Canuckistan
Ding Dong! Merrily on High Definition TV
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quote:Originally posted by Doug4.7: As competent as the president is, maybe he should just stay at Crawford. Let those who know the difference between Iraq and Iran take care of things.
-------------------- People need to stop appropriating Jesus as their reason for behaving badly. It's so irritating. (Avril) Posts: 8429 | From: New York run by the Swiss (Toronto) | Registered: Mar 2005
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quote:Originally posted by BlueStar: Apparently the plot involved snakes...
...or snakeskin handbags!
-------------------- This is where I come up with something right? Something really clever... Posts: 6552 | From: UK | Registered: Oct 2002
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DemonWolf
Ding Dong! Merrily on High Definition TV
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quote:Originally posted by Four Kitties: Robe, bunny slippers, and cowboy hat. You forgot the hat. Mustn't forget the hat!
-------------------- Friends are like skittles: they come in many colors, and some are fruity!
quote:Originally posted by Dara bhur gCara: We've got John Prescott steadying the ship at the moment. Nothing to fear at all.
ARRGGHHH!!! The thought of Prescott being in charge is enough to send anyone into blind panic.
According to this article John Reid has been chairing the meetings of COBRA, and so far Prescott hasn't attended any of them. Glad as I am to hear it, isn't it meant to be the Deputy Prime Minister's responsibility when the PM is out of the country? I know Downing Street is claiming that Reid would have been chairing them even if Tone had been around, but I don't believe that one for a minute.
ETA: also according to that article, Prescott has been contacting the MPs and groups from the communities of those people who have been arrested. Surely they could have found something else for him to do and leave that task to someone competent?
quote:Originally posted by hoitoider: What's he supposed to do? Go to the airport & frisk old ladies?
You really don't expect a lot from your President, do you?
Sure I do. Notice I didn't say "What's he supposed to do? Go to the airport & frisk young Muslim men?"
-------------------- No man has a right in America to treat any other man "tolerantly" for tolerance is the assumption of superiority. -Wendell L. Willkie Posts: 3833 | From: Virginia | Registered: Oct 2001
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quote:Originally posted by Doug4.7: As competent as the president is, maybe he should just stay at Crawford. Let those who know the difference between Iraq and Iran take care of things.
quote:Originally posted by Christie: Bush says (according to CBC news) that this is a major direct threat to the US yet, so far, he isn't cutting his "vacay" short. Wonder how big the threat needs to get before he would do that?
Why would he need to cut it short? When the President goes no "vacay" he still gets up at the same time, and gets the same briefings, and talks to the same people. He just does it in his robe and bunny slippers instead of his suit.
Except that he doesn't seem to pay much attention to the reports he gets while on vacay.
quote:Personally, I don't care where he is or what he's wearing.
If he had a track record of paying attention, I wouldn't, either. He, however, still has some making up to do, as far as I am concerned, following that whole 9/11 thing. Invading Iraq hasn't really done much, in my opinion, to restore his reputation as a crisis leader.
-------------------- "When a stupid man is doing something he is ashamed of, he always declares that it is his duty."--George Bernard Shaw Posts: 19266 | From: Nashville, TN | Registered: Jun 2002
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Do you think the terrorists deliuberately timed the attack at a time when Blair would be abroad and Prescott is in 'control'?
This must be the first time that the name 'Prescott' and the word 'control' have been used in the same sentence.
I suppose he could always land a left hook on the terrorists.
'Prescott is in control! Don't panic, Captain Mainwaring.'
-------------------- Andrew, Ware, England Posts: 1709 | From: Ware, England | Registered: Apr 2003
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guruwan2b
Ding Dong! Merrily on High Definition TV
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From CNN: British investigators are telling the U.S. that terrorists planned "to get on board with liquid substances that when mixed could be turned into something that could be detonated."
So there would have to have been two or more liquids mixed to make the bomb... So if one of the liquids did not made it through the check point, the bomb would not have worked?
