Advanced Imaging Technology Automated Target Recognition
Advanced Imaging Technology Automated Target Recognition – TSA Blog
Automated Target Recognition (ATR) has been making the news a lot lately…So what in the heck is ATR?
TSA and the "audacity of grope"
TSA and the “audacity of grope” – On Liberty (Boston Globe)
By now you’ve probably read all about the TSA’s new screening procedures, which amount to “let us see you naked, or we’ll feel you up.” If you have traveled through Logan airport recently, you’ve probably encountered them live and in person. Even worse, the Department of Homeland Security agency responsible for keeping us safe in the friendly skies has plans to cement the “porno or pat-down” policy and extend it to all U.S. airports.
It May Be Cool, But is it Smart? Further Questions about the Use of the Predator for Border Enforcement
Following my recent posting concerning questions that ought to be asked about the cost-effectiveness of using the Predator for border enforcement purposes, I have heard from several people, and there have been a couple news stories focused on the same theme. Is it smart to deploy a very expensive air platform, like the Predator, no matter how much positive publicity the cool-looking airplane generates for border state politicians? The underlying premise of whether it is “smart” to fly UAVs (like the Predator) for border surveillance missions has NOT been addressed – and it ought to be.
Laser-powered, ground-charged UAV stays aloft for hours
Laser-powered, ground-charged UAV stays aloft for hours – Homeland Security Newswire
A UAV is only as good as its power source: if the drone cannot stay over target for long periods of time and must return to base to refuel. A Seattle-based company has demonstrated that it can use a laser beam to charge the UAV’s photovoltaic cells, generating enough power to keep the drone in the air for hours.
Did U.S. airport security get it right this time?
Did U.S. airport security get it right this time? – Salon.com
In Amsterdam, two men headed from the United States to Yemen were detained after security staff discovered suspicious items in one of the men’s checked luggage. The story began when security screeners at the airport in Birmingham, Ala., discovered watches, cellphones and a bottle of Pepto-Bismol strangely taped together in a suitcase belonging to 48-year-old Ahmed Mohamed Nasser al Soofi, a U.S. permanent resident.
Questions to Secretary Napolitano About Using Predator UAVs for Border Enforcement
The announcement Monday afternoon by DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano that Predator B unmanned aerial vehicles will begin patrolling the skies over American’s Southwest border, funded in part by the latest $600 million infusion of cash from Congress, ought to raise some very serious questions about the manner in which increasingly limited homeland security funds are being spent. If DHS wants to deploy Predator B UAVs, then at least admit that Predators are far more expensive than almost every other alternative – or make the case why this is a better choice. Thus far, the explanations are lacking, and this should not be allowed to continue. When Congress returns, or whenever GAO gets around to it, Secretary Napolitano should be required publicly to address some of the following questions.
Breaking: US investigates potential terrorist test run
Two men arrested in Amsterdam may have been conducting a dry run for a potential terrorist attack, U.S. officials said Tuesday after a cell phone taped to a Pepto-Bismol bottle and a knife and box cutters were found in one of the men’s luggage.
Group says body scanners can store, transfer images
Group says body scanners can store, transfer images – NextGov
The Electronic Privacy Information Center said Tuesday that documents it has obtained show that the body scanners being used at federal courthouses can store and record the images of those scanned with the devices.
Ted Stevens, Sean O'Keefe and a Powerful Gesture
Yesterday’s sad news from Alaska about the tragic plane crash that killed former Senator Ted Stevens and four others, and seriously injured former NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe, his son and two others, brought to mind a chance encounter I had with both men over seven years ago. I’ve thought about it quite a bit since news of the accident first emerged. It was one of the strongest memories I have from my time at NASA – one I feel fortunate to have witnessed first hand. It reminds me that for all of the power and authorities that any one of us gains, in the end, we are all mortal.
Potential Change in the Nature of TSA Enforcement?
Since its inception in 2001, the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) approach to enforcing its rules generally has been a cooperative one. Recognizing the burdens on industry from new security regulations and a difficult economic environment, and understanding that harsh enforcement actions can be counterproductive, TSA generally has sought to educate and train rather than punish. Monetary fines have been uncommon, and serious punishment – steep fines or greater severity – have been rare. While this approach has worked reasonably well, there is reason to believe it will not last forever.
