Block Cheese--The New WMD

According to an AP report, over the past several weeks persons not as yet identified have been stopped at US airports and their bizarre belongings found in checked bags seized.

A Transportation Security Administration bulletin indicated that "the seizures at airports in San Diego, Milwaukee, Houston and Baltimore included "wires, switches, pipes or tubes, cell phone components and dense clay-like substances," including block cheese, the bulletin said. "The unusual nature and increase in number of these improvised items raise concern."

Authorities apparently are concerned that would-be terrorists are "practicing" future heinous acts.

Note to criminals:  If my plane is going to be blown to bits, please let it be via a decent extra sharp cheddar, not Velveeta!

UPDATE: Apparently the "practice run" story was a false alarm, allegedly put out by the FBI. ( I cannot confirm that.) A TSA spokesperson said that the bulletin examples ( block cheese) were just a warning, not actual fact. “I think it's really crucial to focus on the fact that there is no specific credible threat related to this information. It is simply just part of an overall environment of being alert.”

Comments

[Kelly Mahoney]

What does cheese have to do with terrorism? Perhaps it's a political statement against the subpar meals on airplanes that they try to pass off as edible.

[Foodie]

Ah. those were the good old days, Willow...

[Willow]

More than just-a-few years ago, I moved halfway across country. I only had some minimal belongings from a furnished apartment, so most of it I packed in a big box, taped it up, and checked it with my luggage. I had a huuuuuge carry-on bag, which contained whatever was in the bathroom and kitchen of my apartment. Knives, scissors, even a unlabeled can of mystery food that I didn't want to throw out in case it was something good.

I wouldn't try that again.

[Foodie]

Red or green?

[KathyF]

If they saw some of the things BA brings back from his New Mexico trips, they'd put him on the terrorist list for sure!