The Obama Administration’s warnings that a major al-Qaeda threat against Christmas might somehow involve Thermos-brand insulated beverage containers came with the warning that anyone hoping to fly with one of the suddenly dangerous devices could expect considerable hassles at the airport.
It seemed ridiculous, but given last Christmas included a failed plot to down an airplane with a pair of exploding underwear, could anything be ruled out? Probably, as officials are now conceding that the “plot” was just a random guess by the US government of what might conceivably happen.
All the hassles one can expect from trying to fly with a thermos, all of the scare stories, all of the concerns were the function of a random guess from a random bureaucrat. Perhaps worst of all, officials feel pretty good about that.
NORTHCOM head Admiral James Winnefeld defended the allegations, saying they proved the TSA is “always trying to think ahead.” It seems ridiculous, however, to imagine that the administration’s last best hope to foil a major plot is the off chance that they happen to make up a crazy plot that is the same as the crazy plot some random attacker was thinking of.
i can't wait until someone realizes that a terrorist can smuggle explosive on to a plane in their glass eye.
I hope and pray that a terrist does call up the TSA, warning them about a suppository bomb. All those passengers bending over and taking it (the Way Enhanced pat-down, that is) would really slow the security line down on holiday weekends. Still, everyone would feel safer, so I guess it would be worth it.
Gordon I. Peterson, the author of the _Seapower_ article that is the basis of the Wikipedia account of the attacks, apparently is confounded by and perhaps even enraptured with FedGov propaganda on geography. He states that the Enterprise returned to the "Arabian Gulf," which, of course, is the propaganda name for the Persian Gulf. However, it is rather obvious that the attacks on Afghanistan were carried from the Arabian Sea, which borders Pakistan. Perhaps Peterson was fantasizing about overflying Iran to attack Afghanistan?
Peterson suggests, but disingenuously does not clearly state one way or the other, that Winnefeld commenced attacks immediately. Is that true? If so, that is a frightening failure of command and control, as Winnefeld would have started the war without any authorization. It seems highly unlikely that he would have done such a thing, but one has to wonder why a magazine closely affiliated with the Navy would want careless readers to come away with the idea that Winnefeld would do that.
"Winnefeld would have started the war without any authorization [by attacking Afghanistan while the Bush Camarilla was just starting to enroll the UN]"
THAT would have lead to shitcanning in a millisecond.
The Navy is also subject to market forces, i.e. there is always a certain push towards fast seat vacation so that others can take your place. Bombing w/o authorisation? Riiigghhht.
Learned several days ago, that tests of screening effectiveness at airport security checkpoints has shown them to be UTTERLY INEFFECTIVE, allowing in some cases more than 90% percent of guns, knives, and bombs to get through undetected.
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/loaded-gun-slips-pa…
"According to one report, undercover TSA agents testing security at a Newark airport terminal on one day in 2006 found that TSA screeners failed to detect concealed bombs and guns 20 out of 22 times. A 2007 government audit leaked to USA Today revealed that undercover agents were successful slipping simulated explosives and bomb parts through Los Angeles's LAX airport in 50 out of 70 attempts, and at Chicago's O'Hare airport agents made 75 attempts and succeeded in getting through undetected 45 times."
They need to stop day-dreaming about ridiculous imaginary plots, and try to figure out how to reliably find 99.99% of guns, knives, and explosives in carry on luggage.
It's only a matter of time until TSA is examining women's breasts for implant explosives. Those 38D's could be the next weapon in the criminal arsenal.