
Out: "Don't tase me, bro!", In: "You touch my junk and I'm going to have you arrested!".
Better Solutions:
One country comes to mind when you think of airport security: Israel. I have never been to Israel, but I know that they don't mess around when it comes to airport security. They use layers of security. They profile everyone for "passengers who could pose a potential risk" aka intent. And they don't have an ACLU.
"Before even entering the airport, all cars are stopped for a security check by armed guards. Cameras scan license plates to match them with a database of suspicious vehicles. Security officials said it's one of the many security filters passengers pass before boarding flights, some of them unknown to the passengers and many others still kept secret."
"The Israeli airport's spokesman's unit said the main terminal is equipped with 700 closed-circuit cameras and is fortified against explosions. The large glass wall at the front and even the trash cans inside are bombproof, they said. "
"Before approaching the ticket counter, passengers are thoroughly questioned by 'selectors' who look for travelers who match a suspicious profile."
Israel also uses "Behavior Pattern Recognition" (which has been implemented in at least two US airports, Logan International in Boston and Miami International)
"The process scans the behavior of people in airports to identify potential terrorists. Pattern recognition, in the normal course, identifies vaguely delineated entities, such as diseases, human faces, or video images. This article presents behavior pattern recognition as a logical neural process, which senses the behavior of objects in the environment. The human mind applies the process, supporting it with massive memories and myriad analytical subsystems. Behavior pattern recognition enables the human mind to understand events."
"Israeli security systems evaluate a series of events to reach a conclusion. Their airport screening supervisors have a score sheet with a list of behaviors on it."
"What can U.S. airports learn from the way Ben Gurion manages aviation security?"
"According to Raphael 'Rafi' Ron, who served as director of security at Ben Gurion for five years, aviation security in the U.S. suffers from two shortcomings that Ben Gurion has dealt with and overcome. First, the U.S. has failed in its efforts to develop comprehensive layered security programs that protect airports in their entirety, from perimeter access roads to passenger checkpoints. Second, airport security directors in the U.S. have failed to come to terms with what Ron calls the human factor — the inescapable fact that terrorist attacks are carried out by people who can be found and stopped by an effective security methodology."
Mr. Ron, now President of New Age Security Solutions, is a consultant for Logan International Airport in Boston. Ron makes note of the differences between Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport and Boston's Logan:
"Ron acknowledges that specific procedures probably will not transfer directly from Ben Gurion to Logan or to other U.S. airports. Ben Gurion, for example, is relatively small. It deals with 6 to 10 million passengers a year, whereas 25 to 30 million passengers move through Logan. Ron also notes that while the terrorist threat in Israel is similar to the threat posed by terrorists to U.S. airports, the level of intensity is lower in the U.S."
Israel's policy in short: it's all about the people, stupid. Profile everyone, assess terrorism risk, respond accordingly. Final Thoughts Like Melissa Clouthier, I too was selected to be randomly screened at an airport shortly after 9/11, while traveling (solo) with my kids (ages two and eight, at the time). I blame the gum that was all over the seat of my pants. Yay, kids! The incident happened at MCI in Kansas City. My two-year-old son was screaming because he thought, as the agent wanded me, that I was being harmed. He was not in a stroller and kept coming over to me, the agent said "he cannot touch you". Another mommy who was also on our flight picked him up, he screamed louder, as me and my threatening self were cleared for takeoff.
According to the TSA's website, they're no longer causing separation anxiety:
"We will not ask you to do anything that will separate you from your child or children."
As of today, you and your children are subject to screening. Now that you know this, talk to your younglings about what's going to happen at the airport. There is a possibility that they will be patted down or wanded with a hand held metal detector, demonstrate these actions to them at home so that they know what to expect. And if you're one of those people with small children who's boycotting air travel until the TSA changes their policy, many thanks. Personally, I like my flights children free.
On this Veteran's Day, the US Navy activated the USS Dunham (DDG 109). The Destroyer is named for Medal of Honor recipient, Marine Corporal Jason Dunham.
