DECEMBER 11, 2010
I am going to get cookies today.
Please watch the video below. Be prepared to be a proud American with tears on your cheeks;
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=Iwa-lSVqA1M&vq=medium
Now isn’t this good to know. Why are we telling the terrorists and other criminals how to evade our tracking efforts? Just another thing to worry about our expensive government cannot keep a handle on.
The Federal Aviation Administration is missing key information on who owns one-third of the 357,000 private and commercial aircraft in the U.S. This gap, the agency fears, could be exploited by terrorists and drug traffickers not to mention airplane thieves.
The records are in such disarray that the FAA says it is worried that criminals could buy planes without the government's knowledge, or use the registration numbers of other aircraft to evade new computer systems designed to track suspicious flights. It has ordered all aircraft owners to re-register their planes in an effort to clean up its files. Apparently this order has no penalties for non-compliance. Even if there was a penalty attached for non-compliance, why would a terrorist or criminal register a plane? They are breaking the law or planning a terrorist attack. They are not afeared of a potential reprimand from a government bureaucrat.
The records are in such disarray that the FAA says it is worried that criminals could buy planes without the government's knowledge, or use the registration numbers of other aircraft to evade new computer systems designed to track suspicious flights. It has ordered all aircraft owners to re-register their planes in an effort to clean up its files. Apparently this order has no penalties for non-compliance. Even if there was a penalty attached for non-compliance, why would a terrorist or criminal register a plane? They are breaking the law or planning a terrorist attack. They are not afeared of a potential reprimand from a government bureaucrat.
About 119,000 of the aircraft on the U.S. registry have "questionable registration" because of missing forms, invalid addresses, unreported sales or other paperwork problems, according to the FAA. In many cases, the FAA cannot say who owns a plane or even whether it is still flying or has been junked.
Already there have been cases of drug traffickers using phony U.S. registration numbers, as well as instances of mistaken identity in which police raided the wrong plane because of faulty record-keeping.
Already there have been cases of drug traffickers using phony U.S. registration numbers, as well as instances of mistaken identity in which police raided the wrong plane because of faulty record-keeping.
Federal law requires all U.S. aircraft owners to register their planes with the FAA and carry the registration certificate on board. The registration number - all U.S. registrations start with the letter N - is painted on the fuselage or tail. The numbers are used on flight plan forms and by air traffic controllers to communicate with aircraft in flight. Won’t the registration certificate burn or be destroyed in a crash?
Next year, the FAA will begin canceling the registration certificates of all 357,000 aircraft and require owners to register anew, a move that is causing grumbling among airlines, banks and leasing companies. Notices went out to the first batch of aircraft owners last month.
"We have identified some potential risk areas, but I think we're trying to eliminate as much risk as possible through the re-registration process," said FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown. Isn’t this reassuring talk from a spokesperson; “…some potential risk…we’re trying to eliminate as much risk as possible…” They haven’t identified all areas of the risk and are only trying to eliminate some of the risk. Isn’t it hard to eliminate something you have not identified?
"We have identified some potential risk areas, but I think we're trying to eliminate as much risk as possible through the re-registration process," said FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown. Isn’t this reassuring talk from a spokesperson; “…some potential risk…we’re trying to eliminate as much risk as possible…” They haven’t identified all areas of the risk and are only trying to eliminate some of the risk. Isn’t it hard to eliminate something you have not identified?
"Anybody with a roll of duct tape can put any number they want on an airplane," Stephen Lathrop, who had his plane number stolen said.
The FAA says security isn't the only reason it needs an up-to-date registry. Regulators use it to contact owners about safety problems, states rely on it to charge sales tax and some airports employ it to bill for landing fees. Also, rescuers use the database to track down planes that are missing. Taxes are always the cause. If something does not make sense, it is the money.
The FAA says security isn't the only reason it needs an up-to-date registry. Regulators use it to contact owners about safety problems, states rely on it to charge sales tax and some airports employ it to bill for landing fees. Also, rescuers use the database to track down planes that are missing. Taxes are always the cause. If something does not make sense, it is the money.
A public funeral service for Elizabeth Edwards has been scheduled for Saturday in Raleigh, North Carolina, and will include eulogies from her oldest daughter, Cate, and two close friends. As you'd expect, gathered mourners won't be hearing a eulogy from her estranged husband John Edwards, but that doesn't mean he won't be there.
"Elizabeth would want it this way. She hated what John did but never stopped loving him," a family friend tells me. "She died in the home she built with John, surrounded by loving memories of their time together and at peace." The former presidential hopeful was with Elizabeth on Tuesday when she died following a six-year battle with cancer.
Elizabeth will be honored Saturday at Edenton Street United Methodist Church in Raleigh. The public is allowed to attend the 1 PM service. Given her popularity, there will be no shortage of notable political figures in attendance looking to be caught on camera. They do not want to be associated with John Edwards but his dead wife is another story.. The absence of any public appearances on President Obama’s schedule for Saturday has also fueled speculation that he will travel to North Carolina to pay his respects.
"Elizabeth would want it this way. She hated what John did but never stopped loving him," a family friend tells me. "She died in the home she built with John, surrounded by loving memories of their time together and at peace." The former presidential hopeful was with Elizabeth on Tuesday when she died following a six-year battle with cancer.
Elizabeth will be honored Saturday at Edenton Street United Methodist Church in Raleigh. The public is allowed to attend the 1 PM service. Given her popularity, there will be no shortage of notable political figures in attendance looking to be caught on camera. They do not want to be associated with John Edwards but his dead wife is another story.. The absence of any public appearances on President Obama’s schedule for Saturday has also fueled speculation that he will travel to North Carolina to pay his respects.
As I mentioned yesterday, Westboro Baptist Church will be there, hopefully as sniper’s targets.
Dick Van Dyke was forced to cancel a one-man show about his show business life set to run in Los Angeles through Jan. 16, 2011. He reinjured an Achilles tendon injury from his past and was told to stay off his feet. Dick Van Dyke turns 85 on Monday.
Don’t forget to buy my book. The book is going fast. It makes a great Christmas gift or two.
BRUCE A. BRENNAN
DEKALB, IL 60115
COPYRIGHT 2010
Email: brucebrennanlaw@aol.com
www.brucebrennanlaws.com
www.lawyerbruceabrennan.com
Go to web sites below to buy books by Bruce A. Brennan
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ (do a quick search, Title, my name)
http://www.smashwords.com/ Do a Title or author search, Check this site out.
It is if we have intentionally made ourselves stupid by pretending that we don't know the things we do know. Lets make sure we do a full body search of on the 12 year old, but let the 4 imams walk through without a challenge. Indiscriminate of though has become a morale imperative, how sad.
ReplyDelete