Study Shows Airlines Now Safer For Terrorists

Sierra Times ^ | 9-27-2001 | Michael Parker

[cc2k]

Sadly, I think this author is completely wrong about his "Reality Check Number 3."

Actually, he is correct that True American's will not tolerate Gestapo tactics. However, he doesn't seem to understand that there are very few true Americans left in this nation of sheep.

I used to think that FreeRepublic.com was inhabited mainly by true Americans. Over the past couple of weeks, I've discovered that this is not the case. Most of the posters on this forum are sheeple, just like the rest of the people in this country.

What's sad is that they are destroying the nation that the true American's built, and we are almost powerless to stop them.

[cc2k]

Thanks for bringing this to my attention yesterday.

[Coop]

Reality check #5: Given the recent acts of war, passengers will no longer allow terrorists with blades to commandeer an aircraft.

[Straight Vermonter]

Unbelievably, security personnel in Indianapolis actually picked up three of my weapons in their hands during the searches, but failed to recognize them.

How is this possible?

[MindBender26]

Me thinks there is some macho BS going on here. Lots of "I,I I"

Could see getting through one check, but as many as he claims, doubtful.

[cc2k]

I'm not sure I understand your comment.

Are you saying that the searches are unnecessary because passenger (at least non-terrorist passenger) will now act to defend the plane in the event that some boxcutter weilding hijacker stands up and tries to take over the plane?

Or are you saying that these "security" checkpoints are justified because you think they will stop terrorists from bringing blades on the plane.

[packrat01]

Living in denial will not help us.

But, at least we won't know what killed us. Is ignorance bliss? Are we all on Happy-Pills?

[cc2k]

Unbelievably, security personnel in Indianapolis actually picked up three of my weapons in their hands during the searches, but failed to recognize them.

How is this possible?

The items were probably concealed in pockets of something. Also, the folding ones could have been in an inside zipper pocket of his bag with other solid objects. It was probably sloppy work on the part of the "security" screener doing the work.

[Coop]

None of the above. The author was basically saying that it's now easier than ever for someone to smuggle a knife on board. My take is that knives won't matter much anymore. At least as far as taking control of the aircraft. Obviously they'll still be a big deal to the frightened passengers and flight attendants. But, as we saw over Pennsylvania, passengers and crew will not surrended the cockpit anymore to blade wielders.

[serinde]

Believe it or not, the federal government is now accepting applications for air marshal positions, with preference given to disabled persons.

Why does this seem unreasonable to you? I am disabled, I have a CHL, and would be perfectly willing to carry on an airplane for free. Surely poor, little, helpless me couldn't hurt a big bad guy, now could I? A terrorist wouldn't have to worry about trouble from me, you think?

If the idea is for the armed people on a plane to not be immediately identifiable, a disabled person would be a good choice.

[cc2k]

I agree with you.

So why do we put up with the increased "security," the two hour (or more) delays, the unreasonable searches and all the limitations on law abiding passengers?

[Hank Kerchief]

Not to you particulary, serinde, but just thought html tags were going to be closed automatically now. Look's like it's working like a good government program.

Hank

[francisandbeans]

I'm with ya Coop. The hijackers weapons werent boxcutters...the weapon they used was surprise. Surprise is a fantastic weapon, but it can only be used once.

[goldstategop]

I know the answer: thanks to the gun banners every one has been conditioned reflexively to recognize a gun on sight as a deadly weapon. There are no knife banners willing to condition every one reflexively to recognize a knife on sight as a deadly weapon. No wonder the security personnel at our airports are so incompetent. They wouldn't know a knife if they saw one. Thus we're still wide open to terrorists. And in the meantime thanks to the gun banners insistence that pilots and yes passengers must not carry concealed guns on board there will be a next time. You'd think the gun banners would admit maybe outlawing the carrying of guns by law abiding citizens every where would be a good idea but don't count on it. Better 7,000 dead Americans than give up the discredited idea that its the widespread availability of guns that makes people go crazy. Or more accurately that making guns available to those who really need them would save lives. Have we learned anything from the events of Sept. 11th? We shall have to see.

[Hank Kerchief]

Hank

[bvw]

So right! Surpise was the only real weapon the assassins had. And we are double damned fools for (1) disarming from future counter-attacks (2) playing the sheep, when wolves are about.

[jwalsh07]

Agreed, ahove the knife up the guys butt and move on.

[bvw]

We are sheep .. and as this aricle and related events demonstrate (the man in Philly, the FBI's continuing inablity to ID the assassins, the FAA's ridiculous pre-emption of the pilot's authority to command the safety of their own planes, etc. etc. ) there are NO shepherds about. We MUST be our own sheperds!

[LS]

Reality check #7: no one in their right mind will get in a pressurized cabin with alcohol and 230 potential drunks who have guns. There is just no way that arming all passengers is a useful notion. Not in a plane. Note that this dodo didn't tell us HOW he hid the knives so we could prevent that. He's part of the problem, not part of the solution.