Here's a good article in the (Washington) Post today. It basically says a lot of the things I posted above, while addressing the other side more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...2001Sep23.html

Though, honestly, after a quick read through the article (gotta go to work soon) I still don't see why DCA is considered more dangerous than IAD or BWI in terms of potential terrorist attack. The things I get from this article are:

1. The planes from DCA are a constant reminder and might make people paranoid (which would indicate to me that yes, the terrorists have achieved one of thei goals of fear and paranoia).

2. You have 3-5 more minutes if a plane is diverted from IAD or BWI, and every minute counts. I'm still not sure what those 3-5 minutes would buy, in all honesty. Though I suppose it's time to hustle Bush or Cheney into a secure area -- didn't I read that Cheney was taken down somewhere in the White House when they caught that flight heading into DC? Didn't do anything to help those at the Pentagon, though. 3-5 minutes doesn't seem like enough time to scramble fighters, or evacuate buildings -- especially when you don't know which building the target might be.