TSA: Arsonists OK as Hazmat Haulers (drive gas trucks IN the US)

[underpants]

I heard this on Franken's show and thought they were talking about letting them drive gas trucks in Iraq, nope right here on our highways and byways.

http://www.newswatch50.com/news/weird_news/story.aspx?content_id=D4D231CE-4EC7-4EBB-9EF1-07094E5CB1C0



The federal government wants to change its current rules to permit convicted arsonists to get special licenses so they can drive gasoline tankers and trucks loaded with explosives and hazardous materials.

But murderers and convicted racketeers will no longer be permitted to drive hazardous materials on the nation's interstates.

"Arson is not always an act of terrorism," the Transportation Security Administration declared in proposing the new regulations that would permit the agency to review on a case-by-case basis whether convicted arsonists should get the special licenses allowing them to drive gasoline trucks, or other vehicles carrying hazardous materials.



"We're not thrilled with this, but TSA has tried to assure us there will be no problems," said John Conley of National Tank Truck Carriers, Inc. "I hope there's no problem, but I'm not optimistic that is going to be the case."

[underpants]

1. My wife's whole office was cracking up about this

:kick:

Including the ditto heads

[htuttle]

2. Why is it harder to get a taxi license than a hazmat license?

In most cities, any convictions at all for even relatively minor offenses such as assault (without battery), disorderly conduct, CCW, and of course, DWI, etc... will get your hack license denied.

But no problem getting a license to haul hazardous materials and gasoline.

Shit, I think beauticians and hairdressers have a more rigorous licensing process in most states than this!

The most curious thing is: WHY? Why the hell would they even consider this? It's not as if there's a shortage of qualified drivers out there. Where I work, we get truck drivers with all the license endorsements coming in to get cab shifts now. They need work!

It's insane, but WHY would they even think this was necessary, or even desirable in any way?

[underpants]

3. No idea

Sorry No EARTHLY idea.

[diamond14]

4. bush* cut out the EPA here...the EPA- Office of Solid Waste and Emergency

Response (OSWER) was the perfect group to add into HOMELAND SECURITY....but, bush* HATES the EPA....so, he deliberately left out the people who LICENSE THE HAZMAT trucks/drivers, issue and track transport numbers, and clean up spills....bush* could have added just a little more money to a very good existing program, but he would have had to give the funds to the ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY....and bush* reTHUGlicans cannot allow that...