-------------------- Too much of this navel gazing and we'll disappear up our own arses. Danvers Carew Posts: 7465 | From: Oklahoma | Registered: Oct 2001
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DemonWolf
Ding Dong! Merrily on High Definition TV
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quote:Originally posted by AnglRdr: If he had a track record of paying attention, I wouldn't, either. He, however, still has some making up to do, as far as I am concerned, following that whole 9/11 thing. Invading Iraq hasn't really done much, in my opinion, to restore his reputation as a crisis leader.
I'll put it this way, does it matter if he's in Crawford not paying attention or in DC not paying attention? I don't as the result is the same. The presedent's limo has the same abilities as the oval office, so he can not pay attention in his car too!
Again, since he isn't paying attetion anyway, why does his location matter while he's doing it?
-------------------- Friends are like skittles: they come in many colors, and some are fruity!
quote:Originally posted by guruwan2b: From CNN: British investigators are telling the U.S. that terrorists planned "to get on board with liquid substances that when mixed could be turned into something that could be detonated."
So there would have to have been two or more liquids mixed to make the bomb... So if one of the liquids did not made it through the check point, the bomb would not have worked?
This sounds like what they call a binary explosive. Two "safe" components that become explosive when mixed together.
So the bomb would likely not have worked as a bomb, but the chemicals might still be dangerous enough to risk the flight (corrosive or highly flammable)
-------------------- "We keep finding better ways to celebrate mediocrity"---Mr. Incredible
Assume at least one edit for typos..my keyboard and I fight alot :) Posts: 275 | From: Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jun 2005
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quote:Originally posted by AnglRdr: If he had a track record of paying attention, I wouldn't, either. He, however, still has some making up to do, as far as I am concerned, following that whole 9/11 thing. Invading Iraq hasn't really done much, in my opinion, to restore his reputation as a crisis leader.
I'll put it this way, does it matter if he's in Crawford not paying attention or in DC not paying attention? I don't as the result is the same. The presedent's limo has the same abilities as the oval office, so he can not pay attention in his car too!
Again, since he isn't paying attetion anyway, why does his location matter while he's doing it?
I think he does pay somewhat more attention while he's in Washington. Or at least his being in a suit in the Oval confers some sense of his being in authority.
-------------------- "When a stupid man is doing something he is ashamed of, he always declares that it is his duty."--George Bernard Shaw Posts: 19266 | From: Nashville, TN | Registered: Jun 2002
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quote:According to this article John Reid has been chairing the meetings of COBRA
OMG!!! So the plot did involve snakes ...
- snopes
Snakes...on a plane?
-------------------- "But I'm adding this to my reasons why I never really liked really good looking men much. Sheesh, what good is good looking if you have to stuff a sock in his mouth." - Sara at home NFBSK, IIRC and other mysterious Snopester language Posts: 851 | From: Indiana | Registered: Dec 2004
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posted
My parents are due to be flying from Vancouver to Houston on Monday. I wonder if they'll have these restrictions then. I guess I need to find out what options they'll have for shipping part of their baggage home.
Stuff like this makes me wonder about sea passage. Is it even possible to take a ship to get from Europe to the US anymore? If so, is it some kind of ludicrously expensive thing for rich people or is it reasonably affordable assuming you have the time?
I wish we'd develop better rail travel so there would be a realistic alternative to flying. Flying is just such a huge pain in the neck these days that I'd love to have an alternative if I ever need to fly again. Fortunately, I don't need to fly very often and have not had the "joy" of enduring post-9/11 security.
Posts: 716 | From: San Antonio, TX | Registered: Jan 2006
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quote:Originally posted by Cinnamon: John Reid has been chairing the meetings of COBRA, and so far Prescott hasn't attended any of them.
