WIRED NEWS: We Can Detect Liquid Explosives

[NVMojo]

Associated Press 09:24 AM Aug, 12, 2006

BOSTON -- While the process isn't perfect, scanning machines do exist to detect liquid explosives like the ones purportedly at the heart of the terrorist plot broken up this week.

But don't expect the machines to be rushed into airports soon. Cost and logistical issues present challenges for these devices.

Consider work that's been done at Rapiscan Systems, part of OSI Systems. Rapiscan is developing four kinds of devices -- some based on technologies more than 10 years old -- that can detect liquid or gel-based explosives. Two that would work on carry-on bags already have been tested by the Transportation Security Administration and "could be deployed this afternoon," said Peter Kant, the company's vice president for government affairs.

But none are being used in the United States. Some are in place overseas, though Kant said those aren't in airports.

more...

http://www.wired.com/news/wireservice/0,71584-0.html?tw=rss.technology

[Kutjara]

1. Yes, the machines are expensive, but...

...would it cost $300 million per day to run them? I'm guessing the answer is no. Yet we're happy to spend that amount on the clusterfuck that is Iraq for the indefinite future, for no credible reason, and for no achieveable ends.

Guess it all depends on how you define 'expensive.'

[madame defarge]

2. 2007 DHS budget is $42.7 billion

in funding, an increase of 6 percent over the previous year. Look at how they're spending the $$$$. Seems to me like they could allocate some to technology like this scanning equipment.
http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/press_release/press_release_0849.xml

Damn, I wish we had adults running this country again...