Cpl. Dunham was the first Marine to receive the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War. Words cannot describe his bravery:
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Rifle Squad Leader, 4th Platoon, Company K, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines (Reinforced), Regimental Combat Team 7, First Marine Division (Reinforced), on 14 April 2004. Corporal Dunham's squad was conducting a reconnaissance mission in the town of Karabilah, Iraq, when they heard rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire erupt approximately two kilometers to the west. Corporal Dunham led his Combined Anti-Armor Team towards the engagement to provide fire support to their Battalion Commander's convoy, which had been ambushed as it was traveling to Camp Husaybah. As Corporal Dunham and his Marines advanced, they quickly began to receive enemy fire. Corporal Dunham ordered his squad to dismount their vehicles and led one of his fire teams on foot several blocks south of the ambushed convoy. Discovering seven Iraqi vehicles in a column attempting to depart, Corporal Dunham and his team stopped the vehicles to search them for weapons. As they approached the vehicles, an insurgent leaped out and attacked Corporal Dunham. Corporal Dunham wrestled the insurgent to the ground and in the ensuing struggle saw the insurgent release a grenade. Corporal Dunham immediately alerted his fellow Marines to the threat. Aware of the imminent danger and without hesitation, Corporal Dunham covered the grenade with his helmet and body, bearing the brunt of the explosion and shielding his Marines from the blast. In an ultimate and selfless act of bravery in which he was mortally wounded, he saved the lives of at least two fellow Marines. By his undaunted courage, intrepid fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty, Corporal Dunham gallantly gave his life for his country, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service."
A piece of Dunham's helmet is encased in the ship's mast.
Every year for Christmas, my in-laws take us on a trip (<- major perk). We used to go skiing in Aspen, which didn't suck and I don't ski. But, somebody has to partake in apres ski merrymaking with furry celebutantes and their sugar daddies. I stepped up and did my duty. The Aspen vacays were great. The highlight? Listening to my cherubs' tales of tackling Snowmass Mountain's black diamond runs Partying at the Caribou Club with Ivana Trump.
Ivana had some great moves, but, I longed for more. . .more sunshine and less snow. So, when my papa-in-law suggested a Griswold Christmas in Costa Rica, I said "hello, sunshine" and started packing.
Next month will be our third Christmas in Costa Rica. I've never been to Mexico but I've been to the Caribbean (and Oklahoma). Anyway, we Christmas in Jaco (yes, I just used "Christmas" as a verb) on the Pacific Coast. It's not touristy, it's not fancy. It's authentic and the people are genuine...there are hugs goodbye at the end of our stay.
Anyway...my point of this post was not to brag about how great my life is and pimp tourism for Costa Rica, but it seems that's all I've done so far. Sorry.
Last year we flew home on December 27th, just two days after a terrorist tried to blow up his junk (and Motown) on an international flight. As a result of the new style of attack - igniting explosive underoos while hiding beneath a diseased airline blanket - new security measures were immediately implemented.
We still didn't know many details of what had happened on Northwest Flight 253. Airport officials told all passengers traveling to the United States, when checking in, "no liquids or powders, period". I panicked a bit as I searched in my purse and carry-on bag for all things powder and liquid and shoved them in my already bursting suitcase.
At the gate we were told that we would *all* be "patted down" and I think every single person who worked in the San Jose International Airport asked to see our passports.
They lined us up to board in one large group. As we walked down the tunnel our carry-on bags were searched again by hand and we were each felt up frisked by a same-sex agent. There was a large Indian family on the same flight. One of the Indian men said "we should get t-shirts that say, do no worry we are Indian". Everyone laughed, even the scary gate lady that checked my boobies for firmness (and explosives) cracked a smile. It wasn't pleasant, especially seeing children...including my own, in an airport shake down.
