TSA, an easy target?
My experiences with the TSA, like most, are not good. They, like many government agencies are an easy target. But I don’t blame the employees (Why shoot the messenger, right?). It stems from our philosophy of how to protecting airlines and passengers. The knee-jerk reaction to public terrorism activities. Granted, I want to fly on safe airplanes too, but I would like to see some common sense inputed into the protocols.
Why do I have to surrender a 4 oz. cannister of shaving cream, but am allowed to bring 25 lbs. of electronic gadgets on board? Why does my sleepy, fussy, 2 1/2 year old daughter have to take off her shoes, coat, and walk through the scanner, when all it does is make her scream because at 6 o’clock in the morning, she just wants her daddy to hold her? HOw come this guy was able to get a loaded gun through security, and I can’t take water for my kids to drink?
Loaded gun slips through airport security
WASHINGTON (CNN) — A passenger who went through an airport security checkpoint — before remembering that he had a loaded gun — is facing charges after going back to report his error, authorities said.
Gregory Scott Hinkle, 53, of Davis, West Virginia, went through a Transportation Security Administration checkpoint at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport about 7:30 a.m. Sunday, an airport spokeswoman said.
After the traveler evidently recalled having the gun, he returned to the checkpoint and disclosed the weapon, authorities said.
The TSA contacted airport police, who charged the man with possessing or transporting a firearm into an air carrier terminal where prohibited, a misdemeanor, and released him. He is scheduled to appear April 2 in Arlington County, Virginia, General District Court.
It’s Just a Tree, Right?
The Irony of this story is almost to obvious to write about. Here are the facts in a nutshell:
- A 110 year old tree stands in the way of development
- The development is for a school
- The school’s name is “Arbor“
- Now, a tree that could provide shade and protection is cut down for the sake of the Arbor School.
- Definition: ar·bor (är‘bər) “A shady resting place in a garden or park”
- Click here for the full article at The Oregonian
How could I possibly expand on this?
Now please don’t get me wrong, my family built its meager fortune (very meager) by cutting down thousands of trees in Western Oregon. I have too many deaf, retired lumberjacks in my own family tree to give me any room to dispute this. On the other hand, I see people rapidly using up what once used to be considered renewable resources. So, without trying to offend others, I see it as a personal responsibility to seek better stewardship of our resources (read: trees).
Because of this, I hate to see any tree cut unnecessarily. It seems to me that if the folks at Arbor were serious about their name, they’d have found a way to avoid cutting down this 110 year old ancestor.
What do you think? Am I whacked?
Great Day in PDX
The weather was great yesterday – if not a bit chilly. We had a great family outing day that included walking in the Pearl, a drive up to Washington Park and Council Crest, and some time at Trader Joe’s, Babies R Us, and Costco. It was a good day.
I didn’t have my camera, but this guy did.
You can see it looks a little windy up on the summit – glad I’m not up there!
Confessing my Dad Attitude 