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Recent Comments:
China Bans Foreign Travelers From Tibet {Gadling}
Jun 13th 2012 10:49AM I am proud to see my thoughts shared by other Americans re behavior of Chinese government towards world travelers. The treatment of Tibet's people is not acceptable
under any circumstances! Remember when China was trying to gain entry into World
Trade Organization? They did all sorts of antics to change views on their behavior re human rights, religious freedoms, and military force in other parts of the world which finally weakened the opposition of the USA to support their entry. Once in, back to the same old crap; push others weaker than China and because of special interests in USA industry/manufacturing, we saw tremendous swings in balance of trade. This has hurt USA and other smaller countries that really need our purchases to provide an acceptable standard of living. I refuse to buy Chinese materials (titanium tubes & plate), even cheap tools....why help the decrease in American jobs, why add to unemplyment and poverty in USA, why do we only think of "bottom line"? The term "Fortress American" is thought of as crude and stupid, but think about it; we can do everything right here and we do not deliberately try to hurt other human beings. The Chinese government could easily be
a part of the World community and all they have to do is model their society on other
countries such as Japan and South Korea.
Buy American and stand up to the Chinese leaders!
John S. Mournian
AquaMarine Engineering Company
Smartphones now make it possible for airport travelers to have food delivered to their departure gate {Gadling}
Oct 9th 2011 11:52AM This is just another example of the phony security issue! Having food delivered to the
departure gate must require someone to inspect it for a hidden device, etc. What about that
baloney of liquids? It could be in the salad dressing container even though the usual dressing container is much less than 3 oz. Then we have the dangerous weapons such
as REAL utensils .....knife, fork. Oh well, that does not count because if you sit in Business
class or 1st class, you suddenly become better than the American citizens sitting in Coach.
Cost___well, if airlines really wanted to show a profit, they could dump the soft drinks in
cans and use plastic bottles, but that would not be GREEN; it takes petroleum to make
plastic jsut as it takes petroleum to help generate electricity to melt/make aluminum, so
it is really a NO WIN battle. Just think about the weight of all that fluid and metal in the
cans!
Smokescreen
Tom Stuker becomes first frequent flyer to pass 10 million miles, United celebrates {Gadling}
Jul 11th 2011 8:54PM Sure, the guy has achieved a feat worthy of note, but how do we share his reward; by not being bent out of shape when luggage is lost, surly treatment by flight attendents, dirty planes and lousy food that you now have to pay for! I use UAL only as a matter of convenience. They have never corrected my Frequent Fliers card spelling o flast name despite having hand written letters sent to them with stubs__do I get credit? I doubt it!
Well, interesting story, but I will stick to Japan Airlines for real service and clean planes.
John Mourrnian
Is that an iPad in their pants or is the TSA just happy to see us? {Gadling}
Jul 7th 2011 8:44PM I lost a laptop, a super sharp cam corder, and old running shoes; I cannot truthfully
blame TSA, but when I find their stupid little tag telling me that they inspected my bag,
I have my doubts as to their true effectiveness. Now we are being told that "certain
people" are having explosives inserted into their body for detonation later somewhere!
If this is true__just start imposing ethnic profiling! We do not need most of these
people in the USA just because they feel the need to shop at TARGET & Macy's.
The really bad thing is that this so-called position allows the TSA to use all of their
tricks to mess up our trips with guise of protection for all of us. I don't see other
countries being so kind as to allow mass entry.....STOP IT!
JSM
Penélope Cruz Talks Beauty, Life and Celebrity {Stylelist (Main)}
May 24th 2011 6:15PM I am a 73 yr man. When I first saw Ms Cruz in "Capt Corelli's Mandolin", I thought. "She is beautiful and a professional dancer". Well, I got both right and when she married, I
prayed for their happiness and now they have a baby boy! Bless you both and be a model
to all women, you are wonderful!
Smokescreen
The "TSA Pokey Pokey" {Gadling}
May 22nd 2011 5:57PM This letter is for BIZU, RON, and RICHARD.
