The TSA has again proven that high political position is more important than qualifications when it comes to fighting terror.
Let's take Newark Liberty International Airport. You remember, the one where some hijackers did some nasty stuff four years ago. The airport where the Federal Security Director has been shown to do a questionable job. (And the same FSD who, despite his shoddy performance, was given a $20K bonus last year.)
Well, now this incompetent has some high level help. They've just appointed Mark Hatfield as his #2 and heir apparent. Mr. Hatfield has been the PR flack for the TSA for the past year or so, and has proven himself to be an expert in making up any excuse possible when the agency has screwed up.
Which means the guy's been really busy.
Here's the depth of Hatfield's security expertise, direct from a TSA press release:
"...Hatfield's experience in the private sector includes running his own communications consultancy; Vice President of Public Relations for Metiom, Inc., a New York software company; Managing Director for Public Affairs at Burson-Marsteller, a global public relations firm headquartered in New York; Director of Public Affairs for Schmidt/Westerdahl Group, an advertising and public relations firm in Portland, Ore.;
and Director of Advance for The Beach Boys' 'Sea to Shining Sea' tour in 1985. He also served on the national staff of the 1980 and 1984 Reagan presidential campaigns and the 1988 Bush/Quayle campaign. http://www.aviationplanning.com/asrc11.htm