Michelle Malkin » I believe the Jacobsens

I believe the Jacobsens

By Michelle Malkin • July 19, 2004 11:44 PM

Just watched the excellent special report on MSNBC hosted by Joe Scarborough regarding Annie and Kevin Jacobsen’s account of what they saw on Northwest Flight 327. I am going to keep this short and simple, as this will be my last blogword on the matter unless anything new breaks.

I believe the Jacobsens. I believe they observed what Annie called “not normal behavior” by an unusually large group of Arab foreign nationals. I believe they witnessed a dry run for a terrorist attack. I don’t believe they were “paranoid.” I believe they were acting as responsible parents and responsible citizens who take their post-9/11 obligation to remain vigilant at all times dead seriously.

I will be doing a lot of flying over the next few months, and I will act–without apology or shame–as the Jacobsens acted on their flight. As much as possible, I will be aware of what’s going on in front and in back of the planes I ride. I will pay attention to detail. I will remember faces and gestures and odd objects. I will write things down. I will pester the flight attendants, discreetly, if I witness anything of concern. I won’t hesitate to contact authorities if my gut tells me that danger is imminent. And I will be prepared to fight for my life.

Bottom line: I will not be lulled by the fashionable apathy of the blind. And I will not be cowed by the politically correct protestations of the dumb.

To those who shrug that “nothing happened” and that this is “not news,” I say: Wake the *%&^#@ up and stop acting like 9/10 sheeple. Better a false alarm than a flaming plane.

Update: Rod Dreher, Dallas Morning News op-ed editor, informs us that on his op-ed page, “we published an edited (for length) version of Annie Jacobsen’s original account. You won’t find it on our website because our agreement with Womenswallstreet.com only gave us print rights. But the story is now officially in the mainstream.” Excellent to hear. Still nothing in the Washington Post.

Posted in: Airline Security, Annie Jacobsen

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#1

On July 20th, 2004 at 9:04 am, GWB said:

Michelle,
Why not be paranoid? Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean nobody is out to get you.
#2

On July 20th, 2004 at 9:12 am, Right of Center said:

Funny how the same people who call you paranoid now will be the *first* to clamour for a ‘blue ribbon commission’ to affix blame for a *lack* of ‘paranoia’ on the part of the administration *after* the exploding truck kills 200 people!
#3

On July 20th, 2004 at 9:12 am, John S. said:

Michelle,

Let’s hope more Americans are like you over the next few months!

Norman Mineta and his “2 Arab” quota is another example of how liberalism endangers Americans.
#4

On July 20th, 2004 at 9:14 am, Right of Center said:

Of course I mean ‘airplane’.
#5

On July 20th, 2004 at 9:16 am, Chris said:

off topic here, but why is the “post a comment” function disabled on most of the threads? There are maybe one in five that will let me post a new comment.

Anybody else having this problem?
#6

On July 20th, 2004 at 9:22 am, Rod Dreher said:

FYI, I’m the op-ed editor of the Dallas Morning News this week, and on today’s op-ed page, we published an edited (for length) version of Annie Jacobsen’s original account. You won’t find it on our website because our agreement with Womenswallstreet.com only gave us print rights. But the story is now officially in the mainstream.
#7

On July 20th, 2004 at 9:26 am, Thomas said:

Even if the 14 Syrians were simply musicians rather than terrorists on a dry run, the article is still disturbing. Why were these individuals and their personal effects not thouroughly checked out before they got on the plane? If the flight attendants and crew were also aware of the situtation and worried, why did the flight still happen and go all the way to its destination? Why were these individuals allowed to engage in questionable behavior on the plane, like gathering at the bathrooms?

Finally, assuming they are true, the emails from other flight attendants and pilots stating this type of thing happens all the time is of great concern. I think that is the angle that needs to be explored further by a real investigative journalist.

While this may not be “news” to some, I think its very important because it points out some serious gaps in our security. Why would Al-Qaeda, or other groups, not try to use planes again???
#8

On July 20th, 2004 at 9:27 am, David2 said:

It looks like the Syrians are running plays as they wait for the big day. What would have happened if they had exhibited this type of behavior the week after 9/11? Would we have so many pundits ho-humming the whole thing? Would the Syrians have been attacked as they practiced their coordinated drills in the sky?
I think it is time to dump the liberal rules that allow this to happen. The Syrians and the Iranians now know that they can get away with dress rehearsals in our airliners over our country. And 46% of the country apparently thinks that is just fine. Well, I don’t have to fly and maybe if everyone who can stay on the ground does so they will make some changes. The Syrians obviously figured they needed more bodies next time and nobody has questioned that. If they are going to ride on our airliners the numbers have to be cut drastically. We are in a war, dammit. Let them ride one or two at a time, with an escort. And forget about this, “They were screened, bs”. It was a dry run and we still can’t screen for liquid explosives and the small equipment that can be assembled to set it off. There goes the airliner or maybe even the door to the cockpit! Who knows what they are planning!
#9

On July 20th, 2004 at 9:31 am, Dan Patterson said:

Of course you are right to be wary, and of course you are right to be aware of the identities of sworn enemies. I am an advocate of concealed-carry EVERYWHERE, and no, I am not joking. You sensitive-metrosexual-types can try to empathize with someone that desperately wants to murder you but I will advocate shooting them in the head. Which will be more effective?

Has anyone started a petition to have Michelle Malkin speak at the convention? I’ll start one or sign the first one that’s sent to me; we need more logical voices like hers in persuasive positions.

Dan Patterson
Winston-Salem, NC
#10

On July 20th, 2004 at 9:42 am, Phil said:

Michelle, this political correctness has to stop! Profiling makes sense. It isn’t Irish Catholics or Poles or Chinese terrorists who threaten this country it is radical Arabs and other Muslims.

In 30 years of traveling the world, I have known many fine and decent people of the Muslim faith. But to paraphrase Hillary Clinton, Muslims in the US are going to have to give up something for the greater good.

The increased scrutiny must be polite, fair and tight as a drum head. Those who have nothing to fear should not have to fear this. Perhaps a side benefit would be to reduce the enablers in the mainstream Muslim community who allow these people in their midst.
#11

On July 20th, 2004 at 9:57 am, Joseph said:

In addition to the wariness that Michelle recommends, I will write letters to my representatives asking them examine some of the TSA rules and make them more stringent. I hope all readers will do the same.

Thanks to Michelle for the investigation of this matter!
#12

On July 20th, 2004 at 9:59 am, Machelle said:

The article doesn’t state where the Syrians orginated from, but if it was Detroit Metro I can see how they got through anything that could be considered dangerous. Metro security screening is not very good and the only place ID is asked for to match it to the Plane ticket is when you first enter security.

With the huge population of Middle Easterns in the Metro Detroit area you would think they would pay closer attention to flights orginating from Detroit.
#13

On July 20th, 2004 at 10:07 am, Greg said:

I fly 120,000-140,000 miles per year and was boarding a plane when I heard about the attacks on New York. I am always watchful! I try to always be in the very front of the plane, as close to the cockpit as possible.
I watch everyone and keep track of actions and attitudes. Glad to hear there are others being vigilant.
#14

On July 20th, 2004 at 10:11 am, Right of Center said:

Certainly there is a middle ground between the current no-profiling situation and ‘question all Arabs’ which makes sense.

How about extra checks and security procedures for passport holders from nations on the State Department’s “terrorist State” list?

Syria is on that list! Even a Blond Blue-Eyed white guy from *SYRIA* should get some extra scrutiny imho.
#15

On July 20th, 2004 at 10:11 am, Surge said:

Al-Qaeda has an international network that encompasses all countries, not just the Arab world.

I’d be wary of Filipinos in planes as well, since an Al Qaeda cell has been growing in influence there and have stated publicly they are ready to attack the U.S. as well.

I’m also looking out for suspicious Caucasian men. Remember Johnny Walker Lindh, the American Al Qaeda?

Let’s watch our backs, folks!
#16

On July 20th, 2004 at 10:19 am, GsOuPx said:

Working barely to the west of GZ on 9/11 keeps me dilligent.

This was too obvious, tho. Her paranoia got the best of her.
#17

On July 20th, 2004 at 10:27 am, carpediem said:

It’s amazing to me that an entire plane full of people would just sit there and that the most “daring” move would be to speak with a flight attendant.

Who cares if their feelings are hurt. For God’s sake, this is what makes our country so soft and vulnerable. When it comes to home invasion, handguns, or flying on airplanes, The PC police only make it difficult to protect ourselves and our families. Most every American is aware that Middle Eastern males are responsible for almost every single act of terrorism in the world, and I’ve got news for you, the Middle Eastern males know this too. It’s no wonder you never hear Arab groups squawking about the injustice of all the Muslim extremists, their freedom and security is usually not threatened in the least. These killers are not stupid and they’re certainly not politically correct.

