[Greybird]

Are Americans safer with a pistol in the cockpit, or a Sidewinder in their port engine?

That's the real issue. And until individuals are allowed to carry their own weapons, even with aircraft-tolerant frangible ammo (allowing CCW holders would be a good start) ... and until this order allowing such shootdowns is RESCINDED ... I am not going to fly. Period.

[LTCJ]

As a person with a military background, I realize that hard choices must sometimes be made. That said however, the probability that this would ever need to be done - whatever that number happens to be - could be reduced tenfold with a single signature.

President Carter took away sidearms in the cockpit with an Executive Order. President Bush could authorize them immediately with one, all bureaucratic roadblocks swept aside in a penstroke.

All it takes is swapping "moderation" politics for genuine leadership.