'Inch of snow' shuts down air marshals

[Rose Siding]

Hundreds of federal air marshals were grounded and unable to access critical information to pinpoint potential terrorist activity for eight hours on the eve of President Bush's inauguration after snow paralyzed the Mission Operations Center in Washington, said several air marshals and a supervisor.

The marshals said they could not reach the Mission Operations Center (MOC) by telephone to be placed on other flights after hundreds of flights were rerouted because of the snow, and marshals seeking information on reports of a dirty bomb in Boston were unsuccessful.

"They were flying blind," said the supervisor, speaking on the condition of anonymity. "An inch of snow shut down the Federal Air Marshals system's to gather, receive or request information."

"It basically put the entire aviation security system and flying public at risk because the air marshals were not able to properly do their jobs," the supervisor said.
The supervisor said MOC sent out a message at about 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday that the "system was shut down and they were not answering phones or anything" because they did not have enough staff working.
...
"The president's inauguration was the whole purpose of increased coverage. If they can't handle one inch of snow, what if it is truly an emergency? It was just a total meltdown," the supervisor said.
http://www.washtimes.com/national/20050121-122815-8690r.htm

[TomClash]

1. Bush doesn't need air marshals - God is his co-pilot

eom

[notadmblnd]

2. it snows in India?

Most call centers have been moved off shore. How did this one slip the Mepublicans grip?

[displacedtexan]

3. The really hysterical thing is when the NSA shuts down because of...

the weather.

We get the MD closings on our local stations, and the NSA has often been on the list of closings.

Were this not so freeping sad, I would cry.

Would you let the world know that a winter storm can defeat you?

[Rush1184]

4. an inch of snow? seriously?

Most schools don't even close with just an inch of snow.

[madinmaryland]

8. Thats all it takes down here.

No one knows how to drive in the stuff. And we are expecting 4-8" this weekend. The SUV's are the worst. That all you see in the ditches when it snows.

[Chico Man]

10. There was an inch of snow recently in NC

The students were TRAPPED in the school and had to SPEND THE NIGHT.

Outrageous!

[Dr Batsen D Belfry]

5. After reading stories like this I wish I worked for a news station

running the closures list

"White House: 2 hour delay, no morning Kindergarten"
"U.S. Capitol: 2 hour delay, no morning Kindergarten"

DBDB

[Rush1184]

6. "White House: 2 hour delay, no morning Kindergarten"

"White House: 2 hour delay, no morning Kindergarten"

Does that mean Bush gets the day off?

[Dr Batsen D Belfry]

9. Yes, he can sleep in and enjoy

an extra PB&J

Karl and Dick still have to report though.

DBDB

[UL_Approved]

7. OH, SHIT!

IS ANYBODY AWAKE HERE TODAY??!?!?!

DOES ANYBODY SEE THE 9/11 SETUP SIMILARITIES???!?!?!?!?!

1. Chinese nationals running around.

2. Grounding of Homeland Security ground personnel (field personnel).

What else could happen to cause events to transpire? I hope that this is just reporting coming out about a long-standing problem, but what if? :tinfoilhat:

[Spinzonner]

11. Better hope for Fair Weather Terrorists

or maybe the heat-loving Arabs will have to subcontract their terrorism to Laplanders

[Buns_of_Fire]

12. Might as well. We're already hoping that anyone who launches

a missle at us will be thoughtful enough to include a homing beacon with it so our probably-soon-to-be-deployed "Star Wars II" system can intercept it. Maybe.

I feel SO much safer now, you bet! :eyes:

[DS1]

13. Note to self - if attacking American infrastructure, tune into the

weather channel for ideal window of attack :eyes:

Shit, the media just LOVES telling terrorists where our weakpoints are. Food supply, major shipping ports, chemical facilities, chemical train cars, when it's snowing.