Wait! COBRA Commander's name is John Reid? This "Prescott" person is connected to COBRA? Isn't he part of the British government. That means COBRA has infiltrated... OHMYGOSH! Someone call GI JOE!
Posts: 716 | From: San Antonio, TX | Registered: Jan 2006
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quote:Originally posted by MaxKaladin: Stuff like this makes me wonder about sea passage. Is it even possible to take a ship to get from Europe to the US anymore? If so, is it some kind of ludicrously expensive thing for rich people or is it reasonably affordable assuming you have the time?
You can still go by ship on the Queen Elizabeth II, last time I checked (which was at least 3 years ago) the cheapest fare was in the $5-6K range. It takes IIRC about 5 days to cross the Atlantic. Of course you would then still have to figure out how to get from Southampton to wherever in England or NYC to whereever in the US.
-------------------- If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, it's just possible you haven't grasped the situation. - Jean Kerr Posts: 18428 | From: Ontario, Canada | Registered: Nov 2001
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quote:Originally posted by guruwan2b: From CNN: British investigators are telling the U.S. that terrorists planned "to get on board with liquid substances that when mixed could be turned into something that could be detonated."
So there would have to have been two or more liquids mixed to make the bomb... So if one of the liquids did not made it through the check point, the bomb would not have worked?
This sounds like what they call a binary explosive. Two "safe" components that become explosive when mixed together.
So the bomb would likely not have worked as a bomb, but the chemicals might still be dangerous enough to risk the flight (corrosive or highly flammable)
It amazes me that this option has not been previously explored and the "no liquid" restriction was not previously implemented.
I wonder how they could possibly prevent this in the future without banning liquids on flights from now on.
It is really scary that it would have been that easy to kill that many people again.
-------------------- "My Very Educated Mother Just Said Uh-oh! No...Pluto..."~ Steven Colbert Posts: 3256 | From: Somewhere in Ohio | Registered: Apr 2004
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posted
Those of us on the West Coast are always the last to hear about these things... though snopes apparently is all-knowing, no matter what time of day something happens.
quote:Originally posted by Embra: I agree that a lack of books on a long-haul flight would probably be the worst thing for me. however, as wee wifey says, you can presumably still buy them "airside" (new word for me! Obviously I don't travel enough!). Bookshops in the duty-free area usually still stock the full variety, not just glossy bonkbusters (mind you, in an emergency I will read anything at all, even inflight magazines).
The Today show was focusing mainly on the ban on liquids (In fact I hadn't even heard about the ban on books until I read this thread), so I don't know if this applies to books as well, but they were saying that you cannot bring the banned items on the plane, period, even if you bought them efter you get through security. They said that if buy a beverage in the terminal food court once you're through security, you still can't bring it on the plane.
I'm going to Germany this October. I hope this dies down a little by then. Like others one of my thought was "You mean I won't be able to take my MP3 player?"
One interesting bit they mentioned on the local news -- Northern California is the heart of wine country, and it's fairly common for visitors to bring bottles of wine home with them. The ban on liquids has apparently resulted in some fairly expensive bottles of wine being confiscated. I suspect there are a few pissed wine collectors in the area today. (And though I meant "pissed" in the American sense, the play on words was intentional )
-------------------- "Unseasonable is an odd word to begin with. It sounds like it's describing something that it's impossible to sprinkle pepper on." -- Nonny Posts: 5483 | From: Just south of Folsom Prison, CA | Registered: Jul 2002
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quote:Originally posted by MaxKaladin: Stuff like this makes me wonder about sea passage. Is it even possible to take a ship to get from Europe to the US anymore? If so, is it some kind of ludicrously expensive thing for rich people or is it reasonably affordable assuming you have the time?
You can still go by ship on the Queen Elizabeth II, last time I checked (which was at least 3 years ago) the cheapest fare was in the $5-6K range. It takes IIRC about 5 days to cross the Atlantic. Of course you would then still have to figure out how to get from Southampton to wherever in England or NYC to whereever in the US.
