Wednesday, December 30

If they are going to Blame Bush, then where is the blame for Clinton?

As everyone starts looking to point fingers of blame as to how US Security Officials missed the Christmas Day bomber attack, it seems that some would like to point the finger at the Bush Administration as it was during Bush's term that the Nigerian obtained his visa.
Everybody bears responsibility: the Bush administration for not connecting the dots before Sept. 11 and not doing enough in the seven years after to rationalize and improve homeland security; the Congress, under both parties, for blocking necessary changes and failing to demand others; the Obama administration, which has shown little interest until now in reforming what is clearly an inadequate security system. - NY Times
Fine. That is fair. However, one thing that bothers me to this day is that in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks the Clinton Administration got a free pass for any blame. Essentially, the blame for the whole incident was thrown on Bush. This was despite the Clinton Administration issuing visas to Mohammad Attah and the other ringleaders to learn to fly at US flight schools and despite the fact that the Clinton Administration and Democrats in Congress and the Government were weak on terror in general given the number of terror attacks during Clinton's term of office. The terrorists were already in the US by the time Bush took office.

Then there was the asinine 'wall' erected between the FBI and the CIA.
The USA Patriot Act has torn down the so-called wall imposed by Attorney General Janet Reno, a wall that prevented FBI agents from sharing information with each other and with the CIA. - Newsmax
If Bush can get full blame for 9/11 nine months into his Presidency, then Captain Wonderful fully owns whatever happens twelve months into his. (Note: I am currently overseas, not so much looking to flying home given how poorly US Officials determine who might be a threat...)

And things are not going to get any better until the current Administration realizes that terrorists are still going to hate (and target) the US no matter how amazing a President we have.
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Hämeenlinna Provincial Prison - Prison Museum - Photos

Here are some photos of the Prison Museum located in Hämeenlinna, Finland.
The prison museum introduces to the visitors the history of correctional treatment in Finland and the prison life in the past and these days. The most valuable item is the museum building itself with its authentic premises that have been maintained in their original condition since the time when the building still functioned as a prison. The building and the exhibition consist of three floors.

The prison museum functions in the former premises of the provincial prison of Häme. When the building was finished in 1871, it was the first prison in Finland with cells, and it was used until the 1993. The museum was opened to the public in June, 1997. The building was designed by the architect L. I. Lindqvist. The museum features a permanent exhibition and changing exhibitions. - Prison Museum
Photos were taken during our last trip to Finland in March, 2009.













Yes, even prisoners in Finland gt to go to sauna.



Prison Museum

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Sunday, December 27

Quick Thoughts on the Bombing of the Northwest Airlines Passenger Jet to Detroit

As we are just about a week away from flying back home, the bombing of the Northwest Airlines flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit has come up for discussion a couple of times with family over here.

For starters, a couple trips back while I was flying to Finland, the shoe-bomber was busy trying to blow up another plane flying over the Atlantic going in the opposit direction. It was so great to get into our apartment once over here to turn on the TV to see news of his arrest in the US.

Then there is the long-standing irritation of being on one of Homeland Security's watch lists. I found this out in 2005 when one of my co-workers was able to check in online but I could not. At the desk she joked that I was on the no-fly list when the clerk behind the counter looked up (as he was holding on the phone to verify me with my passport data) and stated that I was. I have gone through years of these kinds of delays, almost missing a flight out of Hamburg because they had to send me clear across the airport to a special desk where I needed to get my boarding pass. That was one of a number of incidences where I could get my first boarding pass but could not get a second one for the connecting flight to the US. I have even flown out of Amsterdam Airport, where in addition to problems checking in, someone also thought it best to remove my shaving cream and deodorant from my checked bag.
It did not make sense at the time, but with the news of terror arrests in the UK related to a plot to bomb airplanes over the Atlantic, I now understand why my bag was searched on July 1st.

I spent a week in Amsterdam for a conference. As is normal, when I checked in, KLM had to clear me for the flight because either I or a person with my name is on a no-fly watchlist. This has been going on for years and I am familiar with how each airline deals with it.

When I arrived at JFK, I noticed that the plastic ties I use to close the zippers were removed from two of the pockets. Missing was my deodorant and my shaving cream can.

I can understand confiscating these items from my carry on bag, but they took them out of my checked in bag. - 10 Aug 2006
Normally I am a pretty easy-going person, but the problems at the airports were really getting under my skin. Being forced to use the automatic check-in kiosks by line staff despite telling them that I know I needed to check in in-person. Then having to stand there as they help me a second time assuming that I did something wrong.

This is all the worse for me since I know of no reason why the US, or any Government, would consider me a threat. I have generally assumed that they are searching for another person with a similar name and that they are just flagging all persons with similar names. And I would think that they would know enough about me given that I am an ex Naval Reserve Officer.

Lately, I thought the issue had resolved itself until one of BA's managers came up the isle just before flying out of the US for this Christmas trip. She came straight to my seat and asked: "Mr. Fry?" I responded that I was he and identified the three persons traveling with me as she requested. She then speaks into her radio: "He's onboard. You can load his bags." and then walked off the plane. As far as I could tell, I was the only one who got such special treatment. (The bags of course were first put through the secondary screening at check in.) So at least, I have seen what the US can do, if they are interested in watching what you are doing, both leaving the US and coming back. And they can easily prevent you from coming back if they want to.

