So, the system worked? I don’t think so…
As more details become available about the plot to bring down Delta/Northwest flight 253 on Christmas Day, the comment by Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano that ” the system worked” seems to grow more ludricous. And, the facts of the incident should puncture a few more myths about the war we are in.
The system did not work. What stopped this incident from becoming a costly terrorist attack were two things, a faulty detonation system and alert passengers who took action. Our security systems failed, but the response of the government and the airlines seems to be to establish more stupid and ineffective procedures and systems on top of the ones we already have.
Here’s what we know. The terrorist is a 23 year old Nigerian, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, from an upper class family. His father is the former economics minister of Nigeria who just retired as chairman of the First Bank of Nigeria. He was educated in London, as was his son, who studied engineering at University College in London. While there, he lived in a $3 million dollar flat, currently being searched by Scotland Yard.( BTW, the idea that poor and oppressed people are the source of terrorist fodder is a leftist myth, always has been. Islamic radicalism is a disease of the well-to-do and their offspring, often students who have or are studying in Western countries. Check the resumes of the 19 hijackers, or that of Osama bin Laden and Zawahiri ).
He traveled to Dubai to continue studies in the summer of 2008 after graduation. But earlier this year, he informed his family he wished to go to Yemen in order to study Arabic and Sharia law. His parents attempted to persuade him not to but he went anyway. When the family threatened to cut off funding, he told them everything was being paid for anyway, that he didn’t need their money. He then informed them in November that he wanted nothing to do with them anymore. That’s the last they heard from him.
The father said he alerted Nigerian and American officials. His son’s name was entered on a terrorist watch list, but not the no fly list. Officials said there was not enough derogatory material to ban him from flying into the US.
So, here’s a guy from Nigeria, whose own father reports him, on a terrorist suspect list, who is allowed to fly into the US. But there are a few more interesting facts here that no one is really talking about. His ticket was paid for in cash, $2,831, and he checked no baggage when he checked in for the flight in Lagos. Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought post 9/11, two warning signs authorities talked about were cash payments and no checked luggage? Hello? Is anyone really out there? I, an American citizen, have to take my shoes off and have my briefcase searched, after checking bags and using a credit card online to pay for my ticket, but a Nigerian citizen, whose name is on a terrorist suspect list, pays cash and checks no luggage, gets on somehow with a bomb? This is a system that worked?
And now, new regulations and procedures are being talked about. No getting up from your seat one hour before landing? Whiskey Tango Hotel, this guy WAS SITTING DOWN when he attempted to detonate his bomb. While over US airspace, flight crews may not make any announcements concerning the flight path or the plane’s position over cities or landmarks. WTH again, do people like Napolitano really think it matters where the terrorists blow themselves up? ’ Ahmed, I will only blow up the infidels if we are over the Space Needle, otherwise, I will not detonate the bomb’. Millions of innocent travellers will have their lives inconvenienced with meaningless and ineffective policies and procedures that will do nothing to prevent future terror attacks and only promote a false sense of security.
Perhaps the most important lesson to learn is that the best and most effective security policy concerning terrorists and airplanes is passengers who are alert and courageous. Jasper Schuringa, a Dutch film producer, was the passenger who tackled the terrorist after hearing a bang and seeing smoke from his seat. He dove over four passengers and tore the device off Umar’s leg, then dragged him out of his seat and restrained him with the help of others. Perhaps we should put Jasper in charge of the TSA. He did more to counter the terrorist threat in this case than anyone in our government.
30 Responses to “So, the system worked? I don’t think so…”
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Ray says:
During the 1970’s-80’s the European terrorist groups, such the Red Army Faction or the Baader-Meinhoff Gang were all from well to do families and were given the education that Europe could offer. The goes for the PLO. It is the same now with the militant Islam terrorists, no difference, only the ideology. But then again they are the same. Both types want to dominate all others.
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Cynthia says:
I have been meaning to write and let you know I do look for your input each morning on line.
I do so appreciate your thoughts and your ability to keep me informed.
Thank You -
kathy says:
right on…whatever happened to the privilege of being a tax-paying citizen?
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Sue VanDerAa says:
Amen!
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Cherie Crossland says:
Can’t wait to hear you on the radio today! You are missed in so many ways!
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Ken Mortland says:
There seems to be one other consistent feature of these attempts. The perpetrator enters the security cordon at some out of the way place, where security procedures are likely to be somewhat lax. In this case it was in Nigeria. Once they arrive at the transfer point (Amsterdam?) to board the target flight, they are already within the security cordon.
It may be that the weak link in the system is relying on someone else’s security procedures. You pointed out that fact very effectively; paid cash and had no luggage. But, in Nigeria, he was still allowed on the plane. Once in Amsterdam to change flights, he was already inside the security cordon.
For that reason, the new procedure to re-screen at boarding gates may be helpful. Or, arriving flights must disembark passengers into the general population. Passengers going on to other destinations must then go through security again. Tedious, I know; but given the pattern used by terrorists, maybe it’s necessary.
I find the “stay seated with nothing in your lap for the last hour rule” more than just a little bit odd. I read, play a small video game, or write in my journal while flying. Flying is tedious enough, without this kind of nonsense.
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Kirby, those are my sentiments EXACTLY! Why did the airline not notify security when he paid $2850 in CASH?!?
Janet Nepolitano is way too underqualified for her job. How naive is she? Can’t get up an Thour before the flight lands? What does that have to do with ANYTHING???
There was a video released by Al Queda 4 days before Christmas threatening this very thing! What will have to happen before we are able to search the people who need searching, (not gray haired ladies) and call this continuing attack on us what it is “The WAR on terror”.
