Lockheed Martin up for terrorist/tourist screening contract

Written By: sthompson
Date: 2004-05-29 00:32:56
<a href="/article/325682-lockheed-martin-up-for-terroristtourist-screening-contract">Article Link</a>

But there are concerns about the system's reliability and ensuring the innocent do not get caught up the digital age's Kafkaesque nightmares. The investigative arm of Congress, the General Accounting Office, has described the proposal as "a very risky endeavour" and warned of significant management and oversight problems. It is far from clear whether foreigners monitored for their movements, credit card transactions and other activities would have any privacy rights. But government officials are said to be days away from awarding a contract to one of three final bidders worth at least $10bn over the next 10 years. "This is hugely important for the security of our country," the Bush administration's border security chief, Asa Hutchinson, told The New York Times. "We're talking here about a comprehensive approach to border security." Full article: <a href="http://news.independent.co.uk/world/science_technology/story.jsp?story=524620">US throws digital net over tourist entry points</a>

Wow, these guys are REALLY embracing the fascist thing. I read somewhere too that in, I think it is in New Hampshire, cops are actually paying pizza delivery guys to rat out households holding underage drinking parties. I know that underage drinking is wrong, but what goes in inside someone`s house is nobody else`s business.

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Dave Ruston

Let's face it - we are losing our democracy, and the more we talk about our freedoms, the forces that work against them are in the ascendency. Paul Martin wants closer ties with the US. Or rather the corporate interests he represents want closer ties. As does Stephen Harper. And their propositions in this regard sound so "reasonable". As well, the implications of NOT increasing our trade, et al, with "our best friends and trading partners" are left to fester and build in our minds. Canadians have been told time and again, by generations of our own leaders that we cannot hope to compete on the world stage, that we cannot afford independence, etc. - except of course, in this impending election where we are told that it's all about being Canadian. Yeah - just like Canada Steamship Lines is "Canadian".--- RickW

Considering the story of the 85 year old gent that sent the envelopes of white powder to the Alberta gov. offices, these security measures are ridiculous. Who suspected the likes of him? You cannot cover all the terrorist possibilities, no matter how hard you try to force people into submission. The angry old fella is being tested for mental stability and at what wackos request? I don't think the governments of the world realize how p.o.ed the grass roots are. All I can say is "don't eat yellow grass"!

Accenture is the company that Gordon Campbell gave BC Hydro accounting to when he broke it apart for privatization. I think he must have been a drinker so he could painlessly twist into a shape that would accommodate watching his back.

Dave, I know a couple that went out for an evening, and their kids had all their friends over for a party.

When the parents got home, they were just amazed at the destruction that was caused by the partygoers.

They also said that perhaps as many as 75 or more kids were hanging around outside on the street at about 2 AM and when they came home, the kids just drifted oway.

My friend told me that when he first went into the house, there was one young gentleman sitting there, with a handful of peanuts, throwing them at the ceiling fan and watching them scatter all over the room.

Parents should be held responsible for such parties, and if there is injury or death, that's a pretty serious situation. Alcohol and drugs should be under control at all times, and house parties can be a dangerous thing.

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"Arrogance in Politics is unacceptable"
Jim Callaghan
Minden, Ontario
705-286-1860
www.misterc.ca

Sorry, I meant to stay on topic and simply tell you that I have zero plans to visit the US in the forseeable future.

I have enjoyed many vacations in the warm climate in the past, but I will spend my money in Canada from now on.

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"Arrogance in Politics is unacceptable"
Jim Callaghan
Minden, Ontario
705-286-1860
www.misterc.ca

terrorist/tourist screening is a great idea.... one that Canada should consider/introduce. Granted Canada was built on immigration and it's a policy that I agree with however nowadays there are too many religious kooks that bring their weird beliefs into Canada, and it's only time before one of them decides to make 'a statement'; let's get rid of them before that happens.

I agree! We should stop letting in the Christians because their ideas are just too weird to be part of MY Canada. We should only let in people whose religions conform to MY ideas of right and wrong.
</sarcasm>

Seriously, extremism is not limited to any particular religion; fundamentalist christians are guilty of things like abortion clinic bombings(please don't argue the abortion debate here, my point is that *Bombing* is wrong regardless of reasons). racial or religious profiling is NOT the answer.

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Jesse

You are correct, there are extremists in all religions however. Generally speaking religion has, is and, in my point of view, will always be the cause of hatred and strife in the world.

and by the way, I reread your comment "I agree! We should stop letting in the Christians because their ideas are just too weird to be part of MY Canada. We should only let in people whose religions conform to MY ideas of right and wrong." Yes I saw your note that the comment was just sarcasm however, MY ideas of what is right and wrong do not condon harbouring fugitives of the law, like the main players in the <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/airindia/">bombing of Air India Flight 182</a>, nor condoning manipulation of Canada's generous asylum system thereby allowing <a href="http://www.danielpipes.org/article/1639">known terrorists</a> to continue living in Canada. Honest, hard-working people from anywhere on this planet who want to make Canada their home are welcome with arms-wide-open. Those however who masquerade under guise of religion using Canada as a base to further their whacked beliefs and desires can go elsewhere.

So, are we going to dispense with trials and investigations too?

Is that what you prefer? I sure don't. Hiding your head in the sand with respect to terrorism isn't a good idea.... To that end I would suggest you read <a href="http://www.csis-scrs.gc.ca/eng/publicrp/pub2001_e.html#3b">CSIS report on terrorism </a>

Giving CSIS credibility would have to be my first step. I would have to believe that they are not involved in torture, the illegal drug trade, and scaring people into submission for their own ends. Well, it's simple, I don't.

I make a living in the airline security industry. I can tell you all right now that Canada already uses some of these tactics, and more are on the way.

For employees - biometric ID cards, biometric scan cards, retinal scanners, facial recognition, fingerprinting, and full histories. As an employee you have the right to not work at the airport if you feel that this goes to far. Transport Canada, CSIS, and the RCMP all scrutinize you and your history as an employee. I collect the data on their behalf.

For travelers - some I cannot divulge obviously for security reasons but it is not as far as the American model but it is coming slowly but surely. The only way to stop it is to stop flying and tell the airlines, airport authorities, transport Canada et al that you stopped flying because of the increased security. Only when the industry is about to fail will they scale back.

But remember this - if a plane is taken from Canada and used in a terrorist act - especially in the US - there will be hell to pay in Canada, you can count on that. So, there must be some level of security in place but it must be one that everyone can live with. It must also be transparent enough that people can make there own decisions as to whether they want to fly within those rules or not.

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If there was ever a time for Canadians to become pushy - now is the time - for time is running out on this nation called Canada.

Somewhere "out there" is a study I read suggesting that the United States was becoming more Christian Fundamentalist than the Arab ststes with Islamic Fundamentalism. Anyone recall reading something like this?--- RickW