TSA catches razor blades hidden in religious book
posted at 3:01 pm on February 26, 2008 by see-dubya
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Well, we have to keep you on your toes:
Saturday morning, a Transportation Security Officer working the x-ray machine saw two razor blades in what appeared to be a book in someone’s carry-on bag. During the bag check, the razor blades were found inside the pages of a Bible, and bag belonged to… a priest. Can’t make this stuff up.
It’s interesting, but somehow…not quite as alarming as it could have been. (see, e.g., Exhibit A.)
What is somewhat more alarming: Annie Jacobsen notes the incredible turnover rate of TSA employees in the short life of the agency–and also their intimidating tactics toward whistleblowers. I wonder how that compares to other federal agencies, and I have to wonder what percentage of people are leaving because they’re unhappy and what percentage are being fired…and fired for what?
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Fired for demonstrations of extreme competence.
Frozen Tex on February 26, 2008 at 3:05 PM
See-dub, please consider capturing the blade-in-the-book picture, and placing it up front, on your HA thread. It is very impressive, the way they did it, and the world must see, to learn.
Entelechy on February 26, 2008 at 3:05 PM
Sigh. It’s not about
illegal immigrationterrorism. It’s aboutdrunk drivingrazor blades. Leave theillegal immigrant drunk driversrazor-wielding terrorists alone.steinwaytony on February 26, 2008 at 3:06 PM
I thought about that but I think it would be misleading–because that picture in Exhibit A is not the priest’s bible with the razor blades in it.
see-dubya on February 26, 2008 at 3:09 PM
OK, open question, who among you have put razor blades in your Bible? If you have, why? The fact that a “priest” did it, doesn’t make it any less alarming to me.
OhEssYouCowboys on February 26, 2008 at 3:10 PM
grrrrrrrrrrrrr…..I’m a resonably fit, ex military, Texas porch sitter. Yeah my wife and I have a business but I’m just the lacky. She’s the boss and me leaving wouldn’t hurt the operation.
TSA says – sorry fella…you’re too old. Can’t you read? It says 39.
Border Patrol – MASSIVE campaign here in Texas. We need people NOW. Come on down. Sign the form. You’ll be in uniform in 30 days. – Go down….sorry fella…you’re too old. Can’t your read? It says 39.
‘I’ll waive the retirement benefits’ says Limerick….
‘Go home’ says the Government.
I wonder, how many Limerick’s there are out there?
Limerick on February 26, 2008 at 3:11 PM
“You don’t professionalize until you federalize.” – Tom Daschle
Queasy on February 26, 2008 at 3:12 PM
It’s alarming, OSU, but not as alarming as it would be if the IRA had hijacked four American passenger planes six and a half years ago.
see-dubya on February 26, 2008 at 3:12 PM
Inasmuch as there are many Leftist “priests” in this world, who are not only Marxists [and, therefore, Godless] but, also, hold America in contempt, I would not reject the possibility that many of them could use their Bibles as a means to determine whether or not it would raise the eyebrows of the TSA [a test case] – if not, the Koran could be next – especially in our politically correct, CAIR fearing country.
OhEssYouCowboys on February 26, 2008 at 3:17 PM
Not me. I have a hard enough time cramming my world view into it. Ha! A hermeneutical joke on a Tuesday. Good times. Good times.
Weight of Glory on February 26, 2008 at 3:27 PM
What kind of blades? Shaving blades? Straight edge blades? Utility knife blades? Did they have a handle or where they just 2 blades? What was the explanation for the blades? Was the Priest charged? What airport?
There’s nothing here but an anecdote with no details on an official government blog.
TheBigOldDog on February 26, 2008 at 3:30 PM
The exception that proves the rule?
BuzzCrutcher on February 26, 2008 at 3:31 PM
Last time I travelled the TSA guy lit up like he’d won the Lotto when he found COLD CREAM in my wife’s carry on. 3.2 Ounces!! My God! The pettiness of those people is amazing. Then the other half are too busy playing grab ass that they wouldn’t spot a guy with a bazooka in line.
Thank you Norm Mineta.
pistolero on February 26, 2008 at 3:33 PM
Why would anyone stay at a job where everyone hates them for very long?
lorien1973 on February 26, 2008 at 3:34 PM
Except, there’s not a shred of evidence in the original story that this example, or any of the others (some involving loaded guns, mind you), have anything remotely to do with “leftists.” But, don’t let facts get in the way of your preconceptions……
Grow Fins on February 26, 2008 at 3:40 PM
Yeah, last Christmas they pulled by 12 yo grand daughter out of line and gave her the royal treatment. It must have had something to do with the ‘Hello Kitty’ shirt she was wearing.
Limerick on February 26, 2008 at 3:43 PM
At least one more, Limerick. I’m in exactly the same ballpark in MD. My guess is they don’t want proven competent people to mess up their Chinese Fire Drill.
Longhorn Six on February 26, 2008 at 3:46 PM
So where are the people suggesting that he should be rendered off to GITMO to bunk with Baines?
Mark Jaquith on February 26, 2008 at 3:46 PM
“You’re NOT QUALIFIED!”
/Monty Python
omnipotent on February 26, 2008 at 3:46 PM
It does to me. Because the carrier was not a Muslim.
Confounded bigotry of mine . . .
-T
The Therapist on February 26, 2008 at 3:48 PM
And don’t you let the possibilities disturb your sleep at night. Kind of like the implausibilities of flying 2 commercial jets into the Towers, and another into the Pentagon. Clearly, you lack the capacity of forward thinking, or of context. I could’ve sworn that I specifically mentioned “our politically correct, CAIR fearing country.” My point wasn’t about “priests” or “leftists” or “Marxists” – as vile as “Leftists” and “Marxists” are – my point was about the possibility that a “holy book” would be used in order to do what, in your world, would be implausible.