Marcy Spieker
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Matt says:
Great stuff Kirby! Your best column yet!
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Deb Weller says:
The only two things have made flying safer since 9/11 are the reinforcement of cockpit doors, and the fact that passengers now know to resist hijackers/terrorists. The second was in play Christmas Day on the landing to Detroit and is probably the best defense we can hope for given the ludicrous TSA policies.
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Karen says:
Thanks for some straight info/talk on this. I’d think being on a watch list means you’d at LEAST be searched a bit more closely.
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Thom says:
Why do you suppose the bomber was not charged with “attempted MASS MURDER” instead of just trying to blow up an airplane, as though no one was on board or near the plane?????
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Ingolf Kronstad says:
Kirby,
Our daughter-in-law is a flight attendant for Northwest / Delta who left Seattle this
morning (Mon, 12/28) on a flight to Amsterdam.The Union called her yesterday regarding special
security precautions and a special security
briefing before the flight this morning.Mindi (our son’s wife) was apprehensive, so as a
family we had a neat time of PRAYER yesterday,
sharing Psalm 27:1 and Philippians 4:6-7.You are right on, Kirby! Something MORE
needs to be done – by the White House and
Homeland Secuirty. Has Dave Reichert been
contacted as House Chm of Homeland Security?Ingolf Kronstad, PCO, Rexgate, 45th District
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LBMonroe says:
Remember Kirby,
First rule of our new PC Goverment.
Above all….offend no muslim. -
Ruth Miller says:
It was great to hear you on the radio today – (12/28) we miss you so much on the morning show. You got me up every day and got me off to work. Any news of a comeback?
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Joe from Everett says:
Finally, after three day, the ORACLE spoke.
Is it possible that the “man-child” (& the rest of his crewe) is finally getting the idea that
President Bush wasn’t LYING!! -
Philip Morgan says:
Did I hear someone say Janet Fiascopolitano?
Phil
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jim says:
just like in our country its not the poor,they are just trying to survive.its the rich punks that have been sent to liberal colleges and had their heads filled with garbage, and have been sheltered from the real world, they are the true danger! the tsa is a joke! but i bet they vote democrat.
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Jerome D. Pickard says:
This is what happens when idiots are appointed to run our government. The really scary part is that she and Obama both think she is doing a good job.
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Kert says:
It was Great to hear your voice once more on the raido today Kirby and I look forward to hearing much more someday soon.
I think the idiots in Government are even more dangerous to the traveling public than a Panty Bomber, after all, look at all the damage the Government has done to the Airline industry since 9/11. It will only get worse with this bunch of Geniuses running the Government, who have no experience running anything before being elected. -
Greetings. It was great to hear you today subbing for Hannity. Congratulations.
I used to listen to you everyday when I worked at Boeing (before the Union got us all laid off) I moved to Alaska in 1994 and have been active in the political scene here.. won a few, lost a few.. but, oh well.
Anyway, it was great to hear an old friend on the radio today.
Dennis Oakland
Palmer Alaska -
Karen Cook says:
Hello Kirby, I couldn’t have said it any better myself. By the way, I had a nice surprise yesterday after starting my frozen car here in Minneapolis – you were on the radio filling in for Sean. Excellent job as always! Thank you and Happy New Year!
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Well, let’s just that our “Mitch Rapp’s” have been busy this week.
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Sentenza says:
Officials said there was not enough derogatory material to ban him from flying into the US.
They don’t need any derogatory information to stop him from entering the United States.
Every alien who comes to the US is required to prove that they are not immigrants, so if this guy can’t do that, it’s perfectly acceptable to deny his entry.
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Shannon says:
“Millions of innocent travellers will have their lives inconvenienced with meaningless and ineffective policies and procedures that will do nothing to prevent future terror attacks and only promote a false sense of security.”
I don’t think the point is to keep us safe, so much as to force us to be docile drones in their system. Unfortunately, the people in charge are incapable of making judgments about people – aka, “profiling” – so they rely on these blanket non-sensical rules. Passengers will have to have their hands in the open for the last hour of the flight! Then we have full body scans. Who would want to fly now? Not me. -
Gregg Weber says:
incompetence
negligence
unintended consequences
intended consequences
There are four words that came to mind about thie current adminstration’s efforts. I hope that they are not true, especially the fourth, but I would like to see some list of good things, if possible.
Notice I didn’t include collusion or other such words in that list. That might be considered as too harsh a word by some and I don’t have any proof of it. -
Ruth says:
Just another example of how so many of the Obama administration, as well as Obama, are “on the job training”.
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Libby says:
Yesterday I went to a new doc. I had to show them my drivers license & they made a copy. I told them I did not want them to keep a copy of my license in there file as it was not secure. Anyone could have access to all the license’s and steal the copies and make copies & use the info for who knows what. I was told it was a Homeland Sec. law(they had a copy of the law on the desk) that ALL docs & medical faucilities have to see & copy license or other pic. ID. The docs. will not see you if you don’t do this. The lady at the desk told me we have to see your license so we know who you are, I said I could have a counterfit ID. But it is a LAW by the feds. that they do this. I said I can’t see a doc with out you copying & keeping a record of my ID, but I could get on a plane with a bomb in my panties.Some of the people in the waiting room thought that was great.
The IDIOTS are running this country.
What ID would illegal be using?
Good to hear Kirby on Sean’s show last week.
Hmmm, could he have been profiled? Oddly, it probably would have worked. Just a matte of time.
Also, over the last few weeks, we have had multiple police shootings and now terrorism is rearing its ugly head, and we have no local coverage in the morning on the radio.