Willful Ignorance / Guns or F-16s - Racial profiling might have prevented Sept. 11 ~ John Fund

The Wall Street Journal.'s Opinion Journal. ^ | May 22, 2002 | John Fund

[Elle Bee]

If we're going to have an investigation to find out why no one foresaw the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, let's have one that gets at some answers rather than merely points fingers. Last week, Sen. Hillary Clinton cited a New York Post headline that claimed "Bush Knew," and asked: "The president knew what? My constituents would like to know the answer." Mrs. Clinton and other critics backed off when it became apparent that the warnings President Bush received about terrorist attacks were both general and inconclusive.

[Elle Bee]

and from today's WSJ. Editorial page:

Guns or F-16s

So Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta would rather let an F-16 shoot down a hijacked airplane than let pilots carry guns in the cockpit.

That's the inescapable conclusion to be drawn from the Transportation's announcement yesterday that it won't arm pilots. When Congress passed legislation last fall authorizing Transportation to give pilots guns, it probably assumed the decision would be a no-brainer. Instead, John Magaw, director of the Transportation Security Administration, says pilots don't need firearms because federal air marshals will do the job. In fact, the only way an air marshal might foil a hijacking is to be aboard a hijacked flight, an extremely unlikely occurrence since fewer than 1% of flights are protected by marshals.

Congress is already working to override Mr. Mineta's decision. A bill sponsored by Representatives John Mica (R., Florida) and Don Young (R., Alaska) would authorize a firearms program for pilots and exempt airlines from related liability. A similar bill will be introduced in the Senate next week.

Unlikely as a replay of September 11 may be, the message of Mr. Mineta's decision is clear: America still isn't serious about defending itself. If the intelligence failures that led to that tragic day are perhaps understandable, the failure to take obvious steps in its aftermath is not.

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[mn12]

In fact, the only way an air marshal might foil a hijacking is to be aboard a hijacked flight, an extremely unlikely occurrence since fewer than 1% of flights are protected by marshals.

Less than one percent?! PLEASE tell me you're kidding..

[DJ Frisat]

"As Rich Lowry pointed out in National Review, more than half the people on the FBI's Most Wanted terrorist list are named Mohammed or Ahmed."

Sadly, even this can be used by the foolish as "evidence" of discrimination. Compare this with the fact that the prison population has such a disproportionate number of African-Americans. This is often cited as proof of a bias, ignoring the reality that they are there because they committed a crime, not that their skin is black.

[Elle Bee]

That's why Americans should be angry at the mindless political correctness that now guides our airport security policies. ................. John Fund

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[chainsaw]

The democrats are not interested in preventing terrorism. All they are interested in is finding something to blame on Bush for their political agenda.

[chainsaw]

A bill sponsored by Representatives John Mica (R., Florida) and Don Young (R., Alaska) would authorize a firearms program for pilots and exempt airlines from related liability.

No new laws are needed. All the government would have to do is deputize all airline pilots and give then the needed training. They would be federal marshals, and as such would relieve the airlines of liability.

We would have Marshals on every plane, not just 1%.

[Elle Bee]

everyone with a weapon could be a 'marshal' ..... that would give them something to think about

I think there are more good guys than bad guys on any given flight

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[gunnedah]

Diversity- Your elected leaders and the ABA in action.We need to have reforms in both.We are falling from within!Kruschev didnt accomplish it but he knew it was coming!

[gridlock]

Even some liberals agree the current policies fly in the face of common sense. Rep. Barney Frank (D., Mass.) believes a well-designed profile system can protect civil liberties while taking into account factors such as national origin. "I do think that that at this point, [national] origin would be part of it. . . . In certain countries, people are angrier at us than elsewhere."

Gasp! I agree with Barney Frank!

[Valin]

"As Rich Lowry pointed out in National Review, more than half the people on the FBI's Most Wanted terrorist list are named Mohammed or Ahmed."

More proof of the fundamentally racist nature of America. < /sarcasm>

[chainsaw]

Elle, didn't 32 muslium try to board the same plane about 3 or 4 months ago?

They all bought one way tickets from the same travel agent etc.

A concerted attempt to hijack and aairliner I'd say.

With that many terrorist aboard one plane it would be a very difficult circumstance for one marshal.

[Elle Bee]

Pilots should be armed and the cabins should be locked

There is no room for mindless PC ..... when the eastern seaboard id radioactive perhaps then we will be able to question wild-eyed muslems

I hate the left ...... the left hates this country .....and you will notice the left loves the Palestinians

we just have to stand up to 'em all ....... we're right & correct

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[Samwise]

I have long said that political correctness would be the death of us. I thought I was speaking figuratively.

Our own incompetence and stupidity are their greatest assests.

[Samwise]

Elle, didn't 32 muslium try to board the same plane about 3 or 4 months ago?

I missed this one. Can you elaborate?

[CWRWinger]

So Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta would rather let an F-16 shoot down a hijacked airplane than let pilots carry guns in the cockpit.

Mineta is a moral and ethical midget. This guy has the moral discernment of an SS guard at a nazi concentration camp.

[flamefront]

This good article also posted earlier here.

England, as backward as it is, might do something about its border sooner than the U.S. From the Times:

Britain : last updated, May 23, 2002 05:24

"Secret plan" to deport refugees

Plans to intercept people traffickers and deport failed asylum seekers in RAF transport planes are being considered by the Government. According to The Guardian, a confidential "action plan" to "deliver a radical reduction in the number of unfounded asylum applications" has been drawn up by the Home Office for Prime Minister Tony Blair. A memo which accompanied the plans said: "It has become clear from the Prime Minister's discussions on this issue that concerted action is needed across government if we are to deliver a radical reduction in the numbers."