The Federal Air Marshal Service presents the image of an elite undercover force charged with making split-second decisions that could mean the difference between stopping a terrorist and shooting an innocent passenger.

The Department of Homeland Security's inspector general also flagged gaps in the background checks.

"We can reassure the public that these dedicated professionals go out there every day and put their lives on the line to make sure that everyone is safe," Bray says.

Before 9/11, the Air Marshal Service was a nearly forgotten force of 33 agents with a $4.4 million annual budget. Now housed in the Transportation Security Administration, the agency has a $786 million budget and an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 air marshals, although the official number is classified.

I once heard it said about the bus driver business that either they're floating on top with the cream or they're going to sink to the bottom with the crud. Air marshals have badges too, eh?

Air marshals have badges too, eh?

Yup! Probably expensive, fancy, shiny, false security-inducing ones.

Guess federal job benefits aren't good enough.

And background checks.

Guess what else the feds are too busy to do?

http://digg.com/politics/Feds_Too_Busy_Busting_Medical_Marijuana_Shops_To_Catch_Anthrax_Perps