Airport Screening: Full Body Scan

In the wake of the December 25, 2009 attempted bombing of a Delta Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Detroit, there is renewed debate over full-body image scans as another method of airport security. Full body scanning is already installed in some airports, including Salt Lake International. The controversial technology, first used in a U.S. airport in 2007, can find hidden objects that metal detectors can't. The Netherlands says it will introduce full-body scans for passengers travelling to the United States in the wake of a plot to bomb a US passenger plane.

Utah Congressman Jason Chaffetz believes there are other forms of technology that can identify explosives without "overly invading our privacy." He hasn't provided information about those technologies, he simply insists they exist.  Chaffetz introduced legislation earlier this year to ban full body scanning as the primary source for airport screening.

Dutch Interior Affairs Minister Guusje Ter Horst said normal procedures were observed at Schiphol on December 25, and that regular metal detectors would not have identified the explosives. She added that full-body scanners would "likely" have prevented the attempted attack, but said it was "impossible to give full guarantees."

"I would say right now we do need full-body scan, especially when you have countries like Nigeria, which have inadequate security, and you have passengers transiting in Amsterdam and coming here," Congressman Peter King told CBS news in an interview. Senator Joe Lieberman, Chairman of Senate Committee on Homeland Security, strongly favoured full-body scan.

The question is: Would you or would you not favor full body scanning at airports?

Did You Know.....

There are over 100 billion galaxies in the universe.

Amber Alert Canceled For 20-Month Old New York Girl

The Amber Alert for a 20-month old New York girl who was abducted by her 13-year old aunt has been canceled. Both were found unharmed.

AMBER ALERT: 20-MONTH OLD NEW YORK GIRL

The NYPD has activated the New York State Amber Alert for Giovonna Vizard. Giovonna is a black female, approximately 1 year 8 months old with brown hair and brown eyes. Giavonna was last seen wearing light blue jeans, a long sleeve pink striped shirt, black Air Jordan sneakers, and a black bubble coat with Rocawear lettering in pink on the back.

Giovanna was at home at 630 St. Lawrence Avenue with her mother and her visiting aunt, Lisa Keitt, a teenager, police said. During the visit, Giavonna's mother left the room. When she came back, the child and aunt were gone, along with the baby's jacket.

The suspect, Lisa Keitt, is approximately 13 years old with short, brown hair and brown eyes. She is approximately 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighs about 115 pounds. She was last seen wearing black stretch pants, a black zip up sweatshirt, white and purple sneakers, and a long black bubble coat.

Anyone with any information on this abduction is asked to call the NYPD at (866)NYS−AMBER or dial 911 to provide information on a report or sighting.

Did You Know.....

Jupiter is larger than 1,000 Earths.

More Federal Workers Receive Six Figure Salaries

The number of federal workers earning six-figure salaries has increased during the recession, according to a USA TODAY analysis of federal salary data.

According to government data, federal employees make almost double what private-sector employees make when benefits such as health care and retirement are included ($119,982 vs $59,909). On average, federal employees earned $71,206 per year, compared to $40,331 in the private sector.

Federal employees making salaries of $100,000 or more increased by 5%, from 14% to 19% of civil servants during the recession's first 18 months.  That's before  including overtime pay and bonuses. The number of federal employees making more than $100,000 has more than doubled in less than two years.

There are now more federal employees making more than $100,000 per year than $40,000 per year.
From December 2007 through June 2009, average federal employee salaries increased by 6.6 percent, while average private-sector salaries increased by 3.9 percent. Federal employees at the top of the pay scale received pay increases of 8.6 percent during that period.

The Transportation Department had only one person earning a salary of $170,000 or more when the recession began.  A year and a half later, 1,690 employees had salaries above $170,000.
Source: USA TODAY

Americans Strongly Favor Religious Displays on Public Lands

According to a recent Rasmussen telephone survey, 76% of adult Americans favor religious displays on public lands. This is up from 74% at this time last year. These adults feel displays like Nativity scenes, Hanukkah menorahs and Muslim crescents sholud be allowed on public land. Only 13% of those surveyed disagreed and 10% are undecided.

Interestingly, only 68% of government workers support permitting religious symbols on public land. 84% of private sector workers support the displays.

Source: Rasmussen

Are You Ready For A Shower?

The 2009 Geminid Meteor Shower will peak on December 13th and 14th this year. It is expected to be the best meteor shower over North America this year. Because of a new Moon, the skies will be perfect for viewing up to 140 meteors per hour!


Maximum activity will occur around 12:10am Eastern Standard Time.

Consumer Spending Still Down From Same Period Last Year

Although economic confidence is up and the job situation is slightly better than last year, consumer spending is down 21% compared to the same period one year ago. Last year, cosumers spent an average of $95 per day. This year consumers are spending an average of $75 per day.




Source: Gallup Economic Weekly

Post Thanksgiving Retail Spending Down From Last Year

According to a Gallup poll, post Thanksgiving retail spending is down 15% from the same period last year. Daily spending by consumers for the six-day period after Thanksgiving, including Black Friday and Cyber Monday, averaged $82 per day. This is down from $96 for the same six-day period in 2008.

You can read more about this poll, including consumer spending habits at:

Post Thanksgiving Retail Spending

Amber Alert Canceled For 14-Year Texas Girl

The State of Texas canceled the Amber Alert late Thursday after the girl was found to be in the custody of San Jacinto County Criminal District Attorney investigator Van Loggins. Loggins had located the girl in Goodrich, Texas. Angela Rodriguez is safe and in good condition and she has been reunited with her family. The suspect remains at large.

She was thought to be in Mexico with her abductor, Joaquin Garcia. There is no word at this time in regards to the suspect.

Amber Alert Canceled For 3-Year Old Texas Boy

The Amber Alert for a 3-year old texas boy has been rescinded. The boy and the suspects son were recovered safe in Houston's 3rd Ward area. The suspect is in custody at this time.

AMBER ALERT: 3-YEAR OLD TEXAS BOY

An Amber Alert has been issued for a missing 3-year old boy from Houston Texas. Andrue Jankwitz, was last seen at 3:30 p.m. Monday in the Sagemont area of southeast Harris County.

The suspect is 31-year-old Ricardo Erasmo Hale. The suspect has a history of drug abuse. Hale also has his 2-year old son with him.

Andrue is believed to be wearing a blue hoodie sweater, blue jeans and Spiderman Crocs shoes. He Hispanic, with brown hair and eyes, and weighs about 40 pounds. Hale's toddler son has brown eyes and black hair and weighs about 30 pounds.

Hale is described as 5-foot-8 and 170 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair, authorities said. He drives a gray 2002 Chevrolet Suburban with a Texas license plate PHX 463.

If you have any information plese call the sheriff's department at 713-967-5810 or 911.