A case of Peri-Millionaire Banker's Son Stress Disorder nearly results in tragedy;
A man is on the no-fly list but is allowed to board the plane. Everyone flying on an inbound long-haul flight to the United States is forced to hand over excessively large amounts of liquids and gels and put the small amounts permitted into separate plastic bags, yet the no-fly guy's material for bomb-making sails through undetected.
This time the last line of defense worked. Next time, the paradise-seeking jihadist might get lucky and find himself sitting next to, say, Charlie Sheen, too immersed in a lengthy treatise on how 9/11 was an inside job to notice the smoldering socks in the next seat; or to the same kind of nothing-to-see-here crowd who thought Major Hasan's e-mails were "consistent with his research interests".
(Speaking of the uncommon heroism of the earthbound, here's commentary that cries out for a few minutes of combustive companionship in a two-seater...)
Update - This account mentioned in the comments looks to be legit.
Flight 253 passenger: Sharp-dressed man aided terror suspect Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab onto plane without passport
Am I missing something? Steyn says the guy was on the no-fly list...? Is that rhetoric?
What I've read so far is that he was on a terrorist watch list, but not on the no-fly list proper. So Steyn may be mistaken here, yes.
And here is more mystery from someone allegedly on the plane....
http://connect.mlive.com/user/KurtHaskell/index.html
"I was on this flight today and am thankful to be alive. My wife and I were returning from an African safari and had this connecting flight through Amsterdam. I sat in row 27, which was 7 rows behind the terrorist. I got to see the whole thing take place and it was very scary. Thanks to a few quick acting people I am still alive today.
For those of you talking about airline security in this thread, I was next to the terrorist when he checked in at the Amsterdam airport early on Christmas. My wife and I were playing cards directly in front of the check in counter. This is what I saw (and I relayed this to the FBI when we were held in customs):
An Indian man in a nicely dressed suit around age 50 approached the check in counter with the terrorist and said "This man needs to get on this flight and he has no passport." The two of them were an odd pair as the terrorist is a short, black man that looked like he was very poor and looks around age 17(Although I think he is 23 he doesn't look it). It did not cross my mind that they were terrorists, only that the two looked weird together. The ticket taker said "you can't board without a passport". The Indian man then replied, "He is from Sudan, we do this all the time". I can only take from this to mean that it is difficult to get passports from Sudan and this was some sort of sympathy ploy. The ticket taker then said "You will have to talk to my manager", and sent the two down a hallway. I never saw the Indian man again as he wasn't on the flight. It was also weird that the terrorist never said a word in this exchange. Anyway, somehow, the terrorist still made it onto the plane. I am not sure if it was a bribe or just sympathy from the security manager.
FBI also arrested a different Indian man while we were held in customs after a bomb sniffing dog detected a bomb in his carry on bag and he was searched after we landed. This was later confirmed while we were in customs when an FBI agent said to us "You are being moved to another area because this area is not safe. Read between the lines. Some of you saw what just happened."(The arrest of the other Indian man). I am not sure why this hasn't made it into any news story, but I stood about 15-20 feet away from the other Indian man when he was cuffed and arrested after his search.
What also didn't make the news is that we were held on the plane for 20 minutes AFTER IT LANDED!. A bomb could have gone off then. This wasn't too smart of security to not let us off the plane immediately.
You can see what time I am writing this as I am having a hard time sleeping tonight. Just thought some of you would like to know what I saw, Merry Christmas."
'Commentary' link is broken; please leave it that way. I want that minute back.
Political correctness kills: 2 Times + O.
"The Nigerian man" vs "a devout Muslim" + fOre fOursOme.
...-
"Suspect’s Father Told U.S. of Son’s Extremism
New York Times ^ | December 26, 2009 | Eric Schmitt and Eric Lipton
The Nigerian man".
...-
UKTimes says "The Nigerian man" is "described as a devout Muslim,".
...-
"Obama plays golf in Hawaii with friends
KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii - President Barack Obama is playing golf with friends from Hawaii and Chicago on the second full day of his Hawaii vacation.
The president's motorcade traveled a few minutes from his vacation home to the golf course at the Marine Corps base in Kaneohe Bay on Saturday morning.
The Kaneohe Klipper golf course overlooks the Pacific Ocean, and is well-known among island golfers as a scenic course.
Obama is playing with Greg Orme, Mike Ramos, and Bobby Titcomb -- all from Hawaii -- and Eric Whitaker, a friend from Chicago.
Earlier in the day, Obama and his wife worked out at the Marine Corps base gym."
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415463/posts
A release from the White House urged Americans to avoid jumping to conclusions:
"Just because a Nigerian Muslim fanatic with links to terrorist groups manages to board an airplane bound for the US and allegedly attempts to detonate what may or may not be an explosive device, doesn't necessarily mean that every Nigerian Muslim fanatic with links to terrorist groups intends to blow up every airplane bound for the US that he boards"
And so now, we all must submit to secondary pat-down searches. Another gift due to scumbags.