Wake up people… The bottom line, and I’m not sure what is so hard to understand, they believe they have a mandate from God to kill us. Let their feelings be hurt, they can always go back to Syria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, or wherever they came from. This is our home…
#18

On July 20th, 2004 at 10:29 am, Pierre Legrand said:

Thanks for highlighting this story Michelle. I have been taking on Donald Sensing on his shoddy attacks against this woman. I never understood why he found it wise to discredit Anne Jacobsen. The way he jumped all over the supposed naming of the band…was shocking.

Do I believe this was a dry run? Not sure. Do I believe that there are people making dry runs right now…absolutely! Do I believe that the Terrorists will use airliners again? Absolutely! No country is insane enough to give them the worst weapons so they are left trying to match their last Murderous rampage, anything less will be a loss of face.

Pierre Legrand
#19

On July 20th, 2004 at 10:30 am, David2 said:

Something about her account reminded me of a movie I saw awhile ago. It was The Green Mile. In that flick, the innocent man watches from his cell while the prison guards practice the execution drill. I think the Jacobsens might understand. They are planning to kill us. And we are as silent as the lambs.
#20

On July 20th, 2004 at 10:45 am, john smith said:

>Michelle, this political correctness has to stop! Profiling makes sense. It isn’t Irish Catholics or Poles or Chinese terrorists who threaten this country it is radical Arabs and other Muslims.

I’ve read recently (can’t remember where) that disaffected young Americans are being recruited as murder-bombers. Wonder if that is true.
#21

On July 20th, 2004 at 10:48 am, KellyW said:

I watched the interview last night on MSNBC. Mr. Jacobsen was still very emotional over it, which I can understand. I’m afraid I’d be the one sobbing into my husbands shoulder during a flight like that. But than again, I cry during turbulance!

I was also struck by how the “experts” went out of the way to say there is nothing to worry about, basically saying the Jacobsen’s were over-reacting.

I’m not an “expert”, but it sounded like a dry run to me. I can’t believe in a post 9-11 world Arab males aren’t conscious how they might scare people on planes. It seems they were purposely terrorizing the people on that plane.

By the way, great blog!
#22

On July 20th, 2004 at 11:19 am, Larry said:

I think the Jacobsens were very calm and rational, considering the situation.

As soon as the Mickey D’ bag came out, I would have tackled the guy, screaming, “Let’s Roll, BABY! YEAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!”

Then Michelle would be blogging about the crazy guy who went nuts on flight 327 and had to be restrained by 8 air marshalls.
#23

On July 20th, 2004 at 11:21 am, Baklava said:

To the John Smith’s of the world,

Sure there are people who have joined Al Qaida that don’t look Arab or aren’t from Syria.

All that us common sense, prudent people are saying is that it makes sense to pay attention to patterns. It’s very natural for members of the human race in their desire for security to pay attention to patterns.

Unfortunately the U.S. government has the policy of complete random searches to get on a plane and a limit of 2 Arabs being searched before getting on a plane.

And then… When any of us who want to use the LIMITED SECURITY RESOURCES that we have in a smarter, reasonable and more prudent fashion we are called racists and people out there like John Smith want to make the point that there are non Arab looking people who are being recruited.

Yes John. Nobody is saying to never look at another non-Arab in a security fashion again. Do you know who is making that argument? Be honest.
#24

On July 20th, 2004 at 11:22 am, CandPeez said:

Michelle,

I believe you’ve given birth to a creed that should be adopted by every responsible American citizen that purchases a seat on an airplane from now on:

I will act without apology or shame.
I will be aware of what’s going on in front and in back of the planes I ride.
I will pay attention to detail.
I will remember faces and gestures and odd objects.
I will write things down.
I will pester the flight attendants, discreetly, if I witness anything of concern.
I won’t hesitate to contact authorities if my gut tells me that danger is imminent.
And I will be prepared to fight for my life.

This is going up on my blog immediately!
#25

On July 20th, 2004 at 11:28 am, americankitty said:

>To those who shrug that “nothing happened” and that this is “not news,” I say: Wake the *%&^#@ up and stop acting like 9/10 sheeple. Better a false alarm than a flaming plane.

*cheers*

I wonder how many of us have to scream this before people start paying attention.

