[OldFriend]

I would prefer that the money seized from the terrorist organizations be divided among the families of the victims. Taxpayer money is not appropriate. American taxpayers did not commit the crime.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

This was bought and paid for by the Saudis. Collect from them.

[c-five]

I agree with all of that. However, since the Federal Government disarmed passengers and took responsibility for passenger safety, and the Airlines left cockpits undefended, the government and the airlines have some liability for a successful attack by a bunch of guys with box cutters.

[Shermy]

Ah, but that's not the purpose of this use of taxpayer money. The purpose is to subsidize and protect American and United Airlines and their insurance companies. The money is not merely aid to victims, but a ruse to get victims to drop insurance claims and potential lawsuits against...not the USA...but against the airlines! A key and highly unusual part of the subsidy is that the takers have to waive all claims against...not the USA...but against the airlines! This deal was sugar-coated as a "bail out" of the airlines that would surely harm the industry, America, wave the flag, etc. Of course, it would have been only two airlines affected, and there's no evidence they couldn't handle the claims, or if not, horrors!, they'd have to declare Chapter 11, just like anyone else (Chrysler and a few others excepted.) The airlines got special deals and perks of more than $15 billion, thanks to our corrupt or just ignorant politicians and the airline lobby (BTW Daschle's wife is a lobbyist for that industry...perhaps she'll get a nice "backend" bonus next year???).

[Zoey]

I would prefer that the money seized from the terrorist organizations

I agree. Make the ACLU pay for it.

[goodieD]

I would prefer that the money be seized from local terrorist organizations like PETA, NOW, NAMBLA, ACLU, Planned Parenthood, the Sierra Club and the DNC. Since it was their debauchery that ticked off the muslim extremists in the first place.