The Global War On Common Sense

[robin_d_laws]

Later this month my Mom will be heading down to New Orleans with a group from her church to volunteer for reconstruction work under the auspices of the Mennonite Disaster Service. Reconstruction efforts in the city itself are much further behind than one might assume, and entire neighborhoods are still inundated in mud from the flooding of over a

Comments

[kniedzw]

I'm still in awe of the fact that you're not allowed to bring a large tube of toothpaste onto a plane in your carry on luggage, but you're allowed metal knitting needles.

Granted, I agree that you should be allowed knitting needles on a plane. I knit. I am glad that you're allowed those needles. ...but they would be far more effective as a piercing weapon (I would imagine) than a toothpaste tube would be as a container for bomb materials.

Security should have a holistic approach which isn't blinded by arbitrary, restrictive rules. Any inflexible system can be subverted for other ends, including those of terrorists. Target the suspicious person, rather than the woman coming across the border to landscape for the destitute. *sigh*

doot

[21b2]

Now while I agree with you for the most part, you may want to try and find the reason for the toothpaste and other amounts of liquids/gels being banned.. It will make a bit more sense then "damnit we're gonna die from toothpaste!"

Re: doot

[robertprior]

The explosive liquid plot?

Unless there have been recent classified advances in the field of liquid binary explosives my colleague with the PhD in chemistry is unaware of, there isn't anything that is both powerful enough to do damage and stable enough to be useful. She says they make a handy plot device for Hollywood, but aren't anything to worry about.

Re: doot

[notthebuddha]

there isn't anything that is both powerful enough to do damage and stable enough to be useful.

If five guys each sneak in two 12 oz toothpaste tubes full of blasting gelatin (REF 1.5), they have the equivalent of 5.75 kilos of TNT.

[tlatoani]

I think I would double-check that personally with US Customs. If she's driving -- I've crossed that border recently, and while they ask about weapons (as well as the usual suspects like alcohol and tobacco), they did not ask about tools. If she's flying, she should be able to pack tools as checked luggage, because they aren't prohibited on aircraft. The only problem I'd expect to have with bringing tools across the border is that I might have to prove I didn't buy them while I was out of the country, so I don't have to pay duty on them.

This sounds like either misinformation or excessive caution on the part of her sponsor.

[thebitterguy]

She'd probably be better off shipping them, if they're flying. Checked luggage has proven to be less than secure recently.

If they're driving, that would probably be better.

[tlatoani]

(Incidentally, I'm not going to defend the bullshit "security theater" our current junta has put into place. But people shouldn't accept even more restrictions than actually exist.)

[phoenix_hawk]

I'm baffled as to when my country decided to become a bunch of cowards. It saddens me greatly.

[fhtagn]

That dull thwacking noise echoing across the pond was the sound my my jaw dropping through the carpet. I'm in awe, I really am. Still, hopefully she and others will be able to do good without the Administration breaking that too.

[varianor]

Despite my own stunned look at this monumental border stupidity, I give big kudos to your Mom for actually doing something. Wish I could do that myself.