Alert Tsa

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In the wake of Van Jones resignation, there has been some backlash on the part of supporters of the embattled ex-Green Jobs Czar. Indeed, a recent editorial published in The Nashua (N.H.) Telegraph pointedly stated, with much derision, that Jones resigned "after TV host Glenn Beck and others accused him of 'radical,' 'communist' tendencies."

The use of quotes by the author around the words radical and communist are meant to suggest that it is only Beck and others of his "ilk" who ascribed Jones thusly, but that's not true. The real issue is not that Glenn Beck or anyone else "called" Van Jones a communist; the real issue is that Van Jones called himself a communist, and it was Beck and a small handful of others who were alert enough to point it out to the rest of the sheeple.

The simple truth is that there are just some affiliations and labels, historical though they may be in the lives of the wearers, that rightfully get you kicked out of the biggest dances thrown by the good 'ol U.S.A. Being a communist is one of them. Being a Nazi (a real Nazi...not the "anyone who disagrees with me is a Nazi" Nazi) is another. Oh, and we can surely put "card-carrying member of the KKK" on that list, can we not (which, by the way, beckons the question why Democrat Senator Robert Byrd is still Senator Robert Byrd lo these many years later)?

I've never been one to trot out the usual hyperbolic examples of Worst People in the History of the World (again, not Keith Olbermann's version, for which, apparently, you need only qualify on the basis of disagreeing with his politics) to which to compare those with whom I disagree, but you ask for it when you suggest to me that I should overlook Jones' well-documented radical beliefs, to include his self-avowals as a communist, because, in an embarrassingly-simplistic expression of his positions, he wants us all to enjoy equality and breathe clean air. OK...fair enough. On that note, clear-thinking citizens of the world should still be outraged at the demise of Adolph Hitler, so dedicated was he to fuel-efficient and economically-efficient cars for the people...or are some of you unaware from whence the Volkswagen sprang? All of that other "stuff" for which Hitler is rather well-known? Perhaps it should be nothing more than a footnote to his contributions on behalf of automotive progress.

Just as I am (hopefully) unable to sell you on the idea that the loss of Adolph Hitler was a loss to automobile consumers everywhere, so it is that you'll have to forgive me my disinclination to accept a self-proclaimed Marxist as a member of my current president's administration on the basis that he's all for clean air. Surely one need not be a communist...or a Nazi, or a serial killer, for that matter...in order to spearhead the pursuit of that noble goal from within a U.S. presidential administration.

That said, perhaps next we can focus on just why a former Exalted Cyclops of the Ku Klux Klan is still a U.S. Senator...a Democrat U.S. Senator, no less...when there's presently an opening for the position of Green Jobs Czar.

Robert G. Yetman, Jr. is an op-ed columnist and financial editor at http://www.christianmoney.com.

Terrorism: Plane, Train, Public Transit: Do you Feel Safe?

History and our perception of the world changed dramatically with the 9-11 attacks. Today's travel is fraught with fear, delays, and racial profiling as the authorities try to prevent a reoccurrence.

Most travel and transport facilities - including mass transit - have added special safeguards meant to combat terrorism:

• Staff have received extra security training.
• Sophisticated scanning equipment has been installed.
• The public has been 'educated' via media reports.
• Regulations have been expanded regarding prohibited items in luggage.
• Special air marshalls fly incognito on many flights.
• An 'alert status' system has been put in place in some countries.
• Law enforcement agencies are sharing more of their resources.

The ultimate objective is your safety and security. Has it worked? Do you really feel safer?

Whether you answered 'yes' or 'no', you must comply with current regulations when you travel or commute.

Different countries and transportation carriers have varying requirements. You won't find a single master list. However, searching wisely on the internet will provide you with the information you need before you plan your next trip.

In the USA, try tsa.gov and search for 'restricted items' or 'prohibited items'.

In Canada, visit tc.gc.ca, performing the same searches.

For other countries and carriers, use your favorite search engine and try some of the following searches:

• Germany 'restricted items' air
• Mexico 'restricted items' air
• Europe 'restricted items' rail
• Greyhound 'restricted items'

and so forth. Notice that 'restricted items' should be enclosed in quotation marks to produce the best results. (Because of the way various websites display articles, quotation marks have not been used here.)

Your search efforts should produce appropriate websites in the first search results page of any major search engine.

A partial list of items you should avoid in carry-on luggage would include:

• Most metal knives
• Large metal scissors
• Fuel of any kind
• Lighters and lighter fluid
• Weapons and ammunition
• Anything that looks like a weapon
• Starting pistols
• Liquid bleach
• Aerosol products
• Spray paint

Some items that are not permitted in carry-on luggage are allowed in checked suitcases.

Do your research - make sure you have the required documents - and pack carefully.

Now lose the fear, find your confidence, and enjoy your next trip!

©Copyright Kathy Steinemann: This article is free to publish only if this copyright notice, the byline, and the author's note below (with active links) are included.

About the Author

Planning a holiday? Search 111 Travel Directory for bed and breakfasts, budget hostels, or over 1000 travel tips - submitted by travel enthusiasts from all over the world.

Why would the TSA out its own covert operation?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071102/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/tsa_tip_off;_ylt=AvhFYz0qdvUBmk66bvi.3vQD5gcF

If that's true then it can mean only one thing.

Only somebody with an "Ostrich" complex will not understand immediately what that means.

My question is - how do you know that? Where's the proof of your statement: "In one instance, however, the agency thwarted such a test by alerting screeners across the country that it was under way, even providing descriptions of the undercover agents" ?

Is that verifiable? That needs to be clear.

If so, is there a process available in the US to hold whoever is responsible accountable? Which laws hold officials accountable for stuff like that? Who does the "Transportation Security Administration" answer to?

That's the kind of thing that would make even the most supportive citizens suspicious of the intentions of whoever makes the top level decisions related to that.

If it is true it will mean that the whole security effort is a sham, which calls into question (like dominos in reverse) the true cause of everything that led up to putting that security effort into motion (with all of the expense involved) into serious question also - even for the most conservative of conservatives.

Excuse me for my ignorance (not being in the US of A), but I have to ask, weren't the war in Afganistan and the continuing war in Iraq the start of that security effort too?

It is awhile back that all this started, but I seem to remember that it all started with the destruction of the Twin Towers. Am I right about that?

Boy, if you have proof about that tip off to the screeners about the security test, that is pretty explosive stuff. Are you sure this is the best forum to talk about that?

This question and answer might even get deleted. Is there another forum where these things can be discussed openly?

I'd sure be interested to know where that information has come from.

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