Markey Says Student's Act Exposes Air Security Gaps

The Boston Globe ^ | 10/27/2003 | Wayne Washington

[johnny7]

WASHINGTON -- US Representative Edward J. Markey of Malden said yesterday that a 20-year-old college student's success in putting box cutters aboard two airplanes shows that America's air safety system has major flaws. "Perfection may be unachievable, but mediocrity is unacceptable," Markey, a Democrat, said on CNN's "Late Edition."

[johnny7]

Markey wanted AA batteries placed around nuclear reactors after 911.

[Joe Marine 76]

"...young has provided a public service..."

He's a criminal who broke the law. If he was that intent in exposing the flaw instead of getting himself some headlines he should have gone straight to TSA and showed them what he knew!

[marktwain]

Trying to keep boxcutters off of aircraft is an exercise in stupidity and futility. That type of attack will never be successfull again, because passengers and crew will not let it happen.

Most of the security measures at airports are a joke, because they are strictly for appearance and political correctness, rather than for effect. One of the few security measures that has the potential for real deterence, the arming of pilots, has been fought every step of the way by Mineta, just because the Democrats are unwilling to ever admit that guns can be effective for defense, which undercuts their long term commitment to disarming the American public.

Let people carry their pocket knives on planes again, arm the pilots, fortify the cockpit doors, and fire the Clinton hangover, Mineta.