Sunday, February 13, 2011
On the Waterfront
Surprise. Remember, a few years ago we were about to hand over management of our ports to a company owned by the government of Dubai (One of the big screwups W unfortunately didn't make before the '04 election). Who is more likely to be bribed or infiltrated by a foreign terrorist organization, that company, or the Italian-American mob?
NEWARK (Associated Press) — Law enforcement officials have called the stretch between Port Newark and Newark Liberty International Airport the most dangerous two miles in America.
A series of recent court cases shows that despite increased attention on airport security since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, another security concern — a homegrown one — persists at the ports: organized crime.
Experts differ on what mob infiltration of the ports means in a post-9/11 security climate, or how large and influential organized crime syndicates remain after decades of law enforcement efforts to root them out.
Some say a badly diminished mob has waning influence on the docks, as modernized technology, stricter identification requirements, and improved federal maritime security-related legislation have significantly undermined the traditional strongholds of organized crime.
The problem with the Italian-American mafia is that it has gotten sloppy. Every new generation of bosses seems a little less smart than the previous one, & they are losing business & territory to other crime organizations. Greed could make them gullible. The intent to jeopardize port security isn't there.
The I-A mafia mainly attaches itself to goods & services - they like reliable, regular sources of income, & we pay for it in added costs, as a form of tax the government doesn't receive, & in shoddy construction materials.
But I think any street gang bosses in my city, Crips, Bloods, whatever, wouldn't care if whole city got nuked as long they were paid enough to let it happen & given time to get out of town. They'll kill four neighborhood children, three old ladies, & two of their own members just to whack a tenth target. Same goes for the Russian mob.
Labels: in the news, New Jersey
