Heritage Foundation - Terror prevention system failure

December 29, 2009 | By Amanda Reinecker

On Christmas Day, a 23-year-old Nigerian named Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab tried to detonate a homemade bomb onboard a packed Northwest Airlines flight headed for Detroit. Thanks to a faulty detonator and a few brave passengers, the young terrorist's bomb failed to go off. But this close call raises many serious concerns about airport security.

To put it simply, "the system failed," writes Heritage's Conn Carroll. Even though the explosive Abdulmutallab used can be easily detected and the young man's father warned the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria about his son, the attack very nearly happened. A proper screening process would have exposed both of these findings and kept this enemy combatant from boarding any aircraft. In short, Carroll argues, "the Flight 253 incident was an intelligence failure."

There have been 28 foiled terror plots against the U.S. since 9/11. The vast majority of these -- 26 -- were foiled directly by the important counterterrorism tools the U.S. has adopted since the September 11 attacks. But the Detroit terror plot last week was foiled by luck and courageous bystanders. It exposed the shortcomings of these national security measures and the need to improve and strengthen them.

"Throwing more money at airline security" is not the way to go, Heritage expert James Carafano explains. Instead, as Carroll notes, "the most effective means of stopping terrorist attacks is to disrupt them as early as possible." This means stopping terror plots before they even start. Specifically, the U.S. should:

• Support and strengthen existing counterterrorism tools. Tools such as the PATRIOT Act and the Terrorist Watch List exist to aid in the detection of suspicious persons through the use of modern intelligence. Unfortunately, their use is hampered by laws and regulations that keep this intelligence from security screeners and prevent them from "connecting the dots."

• Strengthen our international anti-terror coalitions. Heritage expert Jena Baker McNeil explains that the Christmas plot was truly international. Abdulmutallab, a Nigerian, resided in London and his plane left from Amsterdam. Congress should place a stronger emphasis on sharing intelligence with other countries.

• Target the root. Al Qaeda has reportedly taken credit for the Christmas terror plot, demonstrating the terrorist network's global reach. This claim (which has not yet been confirmed) emphasizes the need to continue fighting them wherever they take sanctuary.

"America just got lucky," Conn Carroll explains. "The plot [last week] was clumsy and the passengers and crew responded bravely and quickly." The Administration and Congress have to start taking the fight against terrorism more seriously and use our counterterrorism tools more effectively – all of the time. Because next time -- and there will likely be a next time -- we might not be so lucky.

And what if it went off?

That is the question I want to ask Janet Napalitano and others who algebra skills some how leads them to deduce that Mutallab’s failed attempt is a sign that Al Qaeda is weak and our security measures can protect us on airliners. Would they be saying the same thing if providence had not caused his failure or if passengers of flight 253 had not overpowered him? Of course not. No… they would be crafting a different way to bury their heads in the sand.

I don’t understand how anyone can look at this failed attempt as some form of a “policy victory”. The evidence hardly supports such a conclusion. Look at what we know. Mutallab is well educated, he attended a university in London; obviously not a moron. He holds radical views even though dozens of people were “surprised” by his actions; so he was hidden in plain sight. He was on the terror watch list but not the “no fly” list even though his own Father reported his radical beliefs 6 months ago to US authorities; once again our ponderous federal agencies and bureaucrats missed the warning signs.  And he was able to smuggle 80 grams of PETN onto an aircraft in his underwear; revealing that soft spots still exist in airline security. All of these tell one thing to me; we will always be vulnerable to “radical” as long as the “radical” exists. And our bureaucratic system of airline security is doing little if anything to dissuade their plans.

If we really wanted to impede them, we would adopt security policies like the Israeli El Al airline, but we won’t. No they are too intrusive, the ACLU would have a field day litigating all the “violation of rights” cases that arose.

Instead a “new” security measure will be instituted to make us all feel better. What will it be this time?  “Shoes” were the sacrifice of the day in the wake of Richard Reid, However, I’m not sure they will find as compliant a traveler this time if asked to render forth their “underwear”.