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Canada/9014598.html
Perhaps someday, authorities will realize it's the Quakers that need to be patted down.
"We do this all the time."
I remember this phrase from people coming up to the counter wanting to do something shady. It should be one of the "alarm" phrases taught to everybody who serves customers. Generally it means someone is trying to commit fraud with a credit card or something perhaps less obvious. In this security situation, the malicious intent is still there, the phrase is the same, but the consequences are much more deadly. Such statements should arouse suspicion, and here the first and most appropriately precautionary reaction should be to take it to mean a code for "I have a bomb." It would be really nice if we didn't have to go through all the time consuming security checks, but the real world says to us that this simply is not the case with these sort of people in the world.
bugger all scares me anymore. given some set of circumstances I might beat the bomber to death right there on the plane. I abhor violence and aggression especially when it is aimed at me. there are limits and when some religionist tries to take out hundreds at a time that certainly breaches those limits.
naturally here in Canuckistan it would be necessary to defend the counterattack in the glare of 20-20 hindsight and years of shoulda-coulda.
welcome to the 21st century. some things never change.
Stop all Muslim immigration to Canada.
You know what? I'm all for body searches. Any on me would yield nothing except excess body fat.
But, if there'd been body searches for this flight, this guy's gizmos would have been found -- unless, of course, he put them on in the washroom after the flight had taken off.
Maybe there need to be body searches every time someone goes to the washroom. A nightmare, yes. But, otherwise, how on earth can air security be taken seriously?
And, if someone can board an international flight without a passport, air security is shot to Hell.
I don't fly very often and I intend to fly a lot less.
I heard on Fox Radio News that Obama will not be making a statement about the incident.
That made total sense to me as Obama only makes statements regarding white New Haven police officers or Danny Glover and black actors.
You know, all the critical stuff that Presidents concern themselves with.
Hey, clair voyant, the Prez is on holidays in Hawaii, dontcha know?
He's a serious let's-get-down-and-have-fun-guy-now-that-it's-all-on-the-taxpayers'-dime. Ain't we got fun, Michelle? 'May not last too long, so let's boogy while we can.
The last line of defence did't work. The bomb failed.
Obama Hussien has decreed new security rules to be followed as a result of this breech in security.
from the NY Times,
"Among other steps being imposed, passengers on international flights coming to the United States will apparently have to remain in their seats for the last hour of a flight without any personal items on their laps."
In what way will this help prevent islamic bombers from igniting themselves, and having the efforts thwarted by concerned/heroic/innocent/non-muslim other passengers?
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/27/us/27security.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
are there any "safe" airline companies that are considered non-halal that the terrorists amongst us simply avoid, instead of trying to bring them down as bombs?
"Non-Halal Airliners of North America"? and... "Security, for when you'd rather die of old age"...
Mark Steyn, 2003: "To expect the government to save you is to be a bystander in your own fate."
True then, true today. Thank goodness for those on the plane who chose not to be bystanders.
There ought to be a pig and a German Shepherd assigned to every overseas flight. That should keep everybody safe.
I have often wondered why the U.S. and other Western countries don't announce to the world that the remains of all suicide bombers and terrorists killed on the battle field will be buried with pig parts in the coffin.
Do you think that may slow down the insurgency?
Why would anyone target Detroit? Seriously. That town's already been destroyed. The average home is now worth less than the average used car. No terrorist attack there could do half the damage the recent recession has done. With that said, I'd like to see the impact on airline stocks this Monday.
Also, any press releases from top Muslims regarding this incident? Silence is consent.
CNN reports that the poor misguided youth may require skin grants. He's probably not insured, so I hope Obama's health care plan kicks in soon enough to get him the help he deserves. If not, maybe Major Hasan's military coverage could be extended to him. Seems like they were associates in the Yemeni Glee Club.
Bacon sandwiches to be served on all international flights. Or ham and cheese, whichever.
Pistols issued to everybody who wants one, frangible ammunition of course. If you don't like the issued model, please bring your own. No rifles please, too long to swing in the cabin.
There you go, job done.
Will some Lefty please explain how this could be less effective than the present set-up, where they search everyone -except- shifty looking young men from the target racial groups? Because despite these searches, line-ups and frigging idiotic security buffoonery, some DORK managed to get on a plane with powdery substances taped to his body.
Remember friends, it isn't actual security. Its security THEATER. A show to make the rubes feel safe. We get to be the rubes in the show.
They need to focus more on who gets on the plane rather than what they might be carrying. There's absolutely no reason to let any African muslim, with no passport, and no legitimate reason for entering North America, onto any airplane.
