TSA in ‘witch hunt,’ air marshals say (threaten marshals with Patriot Act)

http://www.msnbc.com/news/950176.asp?0cv=CB10

The Transportation Security Administration is conducting a “witch hunt” to ferret out and discipline employees in the federal air marshal program who have talked to the media, several sources within the program told MSNBC.com. Some air marshals are even being threatened with having the USA Patriot Act, a law enacted to help fight terrorism, used against them. The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the TSA, denies that any such investigation is taking place.

HOWEVER, A DEPARTMENT Of Homeland Security spokesman did acknowledge that an investigation is under way surrounding the circumstances involving a decision to pull air marshals from high risk flights in an attempt to save money at the cash strapped TSA, a story first reported in late July on MSNBC.com.

DHS is investigating “whether or not certain internal management decisions regarding federal air marshal scheduling were authorized,” said Brian Roehrakasse, a department spokesman, “and if so, who may have authorized those.”

Shortly after MSNBC.com reported that TSA was pulling air marshals from flights, based on information provided by sources within the air marshal program, an “investigative witch hunt was started,” one air marshal who requested anonymity told MSNBC.com.

How reassuring.

How American, using the Patriot Act to go after unpatriotic air marhsalls who can't keep their mouths shut about management decisions affeting the security of the public.

The Patriot Act made it illegal to be a patriot.

.

Someone in the corrupt Bush administration told Time magazine and Robert Novak that Ambassador Wilson's wife was a spook, a federal offense. I wonder when that investigation will begin?

I was watching Countdown a few days ago and they had some Brit airline security expert on who said the TSA is the most fucked up "security" operation around.

They're too new at the business to know what to do, and don't seem to want any advice. Israelis and Brits who actually have some experience with terrorism are apparently not welcome.

He didn't have much good to say about the rest of Homeland Security, either.

btw, years ago, after the first WTC bombing attempt, the Port Authority of NY and NJ, which runs the airports around here, brought in some Brits to beef things up. Brits who had been dealing with IRA bombings for years, and had some concept of what to do.

The PA looked at the list, said thank you very much, and decided most of it would cost too much or be a PITA to enforce. They did close down parts of the parking lots, though. Made it look like they were actually doing something.

Now, I'll admit that removing all the trash cans may not be necessary, and would probably make the place a pigsty, but from all accounts it seemed like they didn't even try.

There are still a few them alive aren't there?

They could help with this - or wait, maybe they wrote manuals on what to do and * could just have his people use those? Along with the wiretaps of Democratic headquarters and ..., well, you get the idea.