America's Vulnerabilities

During the U.S. Campaign for the presidency candidates Barack Obama and running mate Joe Biden made some fairly impressive and certainly responsible and responsive statements regarding their intention to safeguard and improve upon the American transportation system. One of their pledges was titled "Safeguard Transportation From Terrorism", and it is an interesting document, no doubt instilling in the American voters who took the time to read it, a great confidence in this nascent leader of their Republic.

Protect Transportation Infrastructure from Terrorism:

The federal government's National Asset Database, which is intended to guide homeland security priorities, lists 77,069 potential U.S. targets including petting zoos and popcorn factories. Experts say this database is not useful for homeland security planning. Barack Obama's Department of Homeland Security will develop a meaningful critical infrastructure protection plan across the nation and will work with the private sector to ensure that all high-risk targets are prepared for disasters both natural and man-made.

Bolster Airport Security:

Between October 2005 and January 2006, government Accountability Office investigators were able to smuggle bomb components past federal screeners at all 21 airports they targeted. And airline passengers are still not screened against a comprehensive, accurate terrorist watch list. As a result, almost six years after 9/11, we still have a security system that results in eight-year olds and grandmothers being repeatedly questioned and even stopped from flying. Developing a comprehensive, accurate list must be a priority and used in a way that safeguards passengers' privacy while ensuring the safety of air travel. As a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, Barack Obama believes we must redouble our efforts to determine if the measures implemented after 9/11 are adequately addressing the threats our nation continues to face from airplane-based terrorism. Obama has supported increased numbers of federal airport screeners and improved funding for aviation security.

Uh-oh, something appears to have gone missing. Perhaps the increased numbers of federal airport screeners, or perhaps improved funding for aviation security. That keen sense of humour back up there in the first paragraph listing petting zoos and popcorn factories among potential U.S. terror targets, is very much appreciated, given the gravity of the situation.

And while we're speaking of grave situations and monitoring of terrorism targeting the vulnerabilities of the United States, should we not recall that the hijackers of those planes that created those monumental world-class distractions, bringing down the World Trade Centers, sacrificing almost three thousand people, received their flight training as student pilots in the United States, resident there on visas issued to them, even while several of these jihadis were known threats, listed with the CIA. Or was that the FBI? Neither of whom bothered to exchange information with one another...?

The latest would-be disaster, apprehended by the swift action of self-preserving ordinary on-board citizens, saw an individual whose own father was sufficiently alarmed about his wayward son's radicalization that he alerted the U.S. embassy in the attacker's home country of Nigeria. Despite which, a visa was issued to this man intent on his mission to destroy the lives of hundreds of people, wreaking newborn fear in the hearts of Americans through his close brush with success.

Somewhat tardily, Barack Obama's attention is now focused on the matter at hand. And from Hawaii has been issued a public proclamation where Mr. Obama's public address ensures Americans that his administration is monitoring efforts focusing on strengthening air security. Nicely timed alongside al-Qaeda's claim of responsibility for the failed plot. Failure to take off perhaps, but triumphant in instilling fear and consternation.

Mr. Obama's administration will now make certain that air marshals are deployed, that flights are secured and safely land. Whew! Oh yes, hazardous materials will not be permitted on board.

Now, if memory serves, directly in response to and right after the 9/11 attacks, the finger of suspicion pointed at Canada's leaky borders to explain how terrorists could conceivably gain entry to the United States. And even after investigation concluded that none of the terror bombers issued through Canada, the American administration continued to point at Canada.

Even now, Americans involved in transport security claim that Canada remains the U.S.'s greatest security threat through its "cosmetic" "reaction security".

Well, Canada is reacting on this occasion too with alacrity and alarm. Genuflecting studiously in its efforts to assure the American authorities that Canada has no intention whatever of permitting potential terrorists to use Canada's travel corridors as easy pickings into their preferred terror-locale.

Canadian travellers to the United States are doubtless under greater pressure and scrutiny than are Americans returning to their country from abroad. All in the interests of securing American trust. Well, of course, safeguarding our own interests, safety, security, commercial.

As for ensuring that our great southern continental partner trusts us, seems it ain't gonna happen.