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July 25, 2007
Today's Bumper Sticker
WASHINGTON - Airport security officers around the nation have been alerted by federal officials to look out for terrorists practicing to carry explosive components onto aircraft, based on four curious seizures at airports since last September.
The unclassified alert was distributed on July 20 by the Transportation Security Administration to federal air marshals, its own transportation security officers and other law enforcement agencies.The seizures at airports in San Diego, Milwaukee, Houston and Baltimore included "wires, switches, pipes or tubes, cell phone components and dense clay-like substances," including block cheese, the bulletin said. "The unusual nature and increase in number of these improvised items raise concern."
Security officers were urged to keep an eye out for "ordinary items that look like improvised explosive device components."
The four seizures were described this way:
• San Diego, July 7. A U.S. person — either a citizen or a foreigner legally here — checked baggage containing two ice packs covered in duct tape. The ice packs had clay inside them rather than the normal blue gel.
• Milwaukee, June 4. A U.S. person's carryon baggage contained wire coil wrapped around a possible initiator, an electrical switch, batteries, three tubes and two blocks of cheese. The bulletin said block cheese has a consistency similar to some explosives.
• Houston, Nov. 8, 2006. A U.S. person's checked baggage contained a plastic bag with a 9-volt battery, wires, a block of brown clay-like minerals and pipes.
• Baltimore, Sept. 16, 2006. A couple's checked baggage contained a plastic bag with a block of processed cheese taped to another plastic bag holding a cellular phone charger.
Remember... there is no terrorist threat.
Posted by LindaSoG at July 25, 2007 07:00 AM
Comments
Isolated incidents.
*snort*
Posted by: Stepperg at July 25, 2007 10:00 AM
I seem to recall, back in the 70s and 80s, people were routinely kicked off flights and even right out of the airports (sometimes in handcuffs) for merely JOKING about hijacking. When I was in college (back in the early 80s, I watched a friend kicked off a flight for making the wisecrack "Oops, I think I forgot my explosives" when he was asked if he had any unusual materials in his carry on.
My question is: Were these 4 idiots arrested/interrogated when their parcels were discovered? I should imagine that if I wrapped a load of copper coil around a plastic tub filled with Play-Doh and connected to a battery, an airport security official would have damned good reason to blink twice and call their superior.
How come I am not reading, "Middle East prankster goes to jail for 5 years for trying to bring mock-bomb into airport"?!!!
It's like we're LETTING this practice-run bullshit go on under our noses! I'd rather walk to Chicago than fly. I have no faith at all in the TSA!
Posted by: Kevin M at July 25, 2007 12:30 PM
As Toynbee said, civilizations rarely are killed by outsiders; much more often they die by suicide.
And we have selected PC as our signature cup of hemlock.
Posted by: eros total at July 25, 2007 04:36 PM
Annie Jacobson reported a major trial run back in 2004
http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=14249
The guttless wankers at TSA are doing nothing. There is a complete blackout on who the perps are. Anyone want to make a guess?
Posted by: Mark at July 25, 2007 04:53 PM