can someone explain this strange contradiction

[Lee]

After 9/11 happened the U.S. government tightened up airport security to the point where they were taking little old lady's aside and searching them. Of course that is understandable since we didn't want a highjacking or terrorists entering this country and blowing something up again. But at the same time that airport security was tightened up the southwest border was wide open for anyone to sneak across and it remained open. Since the time of 9/11 millions of illegal people have entered the U.S. Now it only makes sense that if a terrorist wanted to enter U.S. territory they would sneak across an easy to enter border and not try to fly in on an airplane. The U.S. government isn't stupid so they had to know that. So why were airport security tightened up and billions of dollars spent on internal security of U.S. while letting the southwest border wide open for anyone to sneak in. The only thing that I can think of is there is a bussiness lobby in U.S. that wants immigrants in for cheap labor. But if it was their influence that left border wide open then bussiness took precedence over national security.

[Laworkerbee]

You answered your own question.

[seraosha]

Actually it was a design to increase security where they could, and to lobby for greater restrictions on the borders on our north and south. The sheer scale of the problem is daunting, but one that is being addressed...although not as fast as I would like.

If the only thing that comes to mind is a secret business conspiracy that somehow wants the US vulnerable to further attacks, I would question your ability to look at a problem for what it is, and not as a puzzle piece to be hammered in to fit a preconceived conclusion.

[Createdeemcee]

Welcome to our world!

[Ordie]

The 9/11 terrorist had visas.

40% of undocumented immigrants entered the country with visas. But we spend little or no resources in tracking them.

[Hispeed1]

You answered your own question.

Yup, unsecured borders on the south. That 20 million dollar prototype "virtual fence" got axed, I guess it only kept out "virtual people" who cross the border.

[mudbunny]

After 9/11 happened the U.S. government tightened up airport security to the point where they were taking little old lady's aside and searching them. Of course that is understandable since we didn't want a highjacking or terrorists entering this country and blowing something up again. But at the same time that airport security was tightened up the southwest border was wide open for anyone to sneak across and it remained open. Since the time of 9/11 millions of illegal people have entered the U.S. Now it only makes sense that if a terrorist wanted to enter U.S. territory they would sneak across an easy to enter border and not try to fly in on an airplane. The U.S. government isn't stupid so they had to know that. So why were airport security tightened up and billions of dollars spent on internal security of U.S. while letting the southwest border wide open for anyone to sneak in. The only thing that I can think of is there is a bussiness lobby in U.S. that wants immigrants in for cheap labor. But if it was their influence that left border wide open then bussiness took precedence over national security.

Because that type of security in airports is very visible to you as a citizen, giving you a warm fuzzy feeling in the pit of your stomach, leading you to believe that you are indeed safer which is a crock of sh-t. Just look at the Air Marshall program as a prime example of one of the biggest security farces layed upon the American people. That program is thee biggest joke in the history of big jokes.

[bryanleu2002]

IF th government cant do it then the people will. and at a lower cost...
virtual vollunteer fence? yes, that is what ABP (American Border Patrol) is starting,

American Border Patrol to Demonstrate Internet Camera System




TUCSON, Ariz., April 21 /PRNewswire/ -- American Border Patrol, a non-profit 501 c (3) Arizona Corporation will hold a live demonstration of its Operation Virtual Vigilance (http://www.virtualvolunteers.net/) Internet camera system at a press conference inTucson tomorrow, April 22. Attendees will be given the opportunity to operate the cameras themselves. Both color and thermal cameras will be used in the demonstration. The cameras are located on ABP's ranch on the Mexican border inSoutheastern Arizona, a major smuggling corridor.
Citizens called "virtual volunteers" presently operate the cameras from states all across the nation, aiding in many apprehensions of illegal aliens.
A leader in the use of technology on the border, ABP pioneered the concept of Internet-based border surveillance cameras in 2005. (www.americanpatrol.com/05-FEATURES/050919-BDR-CAM-COMING/050919_Feature.html (http://www.americanpatrol.com/05-FEATURES/050919-BDR-CAM-COMING/050919_Feature.html)) TheState of Texas is now developing a similar system. Together these systems could provide verification of border control called for by people such as presidential candidate Senator John McCain.
ABP also pioneered the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, on the border. DHS now operates three Predator B UAVs on the border in Arizona.
ABP will show how a type of "virtual fence" could be developed at a cost far below that projected by the Department of Homeland Security.
http://newsblaze.com/story/2008042111330400007.pnw/newsblaze/HIGHTECH/High-Tech.htm (http://newsblaze.com/story/2008042111330400007.pnw/newsblaze/HIGHTECH/High-Tech.html)l

[ocean]

There is this NAFTA treaty with Canada and Mexico that supposed to keep borders open.

[Laworkerbee]

There is this NAFTA treaty with Canada and Mexico that supposed to keep borders open.

That has nothing to do with unregulated immigration.

[Lambert58]

Commercial airlines have always been favorite targets of terrorists. The economic impact of a terrorist attack using an aircraft can be extreme. That's why security is tight at airports.

Securing the border is a whole different critter. From the potential threat to the financial side to the logistics of it, the border poses a whole boatload of problems. It isn't as much a contradiction as it is a question of one is easier to do (politically, logistically, financially) than the other.

I agree that the border should be secure, as should the commercial airline industry. The fact that we haven't managed to get our crap together on the border shouldn't preclude security at the airport.

[Chulo]

There is this NAFTA treaty with Canada and Mexico that supposed to keep borders open.Trade, not humans

[Dasein]

Is there any actual evidence of this terrorist infiltration via the US-Mexico border?

[hank]

Is there any actual evidence of this terrorist infiltration via the US-Mexico border?