Oh, and I’ve been wondering why the comments are disabled, too. I’m unfamiliar to blogiquette.
#26

On July 20th, 2004 at 11:42 am, SQUADRON said:

Regardless if THESE particular people are “Real Terrorists” on a “dry run” or not, they certainly were terrorizing to the people on that plane. They HAD to be aware of the “perception” they made by acting the way they did. (My guess is that they remember 911 and it’s effect on us.)

They should be treated as terrorists. Not necessarily jailed indefinitely. But After a more thorough investigation, I don’t think that deportation would be too extreme. As a matter of fact Deportation should be at least the minimum.
K/H D
#27

On July 20th, 2004 at 12:07 pm, All American Girl said:

Michelle-
Thankyou for reporting this story. Like you, I also believe the Jacobsens’ story.
As I read Anne’s story and listened to the Jacobsens’ tell their frightening account, one question kept coming to mind, why were these guys allowed to act like this in the first place?
Even IF the Syrians’ story did check out(I personally don’t believe for a second that these men were simply harmless musicians on their way to a gig) I believe that it was wrong for the Air Marshalls to just sit by and allow the Syrians to terrorize the other passengers on the plane. I don’t care what the Air Marshalls’ reasons may have been, the fact remains that the Syrians were allowed to torture the other passengers.
Still, I wonder what the response would have been had this been a group of blond haired blue eyed men?
#28

On July 20th, 2004 at 12:15 pm, Big Digger said:

Part of the problem appears to have been the lack of control by the Flight 327 cabin crew from the start of tyhe flight. You can’t allow 12-14 Richard Reids to roam around the plane, take inventory in the overhead bins, and socialize at the lavatories. On my most recent Southwest and US Air flights the attendents told us (nicely but firmly) not to clog the aisle and not to line up at the forward lavatory as it was next to the cockpit. In effect they kept us in our seats. And, if we had ignorant jerks or worse who didn’t behave, as on the Jacobsen flight, I would be happy to respond in the “Lets Roll” spirit and help the attendents give these jerks the message. If the TSA won’t screen you on the ground, we’ll screen you in-flight. We must refuse to be pushed around by 3rd world scum on our airlines in our own country. Band my A–!
#29

On July 20th, 2004 at 12:43 pm, Meg said:

The NYTimes ran a column/soft news story on it: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/20/business/20road.html?ex=1090987200&en=20e26710a565aeaa&ei=5040&partner=MOREOVER
#30

On July 20th, 2004 at 12:55 pm, virginia said:

I recently came back from China (to Canada) with a new baby girl who had the worst case of the runs ever. I must have changed her diaper 12 times on the flight over from Beijing to Vancouver. Because I was sitting in first class and used the bathroom nearest the cockpit, I know that the flight attendants were keeping an eye on me. They asked me to wait while the pilot was outside the cockpit, even though the smell and sounds emitted by my daughters were disturbing the other passengers. How is it then that 14 middle eastern men could use the bathroom during landing?!?! I totally believe Annie Jacobson, and I also believe that this behiviour would only be tolerated in the US, where political correctnes has run amock. so what if they got their feelings hurt? We’re talking safety and security here.
#31

On July 20th, 2004 at 1:05 pm, Erik said:

Off-topic: Michelle, this piece is being quote over on The Corner at NRO, which also has the phrase “Malkin in 2008″. If that’s the case, please direct me where I can send my resume to be your campaign manager. While I’m not a political pro, I can assure you that I am very much in touch with my “inner Machiavelli” and can be a great asset to your campaign Signed Erik, Campaign Manager, Malkin-Rice ‘08.

On Topic: … if I fly and see an Arab man that fits the profile, I just assume “terrorist”. Call me racist. I don’t care because it’s a lot better than being called ‘dead’.
#32

On July 20th, 2004 at 1:13 pm, J at TAotB said:

Great post. I linked to it (trackback isn’t working).

As for targeting potential terrorists, it’s not “question all Arabs” but rather “question anyone (including and especially Middle Eastern folks) who is acting in any way suspiciously or for whom we have any other reason to want to ask a few more questions.”

Obviously, this is illegal given Mineta’s dictat, but is needs to happen anyway.