Once we passed inspection and were allowed to board the plane, I checked to make sure that the tadpoles weren't going to need any additional therapy. My son, who was 10 years old, grinned and said "he touched my pepe, Steve" (Multiplicity) additional therapy averted! Success!
Since our trip, the TSA has implemented the use of body scanners. There aren't enough scanners to go around so "aggressive pat downs" by trained screeners are being utilized at airports coast-to-coast to make sure that you or your neighbor don't have a Yemeni toner cartridge attached to your nutsack.
Travelers are less than thrilled with this new and improved (?) security measure. Personally, I'd rather be safe than y'know dead. Cheer up, you're not being humiliated alone. There's still inflight booze...for now. Most of them are professionals, but if a TSA screener "aggressively" pats you down and Let's Get It On starts playing in your head, file a complaint. I mean, nobody likes being groped by a stranger, except maybe -> this guy <- click the link, do it and don't forget to scroll down. You're welcome!
If you follow me on Twitter, you know that I was ragging on Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) this evening because apparently he thinks you can't be a fiscal conservative without being a social conservative. If you don't follow me on Twitter *eyeroll* it's your loss, loser.
Allow me to rag s'more (as in: "rag some more", not "rag smore" - that would be disgusting, who are you, people?): Anyway, as I was saying...Yes you can, Senator Dum-Dum. For example: I don't like big government, period. This includes being opposed to the out of control spending on blah, blah, overreaching and likely to fail programs and being against having big government all up in your personal business (i.e. the anti-gay, anti-euthanasia, censorship wand flailing, blah, blah, pro-marriage-amendment, jerks...aka social conservatives). Also don't be shocked if value voters fanboi, Senator DeMint turns out to be Senator Creme DeMenthe. IYKWIMAITYD (and if you don't, click the link).
What was my point??? Oh yeah, some of my followers got their panties in a wadannoyed with me for criticizing a fellow republican. Some of them even, thankfully, unfollowed.
Soooo, for the greater good and in the spirit of unity...I started following Media Matters' Senior Fellow Eric Boehlert. Senior Fellow? What the hell does that even mean??? Oh well, after five tweets I began to feel sorry for the junior fellows at Media Matters. Remember to bite down hard, boys.
And then I got inspired:
plus:
On October 20, 2010, creepy Hungarian, George Soros, gave Media Matters, *sinister voice* "one million dollars" to fight the evil empire that is Fox News.
The midterms are over (for the most part). I mean, I still don't know who won the Alaska senate seat but I long for the days when no one cared about Alaska politics. What? I dreamt that? Oh. Well, at least nobody's talking about Delaware anymore. What? I dreamt that, too? Damn you, Ambien!
Anyway, onward to 2012! All abroad the "Who's Gonna Run" speculation train! According to 1800-sports.com, the artist formally known as Alaska's Governor matters the most:
"In the poll, [of 1,000 registered voters] respondents were asked: 'If there were an election for president of the United States today, and the only two names on the ballot were Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, whom would you vote for?"
Secretary Clinton crushed President Obama 60% to 40%. And speaking of crushing, looky what I found:
Click the pic to purchase. Also available, Corkscrew Bill. Oh, yes.
Ladies and gentlemen Political junkies, place your bets.
Keith Olbermann has been "suspended indefinitely without pay" for violating MSNBC's ethics policy. Journalists must have permission from the President of NBC News, Steve Capus, before making any campaign contributions. Olbermann donated $2,400 to three democratic candidates, he did not seek prior approval to do so. A timeout from "Countdown" is the result. Ed Morrissey over at Hotair has the full story here.
I am shocked and outraged, SHOCKED AND OUTRAGED (repetition and all caps for sarcastic emphasis), that NBC News has such a policy. MSNBC is the most biased news station on cable TV. You know who else is SHOCKED AND OUTRAGED (all caps for actual emphasis), FAIR.org. In an "Action Alert", FAIR irately notes that NBC's parent company, GE, "made over $2 million in political contributions" and " spent another $32 million on lobbying this year". I'm fairly certain that whoever wrote that pooped in their pants.
