Challenger John "Jack" Chagnon is demanding that Congressman Mica apologize to all Florida residents for his stunningly insensitive, arrogant, and patronizing interview on Orlando's CBS Affiliate Channel 6(
http://www.local6.com/problemsolvers/10228089/detail.html?taf=orlpn). Mr. Mica -- House point man on airport security – summarily dismissed taped evidence of dangerously lax security procedures at Orlando International Airport (OIA). This is another new low for a Republican who have stayed too long in Congress. Mr. Mica not only downplays these security breaches, but even takes a flippant attitude towards victims of other airport bombings.
It all began when a Channel 6 reporter decided to see what would happen if he left several bags unattended around hallways inside OIA, one of the nation’s busiest airports. This prime tourist destination is a ripe target for terrorism. The unattended bags went unnoticed by airport personnel for as much as an hour -- a clear breach of security. The reporter confronted Congressman John Mica, the chairman of the House Transportation Committee's Aviation Subcommittee, with this news. How did Mica respond? With an ignorant grin: "It doesn't bother me. Did it explode?"
And this wasn't a slip of the tongue or even a “botched joke.” Instead, acting more like an incumbent caught AWOL from his guard post, Mica lashed out defensively. He lectured the reporter that this critical lapse in basic security procedure was unimportant: "Did it pose a threat as an explosive? No, it didn't."
The reporter, baffled by Mica's irresponsible attitude, tried to remind the Aviation Chairman about the very real risks of these unattended bags. Mica seemed hardly to care less, as he condescendingly engaged in the following exchange:
Mica: "And does that really pose a risk?"
Reporter: "Well, I think --"
Mica: "What kind of damage is it gonna do?"
Reporter: "If that bag exploded, it could kill --"
Mica: "Who? Who? How many? I'm more concerned about them taking
down an aircraft, young man."
But Mr. Mica should know about the numerous incidents of airport bombings worldwide, several resulting in heavy casualties.
Fortunately, Channel 6 received an entirely different response when then showed their unattended bag tapes to OIA officials. In contrast to Mr. Mica’s smugness and histrionic outbursts, the airport officials gave the matter their full attention and pledged to take immediate action to redress the danger.
When terrorism analysts outline their nightmare attack scenarios, one frequently mentioned is an orchestrated assault on Orlando's major concentration of theme parks. Flights into nearby Orlando International are part of millions of tour packages. On any given day, OIA is packed with Disney vacationers. It is outrageous that the Chair of the House Aviation Committee would reject any need to protect the safety of one of the world’s largest tourist destinations. Mr. Mica sounds like he is giving terrorists carte blanch to attack the gateway to America's foremost family vacation. His bemused apathy is not what the nation needs as Congress’ chair of aviation oversight.
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