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--> --> Flying is good but landing is even better It is said the wheels of justice turn slowly, but in comparison, the wheels of legislation grind glacially. There is no better evidence than Thursday's tentative agreement reached by the House and Senate to put all airport baggage screeners on the federal payroll, clearing the way for passage of a major aviation security bill. Our lawmakers have been charged with patching the gaping holes in airport security since Sept. 11. It can be argued that the day of the attacks was already too late. Nevertheless, 65 days of nothingness from Congress - while the president has been urging us all to hike up our collective courage and fly, fly, fly - is inexcusable. A central issue in the delay has been the Republican notion that federalized airport security personnel would create more Democrat voters. This is too absurd to address. The public backlash at such an unenlightened idea finally forced the Republicans to drop the charge. Even Oregon's Rep. Greg Walden had to concede to federal intervention at the airport gates. "It's important for the federal government to do everything it can to ensure safety ... and I believe this bill does that." But he went there with reluctance. "I would have been more pleased with a greater emphasis on public-private partnerships among airport security employees rather than a completely federalized workforce. But this bill provides that opportunity in just three years." The bill has a provision to turn security back to private enterprise in three years, under certain conditions. The day that every terrorist cell in the world has pledged allegiance to the American flag and has been corralled behind a fence in New Mexico is the day any member of Argenbright Security Inc. should be allowed a uniformed presence in a U.S. airport. This bill eliminates Argenbright and their ilk. And it's about time. Unfortunately, it doesn't get the government off the hook for its distinct failure to oversee these private companies prior to Sept. 11. Because the truth is, we all like to fly, fly, fly. But we also like to safely land, land, land. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing