Congressman's (R-Ga) quip regarding airplanes raises some concern

[Roland99]

http://rawstory.com/exclusives/byrne/linder_comments_terror_airplanes_429.htm

Rep. John Linder (R-GA): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Umm. We could probably spend, the entire budget of the United States, on the airline industry. And still be missing some pieces. Now, most of us don't believe that we will ever see an airline hit a building, because the passengers won't allow it. And if an airline is blown up in the air, that is a very bad circumstance for 200 or 300 people. But it is not a catastrophe. Rep. Linder: I would rather spend these fortunes looking for a catastrophe . . . for nuclear weapons. (mumbling and inaudible)

<...>

Rep. Linder: We could spend everything we have protecting airplanes, and still not protect everything. Umm. It is my view that no airplane will ever hit a commercial building -- which is the only value they have in taking out large numbers of people. It is my view that passengers won't allow that to happen. But it is entirely possible that an airplane will blow up in the air, with some (inaudible) or warning today, or some other technique. But that is a very bad circumstance for about 200, 300 people. But it is not a catastrophe.

Rep. Linder: And if we are going to spend all this money, we ought to be thinking about the 1 million, or 2 million-person catastrophe that could be caused by a nuclear device, or a biological device. I think . . . we are doing an awful lot, and maybe too much, on airlines right now. Spending $5 billion dollars a year looking for toenail clippers and box cutters. We should be looking for nuclear devices and I think we should not spend all of our money on the airline industry . .

Uhhh.... :wtf:

[ewagner]

1. Drunk?

On drugs?

what? Was this guy in a coma on 9/11? Has he been in a coma since 9/11?

[FreedomAngel82]

2. I think he's fucked up too

What the hell?

[Roland99]

3. Trying to find the full transcript at the House but not finding it

Looking thru video, too.

[Lefty_the_Right]

4. I'm not sure I understand exactly what he is saying

But I think I agree?

I've been saying since two weeks after 9/11 that airlines should pass out box cutters to EVERYONE on the plane.

It's the only way to be sure.

[Roland99]

5. Well, he's forgetting that planes like UPS and FedEx have ZERO passengers

They can be hijacked, too. Maybe even more easily (provided they infiltrate with the utmost in patience.)

[dcfirefighter]

6. I think he's got a point

We're spending what security money we have in the wrong places.

Of course, he'd probably disagree with the idea that we wouldn't have very much of a security problem if we didn't let hallibectaco make our foreign policy.