Re: Congressman Ed Markey Wants Security Researcher Arrested

[Drsolly <drsollyp () drsolly com>]

On Fri, 27 Oct 2006, Gregory Hicks wrote:

> > Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2006 22:25:14 +0100 (BST)
> > From: Drsolly <drsollyp () drsolly com>
> > To: Fergie <fergdawg () netzero net>
> > Subject: Re: [funsec] Congressman Ed Markey Wants Security Researcher Arrested
> > Cc: funsec () linuxbox org
> >
> > On Fri, 27 Oct 2006, Fergie wrote:
> >
> > > This is... priceless.
> > >
> > > Via 27B Stroke 6.
> > >
> > > [snip]
> > >
> > > Congressman Edward Markey (D-Mass.) wants the federal government to
> > > arrest security researcher Christopher Soghoian for creating the
> > > Northwest Airline Boarding Pass Generator, a site which lets anyone
> > > create a facsimile of a Northwest Airlines boarding pass. Soghoian
> > > hoped to spur Congress to look closely at the nation's aviation
> > > security policies, which he calls "security theater."
> > >
> > > Instead, Markey, a member of the House Homeland Security committee,
> > > wants the site shut down and Soghoian arrested.
> > >
> > > "The Bush Administration must immediately act to investigate, apprehend
> > > those responsible, shut down the website, and warn airlines and
> > > aviation security officials to be on the look-out for fraudsters or
> > > terrorists trying to use fake boarding passes in an attempt to cheat
> > > their way through security and onto a plane," Markey said in a
> > > statement. "There are enough loopholes at the backdoor of our passenger
> > > airplanes from not scanning cargo for bombs;
> >
> > Oh? I didnt know that. Wouldn't it be a good idea to start doing that?
> >
> > By the way, was it wise of the House Homeland Security committee to reveal 
> > this information?
>
> Of *COURSE* it was wise to reveal this info!  They need to be seen
> DOING *SOMETHING*.  I mean, it *IS* Theatre, is it not?  

Well, yes, I understand that. But as well as all the theatre, mightn't it 
be a good idea to check cargo for bombs? Before it occurs to someone 
naughty to put a bomb in there? I mean, I know it's a stretch, but it 
might just occur to them, no?

I am *so* glad that I don't fly to America any more!

_______________________________________________
Fun and Misc security discussion for OT posts.
https://linuxbox.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/funsec
Note: funsec is a public and open mailing list.