Ban Carry On Luggage!

Forgotten KISS Foils Mass Murder Over Atlantic

If the terror cells involved in the recently revealed plot to bring down ten airliners flying from Britain to the U.S. had only kept it simple, and stupid (KISS) they most likely would have succeeded. A smaller cell with fewer outside connections choosing to bring down fewer aircraft might still succeed - and soon!


Greed & Corruption An Obstacle To The Solution

Why do airline companies still allow onboard luggage? They do so because they want to keep passengers happy. Congress, and the Executive Branch are so utterly corrupt that even after 9-11 they yielded to the airline industry lobby, and have never passed a long overdue ban on carry on luggage.


Solution Expensive But Effective

Installing laptops, and cell phones on the back of every airline seat will allow passengers to surf the Internet, watch movies, listen to music, make phone calls, send and fetch email, play video games, use chat services, shop online, and even work while inflight. Airlines have an opportunity to keep passengers more connected, better informed, and better entertained, while simultaneously keeping passengers safer than ever before.

If carry on luggage is banned the airline companies would be expected to provide:

• Food, and beverages.
• Diapers, baby food, and baby formula.
• Common over the counter remedies.
• A bombproof stow for medicines brought onboard.
• Other items which passengers may need.

Airports would be expected to replace lost luggage, and contents (within reason) on the spot. There is a trade off of convenience, and cheaper airline tickets in the bid to gain greater security, but it is a trade most would agree to make.

In the long run banning carry on luggage will better secure the industry from devastating terrorist incidents which have rocked the industry in the past. If terrorist had been able to blow up ten aircraft, and thousands of lives had been lost in the process the cost to the airline industry would have been enormous. There is little doubt that industry executives would have rushed to Congress, and the White House in an attempt to "save the industry" by securing federal handouts in the billions of dollars. This simply can not be the way society deals with terrorism. Taxpayers must pry their corrupt representatives fingers out of lobbyist pockets long enough to pass legislation which will force the airlines to increase security at airports, and in the skies. Banning carry on luggage is a necessary first step.

Am I the only one to wonder how it is possible that five years after 9-11 that we have to worry about terrorist blowing up aircraft with sports drinks?

Is anyone else as disgusted with this as much as I am?

The Roman Catholic Sin of Contraception?

I had an opportunity to visit Blessed Sacrament Church recently, and picked up a church bulletin - the kind they give out on Sundays.

I'd read about the increasing numbers of baby boomers "returning to the church", but not exactly on the church's terms. Baby boomers while returning to church service are far less likely to agree with those in charge than in the past. Yet the desire to reconnect is real, and so the rise in attendance.

Would I ever go back?

I began skimming through the bulletin when I discovered a two page article on the evils of contraception.

No folks we're not discussing abortion, but contraception (i.e., the big bad birth control pill). Seems that the birth control pill is responsible for: Divorce, Child Abuse, Marital Infidelity, Sex Addiction, the dehumanization of women, Genocide, and exploitation of the developing nations at the hands of the U.N.

Not only that but the birth control pill has led to men not seeing their wives as sacred creators of life - just sex devices. The birth control pill has led to the destruction of the connection between women, and their true spirituality.

As I read this anti-contraception propaganda I recalled how I always felt whenever I would watch snippets of news on Pope John Paul II when he would visit some poor nation. He'd always include in his pontifications to the masses that birth control was sinful. I always felt it was insane that anyone would encourage starvation, and poverty by preaching to poor people about the evils of birth control.

After reading that utter nonsense about the evils of the birth control pill I'm more convinced than ever that I made the right decision years ago to stop attending Mass.

Yes, being raised Catholic makes it almost impossible for me not to feel guilt in saying anything critical of the church, but the fact is the Catholic Church needs to reform.

I know that studies show that the vast majority of Catholics in the U.S. don't agree with Rome's stance on birth control, but it is really sad to see all the resources being wasted by the church in its attempt to convince people that using the birth control pill is sinful.

My BSS Roll Call

Dave, of The11thhour posted his BSS Role Call inspired by a Blessed Sacrament School related post by thirtywhat - so being a big copy cat I'm doing likewise:

• Mrs. Heckler (K)
• Sister Marie (1)
• Extremely nice woman (not a nun) (2)
• Sister Francetta (3)
• Mrs. Lockmiller (4)
• Mrs. Thread (5)
• Mrs Curtin (6)
• Mrs. Larson (7)
• Mr. Shriner (8)

Note: 7th, and 8th may be in reverse order - spent a great deal of time in each class during those two years. Dave, any ideas?

Dairy Queen on Macarthur Destroyed

On the way home last Friday evening I noticed that the Dairy Queen on South Macarthur Blvd has been destroyed. Its remains still lay scattered about within the confines of some do not cross tape as of Monday evening.

I took some photographs, which I may post soon. Not much to look at really. I very much wanted that little business to return. I guess it's just another part of Springfield, Illinois history now.

Who mourns for the DQ?

I do!

That's who!