Threat containment has never worked 100% of the time. For every security measure there is a method to abate it. As is demonstrated by this latest incident. If we want to stop 100% of the threat we have to stop every “Mutallab” long before he gets on the aircraft. It would require us to employ measures that are contradictive to prevailing political correct attitudes… and unfortunately, it looks like it is going to take more than what we have been through on 9/11 and since to change those attitudes.

 

Thomas The Paine

The Irony is Maddening

On one hand we have an administration and Congress hell bent on passing the largest take over of the private economy ever, citing among the “many” reasons to do so…”waste and inefficiency” by the Healthcare industry. AND on the other we have the same Administration giving out “SAVE” awards. (An award created to be given to people working in the Federal government who identify “wasteful” processes and provide a suggestion on how to save money…)

 

Yep, the organization that has created a program to combat waste within itself is advocating that we turn to it in order to fix the waste in the private sector…

Sometimes, I feel like I am living on Mars

Evidence of spending cuts are now being seen in military operations and training

Having lived personally through the last Democrat Administration’s insipient plundering of the DOD Budget to fund his social utopia, I can relate to what our war planners face today.

This administration and DOD Secretary have already axed “wasteful” programs like the USAF’s F-22 “Raptor”, a generation 5 fighter meant to replace our aging nearly 40 year-old fleet of F-15 “Eagles”, and numerous anti-missile defense programs such as the Polish missile defense program in Europe.

But not to worry, as I am about to show you, our troops in the field are a very resourceful are not about to let reductions in DOD spending hamper their operational war readiness and tactical battle preparedness:

Here two young USAF Academy cadets are demonstrating air combat skills. It should be noted that in addition to the cost savings gained by not burning JP4, the reduction in carbon emissions through this type of training dovetails nicely with President Obama’s environmental initiatives.

 

Facing shortages in razor wire, sandbags and personnel to staff security check points in Iraq, innovative field commanders are developing new and less resource intensive security methods. Here is one such method in place near Fallujah. These methods are praised by the Administration for being in step with current foreign policies.

 

The USAF is not considered the most technically advanced branch of our Defense Department for nothing. Unknown to many, our pilots must practice taxiway and runway discipline. Here a pilot of the 347th FW at Moody AFB makes use of latest in inexpensive flight line trainers.

 

 

Never deterred by obstacles, here members of our 82nd Airborne Division make use of a sandstorm to practice para-assault. Take note that the soldiers, not wanting to risk depletion of valuable combat assets are using a M-65 Poncho Liner in lieu of an operational parachute. Hats off to these inventive warriors!  

 

Every one will agree that even in these times of economic troubles the training of our combat forces should remain high on the agenda of the Department of Defense. However at the same time it paramount to conserve our operational resources. This has meant “slight alterations” in our training curriculums for felid combat personnel. Not to be deterred our forces have excelled in developing innovative and cost efficient ways to keep their skills “razor” sharp. Here a young Marine demonstrates an advanced technique to repeal an assault which does not require expending 5.56mm ammunition.

 

 

And Finally, in what displays most vividly the commitment of DOD personnel to carrying out the Presidents policies. The USAF Air Combat Command, rather than relying on new costlier weapons platforms, are pressing into service reserve systems.

And in a somewhat controversial move the USAF has conscripted several units of the Commemorative Air Force to fill operational shortfalls. As seen in evidence here, the patriotic crew of this WWII era B-26 “Marauder” never pass up a chance to show their support to the President’s DOD budgetary policy.

 

A GOOD LAUGH HELPS KEEP THE TEARS AWAY… HOPE YOU HAD ONE.

ThomasThePaine     

Why should it surprise us?

This was printed in the New York Times Editorial Page on 12 December. Before you read it, I have just two questions

1) The editorial page?? Are you kidding me?

2) What is it going to take to get some real journalism done in this nation?!? 

 

Click the image to go to the article

 

AARP Letter

This was sent to Mr. Rand who is the Executive Director of AARP.  THIS LADY NOT ONLY HAS A GRASP OF 'THE SITUATION' BUT AN INCREDIBLE COMMAND OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE!