Sweet dreams.
OhEssYouCowboys on February 26, 2008 at 3:49 PM
im related to a pretty high up in TSA. They have told me story after story of the people who should have never been hired making complaints about racism, sexual harrasment and vulgar language getting people fired who (god forbid) made them work. Just like every other governmental organization, you have to walk on egg shells around certain people or you find yourself in alot of trouble, or even jobless.
CaptainObvious on February 26, 2008 at 3:53 PM
This is why I was against federalizing the TSA screeners. Instead of uneducated Wakenhut Security guards in dead end jobs, now you have uneducated federal employees in dead end jobs.
A colleague took a supervisory job with the TSA and, a year later, he’s ready to quit because of the bureaucracy and the sheer ignorance of the workforce. I’m sure there are good people working within TSA but they must be few in number if my flying experiences are any indication.
highhopes on February 26, 2008 at 3:54 PM
I was too Canadian for the BP, even though I was born in TX. All through the application, they knew full well I lived in Canada, making special arrangements to accomodate me, up to and including the final interview/oral tests. It wasn’t until they started the final background check that someone noticed “hey, you live in Canada! Well, hiring you would be against Justice Dep’t regs!” Wasted almost a year of my life to tell me that.
The Army had no problem with me living in Canada, they were quite happy to have me, and said they even take Canadian’s with green cards!
Frozen Tex on February 26, 2008 at 3:58 PM
Except your point was about leftists, wasn’t it?:
Based on your own 9/11 example, seems we have far more to fear from Islamic radicals than razor-blade-secreting leftists…..
just sayin’….
Grow Fins on February 26, 2008 at 3:59 PM
Incredible incompetence too. Just think, these people will soon be managing your health care.
I knew we were in for some serious disappointments when Bush acquiesced to federalizing airport security services.It should have never happened.
petefrt on February 26, 2008 at 4:27 PM
I call BS on this story. “Can’t make this stuff up.” Yeah, you can, and I think you did.
boko fittleworth on February 26, 2008 at 4:44 PM
Who is this “you” you refer to?
NTWR on February 26, 2008 at 5:48 PM
Fired for not learning English?
TSA workers are in many cases dumb as a box of rocks.
tx2654 on February 26, 2008 at 5:52 PM
The “you” would be Lynn, the poster at the “Evolution of Security” blog who wrote, “Can’t make this stuff up.”
Correct me if I’m wrong, but my googling for this story brought back only the original post and this Hot Air bit. When did this happen? At which airport? What kinda priest? Was he charged?
I just think it’s awfully convenient that soon after a guy gets busted with a utility knife in a Koran (and we’ve got photos of that), all of a sudden there’s a “priest” busted with a “razor in a Bible.” So it’s not just Muslims. Catholics do it too. Only there’s no picture of the Catholic priest. No corroborating evidence. Just Lynn assuring us. I call BS.
boko fittleworth on February 26, 2008 at 6:01 PM
Here. At least I get to train yougen’s at the local Junior college in Mantracking, fieldcraft and firearms every other week.
BTW, I too call BS. Give us a name and mug shot please. And maybe even the case number so I can FOI the arrest report.
opusrex on February 26, 2008 at 6:31 PM
uh huh, they arrested him “because he’s black”… uh huh
I hope this kid gets about 5 years as a reminder that box knives are NOT to be carried in a hidden compartment in a book on a plane. You think he will ever do it again?
jimbo2008 on February 26, 2008 at 6:47 PM
The Air Force said I was too old and the Army said I couldn’t run fast enough. Skills never came into consideration.
I’m certified to work on F111D, F4 and A10 aircraft, I hold a degree in Aeronautics and I’ve worked as an Engineer in Iraq (Tikrit). Did any of that matter to the military? Nope. I’m sure there are a lot of Vets with valuable skills that want to serve during this time of war.
It’s what we trained for damn it!
It’s frustrating as hell when you want to serve but the government won’t let you. The only thing that gives me any comfort is when I pick up a contract in Iraq or Afghanistan and I can go work alongside our soldiers. It’s not the same but it’s better than giving up and staying home. Right now I’m waiting for my security clearance to clear adjudication and then I’m going back. In the meantime I’m working as a Field Engineer on robotic manufacturing machinery.
Guardian on February 26, 2008 at 6:50 PM
Quite obviously you’ve never been an auditor at an accounting firm. That said, I only lasted 18 months before locating another line of work LOL.
inviolet on February 26, 2008 at 6:58 PM
Benjamin Baines Jr. huh? Just like Richard the shoe-bomber Reed’s real name was Abdul Raheem. he is a terrorist probe. LOCK HIS ASS UP!!!!!!
jimbo2008 on February 26, 2008 at 7:10 PM
I agree, not enough info here.
4shoes on February 26, 2008 at 10:21 PM
My experience is that the majority seem to be absolute maroons, with the rest embarrassed to be associated with them.
Limerick and Longhorn Six. Doesn’t it make you feel better to know that in other employment, you could sue for age discrimination?
/sarc off
…instead the flying public has to put up with moronic snot jockeys who should never have left their jobs flipping burgers.
91Veteran on February 26, 2008 at 11:58 PM
Did everyone miss something in MM post on her site?
So, you can make it up and did.
WoosterOh on February 27, 2008 at 1:07 AM
OH, can we now correct the headline out front of HA?
It was not a religious book.
Thank you.
WoosterOh on February 27, 2008 at 1:11 AM
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