“If I was on that plane with my kids, it wouldn’t have went down like it did. There would have been a lot of blood in that first-class cabin and then me saying, ‘OK, we’re going to land somewhere safely, don’t worry.’”
It was a foolish thing to say. He has since apologized: “I deeply apologize to the families of the victims that my answer came off as insensitive, it was certainly not my intention,” he told TMZ. “To suggest I would have done anything differently than the passengers on that plane was irresponsible.”
We’ve come a long way from 9/11, but the threat of terrorists is still with us. The Fort Hood massacre is an example. The following article is written in the spirit of reality. We can’t say, “It can’t happen here, and it won’t happen again.”
“We’re the government, and we’re here to save you”
Famous last words. There’s only so much that governments can do to stop terrorists who are committed to blowing up planes, buildings, people, and themselves. If a group of crazed men want to overpower a flight crew, they’ll find a way to do it or die trying and take the plane and its passengers with them. All it takes is a few razor blades, the panic of passengers, and the unwillingness of men to take matters into their own hands because they have been assured that the government is in control and everyone has been properly screened. I’m not buying it, and neither should you.
While I applaud the security precautions taken by the airports, they are not foolproof. Razor blades can easily be concealed. But who even needs razor blades? There are some very hard plastics and composite materials that can be sharpened enough to slit a throat. (Think how easily paper can cut skin.) These types of weapons cannot be picked up by scanners and “magic wands.”
It’s the presence of the security devices that makes us feel safe enough to let down our guard. Terrorists know this, and they will exploit it. While we’re relaxed, they’re plotting and planning. How many times have you heard “experts” tell us that the terrorists will not use planes again? Don’t believe it. They will continue to test the fence looking for blind spots and soft spots. A second wave of planes-as-missiles would bring commerce to a screeching halt and turn America into a virtual police state. That’s the goal. Hit us where it will hurt the most.
It’s Up to You, Me, and the Guys Next to Us
So what do we do? While the government has decided not to scrutinize Mid-Eastern men out of fear of verbal and legal assaults from the ACLU and Muslim advocacy groups like CAIR, there’s nothing stopping us from doing it. This isn’t to say that there may not be home-grown terrorists trying to bring down planes. And it will take a group of them to do it. So if you see five or ten Mid-Eastern types, probably traveling without wives and children, be suspicious. If you spot such a group, size them up physically. Could you take most of them — man to man — in a fight?
Introduce yourself to the other men on the flight. Ask them about their destination, work, and family. Do they fly a lot? Talk about sports is always a good ice breaker. Did they play football in high school or college? For how long? Get an idea of their physical abilities. Do they look in shape? If they’re wearing short sleeves, take a look at their forearms. Meaty forearms are a good sign.
The goal is to make the men feel comfortable knowing that there are other men who will do something if there’s trouble. Nothing needs to be said directly, but they’ll know when the time comes for action. If the terrorists get wind of what’s happening, all the better. It will force them to look for softer targets. Keep your eyes and ears open. Don’t let your guard down.
How to Strangle a Terrorist
Good article Brock. Really good!!
ReplyDeleteMozart
I was surprised by this piece, as it was not what I usually read there, but was certainly right on.
ReplyDelete