Land Mines Aren't Allowed

Venomous Kate wonders what this soldier was thinking.

The Associated Press, reports that a U.S. soldier was kicked off a flight after screeners found an inert land mine was found in his luggage.

I think the TSA may have overreacted here. I asked Phil Carter, of Intel Dump, if an "inert land mine was dangerous. Phil replied:

There’s not really much detail in the story, so I can’t tell what the guy was carrying. My guess is that he was carrying a “training” M18A1 Claymore land mine, because those are sometimes called “inert”. In reality, they’re not just inert – they’re just toys. A “training” Claymore is a blue plastic replica of an actual Claymore – it contains no explosive material whatsoever, and could not be made into an actual Claymore. It does have wires and a detonator like an actual Claymore, but those are for training soldiers how to do the 11 steps necessary to employ such a device.

So…this is like keeping a guy off a flight who carries a blue plastic toy pistol, or anything else. I think the soldier was probably dumb to carry the device in his luggage, as opposed to shipping it. But the TSA people probably didn’t know what they were dealing with either.

I don't see what is wrong with putting what amounts to a toy into stowed luggage. Sgt Hook strongly disagrees, saying that this Sgt Moron, "embarassed the United States Army and the Noncommissioned Officers Corps."

Comments

[dick enright]

From: "Winfried Danke"
Date: Tue Sep 14, 2004 10:14:22 AM US/Eastern
To:
Cc:
Subject: Re: Land Mine Letter
Reply-To:

Dear Mr. Enright,

Thank you for contacting us. Please forgive this belated reply to your email, which I read with great interest. I am a Rotarian myself and wholeheartedly agree with you that Rotary International could be a significant force in worldwide landmine action. In fact, there have been attempts made within Rotary to elevate this issue, for example, through a Rotary landmine action conference, which was conducted in Seattle in 2002 in partnership with the U.S. Department of State. Our Foundation had a significant presence at that conference. These efforts are ongoing and I just learned that landmine action will again be prominently featured at next year’s Rotary convention in Chicago. Are you in any way connected with this group of concerned Rotarians? I would be happy to put you in touch with the local lead organizer, if you wish.

As far as your letter is concerned for which you requested our feedback, I understand that you contacted Rotary International (RI) to be sure to conform with their requirements as to format and key information that should be provided. Our Foundation would enthusiastically welcome Rotary leadership in landmine action and we would be honored to partner with Rotary in this regard. In fact, we have done so already with several local clubs.

Based on our experience of working with landmine survivors and other amputees in developing countries, I urge you to broaden your letter to RI by also including “victims assistance”. Clearly, technical modifications of landmine designs that deactivate the device after a certain length of time, mechanical Demining, and advocacy are important in order to reduce the threat of landmines. However, the sad truth is that based on estimates of the International Committee of the Red Cross (1995) there are already more than 110 million anti-personnel mines deployed today in 64 countries worldwide. According to the 2002 Landmine Monitor Report, every year an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 men, women and children become victims of landmines. The same report estimates that worldwide there are currently more than 300,000 landmine survivors. Regrettably, the medical needs of these amputees, including their prosthetic treatment, are ongoing. When disability strikes, it is for life. In other words, even if there were a major push to reduce the threat of landmines worldwide through landmine detection and removal, we will still have to care for the wounded for years to come. That is why I urge you to include victims assistance in your proposal to RI.

I applaud you for bringing the issue of landmine action to Rotary’s attention. It is important that the leadership hear from its members that we are truly concerned about the devastating impact that landmines have on the lives of hundreds of thousands of individuals and families, most of whom are innocent civilians. Please let me know how I can help you in your efforts to garner support from RI for this incredibly important issue.

Best regards,

Winfried
--
Winfried Danke
Executive Director
Prosthetics Outreach Foundation
400 E. Pine St., Ste. 225
Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 726-1636 (t)
(206) 726-1637 (f)
www.pofsea.org

“Helping the Developing World Walk Again”

-----Original Message-----
From: Richard Enright [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2004 9:16 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Fwd: Land Mine Letter

POFSEA
Mat I get your opinion on this?
Thank You

Begin forwarded message:

From: Richard Enright
Date: Thu Sep 2, 2004 11:52:34 AM US/Eastern
To: [email protected]
Subject: Fwd: Land Mine Letter

Begin forwarded message:

From: Richard Enright
Date: Thu Sep 2, 2004 11:20:43 AM US/Eastern
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Land Mine Letter

Dear Bob:
My name is Dick Enright from the Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club. I have
served as President of the Club and a charter member.
I have contacted Rotary International in regards to to proposal I have
E-mailed you regarding a pro-active program for land mine construction and
destruction. A Mr. Graham Rush [email protected] has explained to me that
the letter should be sent by either the Club President or preferably the
District Governor.
I would like to ask that you review me letter and forward it on to R.I. if
you are in agreement. If you have any questions or suggestions I would
appreciate talking with you.
I can be reached at 207-693-3588 or 207-465-2501.
Thank you in advance for your consideration.
In Rotary,
Dick Enright

=======================

Begin forwarded message:

From: Richard Enright
Date: Thu Sep 2, 2004 10:16:20 AM US/Eastern
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Rotary International Program Land Mines

Dick Enright September 2, 2004
223 Perley Rd.
Naples, Maine 04055

President Glenn Estess
R.I. Board of Directors
Rotary International
1560 Sherman Ave.
Evanston, Ill 60201

Ref: Rotary Program Land Mine Construction and Destruction

Dear President Estess and Board of Directors:

I would like to ask that Rotary International take a leadership role and
active partnerships with respect to land mine destruction and construction
for humanitarian reasons. Although Rotarians have offered assistance to
victims after the conflict is over, the damage to families and there
livelihood continues. R.I. has an opportunity to offer a significant and
pro-active participation in the prevention of damage do to future use of
land mines.

Our international status, global presence in membership, ability to
collaborate and members in important leadership roles offer a worthwhile
humanitarianopportunity. We have available a "brain trust "of brilliant
Rotarians worldwide that would welcome the opportunity to assist in this
program.

GENERAL OUTLINE:

1.) Pro-active policy drafted and adopted by Rotary International to provide
humanitarian assistance.

2.) To authorize the the existing Rotary organizations working on the land
mine issue to investigate pro-active methods for policy change and
mechanical disarming of mines:

a.) Future land mine construction with a life expectancy or self destroying
device. This can be very simply part of the engineering of the device such
that the device is of no value after the conflict is over.

b.) Land mine fields to be cleared with a mechanical vehicle capable of
withstanding the mine detonation and operated by remote control so no
personnel are in danger. A global positioning instrument would be used to
insure 100% saturation.

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration of this important
issue.

Yours truly,

Dick Enright Past President (2)
Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club