Dear Mr. Rand,   

Recently you sent us a letter encouraging us to renew our lapsed membership in AARP by the requested date. I know it is not what you were looking for, but this is the most honest response I can give you. Our gap in coverage is merely a microscopic symptom of the real problem, a deepening lack of faith. 

 

While we have proudly maintained our membership for several years and have long admired the AARP goals and principles, regrettably, we can no longer endorse it's abdication of our values. Your letter specifically stated that we can count on AARP to speak up for our rights, yet the voice we hear is not ours. Your offer of being kept up to date on important issues through DIVIDED WE FAIL presents neither an impartial view nor the one we have come to embrace. We do believe that when two parties agree all the time on everything presented to them, one is probably not necessary. But, when the opinions and long term goals are diametrically opposed, the divorce is imminent. This is the philosophy which spawned our 200 years of government.       

Once upon a time, we looked forward to being part of the senior demographic. We also looked to AARP to provide certain benefits and give our voice a power we could not possibly hope to achieve on our own. AARP gave us a sense of belonging which we no longer enjoy. The Socialist politics practiced by the Obama administration and empowered by AARP serves only to raise the blood pressure my medical insurance strives to contain. Clearly a conflict of interest there!  

We do not understand the AARP posture, feel greatly betrayed by the guiding forces that we expected to map out our senior years and leave your ranks with a great sense of regret. We mitigate that disappointment with the relief of knowing that we are not contributing to the problem anymore by renewing our membership. There are numerous other organizations which offer discounts without threatening our way of life or offending our sensibilities.       

This Presidential Administration scares the living daylights out of us. Not just for ourselves, but for our proud and bloodstained heritage. But even more importantly for our children and grandchildren. Washington has rendered Soylent Green a prophetic cautionary tale rather than a nonfiction scare tactic. I have never in my life endorsed any militant or radical groups, yet now I find myself listening to them. I don't have to agree with them to appreciate the fear which birthed their existence. Their borderline insanity presents little more than a balance to the voice of the Socialist mindset in power. Perhaps I became American by a great stroke of luck in some cosmic uterine lottery, but in my adulthood I CHOOSE to embrace it and nurture the freedoms it represents as well as the responsibilities it requires.      

Your website generously offers us the opportunity to receive all communication in Spanish. ARE YOU KIDDING??? Someone has broken into our 'house', invaded our home without our invitation or consent. The President has insisted we keep the perpetrator in comfort and learn the perp language so we can communicate our reluctant welcome to them.. 

I DON'T choose to welcome them.
I DON'T choose to support them.     
I DON'T choose to educate them.     
I DON'T choose to medicate them, pay for their food or clothing.  
American home invaders get arrested.     

Please explain to me why foreign lawbreakers can enjoy privileges on American soil that Americans do not get?     

Why do some immigrants have to play the game to be welcomed and others only have to break & enter to be welcomed?  

We travel for a living. Walt hauls horses all over this great country, averaging over 10,000 miles a month when he is out there. He meets more people than a politician on caffeine overdose. Of all the many good folks he enjoyed on this last 10,000 miles, this trip yielded only ONE supporter of the current administration. One of us is out of touch with mainstream America. Since our poll is conducted without funding, I have more faith in it than one which is power driven.       

We have decided to forward this to everyone on our mailing list, and will encourage them to do the same. With several hundred in my address book, I have every faith that the eventual exponential factor will make a credible statement to you.     

I am disappointed as hell.       
I am scared as hell.  
I am MAD as hell, and I'm NOT gonna take it anymore! 

Walt & Cyndy  
Miller Farms Equine Transport

 

For verification authenticity of this letter, click on the following link to SNOPES:  http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/aarp.asp

Debt Limit Raise, Here we go again

The Warrior Song

 

 

Visit the Warrior Song Website and their affiliates to show your support:

 

GOOOH – Moving Forward

I know there are those among you that believe GOOOH is not the answer, or you are not quite sure if it is. I am not writing this to convince anyone that it is. I am writing to point out what is likely to happen in 2010 if we continue the path we are on.

