A federal anti-terror law that requires longshoremen, truckers and others to submit to criminal background checks has ensnared another class of transportation worker — mule drivers.
Mule skinners must abide by federal law and apply for Transportation Worker Identification Credentials, TSA says.
Yes, so-called mule skinners — in this case, seasonal workers who dress in colonial garb at a historical park in Easton, Pa. — must apply for biometric Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWIC), according to the Transportation Security Administration, which says it is bound by federal law.
The requirement has officials of the Hugh Moore Historical Park perplexed.
“We have one boat. It’s pulled by two mules. On a good day they might go 2 miles per hour,” said Sarah B. Hays, the park’s director of operations.
The park’s two-mile canal does not pass any military bases, nuclear power plants or other sensitive facilities. And, park officials say, the mules could be considered weapons of mass destruction only if they were aimed at something resembling food…
Each of the park workers on the canal boat – who already are Coast Guard certified [an older bureaucracy] – will have to spend $100 apiece for appropriate biometric ID and background check.
Why do they do it?
Because they can.
“Why do they do it because they can.” about sums it up. I’m not sure these people could get anywhere that matters with their canal boat and mules. A national security issue this is not.
The people and laws that are supposed to protect us become so oppressive that in the end they rank near the top on the list of those that harm us.
Thank you Congress.
Blame Bush for pushing the idea but your Congress critters most likely voted for it.
They all have to be on the band wagon even if its a one way trip to bleep!
I can see the Coast Guard requiring the boat captain to have a license — wasn’t it blogged here just last year that half the elderly passengers on a small sightseeing boat drowned when it capsized in a small lake? If I recall correctly, the “captain” of that boat was a part-time worker filling in for the regular guy, and wasn’t licensed.
But requiring the mule tenders to submit to security checks is a bit beyond the pale. Does this apply to bus, cab and truck drivers? What about limo drivers? Pedi-cab drivers? Amusement park ride operators? What about Meals On Wheels volunteers? Will I need a license to give a kid a ride in a wagon or drive a friend to the airport?
A hundred bucks may be no big deal–unless that’s about all you make in a week’s time. These are seasonals and probably make minimum wage.
So when are we going to have the ride operators at Disneyland and Universal Studios certified with a TWIC? How about New York cab drivers–now talk about having weapons of mass destruction!!!