[DB]

Either these people are really, really stupid or this is a diversion. Blabbing at a restaurant, blow through a tollbooth... They were trying to get "caught".

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

Not all terrorists are well trained or well organised. I don't see how terrorists benefit from this event. We are being taught to be more alert. We are feeling more victorious. We are given another reason to take this war more seriously. And they are detained and under close investigation.

As for diverting manpower, it would take a lot more than this to seriously drain our resources, just an insect hitting the windshield.

However, I don't blame you for being incredulous at their stupidity.

[twyn1]

Either these people are really, really stupid or this is a diversion

Well Richard Reid ("shoe bomber") is DEFINITELY not the sharpest knife in the drawer (by a long shot)

[Mr. K]

When do we start revoking citizen ship and deporting people who hate their 'adopted' country...HAVE WE ACTUALLY DEPORTED ANYONE YET???

[PLK]

Blabbing at a restaurant, blow through a tollbooth... They were trying to get "caught".

I agree with you. I suppose it's possible these people are THAT stupid, but I doubt it. While the authorities are focusing on the expendable ones, a bomb is on its way to a Florida nuclear plant or the cruise ship harbor.

[Michael2001]

Either these people are really, really stupid or this is a diversion. Blabbing at a restaurant, blow through a tollbooth... They were trying to get "caught".

I've heard this theory a number of times now, but I don't think it makes any sense. It's not like their capture is going to lighten security or make us any less alert. I don't see how their capture makes it any easier for another attack.

Thank God for their stupidity, but that doesn't mean another attack isn't on the way.

[Nevermore]

Trying to get caught, most definitely.
But I would suggest that the strategy may be something more subtle than a diversion.
Perhaps the intent is to incite distrust in such vigilance and swift action, to create bad press for those mean, race-profiling Americans.
If a several such incidents result in looser security at all, that strenghtens the terrorists hand immensely.