This may be a sign of the apocalypse, but I’m going to praise a government agency.
In the past, I’ve scorched the Transportation Security Administration for pointless and foolish “security theater.”
- I’ve commented on the TSA’s incompetence.
- I’ve shared some horror stories about TSA abuse.
- And I’ve posted many jokes about the Keystone Cops of airport security (for more laughs, see this, this, this, and this).
But I’m willing to admit when the government makes a wise decision (even if all they’re doing is reversing a previous dumb decision), and the TSA’s policy on pocket knives deserves some applause.
Here are some details from a CNN report.
The nation’s aviation security chief on Thursday defended his recent decision to again permit knives aboard commercial flights, despite concerns from major airlines and their flight crews, and sharp criticism from some members of Congress. …He said small knives no longer pose a threat to aircraft security, which now emphasizes bomb detection. “A small pocket knife is simply not going to result in the catastrophic failure of an aircraft and an improvised explosive device will,” he said. “And we know, from internal covert testing, searching for these items, which will not blow up an aircraft, can distract our officers from focusing on the components of an improvised explosive device.” Small knives were banned along with a host of other undersized sharp objects like nail clippers, screwdrivers and cosmetic scissors, following the 9/11 al Qaeda hijack attacks on the United States.
I’ll be particularly happy if the new policy allows softball bats, since I sometimes have to fly to out-of-town tournaments with my over-50 team.
The rules also allow passengers to carry up to two golf clubs, certain toy bats or other sports sticks — such as ski poles, hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks and pool cues — aboard in carry-on luggage.
For skeptics out there, here’s the simple reality. In the post-9/11 worlds, passengers will not allow dirtbags to take over a plane with small knives, golf clubs, or any of the items being allowed on planes.
The TSA is correct to focus on things that represent bigger real-world threats.
P.S. I should also applaud the TSA’s “pre-check” program. I’m actually at Dulles Airport right now, having breezed through the new screening process that allowed me to keep on my shoes and jacket and to keep my laptop in its bag.
P.P.S. To show that I’m not getting too soft in my old age, I still think the TSA is inefficient and incompetent, and I invite everyone to peruse this remarkable info-graphic.
P.P.P.S. And because I don’t think the government should discriminate (even when it’s discriminating in my favor), I still object to special checkpoint lines for frequent flyers and first class passengers.
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Good afternoon Dan:
Following are some statistics that show of how communism destroy a country. Please, read it and, if you consider it convenient, disseminate its content as a help to Veneuelans. Thank you…
Regards,
Rafael Hernandez
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VENEZUELA TO THE GUINNESS BOOK (by Maria Sol Fihman)
However we knew would happen fraud, here we can see figures that are WORTHY FOR GUINNESS BOOK
STATISTICS OF VENEZUELA, are creepy, these are actual figures that all Venezuelans and residents in the country need to know.
When Chavez came, in 1999, there were 16 Governmental Departments. Today (2013), there are 36 –> 125% increase.
In 1999, the Estate had 900,000 Public Employees. Today, are 2,300,000 increased by 155%.
Exchange control in 1999 without the Bolivar Exchange Rate of the above (not BsF) was Bs. / USD = 573.86. Today, exchange control CADIVI price of Bs. / USD 6,300 (VEB of the above), one devaluation of 997.83%. Excluding the auction price let alone the dollar parallel or black.
In 1999, OIL PRICE was 10.57 US$ / Barrel. Today, 109.45 Dollars / Barrel. The price is 935.48% higher.
In 1999, OIL PRODUCTION was 3,480,000 Barrels/day. Today is 2,357,000 B/day which represents 32.27% less.
In 1999, OIL EXPORT was 3,000,000 B/d. In recent years was 2,200,000 B/d, representing 26.67% less.
In 1999, the PDVSA’s Payroll had 40,000 employees, now has 120,000. Payroll is increased by 300%.
In 1999, each PDVSA’s worker produced 87,000 Barrels/day, now each PDVSA’s worker produce 19,641.67 Barrels/day. This indicates that the productivity of PDVSA workers decreased by 342.94%.
In 1999, DEBT OF PDVSA was 6.00 Billion of US$. Today is 40.026 Billion of US$. It has an increase of 567.10%.
In 1999, the DOMESTIC DEBT was 2,534 Billions of BsF. Today is 216,018 Billions of BsF. Increased by 8,424.78%
EXTERNAL DEBT in 1999 was 39,911 Billions of US$. Today is for 104,481 Billions of US$. It was increased by 161.78%
In 1999, the number of homicides reached 4,500. In 2012, there were 21,692 people assassinated. This horrible figure has increased by 382%
22,500 private properties have been invaded nationwide from 1999 to September 2012
The government has confiscated more than 600 farms (2.5 million hectares).
The government has spent more than 14 billion dollars in SHOPPING WAR WEAPONS. Venezuela went from being the importer of the world number 46 to number 15, which according to the Institute Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) is an increase in imports of 555%, thanks in part to agreements with Russia.
The Bolivar “strong” (BsF – actual currency) has lost 46.5% of its purchasing power only so far in 2013.