The Republicans will pick up seats in the House and the Senate. I think that is a safe bet if you consider history alone. But if you believe that it will change a single thing, you are a fool.

I believe this because the national GOP is already interfering in our state’s primary races. If you don’t see what Hostettler entrance into the Senate race is, open your eyes. Isn’t it amazing how he is already being called the GOP frontrunner, That Dick Armey has publicly endorsed him, that he’s already been on FOX news!! They are going to pick the GOP candidate for us and we will end up with candidates which, just like in 2008, that we have to hold our nose to vote for. 

I used to think that we should work within the GOP, effect it, much like President Reagan did in the 70’s and 80’s. However, I have become convinced that doing so is useless.

Useless in respect to radically altering the course of this out control government in our lifetime, that is. There is a big difference between Reagan’s revolution of the 80’s and today, Then we had a Reagan. Today we have no such figure. And then the GOP wasn’t riddled with progressives and socialists.

Let us not forget, that it was the GOP that help spend us into oblivion, that authored and continued the legislative onslaught against personal liberty, and did little more than kick the can down the road when it came to the economy and energy independence.

Beyond all that I am no longer convinced that the GOP or any party that has a national top down structure can solve the problems we face. Mainly because these parties will always be susceptible to corruption from special interest money because they only have to influence a set few individuals.

SO having said all that, I’ll get to what I want to say. I have decided to answer Tim Cox’s request to be the State Coordinator for GOOOH in Indiana. It will not change anything as far as my role in the Constitutional Patriots, only add to my already full schedule.

And that is were I need help. I you want to take an active role in forwarding this initiative I am looking for 2 people in our local area, one from the 5th Congressional District and one from here in the 6th to serve as district coordinators. You will join the two I already have from the 3rd and the 7th in organizing the districts by finding county and city organizers. 

It will mean real work, so please understand that you will need to be a dependable self starter and able to spend the time necessary to organize these areas.

The bottom line folks is if we continue to do things as we have done, we cannot be surprised when we continue to get what we have… Its time to change that, and GOOOH offers us a way to do so.

 

Michael Yancey

Contact me Here if you want to get further involved

David Fillers – Letter to Editor

From Letter published on the Wells County Voice

LETTER TO THE EDITOR
We live in tough times, we all have trimmed our personal budgets, businesses have had to cut back, and each of us has felt the pressure of this difficult economy. Sadly, while MOST of us have done our level best to be more cost conscious, the Sheriff department has done just the opposite. The trends over the last few years are outlined below. Gathering this information has been difficult at best and the Sheriff department’s budgeting process seemed to reflect a desire to hide, if not deceive budget realities.

As Wells County enters into the beginning of the next decade, we must be cautious and focused in how local government money is spent. Honest budgets and transparent bookkeeping are more important than ever! In 2007 our current Sheriff Department went over budget by $224,350.00, in 2008 it went over budget $187,798.00 and year to date for 2009 it has again exceeded the proposed budget by $215,059.00. To add insult to injury in November of 2009 they have requested yet another $15,000.00. Fortunately for taxpayers, the county ran out of money! .

None of us have unlimited budgets and neither does the Sheriff’s department. The county needs leaders who know how to accurately project annual budgets and have a proven track record of using limited resources to achieve and exceed goals. It is time our local elected leaders demonstrate they stand against past and current spendthrifty ways.

David Fillers, Bluffton Indiana

Remember Sesame Street?

Some of us can recall the “One of these things” game. Here is a 2009 version regarding Climategate: Which one of these don’t go with the other?

1. Head of East Angelia University Climate Research temporary steps down amid accusations of data fraud.
2. Penn State University announces it will investigate Dr. Michael Mann’s role in ongoing scandal
3. President Obama will attend the Climate Summit in Copenhagen next week, vowing to reduce greenhouse emissions in the US.

A couple of articles to keep you up to speed:

Inhofe Asks Boxer to Investigate Possible Scientific ‘Conspiracy’ in ‘Climategate’

Climate Change ‘Fraud’