National Security...In The First Place, Is It Around?
By skysuccess
@skysuccess (8857)
Singapore
February 18, 2010 2:35pm CST
Just read a disturbing news of how a Texan, Joseph A Stack, a software engineer who had been having ongoing feud with the Internal Revenue Service; finally decided to call it a day in a more dramatic and memorable way.
HE PILOTED HIS PLANE INTO THE ECHELON BUILDING NEXT TO AN FBI OFFICE WHICH HOUSES THE INLAND REVENUE SERVICES, killing himself and injuring two others.
How could this have happened?
This incident has serious questions about the security of the nation and it seems like the lesson of 911 has not done anything to improve the current measures and protocols against unconventional air attacks.
Seriously, I felt that there are still people in the office that are sleeping and just have not awaken from the 911 disaster.
Who do you think is responsible? CIA? Homeland Security?
Read more:
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1252040/Plane-slams-building-Texas.html
1 person likes this
4 responses
@cloudwatcher (6861)
• Australia
19 Feb 10
I do not know enough about the individual or the internal workings of security, etc to comment on that aspect, but must agree that Mr Stack is responsible for his own actions.
I do query the flight path of the plane. Surely this would have been in a no flight area and would have aroused official action long before the crash? Was the plane spotted? Was any action taken? If the plane was NOT challenged, it would arouse questions of security measures.
@LetranKnight25 (33117)
• Philippines
19 Feb 10
The only place i now that there's no fly zone restricted airspace is those in the White house and I've watch a the news about the plane that crossed there and the person got arrested by that.
1 person likes this
@skysuccess (8857)
• Singapore
19 Feb 10
cloudwatcher,
I cannot help but recall a mention of a more stringent measure towards the monitoring of sensitive flight paths after 911.
So, like you I am also wondering like you about the plane's flight path and security of private airports in the States. I just hope that it is a one off incident and that it was some bums sleeping on the job.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
21 Feb 10
I believe that in some situations if someone is determined to do something that is illegal and that they know they really shouldn't be doing, they are going to achieve the goal that they have no matter what is done to try to stop them. Granted when the Homeland Security discovered what was happening with him they could have made an attempt to stop his action, but would it have really been effective? That is the question to which we will never know the answer.
1 person likes this
@skysuccess (8857)
• Singapore
22 Feb 10
dorannmwin,
I feel that's the reason why law enforcements and security agencies should be equal to the task, be the threat be one of foreign and/or all the more a domestic one.
I just do not see how this episode could not be avoided and I am still of opinion that somebody(s) sleeping on the job. And this is bad, especially when we've just experienced and dealing with the tragic 911.
Speaking about Homeland Security, if we still can witness another plane crash into a building, be it terrorism or domestic aggression - then it is only fair to say that this setup has failed in its security efforts to protect the United States against perceived internal and external threats period. I mean think what the damages would have been if the plane was loaded with kilos of C4 or plastics instead of accelerators?
We just cannot be complacent especially now.
@xfahctor (14113)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
18 Feb 10
No one is responsable except for Joseph Stack. there is no security measure that could have stopped this, other than measures that severly restrict travle in a most unconstitutional way and that is something that is simply not acceptable.
Of course the media and some in government (big suprise) are already using this incident to call for greater security measures at small private air strips, who didn't see that comming? And now they are painting this guy as some sort of anti-government nut. While he mayu have been an unstable nut, the suposed manifesto that has apeard on the internet in his name is suspect to me. I don't totaly buy this end of things yet, it is just too convenient given the politcal climate in this country. Another thing that is EXTREMELY suspicious to me is that there were already fire trucks and hazmat trucks near by BEFORE the crash even occured. Now that may well just be coincidence and they may have been there for another reason, but again....it is just too convenient.
1 person likes this
@skysuccess (8857)
• Singapore
18 Feb 10
Hi x,
Nice of you to drop by.
I do agree that this individual is indeed responsible himself but I just feel that it is unfair for the media to paint him as some anti government dissident and that the IRS is being equally culpable here. For the feud to end up like this, just speaks volumes here.
On the hindsight, I felt that security agencies should have some responsibility here where they have the technologies that could have enabled to pick up the signs of imminent danger when he has openly declared his threats in his website and his questionable flight path leading to the crash.
Also, I think there's some cover up somewhere where there's no mention of casualty numbers.
@LetranKnight25 (33117)
• Philippines
19 Feb 10
Hello sky,
I believe for sure, that NO ONE had suspect that this will happen, most specially if the person is an American. probably he won't even do it if 9/11 didn't happen, that's for sure.
i feel pity for this man, most specially those he tried to kill. must have been hard for him too loose a business. @skysuccess (8857)
• Singapore
19 Feb 10
LetranKnight25,
I am wondering if this incident could be avoided if the people at IRS had cut some slack for this man, taking in consideration just how challenging it is during these times have been.
No offense but high handedness is nothing unfamiliar with people with authority. Sad but true.
