Posted on 07/22/2004 10:47:47 PM PDT by FairOpinion
He DID report it, not only to the pilots, but also to the FBI immediately AFTER the flight.
That is why, if you knew all the facts, you would know that the FBI called James Woods after 9-11 (may have even been that same day) and they said: "We'd like to talk to you about your report."
Woods said "Ok, I'll get dressed and come right down."
FBI said "Don't bother, we're in your driveway."
It easy to comprehend your points.
It's just that they are not too cogent.
You can't start rounding people up because one person seems to think that they are behaving strangely. That's just not feasible.
Plus it is offensive.
This "debunking" by some college student is about the weakest thing I've ever seen. All he did was determine that one Arab singer played in California around the time of the scary airline flight. Period.
He did not determine that the singer *had* a backup band at all (his source only said "probably"), or that if he did it consisted of 13-14 people, who were actually Arab, who were not local, and who flew in for the gig.
Nor did he determine whether the singer in question had flown in on the particular flight, or any flight at all -- he may have been in the area previously doing part of some tour.
Etc., etc., etc.
One Arab singer in California hardly qualifies as a "debunking" or any sort of proof that this singer and his hypothetical background band is in any way connected to the people who raised fears on the flight in question, or that those people on the flight were actually musicians.
Sheesh.
You not only are ignoring facts, but even are refusing the READ them, when you are directed to them.
READ O'Reilly's interview with Woods.
"WOODS: Well, first I have to back up and tell you about the flight that I took. The flight I took was actually on August 1st. And I have not talked about this in the press until this day because there was a lot of misinformation that came out about it.
I was on a flight, without going into the details of what made me suspicious of these four men, although it would have been blatantly obvious to the most casual observer, I took it upon myself to go to the flight attendant and ask to speak to the pilot of the plane. The first officer came out. I reported to him that I felt that the four men, and I said, "Can you look over my shoulder and see who I'm talking about?" And he said, "Yeah." I said I think they're going to hijack this plane. I mean, everything they're doing, and I explained to him these details, which I've been asked to keep private, until whatever jurisdiction, you know -- whatever trials may take place, their behavior was such that I felt that they were going to hijack the plane. "
Woods did warn, but he was IGNORED.
You are encouraging people to IGNORE suspicious people, who may be terrorists.
The point is that there are warnings at airports, TELLING people to look around them and REPORT suspicious behavior.
Geoff Boettcher, an airline pilot and a director of the Allied Pilots Association, has said that Mrs Jacobsen's incident "is not a singular or isolated experience. The terrorists are probing us all the time". Mr Boettcher said captains have been trying to speak out on this, but so far their words have been falling on deaf ears.
It is telling in this context that the 11 September Commission's report documents the patience and determination of the hijackers and how they explored weaknesses in airline and border procedures, even taking test flights to see when cockpit doors were open.
According to Mark Bogosian, a pilot for American Airlines, such incidents "occur more than you like to think. It's a 'dirty little secret' that all of us, as crew members, have known about for quite some time."
Rand Peck, captain for a major US airline, said he was "deeply bothered" by the inconsistencies he sees at the Transport and Security Administration. "I've observed matronly grandmothers practically disrobed at security checkpoints and five-year-old blond boys turned inside out, while Middle Eastern males sail through undetained.
"We have little to fear from grandmothers and little boys. But Middle Eastern males are protected, not by our Constitution, but from our current popular policy of political correctness and a desire to offend no-one at any cost, regardless of how many airplanes and bodies litter the landscape."
http://news.scotsman.com/opinion.cfm?id=841042004
Your comment jarred my memory and yes, you are correct.
But, in fact that proves my point. FairOpinion said that if only someone took Woods seriously, 9/11 could have been prevented.
It turns out that the FBI did take hinm seriously, and it wasn't. Fact is it couldn't have been.
The 13 musicians were also subjected to police checks on arrival in LA. I'm sure their baggage was opened and inspected, and the plane searched. It would have been irresponsible to do less. They were cleared.
What is the problem here? What do you people want?
GASP!!!! at the thought.
When I read your post to me, I am forced to the conclusion that you haven't read or understood a single thing I've said.
I don't think there is a dimes worth of difference between us on the essential issues here, but you are just trying to pick a fight for the sake of conflict.
I'm out. Conceded. Not interested.
Indeed. Mohammad Atta wasn't a terrorist either, after all, he was getting a table dance in the strip club the night before, right? Muslims don't attend stip clubs, so that's a sure fire sign that Atta has been falsely accused, and in fact, has been mistaken for the real terrorists, who of course, wear camo pants and either have a turban or a Yasser Arafat doo-rag on their head.
Believe it, if those scumbags can learn to fly an airplane, they can learn to play music.
I was at some airports recently and they made several announcements over the loudspeaker, requesting people to be alert and report any suspicious people or behavior.
People who are discouraging people from reporting suspicious behavior, are doing a disservice to the innocents, who may end up being murdered, because someone could have raised the alarm, and didn't.
If it's false alarm, no harm done, except a minor inconvenience to people, who should know better, than behave suspiciously, if they are innocent. If, on the other hand, they are terrorists, an alert bystander may foil the attack.
Another example is Richard Reid. If passengers and the flight attendant hadn't been alert, anothe plane would have been blown up.
I suppose John Valentine would have advised those passengers, to not get all paranoid, relax, and sit calmly, while Richard Reid blows them all to Kingdom Come.
And TSA testing people employed at airports to verify their vigilance in reporting and stiff fines if one does not pass the test! ; )
Arafat was a dentist.
Yeah... I think you are acting a bit withdrawn--- erratic like, and moody. Maybe I ought to turn you in to the FBI :>)
"We have little to fear from grandmothers and little boys. But Middle Eastern males are protected, not by our Constitution, but from our current popular policy of political correctness and a desire to offend no-one at any cost, regardless of how many airplanes and bodies litter the landscape."
And this is the real problem!
I'm a bit sick and tired of you putting words in my mouth that I have never uttered. especially when they are precisely the opposite of my clearly expressed views.
Thats a technique of a foul liar like Bill Clinton, and not what I expect on this site.
"One Arab singer in California hardly qualifies as a "debunking" or any sort of proof that this singer and his hypothetical background band is in any way connected to the people who raised fears on the flight in question, or that those people on the flight were actually musicians. "
Exactly!
"It turns out that the FBI did take hinm seriously"
That was AFTER 9-11!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Which you would know, if you bothered to read the article, as I suggested several times.
But, again, you not only ignore, but REFUSE to even look at facts, because facts refute your position.
FairOpinion; EGPWS = proactive
John Valentine = reactive.
FairOpinion; EGPWS = proactive
John Valentine = reactive.
Like Michael Savage said today--if the government is not going to protect us, then we have to protect ourselves. His rule--if there are 5 or more Middle-Eastern looking men on a plane, he's outta there. I would leave if there were more than 3....Political Correctness will kill us ! Unfortunately, its going to take another tragedy for these idiots to wake up...sickening....
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.