In the scramble to save the airline industry, after 9/11, a lot of allowances were made. It's time to turn air travel back to what it used to be; expensive, complicated, and exclusive. There's no good reason for third world trash, and potential terrorists to be flying in our friendly skies.
CNN reports that the poor misguided youth may require skin grants.
I hear that Porky Pig has lots of skin to offer...
Just trying to be helpful here.
son of a prominent banker?
I'm guessing they won't be able to use the "desperation of poverty" line here.
Crap, here we go again. More hoops to jump through in hopes that strip-searching my granny with the obligatory cavity search will deter any young Muslim radical male from looking for glory and virgins. Is it any wonder that my pucker factor went up when I was at the airport last week and observed a bunch of young dark skinned males speaking Farsi(possibly)and were getting into a highly animated discussion/debate.
Thanks for the link to that "progressive" blog Kate. The trip gave me two more definitions for "progessive":
1) A progressive is someone who calls others pissy-pants from the security of their own wet nappy and urine-soaked bed.
2) A progressive calls infantile bed-wetting over petty idiosyncrasies and thinly veiled misanthropy "satire". Who'd a thunk it?
jim303: " ... He's probably not insured ..."
Hey, his daddy's rich (in London) and his mom is, probably, good looking, so hush, little baby, don't you cry.
I suspect he needs skin grafts, not skin grants!
Apparently he was badly burnt in the "genital" area.
Those 1,000 black-eyed houris wouldn't think too highly of Paradise and eternity with this boy.
So let me get this straight . They promise you 72 virgins and then convince you to blow things up ....... starting with your junk .
a sample of bomb making technique...
"a little dab'll do ya' ...
http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/200160.php
I've said it before and I'll say it again:
It's time we played cowboys and Mooslims...and this time we don't stop.
Thanks Kate: "What I've read so far is that he was on a terrorist watch list, but not on the no-fly list proper. So Steyn may be mistaken here, yes."
No Mark was right 'cuz in my peewwee brain there isn't any difference between a "terrorist watch list" and a "no fly list".
Or maybe the no fly guys have the passports...
Of course this wouldn't happen in Canada. I know because I just went thru the very precise 'Police check' in order to do volunteer work at my church that I have attended for 20+ years.
I'm sure we are just as strict at the border...right?
On the other hand it was easier to get my passport.
And, of course, this latest screw-up earns a targeted response against the one group that can't say anything and has to bend over and bear it: the passengers. Whatever will the airlines do when nobody is a big enough masochist to fly with them anymore?
Islam: al-Mengele separates the goats from the sheep.
"He will send all the pious among the slain straight to paradise, while those who are sinful will find their place in hell.”"
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"Brainwashed boy bomber flees Taliban
In the tribal areas of northwest Pakistan, a 14-year-old boy ‘came to’ just before pulling the pin on his suicide jacket"
[...]
"Ghani was forced to pay for the “sins” of his father. Militants took him and he was driven, blindfolded, to the Taliban-infested Bandai area of Bajaur, where he learnt his fate. “Three leaders said because my father was guilty of selling hashish, as a punishment I would have to carry out a suicide attack or be slaughtered,” he said.
“When I refused, they tied me down with a rope and started beating me. Eventually I said I was ready to carry out an attack just to make them stop.”
Ghani was subjected to months of indoctrination. He was imprisoned with two other teenage boys and forced to listen to militant sermons every night. “They told us that a suicide attack is the direct path to paradise, where beautiful women and all the happiness of life are waiting for you,” he said. “They said we were lucky to have been chosen by God for this noble purpose.”
When Ghani showed the slightest sign of reluctance, his captors switched tactics. “They came and forced me to eat a tablet. After taking the pill I couldn’t understand what was right or wrong. Whatever they said to me I would answer ‘yes’ and it seemed justified to me.
“The pills made me forgetful and I stopped caring about my brothers, sisters or parents. The only thing before me was paradise and I agreed to carry out an attack for the sake of Islam.”
He was taught how to operate the suicide jacket and assigned a target — Malak Rahmatullah, a tribal elder opposed to the Taliban.
He received final, hate-filled sermons from Maulvi Faqir, deputy leader of the Pakistani Taliban, and Maulvi Omar, the Taliban spokesman. “Omar told me to go to a nearby mosque for prayer five times a day and to stroll through the streets so no one in the village would suspect me as a stranger.”
He was ordered to target Rahmatullah during Friday prayers. When he protested that there would be civilian casualties, he was told: “God knows best. He will send all the pious among the slain straight to paradise, while those who are sinful will find their place in hell.”
Ghani was put into his suicide vest and taken to the mosque. “They directed me to get into the second row behind him [Rahmatullah] and then draw the pin, which was fixed to the left side of my chest.
“I’d been fully prepared to carry out the suicide attack but when I reached the mosque I realised that something was wrong. There were copies of the holy Koran everywhere and old people and young children were coming to pray.
“I asked myself how I could kill all these innocent people to send myself to paradise. Then I suddenly thought of my younger brother playing in a field outside our house and calling me.” Ghani fled, knowing he would incur the wrath of the Taliban who were waiting for news of carnage."
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article6968382.ece
“Today we were unlucky, but remember we only have to be lucky once. You will have to be lucky always.”
Said IRA scumbag to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher after the Brighton Hotel Bombing in 1984.
I'm surprised at how much of a failure the terrorist are in making explosives.
Epic Fail.
I wonder if there would be a market for an airline that wouldn't fly to Muslim countries, and wouldn't allow Muslim passengers?
Nah - what was I thinking? The HRC would never let this idea fly.
airline that wouldn't fly ... never let this idea fly - good pun.
PIGS IN airSPACE!!!!
some probable history and some ideas.
http://www.snopes.com/rumors/pershing.asp
Hear Porter Air is setting up a subsidiary - Porker Air.
"We'll save your bacon every flight."
.
.
I heard on a CBC news report this AM that no motive had yet been established.
An alleged terrorist, allegedly straps an alleged explosive device on his (now its?) alleged leg?
Allegedly sets it off, allegedly causing alleged fire, grief, and damage on an alleged aircraft, which allegedly landed safely?
Why doesn't the CBC or anybody else worry about the motive of that alleged president?
Allahu Akbar, Allahu barAk, alleged motive.
Libslam 'n' Islam up a tree
k-i-s-s-i-n-g
.
.
Flying naked would solve a lot of security issues...
No doubt in my mind that at least someone got bought off to let that piece of shit on that plane. Does anyone get onto US soil without a passport? No - but if he had no intention of having his plane reach US soil - not having a passport was not going to be a problem.
Hence - someone got bought off to let him on the plane. If not - what would be the point of letting him on just to be turned away at US customs.
I propose all nude flights, pretty hard to hide explosives that way, and we test this out with all politicians first.
(This would be a good way to keep them from flying around the world on our dime.)
(And I am anticipating comments on the hiding of EIDs in orifices and under rolls of fat from other SDA posters.)
I would add to my above post that no one gets onto US soil without a passport with the obvious exception of some 12,000,000 Mexicans. Just a slight oversight there.
Different Bob:
He had no passport, but apparently he did have a valid US visa that expires in June, 2010. How does anyone get a visa without a passport? I agree with a poster above who suggested some amount of cash may have changed hands at the African airport. When he got to Holland, he was probably in an "international transit" lounge, so he wouldn't have gone through customs and passport control there.
Charlie Sheen, too immersed in a lengthy treatise on how 9/11 was an inside job
-Too difficult for my suspension of disbelief, does not compute.-
Mrs. Oz had an idea back in the day when the controversial subject ofarmed Air Marshals was first being argued back and forth: Give every adult passenger who boards the plane a half/litre canister of pepper spray, complimentary of the airline, and then, upon a safe landing, each canister is reclaimed in straight across trades for tagged luggage.
Nah, too empowering for the sky peons.
"What I've read so far is that he was on a terrorist watch list, but not on the no-fly list proper"
How does one manage to get on the terrorist watch list but avoid the no-fly list?!? Has affirmative action put the retards in charge of the lists?
My apologies for using the term "retard" in my previous post. I would also like to apologize for using the term "terrorist" and also the word "affirmative". I hope optimists, people prone to committing scary acts of violence, and people unable to tie their own shoes were not overly offended.
It's interesting when the suspect's own father has warned US officials.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2009/12/26/2009-12-26_father_of_umar_farouk_abdul_mutallab_nigerian_terror_suspect_in_flight_253_attac.html
I heard on a CBC news report this AM that no motive had yet been established.
Ah ha, I know why he did it! Someone must have teased him, said something mean or gave him a dirty look, poor little rich kid./
Must have been drugged heavily though, how else could he not show pain from being burned that badly and so subduded and compliant when nailed?
Hope he gets a very lengthy prison sentence.
Seems elementary that a person on a terrorist watch list would also include a no-fly.
We have no way of knowing who's who in the wacky world of the Allah Akbar doctrine. It's a case of being unable to trust anyone from a Muslim/Islamic culture because of the terrorist element spawned from it. The recent happening at Fort Hood is another reminder of the common thread.
Even though the majority of Muslims are not terrorists, majority, if not all terrorists are Muslim. It seems foolhardy to allow further Muslim immigrants to our Western democracies while we are fighting them in places like Afghanistan. There can be no trust. We are experiencing "home grown" terrorists which leads us to conclude it's endemic.