I agree! I can't help but think that the system pretty much worked. Yes, the guy should have been given a more thorough search given his known extremist ties... but given the limited details available now, it seems plausible that the guy just couldn't bring in enough of the material needed to set off an explosion capable of doing enough damage.
If someone put a little firecracker in the frame of their glasses and then set it off in-flight... does that mean we need to ban glasses? Or is it perhaps confirmation that you can't bring enough bad stuff in to cause real problems.
In any case, I think if indeed there is a true al-qaeda connection, it's likely that they knew this wouldn't bring down a plane... and were simply counting on the resulting circus and harm to our economy that would result from even a failed attempt.
Originally Posted by
jbart74
I just had a thought, after reading through all of the numerous threads on this latest 'incident.' Many folks are discussing how inept the TSA and various foreign security agencies are concerning screening and such, especially in light of this latest idiot.
I'm no big fan of the TSA, however, since the attacks of September 11, 2001, no one has successfully and intentionally brought down an American Airliner. The two attemps that come to mind are Richard Reid (shoe bomber) and yesterday's idiot.
Both 'bombs' failed to explode. So, these various screening agencies have not detected two devices that LOOKED like bombs, but didn't ACT like bombs.
Hmmmm... Discuss amongst yourselves.
(I know that there are many other issues, ie visas, watch lists, etc that pertain to this latest 'incident' but let's keep this thread related to the title.
thanks,
John