Who else is pooping in their in pants over poor Keith Olbermann?
Michael Moore: And The Huffington Post: You can sign the petition here. Go ahead, you know you want to.
Notice anything different? This site is more cheerful, no? I think it's the Vicodin.
Anyway, I wanted to share a couple of things with, all six of, you. Two things to be exact. Two things that have nothing to do with one other. Well personally, I believe that vodka goes with everything...but you already knew that.
1) Sobieski Vodka: It's cheap, it's crisp and delicious and most importantly you can get it in a 1.75 liter bottle (I love Tito's but I can't find it in combat size...I need combat size). Bruce Willis, who owns an interest in Sobieski's parent company, is playing the role of celebrity spokesman. What? You hate Bruce Willis. He hates you back. Hmmm...What about if I told you that Sobieski is Belvedere's cheaper brother? How much cheaper? A 1.75 liter bottle of Sobieski (isn't it fun to say, now try it with a Polish accent) only costs you around $20. Yes, you read that correctly. Na zdrowie!!!
2) If you're looking for a super fantastic sunless tanner. Look no further, St. Tropez Gradual Tan Mousse (Sephora, $30) is perfect. It's light, it dries fast, it doesn't smell like fandango and you won't look like Charlie Crist after using it.
No. I don't get anything for pimping either item. I share because I care. And you should too, jerk. But if the nice people at St. Tropez Ltd or Imperial Brands (or Tito's...or Sephora) would like to send me some things. I'd be open to their generosity.
UPDATE: Newt Gingrich was involved, via his nonprofit organization Renewing American Leadership (ReAL), in ousting Iowa's three Supreme Court Justices last year. Perhaps as a penance for his cheating heart or perhaps to buy the support of Iowa evangelical leader, Bob Vander Plaats, either way...I'm not a fan. From National Journal:
ReAL poured $150,000 into the successful campaign by Iowa social conservatives in 2010 to oust three Iowa Supreme Court judges, who were targeted after the high court struck down a state ban on same-sex marriage.
*****
It's finally here...November 3rd. The midterm elections are over and as predicted, republicans took back the House of Representatives. The Senate majority stays with the democrats thanks, in part, to "true conservatives" and their crappy candidates. I hope Harry Reid and his pet are very happy together.
In Iowa, we vote yes or no on retaining our state's judges. The process was implemented in 1962. This year, three Supreme Court judges were on the ballot and three Supreme Court judges were booted. In case you are wondering, this has never happened before.
Why did this happen? On April 3, 2009 the Iowa Supremes unanimously (7-0) decided to uphold a District Court ruling (Varnum v. Brien); the case challenged the state's ban on same-sex marriage under the Iowa Constitution's Equal Protection Clause. Iowa's high court concluded:
"We are firmly convinced the exclusion of gay and lesbian people from the institution of civil marriage does not substantially further any important governmental objective. The legislature has excluded a historically disfavored class of persons from a supremely important civil institution without a constitutionally sufficient justification. There is no material fact, genuinely in dispute, that can affect this determination."
A penny for my thoughts? Okay. First of all, I think that the government should get the hell out of the marriage business. With 50% divorce rates, they're not very good at it. In Iowa a marriage license costs $30, it's not like they're making a killing on fees. I got married at the Justice of the Peace (on a Thursday, it was free). But since the Iowa government is all up in your marriage business, I agree with the court's decision. No, I'm not a lawyer. But, I am a pretty good judge. The same-sex marriage ban was discriminatory.
Let the voters decide!!! Normally this is a super awesome idea but it didn't happen, same-sex marriage has never been on the ballot in Iowa. The state legislature decided to ban it after Clinton signed DOMA. While we're on the subject of our fun-loving former President, he was responsible for DADT as well. Clearly, he hates the gheys. I keed, I keed.
