Following the Money

Chertoff backs air traveler registry
Program could ramp up this year; he says it would improve security
By Thomas Frank
USA TODAY

“When there is a real privacy concern with a measure (the Government) take(s), the easiest way to address it is to say, ‘Fine, we'll make it voluntary, ' ” Chertoff said.








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Transportation Security, Issues for 109th Congress

June, 2006, Congressional Research Service Report.

Detection of Explosives on Airline Passengers

Attention Grandma Gardeners!.

Detection of Explosives on Airline Passengers

Attention Grandma Gardeners!.

homeland security report

CRS.

Not so Fast, Pass

The Air Transport Assn., an airline industry group, remains opposed to Registered Traveler despite recent events.

"This terror threat has caused the [Transportation Security Administration] to focus on its resources," said Air Transport Assn. spokesman David Castelveter. "We don't think any of their resources should be put into Registered Traveler."

LA Times.

Information Aggregators not subject to Privacy Laws

Gob'mnt Report.

More on SpyChips surveillance techniques

Press Release.

TSA surveillance using RFID embedded in passports

Big Brother.

Security Issues with RFID tags on passports

Brave New World.

Not convinced

The only people this arugment would make sense to are those who have no knowledge of the facts of the Richard Reid (the shoe bomber) case. In that instance, authorities pulled Reid out of line (on a hunch) and subjected the man to many hours of interrogation. They finally let him go to fly the next day. It was only the fact that the man walked around Paris in the pouring rain (and wet his shoe laces) that saved US aviation from another disaster. If Reid hadn't had trouble lighting his shoe laces (because they were still wet) the flight attendants would not have had an opportunity to pounce on him, preventing the completion of his plan. This is just another argument for cutting in line. I don't buy it.

Die Laughing

Michael Boyd's accute observations on the vain glorious TSA.

shorter security lines with no bags

Registered Traveler is a vulnerability.

"The program "is hard to justify, either from a security or convenience standpoint," Rep. Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., told The Boston Globe earlier this week. "It is clear that al-Qaida terrorists who aspire to attack the U.S. recruit converts without any of the characteristics that would result in denial of registered traveler privileges."

See SPOT

run off with your civil liberties.

e-passports present security risk

LAS conference.

Made Men

Air Marshall's cover - NOT.

TSA answers questions about Secure Flight

TSA answers your questions about Secure Flight.