HOMELAND SECURITY KEYSTONE COPS

From the Houston Chronicle:

Officer demands apology in airport case

A TSA report obtained by the Houston Chronicle appears to blame Reece for the incident, which began when screeners at a checkpoint asked Bataineh whether he had a laptop computer in a computer bag.

Bataineh shook his head, but an X-ray machine operator detected a laptop and alarm clock with a nine-volt battery taped to it. They also said Bataineh was wearing shoes that they suspected had been "gutted out."

"The shoes had been tampered with and there were all the components of (a bomb) except the explosive itself," according to the report.

Instead of detaining Bataineh or calling the FBI as they could have and should have done according to security officials, a TSA official asked Reece to investigate.

Reece examined the shoes and found no reason for concern, then put the battery in the clock and found that it functioned properly, according to Hoffman.

Reece found no reason to detain Bataineh and allowed him to enter the boarding area over the protests of screeners, according to the report.

Click here for the rest.

This is classic Bush stuff. Fail, without even following your own procedures, and then blame someone else. Fortunately, people, even patriotic cops, aren't falling for that ploy much these days. Still, this story is disturbing, if only because it reinforces what a joke homeland security is under the Bush administration. They swore to protect us, but all the agencies charged with doing so appear to be in total disarray. The chemical plants are still wide open. The borders are still wide open. And FEMA...well, nuff said on that.

What is Bush doing to protect us from terrorists?

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