Proof? Who the hell needs that? Never let a little thing like lack of proof stop you from bashing something you don't like.

hank

[wagon]

Proof? Who the hell needs that? Never let a little thing like lack of proof stop you from bashing something you don't like.

hank

Who stirred up Hank? Hello Hank!

[Laworkerbee]

Who stirred up Hank? Hello Hank!

Probably Makers Mark.

[T3ngu]

Probably Makers Mark.

I like being stirred up by Makers Mark.

My 0.02 is that as other have said, its a visible thing. I have observed air marshals on flights (thanks to some tips from a guy at the state department i met) and certainly, if you didn't know they were there and you tried something it is better than nothing.

IMO the airports are a visible deterence against terrorism rather than "illegal immigration" per se. Essentialy, the policy appears to rely on other countries policing their external borders, rather than the USA doing both continental and international borders (i.e. international border, say a flight from europe vs people entering across the border in canada).

Like i say, just my 0.02c.

[randomguy]

Airport security is tightened because the 9/11 hijackers used box cutters and fake bomb to take over the planes and kill 3000 people. If they were to sneak into the country they would still have Department of homeland security, FBI, CIA, up their asses, so how would they get explosives or plan an attack to inflict massive casualties like that?. A terrorist on the ground is less dangerous then 1 on a plane, 30 thousand feet up, with 200 passengers.

[Ordie]

Terrorist usually don't leave anything to chance. They'll avoid risks whenever possible, including being caught crossing the border.

[Will938]

Airport security is tightened because the 9/11 hijackers used box cutters and fake bomb to take over the planes and kill 3000 people. If they were to sneak into the country they would still have Department of homeland security, FBI, CIA, up their asses, so how would they get explosives or plan an attack to inflict massive casualties like that?. A terrorist on the ground is less dangerous then 1 on a plane, 30 thousand feet up, with 200 passengers.

Tell that to those killed by timothy mcveigh. Anyone creative enough with a bit of knowledge could kill thousands. Think water contamination or arson. Anyone with any sort of imagination, who is also willing to trade their life, could be very dangerous in the air or ground.

[PennyWise]

We are doing very little to protect our borders and we will one day pay dearly for it.

[Dasein]

I'd much more suspect that the next attack (if and when it comes) will be conducted by people here legally, or at least people who arrived by legal means.

This includes citizens, both born and naturalized, or people here legally on visas, or simply people who legally crossed into the country from Canada.

[mudbunny]

I'm telling you guys; if we're safer as a country today moreso than before 9/11 it's simply because of awareness and "Joe citizen" paying more attention to strange things than he would have before, it's NOT because of some James Bond-Air Marshall sitting on an airplane watching all of the passengers. So my opinion is that being more safe because of your gov't being proactive is an illusion, it's simply something people like to convince themselves in order to sleep better at night. I'm sure the people of New Orleans always thought "well if there's some sort of disaster the gov't will surely sweep in and take care of everything", right? And you see what happened.

[hank]

Who stirred up Hank? Hello Hank!

It was Stoli and tonic. I swear.

Seriously, this is the most stupid thread in the Rant section in a while.

hank

[Lee]

It was Stoli and tonic. I swear.

Seriously, this is the most stupid thread in the Rant section in a while.

hank

you probably didn't comprehend the written word. Next there will have to be a comix section for people like you

[Laworkerbee]

you probably didn't comprehend the written word. Next there will have to be a comix section for people like you

He is a lawyer and therefore helpless without a paralegal and secretary, please excuse him.

[hank]

He is a lawyer and therefore helpless without a paralegal and secretary, please excuse him.

My paralegal is reading the first post as we speak. You can expect my witty retort as soon as she finishes that and prepares a detailed memo. Most likely next Tuesday. But when I make that retort, lookout. Because it will be witty. Seriously. It may well also exhibit a certain sense of irony. Assuming I can figure out what irony is between now and then.

Diego Montoya

[California Joe]

I would like to oil Lee up and play OberstCockinFuhrer.

Ernst Roehm

[hank]

Dude, one time this girl brought me a birthday cake shaped like a **** and nuts. That was funny as hell.

Want to see pictures?

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showpost.php?p=3205544&postcount=39

hank

[Moledet]

LOL, nice tagline under his nick.

[DS73]

After 9/11 happened the U.S. government tightened up airport security to the point where they were taking little old lady's aside and searching them. Of course that is understandable since we didn't want a highjacking or terrorists entering this country and blowing something up again. But at the same time that airport security was tightened up the southwest border was wide open for anyone to sneak across and it remained open. Since the time of 9/11 millions of illegal people have entered the U.S. Now it only makes sense that if a terrorist wanted to enter U.S. territory they would sneak across an easy to enter border and not try to fly in on an airplane. The U.S. government isn't stupid so they had to know that. So why were airport security tightened up and billions of dollars spent on internal security of U.S. while letting the southwest border wide open for anyone to sneak in. The only thing that I can think of is there is a bussiness lobby in U.S. that wants immigrants in for cheap labor. But if it was their influence that left border wide open then bussiness took precedence over national security.

You see democracy in action. You can get some common movements quick only as a response to some commonly acknowledged threat. Everything rldr will sunk in details 'improvements', 'threat assessments', 'choice of priorities', 'individuals rights' and all kind of personal or not quite political bulling. And I am not talking yet about money interests.

If terrorists would use bombs brought by ships, you would expect fixing port mess (it is still there), if terrorists would use drag routes to bring snipers, you would expect some cleaning in Florida area and improvements in street security.

Terrorists used planes as bombs and came from Europe. What you mentioned is the direct and pretty much imediately publicly accepted (should I say demanded?) reaction.

Besides everything else: I believe all american institutions have permanent lack of personal. You think something doesn't work properly why not join and give a hand?