Posted on 12/08/2004 2:40:01 PM PST by Tumbleweed_Connection
Passengers already are barred from smoking on commercial flights. Now they won't be allowed to bring their butane lighters on board either.
As part of the intelligence reform bill passed Wednesday, Congress added the lighters to the long list of banned items, including scissors, pen knives and box cutters.
Democratic Sens. Ron Wyden of Oregon and Byron Dorgan of North Dakota had pushed for the change for more than a year after learning the Transportation Security Administration allowed them on planes.
"When I found out that they had explicitly, in their rule, said you could take two butane lighters and four books of matches on board, I thought, 'What have they been drinking?'" Dorgan said. Matches still are allowed.
Dorgan cited FBI reports that would-be "shoe-bomber" Richard Reid would have been able to ignite his explosive and blow up a trans-Atlantic jetliner three years ago if he'd brought a butane lighter with him.
Wyden and Dorgan were so persistent in their campaign against the incendiary devices that Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., joked earlier this year that he never thought butane lighters would get so much attention.
"This is probably not the biggest thing in the world," Dorgan said. "But it's one of those areas where a big government agency couldn't develop a little bit of common sense about something so obvious."
The ban takes effect 60 days after President Bush signs the intelligence reform bill into law.
---with dimwits like Wyden and Dorgan micromanaging things we don't need enemies--we'll self destruct---
No, but I do think it should at least be said that matches are not allowed. I know that some will pass through, but maybe at least some wouldn't. Most of the mentally-deranged out there that would start a fire on a plane are also the ones that think metal detectors pick up on more than just metal. lol
"what need would anyone have for a lighter???"
To light my cigarette the instant I can get outside the terminal on arrival!
"Dorgan cited FBI reports that would-be "shoe-bomber" Richard Reid would have been able to ignite his explosive and blow up a trans-Atlantic jetliner three years ago if he'd brought a butane lighter with him."
I though Reid had some form of plastic explosive, which I don't think fire can detonate.
Grab a patch! : )
In that case it would be wise to ban all liquids, powders, solids, etc.
Ramzi Yousef used to carry nitroglycerine in his contact lens solution bottle.
Right. They will sell lighters after you have passed through security already. You must not travel much or you might be smoking something else entirely this evening.
And your need for a cigarette that quickly is worth endangering the lives of everyone on the plane?
All liquids, powders, solids, etc.? No. Nitroglycerine? Yes
Next items to be banned:
Shoe laces.
Then ballpoint pens.
Then leather belts.
Then paper-clips.
So my point stands. This measure buys us no additional security whatsoever and only serves to increase the nanny-state.
However, I don't want the possibility of a fire on a plane.
It does by additional security. It does not buy complete security.
Given the extraordinary number of explosive compounds you will a complete laboratory analysis of *every* liquid, powder and solid that goes on an aircraft.
That isnt practical.
the Shoe Bomber?
Congratulations. By your senseless banning of nitroglycerine, you just sentenced countless people with heart conditions to death.
Any moron can start a fire without a lighter.
It buys no security at all. Anyone with a book of matches can start a fire just as readily as anyone with a butane lighter.
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