Hard Data on Port security at link. Thanks to Sandy in Seattle from Tuesday (God was it only last Tuesday seems months ago) Tony Snow Thread.
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/fact_sheets/2004/factsheet_container_security.xml
If any of you happen to come across defeniative word about the the "Scanning means reading the manifest" data would you post it on the Rush Limbaugh or Sunday Threads? Since the statement was reported, the facts are now hazy. Did he mean 100% at the Airports? Could they been talking about the Airports with the Ports seeming to be the next stage under development? Unfortuanely with work so hectic, it is hard to do as much reading as I would like. Been trying to make the people who post stuff DOCUMENT more of it so I can keep it on hand.
Well I can go to bed now. Talk to you all later :-)
It seems to be time to start the COUNTDOWN. It is exactly 26 Hours and 25 minutes until the next episode of "24". It is a special two hours long beginning at 8PM Eastern time. Be there or be square.....
Of the balance of the containers (those deemed to be outside of the "identified as posing a terrorist risk"), we don't know how many are X-ray and radiation scanned.
This conclusion is at odds with your assertion, "We scan 100% of the containers coming into the US for radiation all ready."
Cargo Container Security - U.S. Customs and Border Protection Reality
(10/20/2004)Myth: Only a small number of the containers that come into the seaports are inspected.
Summary of Reality:
- CBP uses intelligence to screen information on 100% of cargo entering our seaports, and all cargo that presents a risk to our country is inspected using large x-ray and radiation detection equipment.
- Following 9/11, the Administration developed and implemented a smarter strategy to identify, target, and inspect cargo containers before they reach U.S. ports. Anyone can secure a nation by closing its borders and inspect everything and everybody that enters. Closing the borders is not an option.
- None of the security measures implemented as a result of this strategy existed before 9/11.
- The CBP strategy is to rule out potential threats before arrival at our borders and ports. In fact, the security measures now in place allowed us to rule out 94% of the cargo as potential threats prior to arrival. This year, six percent (6 %) of total cargo containers were identified as potential threats and were physically inspected immediately upon arrival. (The percentage will change annually because the inspections are based upon identified risk following intensive screening.) Dramatically increasing physical inspections after arrival is not necessary. It will not appreciably increase our national security. In fact, the type of increase in physical inspections implied by this allegation would cost billions of dollars in resources and cripple not only our economy, but the global economy as well.
Key Facts That Did Not Exist Before 9-11:
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/fact_sheets/2004/factsheet_container_security.xml
- CBP uses intelligence to review information on 100% of all cargo information entering U.S. ports, and all cargo that presents a risk to our country is inspected using large x-ray and radiation detection equipment.
- Following 9/11, under the leadership of President Bush we developed and implemented a smart cargo container security strategy to identify, target, and inspect cargo containers before they reach U.S. ports. Under this strategy:
- All containers, 100%, identified as posing a terrorist risk are inspected using x-ray scans and radiation detection equipment. (i.e. Potential for concealment of terrorist weapons or terrorists.)
- The Administration requires that advance information be given to our border agency, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, about all containers well before they arrive. In fact, the information is required 24 hours before cargo is loaded on to vessels at foreign seaports (24-Hour Rule).
- Containers posing a potential terrorist threat are identified and targeted before they arrive at U.S. seaports by the National Targeting Center (NTC). The NTC was established as the centralized coordination point for all of CBP's anti-terrorism efforts. Prior to 9/11, no national level targeting of people or goods crossing our borders existed.
- NTC uses intelligence and terrorist indicators to review advance information for all cargo, passengers, and imported food shipments before arrival into the U.S.
- NTC coordinates with other federal agencies such as U.S. Coast Guard, Federal Air Marshals, FBI, Transportation Security Administration, and the Departments of Energy and Agriculture, as well as the intelligence community.
- CBP works with our foreign partners to allow U.S. officers working at major international seaports, currently 26, to identify and inspect containers prior to being loaded onto ships destined for the U.S. Container Security Initiative (CSI)
- Under the Administration's leadership, CBP created a public-private and international partnership with over 7,000 businesses, including most of the largest U.S. importers -- the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT). Under this program, legitimate companies that do regular business with the U.S. have increased their own security to prevent terrorists from infiltrating their shipments. (We check not only the company shipping the goods, but also the companies that provided them with any services.)
- Approximately 40% of all cargo headed for the U.S. is transported by C-TPAT partners and is therefore better secured.
- Additional technology has been added, including Radiation Portal Monitors, Isotope Identifiers, and Personal Radiation Monitors. For the first time CBP has added chemical and explosive detector dogs.