Monthly Archives

Monthly Archives for October 2002.

Tony Woodlief hopes

Tony Woodlief hopes that the DC sniper resists arrest and is shot dead by the police. I understand the sentiment, but I disagree. Remember Richard Jewell, the suspect in the 1996 Olympic bombing who turned out to be innocent? What if the police have the wrong guy? Who are the police to make the final, life-or-death determination in the first place? The problem is only magnified if it’s the DC police…

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Some positive changes in airport

Some positive changes in airport security — but not enough James M. Loy, the head of the Transportation Security Administration, is looking to get rid of more stupid rules. Already gone are the “security questions” that never foiled a terrorist in sixteen years, the ban on nail clippers, and the rule against carrying coffee through security. Others potentially on the chopping block: The 30 minutes without peeing rule, which forbids getting up from your seat within half an hour’s flying from Washington National airport Restricted parking within 300 feet of the airport (making parking lots at many airports useless) “Random” searches of passengers at the boarding gate after the same folks have been searched at the security checkpoint (also known as “gate rape“) These are a good start. They are all obvious changes that can…

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