[Verginius Rufus]

The box cutters were in their luggage. It doesn't say checked luggage--it may be luggage in the overhead bins.

The government should have been able to figure out the identities of the Arabs who ran away.

It's obvious why the information was suppressed--the government was trying to minimize any negative reactions on the part of the public towards Muslims.

Another reason to be glad Al Gore was not President on 9-11. Would he have shut down all the other flights as quickly as Bush did? I just can't see Gore handling the crisis as well as GWB did.

[Western Phil]

“The government should have been able to figure out the identities of the Arabs who ran away.”

Arabs are like Mexicans. The have multiple names & documents.

[Vermont Lt]

I am no fan of Gore, but I think the process would have been the same. This stuff is rote policy/process.

While the President is always “in charge”, the immediate response/reaction is not made up as you go.

The follow up is more flexible.