___________________________________
Muslims cleared to work in travel hubs as vetting system backed
November 4 2006
Thousands of Muslims will be able to continue working in sensitive areas of transport hubs, including Heathrow airport, after a decision by the government not to change vetting procedures.
In France, more than 70 Muslim workers at Charles de Gaulle airport had their security clearance withdrawn after being judged to have been a risk to passengers. But ministers have no plans to follow suit, claiming they are confident that procedures for scrutinising employees offer sufficient protection. "We run as robust and effective a system as we can," said the Department for Transport.
According to security experts and trade union officials, vetting procedures at important transport hubs fall well short of being fool-proof. However, the FT has learnt that security advice circulating in the British airline industry suggests making them much more stringent would be fraught with legal and political pitfalls.
Excerpted
Gov. Bush blasts couple's comments
Published November 1, 2006
Gov. Jeb Bush on Wednesday strongly condemned a Hernando County commissioner and his wife for calling Islam a “hateful, frightening religion.”
“There is no room for bigotry and hatred in the state of Florida,” said Alia Faraj, Bush’s communications director. “The governor is extremely disappointed in their inappropriate comments.”
Bush appointed Commissioner Tom Hogan Sr. in August. Hogan is a prominent Republican activist, co-founder of Hernando County’s Republican Party, and a GOP state committee member for four decades. Faraj said Bush is “outraged” and found the Hogans’ comments “extremely offensive.”
“That’s too bad,” countered Mary Ann Hogan on Wednesday, defending her views. “But I’ve been disappointed in some of the things he’s said as well.”
Tom Hogan said, “I’m not seeing that as bigotry, because I don’t feel bigoted on it. It’s just a matter of fact.” He also said many people had called him Wednesday to voice their agreement and support.
Excerpted
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/11/01/Tampabay/Bush_blasts_couple_s_.shtml
From your article snippet: "However, the FT has learnt that security advice circulating in the British airline industry suggests making them much more stringent would be fraught with legal and political pitfalls."
---
OPINION: Political correctness is a killer.