1688 days later - Homeland Security to check 400,000 (port) workers against terrorist watch lists

[dahunan]

Does this bother anyone? They are just now deciding to check? Why now and not 1687 days ago?


U.S. to screen names at ports
Homeland Security to check 400,000 workers against terrorist watch lists
By Meredith Cohn
Sun Reporter
Originally published April 25, 2006, 9:10 PM EDT
The Department of Homeland Security will begin checking the names of about 400,000 longshoremen and other employees of port facilities against federal terrorist watch lists, the agency announced Tuesday, six weeks after an Arab company's thwarted efforts to do work at some U.S. ports heightened concern about who should be allowed on American docks.
Homeland Security has been under increased pressure to check those handling millions of tons of goods that pass through the ports to U.S. store shelves since Dubai Ports World dropped plans to take over some operations at about two dozen ports last month.


In announcing the name checks Tuesday, Homeland Security officials described them as a step toward more thorough reviews and the eventual introduction of an identification card.

Rest of story http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation...,5069341.story?coll=bal-home-headlines

 

[Lemon law]

And gee-here I thought all homeland security was just the dept of pork distruition and Katrina responsibility ducking.

And now you tell me they are finally getting around to doing something that should have been started on day one.

Lets see---one basic step started----how many hundred basic steps remain to be started ? But I forgot---they are still busy figuring out how to rebuild New Orliens-------too busy to even start.

 

[EatSpam]

Finally. Now they just have to start inspecting packages that come in through those ports...

 

[compuwiz1]

Don't ya think they ought to get a makeshift prison set up, before they go a bustin people?

Gitmo #2

 

[Orignal Earl]

What would a terrorist longshoreman do exactly?

 

[compuwiz1]

Originally posted by: Orignal Earl
What would a terrorist longshoreman do exactly?

Why, blow sh!t up, like they do everywhere else.

 

[fitzov]

Originally posted by: Orignal Earl
What would a terrorist longshoreman do exactly?

Don't know, but a terrorist stevedore might whack the customs inspector over the head.

 

[DealMonkey]

Originally posted by: dahunan
Does this bother anyone? They are just now deciding to check? Why now and not 1687 days ago?

Because this administration is woefully unprepared to handle another 9/11-type event. Not only that, they haven't moved fast enough and effectively enough to secure our nation's borders, ports, nor have they developed the kind of nation-wide emergency response you would imagine all of those BILLIONS of tax dollars have gone towards. (Katrina showed us that significant weakness).

Frankly, I'm quite surprised another 9/11-sized event hasn't occurred under their watch. It must be a case of pure luck on their parts.

EDIT: And yes, I am glad they're finally doing something pro-active in the ports.

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: Orignal Earl
What would a terrorist longshoreman do exactly?

Allow weapons into the country - or even people travelling in shipping containers.

 

[Orignal Earl]

Originally posted by: Jeff7

Originally posted by: Orignal Earl
What would a terrorist longshoreman do exactly?

Allow weapons into the country - or even people travelling in shipping containers.

Wouldn't the terrorists basically have to take over the whole port, to insure that the container was only checked out by fellow terrorists etc. It just seems like there would have to be a vast conspiracy involved to get the deed done.
With the southern borders open to allow millions free crossing, it would seem the most logical route?

 

[imported_Aelius]

Originally posted by: Orignal Earl

Originally posted by: Jeff7

Originally posted by: Orignal Earl
What would a terrorist longshoreman do exactly?

Allow weapons into the country - or even people travelling in shipping containers.

Wouldn't the terrorists basically have to take over the whole port, to insure that the container was only checked out by fellow terrorists etc. It just seems like there would have to be a vast conspiracy involved to get the deed done.
With the southern borders open to allow millions free crossing, it would seem the most logical route?

Not only that but people keep thinking of border crossings. How about the thousands of miles of virtually unprotected shoreline on both the East and West coast. The Coast Guard is heavily under funded. Gee wiz I wonder why.

 

[Aegeon]

Originally posted by: Orignal Earl
Wouldn't the terrorists basically have to take over the whole port, to insure that the container was only checked out by fellow terrorists etc. It just seems like there would have to be a vast conspiracy involved to get the deed done.
With the southern borders open to allow millions free crossing, it would seem the most logical route?

While it would be a burden, the reality is right now containers are rather poorly checked. Having one terrorist claim they checked it and its clear could very well be enough to get it through without further checks. There would still be a risk for the terrorists that what they are sending over could get intercepted, but the risk is relative.

The distinction with your current argument is that heavier things can't be easily transported over by illegals by land. In fact, straightforward illegal immigration is basically done exclusively on foot. If terrorists want to sneak over a complete large bomb, its going to be tough to manage by land. The really big argument for such testing though would be terrorists sneaking over a nuclear bomb by sea. Given the consquences of one getting through, taking steps to prevent that from happening are important.

 

[techs]

It was criminal they waited this long.