Who is the Terrorist? (The horror that air travel in the U.S. is becoming)

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette ^ | July 1, 2003 | Mike Masterson

[Mulder]

They only accomplish the unthinkable - Americans submitting to brainless authority.

They are doing a pretty good job, judging from some of the responses on this thread.

[JoeSchem]

I don't think that many people remember that the Muslim extremists were going to recruit Caucasians in Russia to commit terrorist acts, so just searching Muslims won't due anymore. But they should be a high priority.

How do you recruit a non-Muslim to blow himself up in a terrorist act? Do you promise a great 401(k)?

[Jhoffa_]

"Let this be a lesson to you, Mr. Masterson," he says. "Someone can put something into your luggage just as easily as they can take something out."

I would roll laughing if Mr. Masterson had then broken the agents jaw and said: "Let this be a lesson not to steal from people.. moron."

[FreedomCalls]

and I might add:

5. Don't forget to breathe deeply when the Zyklon B comes out the shower heads.

[ladyinred]

It is a terrible shame, but unfortunately, we were viciously attacked with airliners who have no sense of security on Sept 11th 2001. If they had been forced to comply with the findings of the investigation of the so called Gore committee instead of being able to give payoffs to the DNC perhaps this wouldn't have happened.

[takenoprisoner]

I would roll laughing if Mr. Masterson had then broken the agents jaw and said: "Let this be a lesson not to steal from people.. moron."

That would have the proper response, but under the circumstance he could have faced life without parole for striking a federal agent.

[FreedomCalls]

Fly El Al, especially in or out of Israel, and you'll understand what a real screening is.

Yes, and it's been said more than once by El Al screeners that our methods are stupid and ineffective because while TSA screeners look for weapons, El Al screeners look for terrorists. They make passengers answer a whole lot of questions relating to their travel and can detect evasive answers or inappropriate nervousness.

[FreedomCalls]

Look at El Al, most secure airline in the world, how do they get that way? They treat everybody like a hijacker.

And TSA wanding the soles of your feet and pawing through your underwear is treating you how?

[takenoprisoner]

We went thru metal detectors before 911. We were subject to searches before 911. My first personal search came in 1973 as a Marine returning from overseas at Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport. They said then it was a random search. Then they said I was free to board.

[FrogMom]

I had a new DVD disappear out of my checked luggage last week. Whomever helped themselves left the damned thing unzipped, too.

I would rather accompany it through its inspection and then be able to lock it.

[zoyd]

and I might add: 5. Don't forget to breathe deeply when the Zyklon B comes out the shower heads.

I get your humor. It seems like everyone who 'has no problem' with the TSA requirements for flying (like Mineral Man) have drastically altered the way they travel. We're talking about lists of dozens of things that people now do in order to get hassled less. It's like a bunch of lists of capitulation.

"You need me to arrive at the airport naked in order to speed myself through the line? No problem. Whatever it takes for security!"

[Labyrinthos]

Federal authorities knew of such possibilities since 1995, when they found such plans on Khalid Mohammed.

Anything is possible, but given the history of hijackings and terrorism, the probabilities were slight.

Israel manages far higher security without using stupid and rigid body search rules.

That may or may not be true. I do know, however, that travelers through Israeli airports can take hours to clear security because of the invasive verbal interrogations. Can you imagine the reaction of the spoiled, whiney American travelers if they had to undego the same degree of interrogation when traveling from LGA to MIA?

[Labyrinthos]

For what charge?

Good question. But I bet if I studied the relevant law I could find something that would justify the arrest. Doesn't make it right, but I'm tired of post 09.11 travelers who whine about having to take their shoes off or not being allowed to leave their bags unattended while they go for coffee 50 feet away.

[WOSG]

"travelers through Israeli airports can take hours to clear security because of the invasive verbal interrogations. "

I've been through it half a dozen times myself and I can tell you from first-hand experience, it is far MORE EFFECTIVE and LESS ANNOYING than the US TSA blundering.
It only takes hours if you dont have good explanations for why you are there (as a businessman, I usually have ecidence and a 'pattern' that makes sense for them.)

It's not 'invasive' to be asked what your business is or why you are travelling. it doesnt take hours. And the point is, the Israelis will *profile* who is doing what. They are out to catch *terrorists*, not nail clippers.

[takenoprisoner]

Only when they begin examining first hand up close and personal all body cavaties of each and every passenger will there be a reduced chance of terrorism on the flight. If you believe the efforts imposed now are effective, then you are certainly free to believe what millions of other fools believe.

[hopespringseternal]

Have you seen Queen Noor? She was American born... does she look like a Muslim?

How many of the nineteen hijackers would be stopped by the TSA frisking little old ladies and toddlers?

How many would be stopped by checking out obviously Arab Muslim looking men?

Profiling isn't going to be 100 percent, but if you liberals, Bushbots (no, this isn't all Bush's fault), and "law&order" types can rub two brain cells together for a little warmth you will see that it beats the heck out of TSA busting the chops of people who are never, ever going to fly a plane into a building.

[1Old Pro]

As with anything, there will be mistakes. Screeners look at hundreds of thousands of people, one or two mistakes is not that concerning.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Was the teenager who flew the plane into a building in Florida a devout Muslim, or a disgruntled, confused AMERICAN teenager? Prior to September 11th, the worst act of terrorism on American soil took place because of an angry red-headed American male. Did you call for keeping an eye on all American men with red hair after OKCity?

I'm not a liberal, and I am not a Bushbot. You make it sound like all there is to profiling is casting people into catergories. Okay, how in the world do you distinguish between a Muslim from Asia and one from the Middle East? Hmmm... you want to bet the Muslim from Asia would look more like your stereotypical vision of a tourist, than one from the Middle East?

They should be using common sense, which from your posts seems like you think means viewing everyone with suspicion. If that is the case, no one would ever get past screening in time to board the plane. They should be looking for anything and everything, within reason. I don't think they are just screening for would-be terrorists, but also drug smugglers, art smugglers, etc.

[hopespringseternal]

Was the teenager who flew the plane into a building in Florida a devout Muslim, or a disgruntled, confused AMERICAN teenager? Prior to September 11th, the worst act of terrorism on American soil took place because of an angry red-headed American male. Did you call for keeping an eye on all American men with red hair after OKCity?

Ok, we are at what, 22-2 now? Ping when the number of non-Arab, non-Muslim terrorist acts reaches 22. Besides, since the topic under discussion is TSA, neither McVeigh nor the punk teenager (who expressed Muslim sympathies) is relevant.

I don't think they are just screening for would-be terrorists, but also drug smugglers, art smugglers, etc.

Is that a Renoir in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me? Do you want cops frisking people walking into grocery stores? Smugglers generally don't take domestic flights, and those things have always been screened by customs.

I am not pro-security at all, at least not where TSA-like organizations are concerned. Ninety plus percent of all security is window dressing meant only to secure the feelings of the ignorant.

Everything real and effective is going on under the radar. TSA has a lot more to to with soccer moms than terrorism.

[MississippiMan]

Just search the stinking Muslims, leave the rest of us alone already.

That would be profiling, so they do the reverse. As you've no doubt witnessed if you've flown since 9/11.

MM