What's Dutch for disgruntled, defeated, gubernatorial candidate? Vander Plaats. Bob Vander Plaats after being stomped by former Governor Terry Branstad in the primary toyed around with a write-in candidacy. He must have had a hard time shaking the political bug or perhaps he's just an angry man who likes being angry. Because he channeled that anger and energy towards the Iowa Supremes, in a big way. Vander Plaats' Iowa for Freedom (heh) with the help of Rep. King, Rick "I brought my dead baby home to meet his siblings" Santorum, the Family Research Council Action and the National Organization for Marriage ran a successful campaign to oust the "activist judges" complete with TV ads and a 45 county bus tour!
Wow, this is long. Hey look, a puppy.
I don't get it. Aren't conservatives supposed to be pro-marriage and pro-family? If you hate gay people then say just that. Don't hide behind marriage amendment chatter while slinging around mistruths like "activist judges".
Former Iowa Supreme Court Justice, Linda Neuman said that she saw none of the "judicial activism" in the high court's decision. Former United States Supreme Court Justice, Sandra Day O'Connor even weighed in on the controversy while at an event in Iowa. O'Connor, who was introduced by Chief Justice Ternus, said "the judges should not be subject to retaliation".
Former Iowa Governor Robert Ray (R) said he hoped voters could “look past the hype on individual cases”. Gov. Ray made these comments at the Iowa State Bar Association's 2010 Judicial Plebiscite release. Each year the state Bar's members are asked to rate Iowa's judges, 3,429 attorneys participated. How did these "activist judges" fare? Justice Michael Streit (rhymes with "right") 83.7%, Justice David Baker (rhymes with "maker") 82.8% and bringing up the rear (Iowa's first female) Chief Justice Marsha Ternus (rhymes with nothing) received a 72% rating for retention.
When asked about these ratings, Iowa for Freedom (heh) campaign manager, Chuck Laudner, noted that none of the judges received a 100%. Then he said "nanny-nanny-boo-boo" and pooped in his pants (well maybe...I wasn't there).
What happens next? Gov. Chet Culver (D) who was defeated by Former Governor Branstad yesterday could appoint new justices before the Former Governor/Governor-Elect is (re)sworn in. Two of the three, Ternus and Streit, were appointed by Former Governor Branstad. I'm confused are you? Anyway, Vander Plaats was pretty excited, I think he said "legislate from the bench" five thousand times in his "victory speech". Also, he's not very smart and he may or may not eat his boogers.
I'll leave you (finally) with this. Civil Rights have come a long way in this country but we have some work to do. The US Supreme Court had to rule on the legality of interracial marriage in this country in 1967. I wonder what would have happened if that had been left to the voters to decide. But, I know...that's different, or something.
*Streit was appointed by Branstad to the district court bench, Culver promoted him to Iowa's high court in 2001
Please allow me to interrupt your nightly preliminary election math and midterm voting eve Twitter avatar decorating for a WTF story that's out of this world.
"The director of NASA's Ames Research Center in California casually let slip mention of the 100-Year Starship recently, a new program funded by the super-secret government agency, DARPA. In a talk at San Francisco's Long Conversation conference, Simon “Pete” Worden said DARPA has $1M to spend, plus another $100,000 from NASA itself, for the program, which will initially develop a new kind of propulsion engine that will take us to Mars or beyond. There's only one problem: The astronauts won't come back."
Come again? Won't come back? What will they do there?
According to Wired.com, Dir. Worden is interested in some elite private funding:
“We also hope to inveigle some billionaires to form a Hundred Year Starship fund”
Inveigle? Interesting word choice...
Wired.com added that Worden has chatted up Google's Larry Page:
“Larry asked me a couple weeks ago how much it would cost to send people one way to Mars and I told him $10 billion, and his response was, ‘Can you get it down to 1 or 2 billion?,’” Worden told the Long Now audience. “So now we’re starting to get a little argument over the price.”
Private funding for the space program to colonize Mars? My mind is officially blown.
