Feeling Secure? Well Don't #5

This is just great. Who is really running the US? Big business is.

Under intense pressure from shipping companies concerned about costly delays, the Coast Guard is tipping off some large commercial ships about security searches that had been a surprise, according to high-ranking Coast Guard officials.

The searches began after the Sept. 11 attacks as part of a major revamping of the Coast Guard and its new antiterrorism mission. But shipping companies say the surprise boardings at sea cause unnecessary delays, costing up to $40,000 an hour.

"We're trying to facilitate commerce and keep the port secure — and sometimes the two conflict," said Capt. Paul E. Wiedenhoeft, who is in charge of the port complex here at Los Angeles and Long Beach. "When possible, we're trying to give shippers as much notice as we can."

So when there's a conflict, forget about that silly port security. Its not like its the Coast Guard's mission to protect our ports or anything. On the otherhand, if they throw stuff overboard it isn't getting into the country. I wonder what's lying on the bottom of the ocean just off our coasts?

BTW, that is not a Photoshopped© image. Isn't that the perfect cutter name?

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