Gurung had already passed his carry-on baggage through the X-ray machine. In it was later found seven other knives, a can of tear gas, and a stun gun!
Incredibly, Gurung was only charged with a "misdemeanor" for "unlawful use of a weapon" and "trying to board an aircraft with weapons." Both are only "misdemeanors" in Illinois! He was released on bail! Thankfully, Gurung, who is obviously either deranged, or a thwarted would-be terrorist and aircraft hijacker, returned to retrieve his checked baggage, and was re-arrested by the FBI. Apparently, up to seven of the so-called "security" personnel were later dismissed.
Gurung’s explanation was that "he feared for his life" and carried the weapons for his "own protection." A judge ordered Gurung held without bail. In another mind-boggling, incredible development, one Randall Samborn, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s office, said, "The investigation does not seem to reveal an illicit, suspicious or nefarious intent about his trip to Omaha." Nothing suspicious about NINE KNIVES? Nothing illicit (meaning illegal!) when he was found to be carrying a stun gun and tear gas? How can a spokesman for a U.S. Attorney’s office say there was "nothing illicit" here? After all, he broke the LAW! Not only did he break the state law, when he was re-arrested by the FBI he was booked for breaking FEDERAL law, and for committing a Federal felony!
Nothing "nefarious" about his intent? What does it take for the U.S. Attorney’s office to decide something is illicit (he was arrested because he was ILLICITLY trying to board with a bag full of weapons!), or suspicious? Are THESE the people who are "protecting" all of the flying public?
By the way, WHERE ARE THE OTHER SIX OR SEVEN GUYS TO WHOM HE INTENDED PASSING OUT THE WEAPONS?
Presumably, they went their merry way to Omaha, which was the United flight‘s destination. Gurung is a Nepalese. Nepal is about 90% Hindu, and only 3 or 4 per cent Muslim. It was not revealed to which group Subash Gurung belongs, but he was another of the many foreigners inside the US who are here with "expired student visas."
United Airlines hired the private security agency. When U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, who was in Chicago, laid the blame on United, saying it was their responsibility. United said it was its own "aggressive and effective work" by its own employees, rather than the security firm, which prevented the weapons from being carried on board.
As you know, a huge debate raged in the house and senate recently over whether to federalize airport security. The entire concept is ridiculous.
With whom will they replace the private agencies? Does anyone assume there are tens of thousands of skilled security agents; trained in behavioral science, psychology and ethnology, who know how to spot potential weapons, and who are ready to go to work at a moment’s notice?
It is well known that it is almost impossible to fire a federal employee. A slumping economy? Heightened joblessness? A recession? No problem for an employee of a federal bureaucracy — their paychecks just keep coming. Thankfully the government seemed to take the best route, demanding federal supervision of airport security, but retaining private security firms.
The solution? (1) Rewrite the laws which make it a state and federal felony punishable by at least 10 years imprisonment without parole for trying to board an airplane with a weapon.
(2) Deport any and all foreign students currently registered in flight schools anywhere in the United States. But first, obtain extensive personal information, fingerprints, photographs, and background information.
(3) Fire the entire security firm, and fine the owners for such infractions.
(4) Administer "truth serum" (sodium penethol) to such people as Subash Gurung, and make them confess exactly what it was they were up to.
(5) Require that all pilots be trained by the FBI, or appropriate law enforcement agency, in the use of pepper spray, stun guns, and actual firearms, and require that all pilots are armed.
By the way, do you know how far it is from Chicago O’Hare’s airport to the Sears Tower?
Personally, I am forced to wonder about the ethnicity, religion, and statehood of many of the so-called "security" personnel who check passengers. From my experience — and it is extensive, for my wife and I fly perhaps 25 to 30 weekends each year, including 22 takeoffs and landings during the Feast, and I have been a type-rated jet pilot for many years — I wonder about the minimum wage, high-turnover employees at such firms. Most are from minorities, or are from foreign countries! Most Americans will simply not take such a job.
No-one wonders whether or not Bin Laden and his "al Qaida" organization are planning further attacks. One wonders only when and where. But with the obtuse, profoundly stupid statements coming from those involved in the Subash Gurung story, it does not reassure me about all the "heightened security" we are supposed to be experiencing at our nation’s airports.
