Air Marshals Say Passenger Overreacted (NW flight)

KFI News ^ | July 22, 2004 | Eric Leonard

[jimbo123]

Here is the casino that hired the Syrian "musicians":

http://www.sycuancasino.com/

[Lurking in Kansas]

Incredibly selfish of the air marshals quoted in this piece.

Yup, sounds like a little CYA.

The musicians were allegedly during the flight. They said they were musicians during the flight.

Federal agents later verified the musicians’ story.

“We followed up with the casino,” Adams said. A supervisor verified they were playing a concert. A second federal law enforcement source said the concert itself was monitored by an agent.

Well, Adams, hindsight is 20/20, huh? They didn’t know that at the time of the flight.

We are suppose to be vigilante but when we do we are overreacting !

[jwalburg]

Guess not.

[ml/nj]

Per some reports, they also had purchased one-way tickets.

I purchased a one-way ticket yesterday; and got a full rectal exam. The whole security thing is such a joke!

Duh.

Maybe if one is planning to blow up a plane he could also buy a round trip ticket with a Saturday stayover? Or do the "Homeland Security" folks think that our adversaries are really that stupid?

(A simple interview, like the ones they do in England and Israel would have revealed to anyone who cared that my return flight from a nearby city was canceled and I was just scrambling to get home.)

ML/NJ

[Quix]

What are the odds that some political or strategic??? [crazy!] decision was made to poohpooh this story???

[HairOfTheDog]

It wasn't a diatribe, I read it and didn't feel they insulted her person, only that their behavior unintentionally almost affected the flight. It's true that she was just one of the unpredictable and hard to read elements on that plane, and she should realize that now. It is also worth mentioning that the flight attendent who was sent to "calm her down" had the opposited effect when what she actually said was something like (paraphrasing) "we're all scared of these guys but don't worry, air marshalls are also watching." That would have confirmed to me that an incident might take place any instant, not calmed me down. Just one more unpredictable element.

No one is saying her descriptions were false, this article confirms them! They can both be right here.

[Oztrich Boy]

These details are not wanted.

We are all following the crazy lady

[HairOfTheDog]

I don't blame the victim for the assault.

[jimbo123]

http://www.tampabaylive.com/stories/2004/04/040401fbi.shtml

FBI warns that terrorists might try to use arts, sports visas to enter U.S.

an Associated Press report 4/01/04 - updated 3:06 p.m.

WASHINGTON - U.S. officials have received intelligence indicating terrorists might attempt to slip into the United States using cultural, arts or sports visas, according to the FBI.

The bureau issued a bulletin to 18,000 state and local law enforcement agencies nationwide warning about the potential misuse of P-visas, one of several types granted by the State Department for people visiting the United States for artistic, cultural or athletic purposes.

Recent intelligence indicates that terrorist groups may be interested in exploiting cultural visa programs to infiltrate operatives and support network into the United States," says the bulletin, described Thursday to The Associated Press by a federal law enforcement official.

-snip-

Spies and defectors have in the past gained entry by tagging along with foreign sports teams or joining the entourages of famous performers.

-snip-

[jwalburg]

Yes. That story was in National Review. Here:Syrian Wayne Newton

[HairOfTheDog]

Couldn't these Syrians have just called a casino, booked hotel rooms, and found out what band was playing that night and told the authorities they were that band?

You're right. These Syrians posed as the "Good Ole Boys". Jeesh. Get a grip. Don't forget that there are casinos with Arabic Pyramid themes with Arabic entertainment.... That's what Vegas does.... you can take little trips to The Middle East, Paris, the days of King Arthur, you name it.

[jimbo123]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/07/25/wfly25.xml&sSheet=/news/2004/07/25/ixworld.html

Concert promoters confirmed that some of his band had flown in on Northwest 327 but that the members did not remember anything unusual about the flight. Beyond that, the promoter said, he had been told by Homeland Security not to talk to the press.

[Cultural Jihad]

There's nothing at all wrong with being vigilant, but the men were actually getting up to use the lavatory, and talking among themselves, fer heaven's sake!

[oceanview]

good post.

if anything had happened on that flight, they would have told us that those two US agencies weren't sharing that information, so they didn't know to check people with arts visas.

[Cultural Jihad]

Remember islamic arabs want us dead.

John Lindh Walker, Jose Padilla, and Richard Reid to the front of the line, please!

[mel]

I think he meant that it pays to be overcautious. Perhaps if those people on that flight, they might still be alive

[Quix]

WELL PUT.

[Quix]

AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!

[Quix]

VERY WELL PUT.

I'D LIKE TO SEE ALL THESE RESPONSES SENT TO THE HEAD OF THE AIRM MARSHALLS.

[jimbo123]

Don't forget about Ali Mohamed Almosaleh, arrested in the Minneapolis airport arriving from Syria via Amsterdam a few weeks ago with suicide attack plans:

http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/9226278.htm