Aviation consultant: "Chertoff's GOT TO GO!"

[Bluebear]

If there were any lingering doubts regarding just how far aviation security has fallen down the Washington food chain, they were dashed last week by Michael Chertoff.

The new name of the game is to threaten passengers with more terrorism if they don't cough up more $$ to throw down the TSA's vapor hole. He literally implied that airliners might get "blown up" if "security" fees aren't raised. Says volumes about how well the TSA is doing. Chertoff: If They Attack, It Won't Be My Fault. It's bad enough to be threatened by terrorists, but it gets really sick when our own Homeland Security chief does it.

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Before we go any further, let's keep some facts in mind: Keep in mind the consistent and on-going failures of the TSA, reported almost daily. Keep in mind the billions that the TSA has wasted. Keep in mind the fact that there is no effective financial or operational oversight regarding how the TSA operates. Keep in mind that the TSA has no problem appointing politically-connected hacks with no security experience to positions of authority.

Now, with all those mental pictures, compare and contrast how the TSA now wants to gouge travelers with higher "security" fees that will allow the TSA to continue to do what it does so poorly. They claim they need even more money, but instead of outlining in a professional manner how this dough will be used, they've taken the low road, with thinly-veiled innuendo implying that any resistance to the fee increases could lead to people dying.

Here's what Michael Chertoff, told congress last week in regard to the airline industry's opposition to a blank check for the TSA:

"If the airline industry fights a fee all the time and wins and the result is we have to cut spending on airline screening, then lines are going to be longer, and customers are going to be more ticked off... And of course, the worst thing would be if something happened and a plane blew up. That would be a real shot at the heart of the airline industry. So they've got a real interest in making sure we have adequate funding for this."

What we really have an interest in, is firing incompetents like Chertoff. No question - if one wants to isolate the real threat, it's represented by Chertoff, who's trying to blame airlines for the fact he can't manage a budget....

http://www.aviationplanning.com/asrc1.htm

[Swamp Rat]

1. ... to Hell hopefully soon.

:)

[sandnsea]

2. We should probably privatize

I don't know who these people are, but when I start hearing this much garbage being thrown at a government agency, my "privatization" bells start going off all over the place.

If I'm wrong, tell me why.

[The Backlash Cometh]

3. Can't say that I read the article word for word, but it sounds like

you're suggesting that we go back to privatizing airline inspections? If that's the case, the reason why that's wrong is illustrated by 9/11. That's what happens when you privatize. We've known since 1996 what we had a weakness in aviation security, but the private sector WOULD NOT INVEST. They gave you what you wanted. Lower costs, but at greater risk.

Now, if you suggest getting rid of any Bush appointee because they have proven to be incompetent, and put someone in there that can get the job effectively done, then I say we're on the right track.

[sandnsea]

6. "privatization" bells

No, I'm suggeting that this group is trashing the TSA in order to support privatization, because that's usually what comes after this kind of government assault.

[The Backlash Cometh]

7. Ah! Then our observations are the same.

Who was it that said the Republicans are people who believe that government is inept, then get themselves elected and proceed to prove it?

[KoKo]

4. Sad thing is that if Chertoff goes another incompetent boob failed CEO

type will be installed. This administration will never put anyone competent in any postion because competence would upstage their failings.

We are in a mess because their cronyism means that only fellow boobs are installed. And if you replace one there are ten more in line waiting to outdo the incompetency of the one before.

It's disgusting.

[The Backlash Cometh]

5. What we've lost is true bipartisan review of these appointments.

The Republicans have really brought patronage to a new level. To the level of incompetence. I think it's time we recognize that we need dissent in the conference room, otherwise you end up with a room full of yes men who will rubber stamp any bad idea.