Bush, on a Quick Trip From His Texas Ranch, Says Americans Are Safer…

[kskiska]

than Before Sept. 11

CRAWFORD, Tex., Aug 10 — President Bush tried to assure Americans on Thursday that antiterrorism measures taken since the Sept. 11 attacks had made them safer while acknowledging that danger remained — part of a balancing act in which his aides portrayed him as deeply involved in dealing with the foiled airline plot even as he continued his vacation here.

(snip)

Several senior Republican strategists were also uneasy with the possibility that images of President Bush’s activities in the past week, including bicycle rides in the 100-degree Texas heat, could be used to accuse him of being too casual about the potential terrorist threat.

But now that Americans have learned of the plot, some Republicans, when promised anonymity so they could speak freely about their criticisms, said Mr. Bush had to be careful not to appear out of touch, as his critics and even some of his allies said he did last summer when Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast.

(snip)

“A policy of casual nonchalance is not a winning strategy,” said one Republican close to the White House, who suggested that the president should, at the least, deliver a primetime television address from the Crawford ranch.


more…
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/11/world/europe/11prexy.html?ref=washington

[BattyDem]

1. Before September 11th, I could take toothpaste on a plane

Now I can't. Tell me again how I'm safer! :mad:

[RC]

2. Not to mention your own water.

[MADem]

4. Well, no one is safe from your nastyass breath if you get delayed

in an airport for hours and hours!!! (Please know I am joking....)

And heaven help the poor bastard who brought along the Immodium "just in case" that pesky stomach trouble hadn't quite resolved itself--that's in the checked bags, too!

But hey, on the bright side, those baggage workers will be able to keep more of their take home pay--they won't have to shell out for personal care products, perfumes, colognes and whatnot! Your toothpaste could be coming soon to a baggage handler's sink!

This whole business is totally absurd. What's to stop a dedicated 'terrist' from cramming the forbidden liquid up their behind?? Or snuggling it under a well-made toupee? Tape it under a bloody bandage, that's the ticket!! Or have a cohort seal it into a arm or leg cast--the possibiliities are absolutely endless. But hey, grab that makeup case, snatch that sunblock...

The total amount of liquid they were talking about is quite small--I'm just not convinced that this is anything that can be stopped without a bit of "situational profiling." But no, that's too close to racial profiling, so no one will buy it, and they'll keep shaking down grandma and grampa in the name of FREEDOM.

And way too many people will, sheep-like, trade their liberty for security and deserve neither.

[BattyDem]

5. LOL!

:toast:

You're right .... there are plenty of ways to smuggle some liquid on to a plane. Besides, a plane is LOADED with beverages and an "inside job" is not out of the realm of possibility. This whole "no liquid" crap is simply for show - keep them scared and they won't ask any questions ... and once again, the sheep are falling for it. :eyes:

[azurnoir]

3. So as not to appear out of touch?!?!?!

Try so as not to appear to be opportunistic, self aggrandizing, vulturous, uncaring, lieing,.......................... wankers

[man4allcats]

6. Safer than what? This planet's ecosystem in general and more

specifically it's climate? Thanks to you, King George, if we're safer than that, we're far from safe. Is there really anything we're safer than, Mr. Chimp? You think we're safer now? Check out this article by Christopher Dickey, currently Newsweek's Paris bureau chief and Middle East regional editor. He introduces it by stating:

"Britain may have averted a plot to bomb passenger planes, but let’s not imagine that we are safer now than we were before 9/11."

And while you're at it, compare this to the video by Richard Clarke, ABC News consultant and former White House Anti-Terrorism Chief, on the same subject, and then tell us we're safer.

We'll all be a lot safer if you, Cheney, Rummy and Condi resign immediately.