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The threat to rail
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review ^ | Sunday, February 27, 2005 | Dateline D.C.

Posted on 02/27/2005 4:41:48 PM PST by Willie Green

For education and discussion only. Not for commercial use.

WASHINGTON -- Almost a year ago, terrorists associated with al-Qaida placed 10 bombs on four separate commuter trains in Madrid, killing 191 people and wounding 1,500 others.

David Stone, a chief in the Transportation Security Administration, told the U.S. Senate last week that the greatest risk to the United States is that a plane could be attacked or used to carry out an attack. The 9/11 commission, after many hours of hearing evidence, concluded that the risk of attack on surface transportation is as great or greater than that of any aircraft hijacking.

As gamblers say, you pay your money and you make your choice.

In the excitement of bureaucrats and politicians writing budgets, buying equipment, planning exercises and spending money, many of us truly wonder if we are as safe as we were more than three years ago. Yes, more than three years have passed since the attacks and we were supposed to take security seriously.

(Excerpt) Read more at pittsburghlive.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Government; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: homelandsecurity; rail; transportation
It's time to stop using terrorism as a boogeyman and realize that REAL homeland security begins by securing our borders.

Mexican trucks: 'Sovereignty' vs. safety

1 posted on 02/27/2005 4:41:51 PM PST by Willie Green
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To: Willie Green

Imagine, since Hamas is not a terrorist organization by Canada's standards, some 'persons of middle eastern persuasion' creeping across the border and hitting New York's subway system. Double whammy, exploding trains then collapsing streets. All because the Northern and Southern borders have more holes in them than a collander.


2 posted on 02/27/2005 4:49:17 PM PST by infidel29 (America is GREAT because she is GOOD, the moment she ceases to be GOOD, she ceases to be GREAT- B.F.)
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To: infidel29

I agree the borders need to be closed to illegals, I also believe that one day we will be hit by another terrorist act, I also KNOW that the United States will not fold up like a cheap pair of drawers like Spain did.


3 posted on 02/27/2005 5:11:58 PM PST by sgtbono2002
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To: sgtbono2002

No way, I agree whole heartedly! If/when we get hit again I expect we'll answer the same way we answered the first one, given a Republican is in the White House. Completely overthrow not one, but two totalitarian regimes in less than 3 years time. Unheard of!


4 posted on 02/27/2005 5:22:00 PM PST by infidel29 (America is GREAT because she is GOOD, the moment she ceases to be GOOD, she ceases to be GREAT- B.F.)
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To: infidel29
The trick might really be to secure points of entry to North America from abroad. The US borders with Mexico and Canada might prove to be simply to long to effectively secure.

This assumes our neighbors really care about helping and I think it probably is not a priority for them, to put it nicely.

5 posted on 02/27/2005 5:26:43 PM PST by Mark was here (My tag line was about to be censored.)
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To: Mrs Mark

The U.S. can never completely secure our borders, someone will find a way in someway. Refugees from Cuba on an innertube can make it here, some terrorist thug with funds can surely make it.


6 posted on 02/27/2005 5:32:48 PM PST by infidel29 (America is GREAT because she is GOOD, the moment she ceases to be GOOD, she ceases to be GREAT- B.F.)
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To: Willie Green
Rail requires high density, and high density attracts terrorism.

This is one of the many reasons I dislike trains.

A home on a large plat of land, served by a small road carrying only a few cars is the safest in terms of terrorist threats of any kind. Even better, a home where the owner works on the net.

Rails are wonderful willie. In the museum.

(and I really do like train museums. Rode the narrow gage in Durango. Just don't want to do it every day)

7 posted on 02/27/2005 8:04:13 PM PST by narby (Evolution isn't an Intelligent design, its a Brilliant Design)
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To: narby

the economy would grind to nearly a halt without freight trains.... AMTRAK should be abolished though


8 posted on 02/27/2005 8:15:15 PM PST by GeronL (Condi will not be mistaken for a cleaning lady)
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