A federal anti-terror law that requires longshoremen, truckers and others to submit to criminal background checks has ensnared another class of transportation worker — mule drivers.
Mule skinners must abide by federal law and apply for Transportation Worker Identification Credentials, TSA says.
Yes, so-called mule skinners — in this case, seasonal workers who dress in colonial garb at a historical park in Easton, Pa. — must apply for biometric Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWIC), according to the Transportation Security Administration, which says it is bound by federal law.
The requirement has officials of the Hugh Moore Historical Park perplexed.
“We have one boat. It’s pulled by two mules. On a good day they might go 2 miles per hour,” said Sarah B. Hays, the park’s director of operations.
The park’s two-mile canal does not pass any military bases, nuclear power plants or other sensitive facilities. And, park officials say, the mules could be considered weapons of mass destruction only if they were aimed at something resembling food…
Each of the park workers on the canal boat – who already are Coast Guard certified [an older bureaucracy] – will have to spend $100 apiece for appropriate biometric ID and background check.
Adolf Hitler would love to live in the US: everyone has papers.
Pay the money and get the cert. BFD.
Gotta love run away government.
You have to consider the TSA’s view. To them a mule is like a camel and camels are the main transportation of terrorist. If the TSA were smart they’d station an agent with each mule in the united states that way no mule could be flown into a building and exploded.
#2 Yeah, $100 is no BFD, until you realize this is probably not an isolated case. There are probably thousand of people that are going to pay $100 for no good reason.
Then consider this is but one stupid rule, among thousands. How much money are we wasting on BS like this, that provides no value to anyone.
Welcome to big government. Welcome to the People’s Republic of America.
We must win the global war on mules.
If the government is going to “require” these things, shouldn’t the government be reqired to pay for these things? Here’s a few suggested sources: hoards of money constantly sent to Israel, money from war efforts, Nancy Pelosi’s salary
well that guy in the photo does look a bit suspicious…
Maybe we need a new Czar of Common Sense? He could hand out dope-slaps to anyone who would try to enforce laws in stupid situations like this. He’d be real busy though.
I’d pay a 100$ for one of those ID’s. Bet you can get through security at the airport a lot faster with one.
As a disgruntled citizen, I’ve already sent a complaint letter to Pres. Obama about the TSA. Seems like every time I want to fly commercial, the scanner goes off due to titanium in my legs. Even with a Biometrics X-Ray credential w/picture, I’ve been strip searched every time.
Screw the TSA and every freakin’ moran that works for them. And a pox on GWB for ever instituting that crap brainless lame-a$$ agency in the first place. Now that GWB is a private citizen, I urge him to take a flight anywhere in the US. Since he can’t speak well, maybe some TSA moran will subject him to degradation. Remember, he only has 10 years of Secret Service protection.
I never wish ill will on anyone, but I can make an exception in this case. We can only hope.
# 8 Mojo Yugen said, He could hand out dope-slaps to anyone who would try to enforce laws in stupid situations like this.
Is that like a DiNozzo slap?
For anyone who thinks I have a man love crush on Bush II for his policies have to look no further than the bullshit in this article.
While I love lower taxes and less spending I abhor giving up any of our freedoms for the crap that the Patriot Act took away.
I want to smear jelly and cordite all over my body and walk through an airport to my plane while carrying a cooler full of bottled water and a couple of old fashioned pocket knives be it is my right as an American. Not wait in some line because some slow witted furball thinks I am carrying a nuclear weapon because of the size of my dick so they can strip search me.
Screw’em and the horse (mule) they rode in on.
TSA that is.
Dielsel==I don’t know what the f&ck you are spazing on, but I “sense” that I agree. Too bad singular, and even collective, action can’t affect the dead weight that is our Federal Government.
Pick a goal, stumble in error towards it.
I sense your goal is magnificent. Stumble on!!!!
# 9 amodedoma said, “I’d pay a 100$ for one of those ID’s. Bet you can get through security at the airport a lot faster with one.”
Betcha can’t.
I wonder if the TSA budget comes close to offsetting the war in Iraq? Hmmmmmmmm.
Right now Osama bin Laden is riding on the back of a mule without the appropriate TSA identification.
What the news reporters don’t tell you is that the boat operators (captains) are required to be trained, certified and licensed by the Coast Guard for the safety of the passengers. At a minimum they would have to have a license with an operating in an inland waterway endorsement (lowest level). Meaning they are licensed in any inland waterway in the US. There is a reason behind all this and it is for the safety of everyone. As we all know don’t believe half of what you read or hear on the news. They only tell you their slant or half the truth. It’s called making news not reporting it…
#14
Damn, then what good is it? If these security schemes are gonna work they’re gonna have to motivate people to use them. They ought to have an express line for people checking in with them, then everyone would want one.
It’s funny but I don’t feel any safer than before all these security schemes were in place. My next passport will be biometric, whether I like it or not, but are we really more secure? Probrably not, but at least they’re doing something – they’re keeping more and more info on us all the time.
#13 bobbo
I went off on a rant because I sick to death of the stupid people running the government.
While having USCG license to operate a boat on a US waterway is a good idea, idiots from TSA requiring you to have an ID to tend a mule while it tows a boat due to security reasons isn’t.
I can see it now. “Do you have a license for that mule?? I need to check its carbon emissions.”
I’m with you Diesel and Bobbo
I don’t see the reason that TSA must license all Captains in inland waters. Why?
If a terrorist wanted to use a craft on inland waters they sure the hell wouldn’t care if they had a “TSA license” before setting off.
Why do they do it?
Because they can.
“Why do they do it because they can.” about sums it up. I’m not sure these people could get anywhere that matters with their canal boat and mules. A national security issue this is not.
The people and laws that are supposed to protect us become so oppressive that in the end they rank near the top on the list of those that harm us.
Thank you Congress.
Blame Bush for pushing the idea but your Congress critters most likely voted for it.
They all have to be on the band wagon even if its a one way trip to bleep!
I can see the Coast Guard requiring the boat captain to have a license — wasn’t it blogged here just last year that half the elderly passengers on a small sightseeing boat drowned when it capsized in a small lake? If I recall correctly, the “captain” of that boat was a part-time worker filling in for the regular guy, and wasn’t licensed.
But requiring the mule tenders to submit to security checks is a bit beyond the pale. Does this apply to bus, cab and truck drivers? What about limo drivers? Pedi-cab drivers? Amusement park ride operators? What about Meals On Wheels volunteers? Will I need a license to give a kid a ride in a wagon or drive a friend to the airport?
A hundred bucks may be no big deal–unless that’s about all you make in a week’s time. These are seasonals and probably make minimum wage.
So when are we going to have the ride operators at Disneyland and Universal Studios certified with a TWIC? How about New York cab drivers–now talk about having weapons of mass destruction!!!