[TexasRepublic]

Until American airlines become truely as serious about security as El Al, I will continue, as I have for the last 5 years, not to fly. Frankly, I don't expect it to happen.

[kinghorse]

security ought to be de-centralized. There ought to be a standards body for safe baggage handling. There ought to be chain of custody rules like there is with drug testing. Companies that can meet stringent licensing qualifications would be bonded. In turn they could be entrusted to pre-screen baggage and deliver it to the airlines independent of the flier. The flier ought to be able to travel light. All for a fee of course.

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

High volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel. also

2006israelwar or WOT

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[Don Corleone]

We're from the government and we are here to help you....hah!

[theDentist]

My work involves the Qur'an and other Islamic texts, but I no longer do work while flying that would mean having out in plain view books that would make other passengers concerned.

When I was flying a week ago, they seated me next to a middle-eastern kid (about 20). He pulled out a book that was obviously Arabic and he read it thru the flight. Each time he reached into the carry-on I kept a close eye. I think I made him nervous. Good.

[Slings and Arrows]

For instance, Michael Chertoff might have more success comforting worried passengers if the Department of Homeland Security didn’t give Muslim officials from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) behind-the-scenes tours of Customs screening operations at O'Hare International Airport because of CAIR complaints that Muslim travelers were being unfairly delayed as they entered the U.S. from abroad.

If someone at DHS had a brain and a pair, this could have been a "canary trap" to get the CAIR jerks to incriminate themselves. As things stand, I'm not counting on it.

[Mrs. Darla Ruth Schwerin]

“It makes you uneasy, because you realize you have to essentially watch every single thing you say and do, and it's worse for people who are of color, who are identifiable as a minority.”

Tisk...Tisk...Tisk We'll all cry a river for the peace-loving Muslims that have been so inconvenienced...