This is almost funny...
Airport screener at Bush fired for his career outside of work
Bassam Khalaf, or the 'Arabic Assasin' was fired from his job as a baggage screener at Bush Intercontinental Airport
http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/news/071305_local_screener.html
By Miya Shay
ABC13 Eyewitness News
(7/13/05 - HOUSTON) — Their job is to ensure your safety in the sky by checking baggage to make sure there are no weapons and other banned items on a plane. But should it matter what airport screeners do outside of work?
Bassam Khalaf considers himself a rap artist. And until last week, he was also considered a federal employee. Khalaf was a screener at Bush Intercontinental Airport until someone in the federal government found out Khalaf is also known as the "Arabic Assassin" in the rap community. He was quickly fired afterwards.
"I kept my music and my job separate," he told us. "I never brought my music to the job. I was a real good screener. Even the guy who fired me said I was a real good worker."
Khalaf said the firing was unfair because he is only exercising his freedom of speech..
But the federal government apparently didn't approve of his profanity-laced lyrics. That also included threats to blow up buildings with airplanes.
"I'm glad the TSA fired him," said Houston City Councilmember Michael Berry. "I feel safer because of it. This guy calls himself the Arabic Assassin and has lyrics that talks about a plane crashing into a building. He has no business being a screener at the airport."
The TSA wouldn't talk on camera, but told me over the phone that it expects all of its employees to conduct themselves appropriately, whether at work or away form the airports.
"Like I said, I don't intend to do that," said Khalaf. "I don't support terrorism in any way."
"Then why sing about it," we asked.
"It's like entertainment," said Khalaf. "People make movies about it. I should be able to rap about it."
Bassam Khalaf, or Arabic Assassin, can still rap about whatever he wants. He just won't be screening passengers anymore and at least one traveler we talked to is relieved.
"I think it's inappropriate," said Edward Moon. "It shouldn't be allowed. You should act appropriately when you have a job, especially like that."
Khalaf was fired during the standard TSA two-year trial period. Asked what he plans to do next, Khalaf says he's going to look for another job and continue to pursue his rap career.
(Copyright © 2005, KTRK-TV)
Airport screener at Bush fired for his career outside of work
Bassam Khalaf, or the 'Arabic Assasin' was fired from his job as a baggage screener at Bush Intercontinental Airport
http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/news/071305_local_screener.html
By Miya Shay
ABC13 Eyewitness News
(7/13/05 - HOUSTON) — Their job is to ensure your safety in the sky by checking baggage to make sure there are no weapons and other banned items on a plane. But should it matter what airport screeners do outside of work?
Bassam Khalaf considers himself a rap artist. And until last week, he was also considered a federal employee. Khalaf was a screener at Bush Intercontinental Airport until someone in the federal government found out Khalaf is also known as the "Arabic Assassin" in the rap community. He was quickly fired afterwards.
"I kept my music and my job separate," he told us. "I never brought my music to the job. I was a real good screener. Even the guy who fired me said I was a real good worker."
Khalaf said the firing was unfair because he is only exercising his freedom of speech..
But the federal government apparently didn't approve of his profanity-laced lyrics. That also included threats to blow up buildings with airplanes.
"I'm glad the TSA fired him," said Houston City Councilmember Michael Berry. "I feel safer because of it. This guy calls himself the Arabic Assassin and has lyrics that talks about a plane crashing into a building. He has no business being a screener at the airport."
The TSA wouldn't talk on camera, but told me over the phone that it expects all of its employees to conduct themselves appropriately, whether at work or away form the airports.
"Like I said, I don't intend to do that," said Khalaf. "I don't support terrorism in any way."
"Then why sing about it," we asked.
"It's like entertainment," said Khalaf. "People make movies about it. I should be able to rap about it."
Bassam Khalaf, or Arabic Assassin, can still rap about whatever he wants. He just won't be screening passengers anymore and at least one traveler we talked to is relieved.
"I think it's inappropriate," said Edward Moon. "It shouldn't be allowed. You should act appropriately when you have a job, especially like that."
Khalaf was fired during the standard TSA two-year trial period. Asked what he plans to do next, Khalaf says he's going to look for another job and continue to pursue his rap career.
(Copyright © 2005, KTRK-TV)
