Live Blog from the Anchor Desk 01/05/10
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We have breaking news on the security failure at Newark Liberty International Airport over the weekend. It's new evidence the system set up to keep us all safe when we fly simply does not work. Plus, Pres. Obama blasts the intelligence community for failures linked the attempted Christmas Day bombing on a U.S. airliner.
Want to know what else we're covering? Read EVENING BUZZ
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was also a traveler over the holiday. flew into newark airport on new year's eve and while waiting for my ride noticed numerous people entering the terminal from the street. no one was stopped. made me go hmmmmmmm.
I have a number of friends in government agencies, and they basically say that it's impossible to fire anyone. They can be completely incompetent and/or not working, and it would still take an act of God to get the fired.
There needs to be a change to make government workers accountable. They can start by firing all those directly involved for botching up allowing the terrorist onto the flight.
Andeson, excellent point about WHO is accountable for the long list of security failues that have gone on since the White House dinner!
I don't think that Pres. Obama needed to return to WA DC after the failed terrorist attempt. But, i do agree with Paul Begala, at least wear a tie when you do speak to the American people.
I also think that Pres. Obama needed to get all of the info First, before he made a public statement.
Apparently Mr. Obama hit the correct tone today from what i am hearing.
@Bloggers,
Did I just hear that there is a "School" for future 'suicide bombers'?
If so, WHY is it still there?!
Many companies can't communicate effectively internally, much less across companies. This isn't a talent that most US companies/government has included in their culture or cultivated. We need a new set of priorities on communication of important information that cuts through the red tape and gets to the people that can do something about it.
Good Evening Anderson Cooper, Erica and the AC360, CNN and fellow bloggers.
Bloggers,
I agree all of you, It is very serious problem all the country airports must required to check-in without failing to check. and I think CIA and Homeland Secretary had missed few lists (no-fly) named. They would be more aware to check it out. or they will be fired.
Hello everyone. I appreciate that the President is taking a multi-pronged approach to our security problems. I don't like reactionary decisions and blustering from leaders.
Could it have come sooner? I suppose. But on the other hand to jump out and yell anything close to "the sky is falling" would only open the Pres. up for vollies from his political opponents if he didn't have a complete, thorough picture of all that went wrong.
What was the security breach at Newark airport? What did the guy actually do?
It shouldn't be just cameras set up to catch him. Weren't there nearby security agents? How did they know he had breached security and why didn't they chase him down?
Okay, President may or may have not been late with his speech BUT what is his PLAN? Where is the action plan to hold people in power accountable someone needs to be FIRED immediately.
Great panel discussion here!
That Paul Beglia got it right on the nose!
Thats what was missing!
Love your show Anderson. President should have come back from vacation to address terrorist attempt.
Hi everyone!
@Emily,
"I'm surprised that there are not inspectors that go around on a regular basis to check them out...daily at different times!"
I think the elevators are checked more often than these cameras!
@Mike, formerly from Syracuse,
Lets hear all the names of people that should be held accountable!
No one wants to take responsibility is seems!
@Emily,
"WHY is there Still a failure to communicate between the different agencies? This was one of the main problems of 9/11 !!"
Wasn't that one of the issues addressed in the 911 hearings? Who was in charge of making sure that was happening?
when you think about it, this can be a problem too when you decide to go shopping in a large shopping mall. Could kill at least 300 or more people just like a attack on a plane.
Having the information and not use it or do not know how to use it is a terrible mistake!
If you think "taking responsibility" means someone stepping down or being fired Anderson, then tell me this, who stepped down or was fired after September 11?
I just missed something. Why is HRC responsible for this mess?
Jack, Long Island, NY
YES! I agree with you...... You have taken good point.
" not the time to point fingers"... Hummm... 911 anyone?
@Jo Ann,
I'm surprised that there are not inspectors that go around on a regular basis to check them out...daily at different times!
Anderson, there is an acting director for the TSA; who is it?
Good Evening Anderson & Randi, how do they train the security employees at the airport? At MSP they have so many employees that work at the airport which would lead me to believe that there are many places to enter the airport and many opportunities to have the system fail. Just curious what the standard protocol for each airport.
Just this past september, a honeymooning wayne policeman got thru security at newark with his gun and hollowpoint bullets... it wasnt unti he reached mexico that his service weapon was detected and he was arrested by the mexican police... the TSA had no comment as to how he could have gotten thru security at newark.
The story was in the bergen record
Re: Newark – where was the TSA agent who should be sitting in those areas – ? Will s/he be disciplined for not stopping someone going the wrong way?!
Good evening everyone. So, some security cameras at Newark went not recording when the person slipped through security Sunday evening. How many other airports have malfunctioning video cameras? I’m losing faith in the security at our airports. Thank goodness the holidays are over and I won’t be flying any more for a few months.
@Jack, Long Island, the more likely reason isn't a vast right wing conspiracy, but rather Administration incompetence.
@Jerry,
"Security breaches at a White House party. Security breaches at aiports. What's next. The buck stops at the top."
Something tells me this president and his administration are being "tested" and they are failing.
For someone who travels a lot. I'm extremely disappointed.
Mike, I agree
Good evening Everybody!
@Sharon Hastings – I totally agree with you! I would call this a comedy of erros, but is't NOT funny.
I have been out all day and haven't heard Pres. Obama's speech today.
WHY is there Still a failure to communicate between the different agencies? This was one of the main problems of 9/11 !!
I thought that they learned from this and had a plan to communicate...that they were talking!
This is all so surprising....
I predict somebody at some agency is gonna get their pink slip before the end of the week.
Hi Anderson and Co.! I'm starting to think it would be a much lesser hassle to just drive or even take a train anywhere these days than fly...
You think people would learn from history that being ill prepared only leads to a collapse.
Shouldn't the maintenance of security cameras be one of the top priorities in airports?
The system didn't fail, individuals failed, and those individuals need to be held accountable.
good evening, Anderson! hello! 360 staff!
why wasn't the camers at Newark not working? are they saving some money? Not fixing when they found out it wasnt working is unacceptable.
I keep saying the same thing... someone who still has control over (or at least the loyalty of) some CIA people are behind these security breaches to discredit the president!
Security breaches at a White House party. Security breaches at aiports. What's next. The buck stops at the top.
Anderson,
Hi!
Hearing of the security breach is frightening–I've been to the Newark airport recently–but the incident really highlights the need to be vigilent at all times, no matter what the location.
All airlines acorss the world need to step it up the security to make it safer for everyone. This isn't just a USA problem, this could be a problem world wide.
Hey everyone: Anderson, David, all at AC360, and all the bloggers.
Newark cameras not working for days! ...just how many days?
That"s awful that they can go for "days" without working!
Helloooo Anderson, Erica, Ed Henry, David Gergen Martina Ilstad, Emily and my friends Twitter/Facebook Bloggers!!!!!
Happy Tuesday night!
Oh boy!!! That is very serious threat at airport in Newark, NJ. That is so crazy day!!! Looks like security breach! OUCH!
Good evening Anderson and all bloggers. What's next? We're starting to look like a laughing stock, security wise.
Good evening Anderson, Erica, Randi, 360 Team, Megan, Martina, Starr, & Bloggers!!!
Lots of breaking news tonight....