Rep. Mica Attacks TSA 'Chat-Downs' As 'Idiotic'; WBI and Patdowns: High Failure Rate
Oct 27, 2011, 1:46 pm
#31
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DCA / WAS
Programs: DL 2+ million/PM, YX, Marriott Plt, *wood gold, HHonors, CO Plt, UA, AA EXP, WN, AGR
Posts: 9,388
Congress can reveal classified information -- whether it should or not, whether it is lawful or not, that depends on a variety of things. [It has before, repeatedly at that, revealed classified information, with the irony being that those with Executive service affiliation remain unable to go on the open record to legally confirm the specifics about the revelations which have taken place.]
Since Congress has the power to make laws and to establish or eliminate penalties for a variety of things, it also has the de facto power to de-classify classified information too. I expect we'd have yet more fights heading to the federal courts if it were to fully exercise such power under explicit Congressional action.
Since Congress has the power to make laws and to establish or eliminate penalties for a variety of things, it also has the de facto power to de-classify classified information too. I expect we'd have yet more fights heading to the federal courts if it were to fully exercise such power under explicit Congressional action.
The real irony was the fallout from Wikileaks - where holders of security clearances were told that they could not read the documents that were public - even from home computers - because they might lose their clearances.....
Oct 28, 2011, 6:31 am
#32
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: Delta Diamond Medallion 1MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, National Car Executive Elite
Posts: 550
With regard to "happy", the emails I've gotten essentially say (paraphrasing, of course, with my own words), "security is under the authority of the TSA, and we need security; whether your family buys tickets or not from us is just not an issue for us, although we're 'sorry' to hear that they won't be."
Oct 28, 2011, 7:03 am
#33
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: SSSSS
Posts: 867
Airlines are quite happy with TSA. They escaped 9/11 liability with e creation of TSA as they did what they were told to do in the situation then: cooperate. Now, we know what we should have always known: hijackers and pirates are evil people and some of them will kill us if they can.
The change in paradigm is known. The airlines have responded. The threat is now so marginalized with respect to airlines that TSA/DHS has created truckstop charlies andq VIPR pits to pretend they are not obsolete.
Balance the federal budget by eliminating TSA, restoring responsibility and liability to the private sector where it belongs and we will see effective and appropriate security access to airlines.
The change in paradigm is known. The airlines have responded. The threat is now so marginalized with respect to airlines that TSA/DHS has created truckstop charlies andq VIPR pits to pretend they are not obsolete.
Balance the federal budget by eliminating TSA, restoring responsibility and liability to the private sector where it belongs and we will see effective and appropriate security access to airlines.
Dec 27, 2011, 2:24 pm
#36
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,702
Regarding the TSA budget, you give it way too much credit.
And you know very well that all government agencies are encouraged to spend the entire amount of monies allocated to them instead of trying to cut cost and return such saving to the tax payer. Our fiscal problem will have to become much worse before anyone - Congress, the President, the Public - will be willing to do anything about it. The mindset of how our country spends money is deeply entrenched.
Dec 27, 2011, 2:28 pm
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Finally back in Boston after escaping from New York
Posts: 13,644
And you know very well that all government agencies are encouraged to spend the entire amount of monies allocated to them instead of trying to cut cost and return such saving to the tax payer. Our fiscal problem will have to become much worse before anyone - Congress, the President, the Public - will be willing to do anything about it. The mindset of how our country spends money is deeply entrenched.
On the plus side, 20 years later, I still have the boots and gloves.
Mike
Dec 27, 2011, 2:41 pm
#38
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,702
During college, I had a job with the National Park Service as a seasonal (summer and holidays) park ranger. I was given a uniform allowance during each period, even though there were plenty of supplies in the uniform lockers. I was told to use the whole thing since, if I didn't, the park wouldn't be given the money the following year.
On the plus side, 20 years later, I still have the boots and gloves.
Mike
On the plus side, 20 years later, I still have the boots and gloves.
Mike
What? We are in debt? I can't imagine why?
Dec 27, 2011, 2:58 pm
#39
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Yiron, Israel
Programs: Bates Motel Plat
Posts: 68,930
This will unquestionably help in getting rid of the worst of the screeners.
Dec 27, 2011, 3:04 pm
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 28,129
Now the US financial situation is far graver than what many people understand. Social Security is an empty bubble. Federal spending is outpacing the tax rolls. The impact on Obamacare is still unknown but likely to be a severe burden on the average working person.
Many financial institutions of one kind or another are in serious trouble and are only being shored up with federal dollars.
All of us may see and experience a financial disasters unlike this country has ever had unless spending is brought under control and even then that might not be enough. If such should happen TSA as it is now will be gone so fast you will be surprised at how quickly those congress persons who survive being replaced will act.