The "pat down" is really nonsense, but I endure it just to say, "TSA Top Guys, you are
so far behind in detection that it is hilarious!" I have more than a million miles in the
air and I am 73. The X-ray machine is dangerous; ask your dentist about newer, non-
cumulative picture devices. So, I see 1st Class & whatever the Special People claim
to be, going through lines that have only metal detectors__this is LAX! I opted for a
"pat down" and I got it; that TSA guy was so nervous , he just about wet his drawers
and I did not engage in friendly conversation. I told him what was on my mind about
this crap and suggested that he inform his superiors. At same time, I see a Muslim
woman being routed through detecter and a female TSA daintily touching her clothes,
but not even getting near her head scarf. I asked, " why?" Reply__"we are not supposed
to offend their religious beliefs". Horse crap! I replied in loud voice; "we need a little
more profiling in place, particularly on East Coast where Middle Eastern and African
persons enter USA".
You three guys obviously believe whatever Uncle Sam wants you to believe, so behave
like sheep and follow the leader. Do you have any idea how many so-called "important
people" are already in possession of ID papers that permit passage without inspection?
I listened to a Congressman's staffer announce that he was so-and-so and was late
in getting aboard the plane__quick glance and he was gone! That incident took place in
San Diego Airport Commuter Terminal. So, you be good USA sheep, I will be a not
so easily fooled man and just put up with the drill and waste of time and all the other
jazz that goes with it. After your TSA inspection, traveling starts to be fun!
Smokescreen
TSA Considering Major Airport Security Shakeup {AOL Travel News}
Mar 3rd 2011 5:01PM Mr Pistole had better take a serious look at treating all of the passengers with equal diligence; i.e., why
do 1st Class & Business Class in LAX have only a metal detector in International Security? Why do the
Muslim women avoid anybody touching their head pieces,
or serious contact with their robes/clothing, but guys like me (73 yrs & (5) full passports of travel
have to be kicked around just because we cannot afford
a better seat?
Also___I hear that certain levels of people in GOV &
military will be issued special passes to skip the
security line altogether! I am sure that eventually
this will boil down to ordinary people who can afford the pass will be issued one____A real STATUS Item.
Re the Xray machines; if these are so darn good, why do we ahve to empty our pockets of everything including handkechiefs and paper money? You leave Japan and you do not have to remove shoes, jacket, or
belts; just coins/metal. I asked Security person why
the sudden change; "We have ways of knowing what you have" which tells me that somebody knows somebody in
Homeland Security and the machines were a payback for
extreme help to the Administration, so they got the contract.
Try to be honest with yourself
Why Did TSA Pat Down Kids, Adults Getting Off Train? {AOL Travel News}
Mar 1st 2011 9:02AM This is a scene right out of the NAZI theme movies and it seems to be getting worse! If TSA is so insistant re searches, stick to the Detectors; they work. Re the MUSLIM people__you live in this country, you live by our laws__not yours. everybody coming to USA should have to sign a declaration agreeing to live like an American in America__not some other spot in the world.
All of you characters (sheep) that support TSA with remarks of "if you don't like it, don't fly or ride
train"; what a bunch of timid creatures. This is our
nation__not a foreign club. I still say; if the TSA
ever tried to insist on searching members of the
OBAMA family, there would be Hell to pay! I think that our President is doing a good job, but SOMEBODY
had to razzle dazzle that ex-FBI guy into this high
level job and he is having a wonderful time at it.
John MOurnian
Alaska Rep Refuses TSA Airport Pat-Down, Takes Ferry Instead {AOL Travel News}
Feb 22nd 2011 4:11PM I hate to rain on your parade, but this is what will probably happen; the Alaska representative has now ignited a fuse and before the blast goes off (in Washington), she and all other high placed individuals will be issued special cards negating the need for BOTH the X-ray AND the Patdown. I've already witnessed it in LAX, plus a Muslim woman was excused
from removing her head covering BECAUSE ("TSA agent_
we don't want to offend her religion"). Who the hell
lives in this country? If a person comes to this country (USA), he/she should be made to live like the average American. If we go to their country, we MUST
abide by their laws or suffer possible consequences.
I travel to Africa and Asia quite often, so my comments are not without validation.
SmokeScreen
Alleged U.S. gun smuggler schmoozes his way past TSA - guns exported to the UK {Gadling}
Jan 26th 2011 2:34AM I do not know about guns except I would not try to carry one in carry on luggage. As I read it, you can carry in checked luggage, but you have to declare them; is that correct?
I do not like TSA for a few simple reasons that include the Xray, shoes and belt crap, and the coats removal. Just big inconveniences and if you go to Japan, leave; they tell you right up front; not necessary to remove such items or use Xray_they have better devices.
John Mournian