I have heard that some freighters will actually take passengers as well. I know this because because a coworker apparently has a friend who is afraid of flying, but wants to go Europe, and actually researched this.
-------------------- "Unseasonable is an odd word to begin with. It sounds like it's describing something that it's impossible to sprinkle pepper on." -- Nonny Posts: 5483 | From: Just south of Folsom Prison, CA | Registered: Jul 2002
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posted
Fortunately, the terrorists haven't noticed that the 3,000 people they were planning to kill are all waiting in line at the security checkpoint in Heathrow...
-------------------- "My neighbor asked why anyone would need a car that can go 190 mph. If the answer isn't obvious, and explaination won't help." - Csabe Csere Posts: 1225 | From: Wichita, Kansas | Registered: Nov 2003
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quote:Originally posted by Delta-V: Fortunately, the terrorists haven't noticed that the 3,000 people they were planning to kill are all waiting in line at the security checkpoint in Heathrow...
...and?
-------------------- If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, it's just possible you haven't grasped the situation. - Jean Kerr Posts: 18428 | From: Ontario, Canada | Registered: Nov 2001
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posted
Here is a TSA notice regarding procedures at U.S. airports (it doesn't say anything different than what has been reported, but for the purpose of avoiding confusion between U.S. and U.K. restrictions, it is helpful). It does mention heightened customs inspections for people arriving on international flights.
Canuckistan
Ding Dong! Merrily on High Definition TV
posted
quote:Originally posted by Christie:
quote:Originally posted by Delta-V: Fortunately, the terrorists haven't noticed that the 3,000 people they were planning to kill are all waiting in line at the security checkpoint in Heathrow...
quote:Hands-on inspection is the only way to tell if a dark-plastic medicine vial really contains what it says on the label.
"You'll have to carry your prescription and prove to security that the medicine really is what it is. But for 20 million people a year going through Heathrow? How do you do that?" Hatcher said, foreseeing a future airport arrivals hall with five-hour security checks.
Even that scenario, he said, could lead to terror attacks -- detonating bombs in an airport terminal, not on a plane.
"You can carry a bag into the center of an airport with thousands of people around you before you are ever screened. That, too, must change," he said.
Quite scary, really.
-------------------- People need to stop appropriating Jesus as their reason for behaving badly. It's so irritating. (Avril) Posts: 8429 | From: New York run by the Swiss (Toronto) | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
My brother was supposed to fly to Ireland today, to go to a friend's wedding. He's a US citizen, and has been visiting me in the UK since Sunday.
His plane was cancelled. His airline told him that he couldn't get another flight until the middle of next week - after the wedding. So we're sending him by ferry.
What is it with terrorists and my family's travel plans? First, I arrived in England on the seventh of July last year, and now this...
Posts: 494 | From: Epping, Essex, UK | Registered: Sep 2005
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posted
I just saw this on MSNBC. My first thought was: no liquids? As in no drinks? Will it be possible to get the flight attendants to offer you more than 4 oz of liquid at a time once you're on board?
Then, I saw no books rule here.
I'm glad I'm not flying in the near future.
-------------------- "My name is the symbol for my identity and must not be lost." Motto of the Lucy Stone League. Posts: 1815 | From: Pennsylvania | Registered: Jul 2004
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quote:Originally posted by Christie: You can still go by ship on the Queen Elizabeth II, last time I checked (which was at least 3 years ago) the cheapest fare was in the $5-6K range. It takes IIRC about 5 days to cross the Atlantic. Of course you would then still have to figure out how to get from Southampton to wherever in England or NYC to whereever in the US.
It's still pretty expensive. I googled some other ones out of curiousity and they're not any cheaper.
Oh, well. It's not like I was planning to travel abroad anyway. I guess if I had plenty of time and money, I could do it. I'd just make the crossings part of the trip and get around on land by train to avoid putting up with domestic air security.
