Bloomberg News: TSA bought 70,000 "TSA Remembers" 9/11 Bracelets, all made in China!
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ATL Lost Luggage
Programs: Kettle with Kryptonium Medallion Tags
Posts: 10,306
Bloomberg News: TSA bought 70,000 "TSA Remembers" 9/11 Bracelets, all made in China!
A quick search leads me to believe that we missed this interesting January 10 article from Bloomberg News:
Bloomberg News:
Sept. 11 Bracelets Come From China Amid ‘Buy-America’ Loopholes
By Kathleen Miller - Jan 10, 2012 12:01 AM ET
The opening paragraph of the article is:
Bloomberg News:
Sept. 11 Bracelets Come From China Amid ‘Buy-America’ Loopholes
By Kathleen Miller - Jan 10, 2012 12:01 AM ET
The opening paragraph of the article is:
For last year’s 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks, U.S. Transportation Security Administration officials wanted their workers to remember the thousands who died. So the agency bought 70,000 commemorative bracelets -- made in China.
the article also says:The TSA bracelet purchase has drawn particular scrutiny, not so much for its economics as for its symbolism. The wristbands were manufactured in China and purchased from TJM Promotions Inc. of Ocala, Florida, according to government data available online.
[Scott Paul, executive director of the Alliance for American Manufacturing, a Washington-based trade group] said it’s very easy to find such silicone wristbands made in mass quantities in the U.S.
“That is absurd,” Paul said. “And it certainly cheapens the remembrance to have it made in China.”
TSA paid $17,500 for 70,000 bracelets.
[Scott Paul, executive director of the Alliance for American Manufacturing, a Washington-based trade group] said it’s very easy to find such silicone wristbands made in mass quantities in the U.S.
“That is absurd,” Paul said. “And it certainly cheapens the remembrance to have it made in China.”
#2
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: PHX
Programs: AA Ex Platinum & 1MM, DL PLT, Marriott Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,490
Why does the TSA need to spend $17K on bracelets to commemorate what is, for them, essentially their high holy day??
For crying out loud, TSA uses the events of that day as their excuse for every stupid, boneheaded, idiotic they do, & have done since their inception, which by itself is sickening.
Yet another to the TSA leadership on this one.
For crying out loud, TSA uses the events of that day as their excuse for every stupid, boneheaded, idiotic they do, & have done since their inception, which by itself is sickening.
Yet another to the TSA leadership on this one.
Last edited by txrus; Jan 18, 2012 at 6:36 am
#3
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Boston
Posts: 821
Yes, the outrage should be that DHS spent over $17,000 for these --
http://www.bloomberg.com/image/iGV8l42eDu.U.jpg
I don't care what country they come from. What an outrageous waste of money.
I wonder if the idea for these bracelets came from either Napolitano or Pistole.
Disgusting.
http://www.bloomberg.com/image/iGV8l42eDu.U.jpg
I don't care what country they come from. What an outrageous waste of money.
I wonder if the idea for these bracelets came from either Napolitano or Pistole.
Disgusting.
#4
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: in the sky
Posts: 490
It strikes me as supremely offensive that WE should be forcibly paying (via taxation with or w/o representation) PR costs for an agency that has more than earned it's bad reputation whilst disallowing public commentary regarding draconian policies and the exorbitant ever-increasing so called "budget" it demands from us all. These are FRIVOLOUS EXPENDITURES having NOTHING to do with "transportation security"! Hold a G.D. bake sale if you want to purchase toxic propaganda crap like this. Better yet (TSA), just go away and let us remember 9/11 in and with dignity for ourselves, without shame for what happened in the aftermath.
#5
formerly known as 2lovelife
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: ORF : UA_Premier_Gold4Life, Bonvoy_titanium, Accor_Plat
Posts: 6,952
I am baffled at the American's fascination with that day. This headline mixes it even further with the 'made in China' phobia created by corporate greed. Truely hillarious, and indicative of typical headline chasing (un)newsworthy media editors.
What does 9/11 have to do with TSA anyway?
They were unable to secure airports before that day... and they've proven that they are still unable to secure them now.
.
.
What does 9/11 have to do with TSA anyway?
They were unable to secure airports before that day... and they've proven that they are still unable to secure them now.
.
.
#8
Moderator: Smoking Lounge; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: Lifetime (for now) Gold MM, HH Gold, Giving Tootsie Pops to UA employees, & a retired hockey goalie
Posts: 28,878
It strikes me as supremely offensive that WE should be forcibly paying (via taxation with or w/o representation) PR costs for an agency that has more than earned it's bad reputation whilst disallowing public commentary regarding draconian policies and the exorbitant ever-increasing so called "budget" it demands from us all. These are FRIVOLOUS EXPENDITURES having NOTHING to do with "transportation security"! Hold a G.D. bake sale if you want to purchase toxic propaganda crap like this. Better yet (TSA), just go away and let us remember 9/11 in and with dignity for ourselves, without shame for what happened in the aftermath.
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,728
#11
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LGA - JFK
Programs: UA, AA, DL, B6, CX, KE, Latitude, VIFP, Crown & Anchor, etc.
Posts: 2,589
Being made to wear it for the blue shirts with a tin badge is symbolic pride that they owe their paychecks to 9/11 - has nothing whatsoever to do with they really think or believe in, and we know the truth to that ...
Last edited by Letitride3c; Jan 20, 2012 at 8:54 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: in the sky
Posts: 490
There... I've solved the federal budget crisis.
#14
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SYD (perenially), GVA (not in a long time)
Programs: QF PS, EK-Gold, Security Theatre Critic
Posts: 6,785
Ya know, I'm feeling generous.
Give 'em all TWO bracelets. Good quality steel, none of this cheesy plastic. And a nice blingy chain connecting them together.
Give 'em all TWO bracelets. Good quality steel, none of this cheesy plastic. And a nice blingy chain connecting them together.
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ATL Lost Luggage
Programs: Kettle with Kryptonium Medallion Tags
Posts: 10,306
NBC-Connecticut: US Rep. Murphy Blasts TSA for 9/11 Bracelets from China
It appears that TSA ignored another US law.... here is the link to the news:
NBC Connecticut:
Murphy Blasts TSA for 9/11 Bracelets from China
U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy wants clarification from TSA and changes in the future.
Tuesday, Jan 31, 2012 Updated 1:53 PM EST
Two short quotes from the article:
and
NBC Connecticut:
Murphy Blasts TSA for 9/11 Bracelets from China
U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy wants clarification from TSA and changes in the future.
Tuesday, Jan 31, 2012 Updated 1:53 PM EST
Two short quotes from the article:
U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy, founder and co-chairman of the congressional Buy American Caucus, sent a letter on Tuesday to John Pistole, administrator of the Transportation Security Administration, criticizing the decision.
and
“The Buy American Act requires that your agency purchase manufactured goods that are made in America except in certain extenuating circumstances, in which case a waiver to the Act may be granted. It does not appear that any of those conditions were met in this case. Please clarify the statutory authority by which you made this purchase, and whether a waiver was issued,” Murphy said.
We can add the Buy American Act to the list of laws that TSA ignores.
Last edited by RatherBeOnATrain; Jan 31, 2012 at 5:15 pm Reason: typo