TheLoneGunman
09-12-2001, 06:40 PM
It's interesting because the new security measures they have at airports would for the most part NOT have stopped the attacks.
It's not that these guys smuggled machine guns aboard or rolled a truck onto the runway or put a bomb in their luggage. They had ceramic knives (which are basically legal to carry onboard) and razors (which are legal)
However, it seems that the measures that are now in place are more for show than for actual help.
For example, at a certain government building I visited today, they barricaded the front, but left the side open. The side is CLOSER to the street than the front so if someone used a truck bomb, they are MORE vulnerable. Also, they had rent-a-cops searching people. I am willing to lay $100 on the line that 9 months from now, those rent-a-cops won't be there. Not because the threat is gone, but simply because they just got tired of the hassle and paying them. Also, unless someone walked in with a box labeled in large letters, "BOMB", they wouldn't know one if they saw it (I watched them for an hour while I waited, so I know this).
It is nice to put on these shows, but it doesn't solve the problem, it only reduces peoples rights.
Think about this...
60 years old if an Asian person was walking somewhere, he would get the funny looks because he is obviously Asian. This has nothing to do with anything he says or does, but is just because people were sensative to that, then.
Now, if someone who is Middle Eastern is walking somewhere, they will get jumpy and suspicious just because of his ethnic background and the current terrorist activities where Middle Easterners are suspected (or convicted).
It's not that these guys smuggled machine guns aboard or rolled a truck onto the runway or put a bomb in their luggage. They had ceramic knives (which are basically legal to carry onboard) and razors (which are legal)
However, it seems that the measures that are now in place are more for show than for actual help.
For example, at a certain government building I visited today, they barricaded the front, but left the side open. The side is CLOSER to the street than the front so if someone used a truck bomb, they are MORE vulnerable. Also, they had rent-a-cops searching people. I am willing to lay $100 on the line that 9 months from now, those rent-a-cops won't be there. Not because the threat is gone, but simply because they just got tired of the hassle and paying them. Also, unless someone walked in with a box labeled in large letters, "BOMB", they wouldn't know one if they saw it (I watched them for an hour while I waited, so I know this).
It is nice to put on these shows, but it doesn't solve the problem, it only reduces peoples rights.
Think about this...
60 years old if an Asian person was walking somewhere, he would get the funny looks because he is obviously Asian. This has nothing to do with anything he says or does, but is just because people were sensative to that, then.
Now, if someone who is Middle Eastern is walking somewhere, they will get jumpy and suspicious just because of his ethnic background and the current terrorist activities where Middle Easterners are suspected (or convicted).