Cumulative inflation over the 14 years of Chavez is 933%.
The government has a media oligopoly of 731 media.
9 million Venezuelans are living in poverty, and of those, in revolutionary Venezuela, 3 million go to bed on an empty stomach.
In the Ministry of Education’s there are 150 000 teachers in an uncertain hired situation.
From 1999-2012, went abroad 7,000 Venezuelan medical doctors and 9,000 scientists.
80% of our oil exports go to the U.S., a favorite destination, the Empire pays in cash.
In Venezuela 300 animal species are threatened with extinction.
Of every US$ 100 they enter the country, 94 are from oil exports. ·
CTV (Venezuelan Workers Union) reported that there are over 400 collective agreements discussion stopped at the Public Administration.
There are about 1,000,000 people infected with Chagas’ disease, Malaria returned, Measles and other vaccine are controlled by cubans.
According to DATOS (survey company), real income for strata D and E reflects a fall of 14% and 13%.
The “donation” of money to other countries exceeds 60 Billion of US Dollars.
97% of crimes go unpunished in the country.
The attempted assassination allegations spend 50, AND THE REGIME HAS NO ABLE TO PROVIDE PROOF.
The government owes about 12 Billion USDollars nationalizing companies, only canceled the 7% of total nationalized, without the possibility to pay, to their rightful owners, the rest.
In Venezuela, 70% of young people in public education do not graduate from high school and do not see subjects like chemistry, physics, mathematics and English because of teachers deficit, approved these matters by using an artificial “approved average”.
In 1999, Venezuela imported 1% of their meat consumption, and now 59% is imported.
In 1999, the national cattle herd was at 112.81 million heads. In 2012, the national herd was in 12 million, or 89.36% lower.
In 2006, coffee production peaked at 1,590,000 quintals. In 2009, felt down to 850,000 quintals .
Venezuela has a History of 230 years as coffee exporting. In 1998, Venezuela exported 388,000 quintals of coffee, and in 2009 we reached 0 quintals. We went from being exporters to importers coffee with 80% of demand coming from Nicaragua, Brazil and El Salvador. The total food imports reached 70%. It is, now, a port’s economy.
In the case of coffee, the INE (National Institute of Statistics) said that were purchased abroad 366,110 quintals, equal to bags of 46 kilos each. Imports in the industry in the first half cost more than 84.05 million USDollars, an increase of 18.35% compared to 71.01 million USDollars paid in the first half of 2011 for 371,884.64 quintals.
The National Statistics Institute said sugar imports increased 110.60% from 56.93 million USDollars in the first half of 2011 to US$ 119.9 million in foreign purchases invoiced between January and June 2012.
Blackouts and power outages scheduled dark keep 60% of the national territory. Since January 2009 was declared the energy crisis, it’s been 4 years and still in crisis.
In public administration occupy senior positions approximately 2,200 military and 3,000 more in low and middle positions.
In the country there are 15 million guns circulating without any control.
In the country’s prisons (34 prisons) there are 12,000 beds and 45,000 inmates. Penalties are run by inmates called “pranes”, who control the weapons of war, food, water, liquor and drugs. 560 deaths and 1,457 injuries were reported in the 34 prisons in 2011. Of 45,000 inmates there, those 560 dead people representing 124.4% per 10,000 inmates.
The 34 prisons in the country, home to 45,000 prisoners but were built for no more than 12,000 people. This represents an overcrowding of 275%. 80% are in the process (waiting for a judgment to say whether he is guilty or innocent) and 20% are punishable by a final judgment
Outside of the education system are 4 million children.
The 98% of the financing for the agricultural sector does the private sector and the public sector serves only 2%.
Date: Sat, 16 Mar 2013 12:09:18 +0000 To: rafher2@hotmail.com
“Jim Hodge – Allied Home Mortgage have been attacked by lawyers and the liberal press. A self made man of humble means is working hard to restore the jobs lost by these baseless attacks”
Linda, if the presumption is that everyone could be armed, who the heck would pick a fight on a plane? Sure, the 9/11 hijackers had box cutters, but everyone had been conditioned to give into terrorist demands as the best way to eventually get safely to where they were going.
Next step: Handguns. After that, abolish the TSA (why not go further and get rid of the DHS or the entire Interior Department while they’re at it?) because the people with handguns will take care of the terrorists.
The TSA employs 50,000 security officers, inspectors, air marshals and managers. Last week the an undercover TSA inspector got a fake bomb through security at Newark Liberty International Airport. He cleared 2 different layers of security. A former TSA screener said in a New York Post article that they do little to keep people safe and it’s all for show. At a cost of $8 billion a year. The Constitution has already been severly crippled. Just time till Americans die from it too.
How many stewardesses were stabbed back when one could carry a knife on board?
PS. Clean your fingernails with a wooden device found at any nail salon if you can’t wait until you reach your destination. Any other reason to have a two plus blaid on a plane?
Stick it.How many stewardesses need to have their jugular cut to allow you sports guys to have your way. No one thinks this is sound policy.