Posts: 716 | From: San Antonio, TX | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
One thing I wonder about. They say you can't carry liquids on board the plane because those liquids might be used to make an explosive. I assume these liquids are undetectable to a eddy field metal detector because they aren't metal. So what is to prevent several terrorists from carrying the liquids rectally? I've never measured, but I would imagine that you could probably get a pint or so. A team of 4 people would give you a full quart of each chemical.
-------------------- IIRC, it wasn't the shoe bomber's loud prayers that sparked the takedown by the other passengers; it was that he was trying to light his shoe on fire. Very, very different. Canuckistan Posts: 3694 | From: Arizona | Registered: Aug 2005
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posted
Just watched BBC News and they mentioned that the hand-baggage restrictions may become permanent which will really upset regular long-haul travellers. It will also cause issues on arrival when people are waiting to reclaim mobile phones so they can phone relatives/taxi companies/airport parking companies to say they are back. Whether to wait for baggage reclaim or whether to queue for a pay-phone?
Okay, so I'll be safer, but there's no way I will choose to spend up to 18 hours aloft in "cattle class" with no personal stereo, no blindfold/inflatable neck-rest, no favourite books, no bottle of water etc while being subjected to bored screaming kids and increasingly stinky passengers. The restrictions will make travel unbearable or impossible for plenty of folks. I foresee an increase in "virtual travel" (TV & web) and a few more airlines going bust.
I feel really sorry for several of my colleagues who are in the USA facing the ordeal of a flight home.
DemonWolf
Ding Dong! Merrily on High Definition TV
posted
quote:Originally posted by AnglRdr:
quote:Originally posted by DemonWolf:
quote:Originally posted by AnglRdr: If he had a track record of paying attention, I wouldn't, either. He, however, still has some making up to do, as far as I am concerned, following that whole 9/11 thing. Invading Iraq hasn't really done much, in my opinion, to restore his reputation as a crisis leader.
I'll put it this way, does it matter if he's in Crawford not paying attention or in DC not paying attention? I don't as the result is the same. The presedent's limo has the same abilities as the oval office, so he can not pay attention in his car too!
Again, since he isn't paying attetion anyway, why does his location matter while he's doing it?
I think he does pay somewhat more attention while he's in Washington. Or at least his being in a suit in the Oval confers some sense of his being in authority.
How about wearing a suit to a speech in Green Bay? The job involves travel and today he was scheduled to give a speech in Green Bay, and not on Vacation as was previosly implied (by another poster).
-------------------- Friends are like skittles: they come in many colors, and some are fruity!
quote:Originally posted by GenYus: One thing I wonder about. They say you can't carry liquids on board the plane because those liquids might be used to make an explosive. I assume these liquids are undetectable to a eddy field metal detector because they aren't metal. So what is to prevent several terrorists from carrying the liquids rectally? I've never measured, but I would imagine that you could probably get a pint or so. A team of 4 people would give you a full quart of each chemical.
That got mentioned on the TV news too - if suicide bombers are determined to carry non-metal explosive substances in body cavities, there is currently no way to detect it. Just look for the passenger who appears to be sitting on hot bricks? He either has piles, has gippy tummy and daren't fart or he's a suicide bomber.
quote:Those of us on the West Coast are always the last to hear about these things... though snopes apparently is all-knowing, no matter what time of day something happens.
Actually, snopes has been suffering from miserable allergies that have been keeping him awake around the NFBSKing clock ...
quote:Originally posted by DemonWolf: How about wearing a suit to a speech in Green Bay? The job involves travel and today he was scheduled to give a speech in Green Bay, and not on Vacation as was previosly implied (by another poster).
Sounds like he already has gotten the message about his "vacays" but he was Was on Vacation.
-------------------- If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, it's just possible you haven't grasped the situation. - Jean Kerr Posts: 18428 | From: Ontario, Canada | Registered: Nov 2001
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