So when I see the pure B.S. comments the person who the President put in charge our safety when traveling I get really pissed off:
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Sorry, but political spin is not going to keep terrorists from downing planes. To enlighten a little further how much of a bullshit response Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano's comments are, go watch her comments again and see that the very same statements are equally valid had the terrorist succeeded and destroyed the plan killing everyone on board.

This attack was a total failure of the security measures in place. Al-qaeda managed to bomb a US plane. They only failed in destroying it and that it seems might have been due to an issue not fully in their control, the failure of the bomb's detonator.

In order for the bomber to realize that his detonator was a dud, or that he forgot a very important step, he first needed to get a US visa, which apparently was granted in 2008. Get onboard the plane, given that his name would have been sent to the US in advance and his boarding approved by DHS. Then he needed to get through security with plastic explosives and a detonator stuffed down his pants. That came courtesy of the Amsterdam Airport security staff who were probably busy stealing used toiletries from checked bags.

Once on the plane, and despite being on some sort of watchlist, DHS also did not see the need to place a Sky Marshall near this guy or apparently anywhere on this plane. Once that plane took off, all the passengers were as good as dead. It was only luck and the quick action of a couple quick-thinking passenger/heroes that kept that plane from exploding as planned. Still, the terrorists will continue to refine their plan and it seems only a matter of time before they succeed. Is this going to convince the asshat in the video above from making smart moves to prevent this from happening? Clearly from her comments, no.

However, you and I and all travelers are going to get royally screwed with additional security measures because of this incident and because the US and other Governments are afraid to properly target the real threats.

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Finnish Moose Stand - Photos

For a couple trips now I have been searching for sight of a moose. When living here I only managed to see them three times; each time while in the car where they were on the side of the road. Also, I once saw them at the airport where there was a whole herd at the fence. I was really pissed that time as it was basically the only time I did not have my camera ready in-hand. Normally it is too dark to get a picture of them.

This last trip I was told about how hunters build moose stands in the woods to spot moose. Since it was a quiet day (not unusual in the countryside) we went out to go search for one. Here are the photos.





This one was not that all. I think instead of improving the hunter's range of vision, it is better to protect the hunter from a pissed-off moose.

Back in March my brother-in-law had mentioned that an enterprising Finn had started a business charging thousands of dollars, arranging for Japanese tourists to come and sit on a moose tower and 'mököttää' which means to sulk. Me, I got to sit on the stand for free. Anly the Japanese would pay to do something so stupid.

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Tampere Storage Space - Photo

So, what are we doing on our vacation to Finland? Well, last evening and most of today were spent cleaning out our storage space.

We have been storing stuff here with the expectation that we would be shortly moving back from the US. However, we have now reached a point where we are pretty certain that we are not going to move back anytime soon. Simply put we will lose too much money in that it would be very difficult to get a similar salary, taxes are much higher and everything is more expensive here. So, as much as it costs to visit, it is much less than we would love if we moved back. And this is despite the Euro being so strong.

As a bonus, we will not be spending money this year on a storage space. The low dollar exchange has made this space pretty expensive. So even if it costs us a couple hundred to ship what we want back, we are still coming out ahead. And if it turns out that we are 'feeding the recession' by not spending the money saved, so be it.

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Saturday, December 26

Finnish Artillery Museum - Photo

Here is a photo taken during our last trip to Finland in March. It is of the outdoors collection of the Finnish Artillery Museum.



I have not been there yet. Clearly it needs to be during a summer trip.

Previous: Finnish Tank Museum
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Ice Petonk/Boules - Finland (Photo)

I have been playing a form of of the game boules in Finland called 'Petonk'/Pétanque.
Pétanque (French pronunciation: [petɑ̃ːk]) is a form of boules where the goal is, while standing with the feet together in a small circle, to throw hollow metal balls as close as possible to a small wooden ball called a cochonnet (jack). The game is normally played on hard dirt or gravel, but can also be played on grass or other surfaces. Soft sandy beaches are not suitable. Similar games are bocce and bowls. - Wikipedia
While clearly a summer game, during my last trip to Finland in March we went and played it in the snow.



The snow adds an interesting element to the game. Then again, so does alcohol.


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Mouhijärvi Cemetary Candles

Here are some Christmas Eve photos from the cemetary in Mouhijärvi, Finland.





There is a spot in the cemetary where you can light a candle in memory of others who are buried elsewhere. The top and middle photos are of the memorial and graves of some of the areas WWII casualties. The majority of the graves had at least one person who came to leave a candle. Many of the graves are over 50 years old. Many much older.

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Thursday, December 24

Christmas Dinner - Photos

Christmas even dinner was great.

We had ham, a couple different versions of salmon, turkey, various casseroles, cheese tray and much more. There was also a nice assortment of refreshments including a couple bottles of home-made wine.




Everything was good. I look forward to leftovers on Christmas day!

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