Mineta has to be the first one out the door when W grows a spine.
#33

On July 20th, 2004 at 1:19 pm, Margaret said:

Political Correctness was pushed on us by the Left who are now supporting the Islamic Jihad and hope to profit if the Jihad is successful in reducing the US to chaos. The major media has been successful in getting people to believe their spin and not what they have been watching with their own eyes! God help us.
#34

On July 20th, 2004 at 1:28 pm, Ted B. said:

I saw them on TV last night, and I’m torn between my suspision of self-promoting “authors”, and my admiration of concerned citizens refusing to be silent sheep.

Without some corroboration from other passengers or flight crew I wonder how in this day-and-age anyone would be permitted to wander the aircraft, at cruise or while preparing to land. If true, the flight crew lost any aspect of control over the cabin, and immediate remedial action is needed on Northwest flights. My “suspect governmental authority”-side wonders if it might have been a TSA training or sting operation and the 14 “Syrians” were actually TSA or FAA personnel. The odd follow-up responses from the TSA and FBI authorities after the flight landed makes me wonder.

For me it gets back to did other passenger connect the same dots as the Jacobsens? And why did the flight crew appear to be so ineffectual? Personally, I think that a follow-up hijacking would be ineffectual since no US passenger aircraft is going to be taken without a fight after 9-11 by a group.

A single hijacker possibly, though the most likely scenario for a aircraft-as-missile would be a pilot crashing his own aircraft, like the Egyptian airliner over the North Atlantic several years ago. (The command pilot abruptly put the aircraft in a power-dive straight down into the ocean while chanting verses praising Allah.) And while it might bring down the plane, I doubt under those conditions anyone could hit a specific target while fighting-off the rest of the cockpit crew.

We’ve spent billions locking the barn after the horse has escaped. The next attack, it it comes, will be by a different unconventional method; not a repeat of 9-11’s peaceful taking of three jets. The passenegers WILL fight for their lives next time, as they did on the fourth flight.
#35

On July 20th, 2004 at 1:35 pm, casa said:

Here’s a follow up article by Mrs jacobsen
http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=14301
#36

On July 20th, 2004 at 1:39 pm, Athos said:

The silence from most of the mainstream media on this is astounding. In particular, where are the investigative journalism on the laxness of the TSA and risk to the traveling public? What is more important - a PC canard against racial profiling or risking the capture / bombing of airliners in an airborne version of Madrid?
#37

On July 20th, 2004 at 1:48 pm, Lynn said:

What would the world dynamic be if the terrorists were Christians or Jews?
#38

On July 20th, 2004 at 1:53 pm, Pietro said:

One thing about that band everyone’s been talking about - there’s a woman lead singer. Annie Jacobsen doesn’t notice, or mention a Middle Eastern woman at all.
#39

On July 20th, 2004 at 1:55 pm, steve A said:

It is possible that these folks were simply trying to scare people. I’ve seen many junior thug wannabes do it over the years, usually they’re playing up the gangsta routine. They know there is a fear out there and they want to play the part that they are the bad guy. It is sick fun for them.
#40

On July 20th, 2004 at 2:05 pm, aurora said:

I have been reading the links from Michelle’s blog on this. I couldn’t help but noticing a couple of similarities.

…I found this:

“Some of the hijackers had frequent flier accounts with a high number of miles on them. That alone, the senior aviation official said, would have made airline employees more at ease with individuals who seemed to be nothing more than good customers.”

…and this:

“ABC News reported last night that two of the hijackers, whom it did not name, flew from Las Vegas to New York on Aug. 1 aboard US Airways, and that one successfully asked for a tour of the cockpit, claiming to be a student pilot. In other flights designed to test airline security, some of the hijackers were seen videotaping in-flight procedures, the network said.”

…here: http://www.snopes.com/rumors/woods.htm

…and this:

“i said something to the stewardess,” she continues, her voice low and her eyes still looking straight ahead. “but she said that there wasn’t anything to worry about. that they’ve flown with them before, or something like that.” she managed a smile. “i told my husband — that’s him over there with our two kids — to be ready…just in case.”

…and this:

“from the overhead bin, the man took down a large blue bag. he unzipped it and took out three smaller bags, handing one to the other two men in his row.

and then they began filming.

with their videocameras, they filmed the aisle of the plane. the man with the headband walked up and down the aisle, filming the plane.

in the meantime, the man in the window seat was also filming. he was filming the wing of the plane. as he filmed, he and the man in the center seat were pointing and gesturing and talking.

they’re filming the inside of the plane.”

…here:
http://tequilamockingbird.blogspot.com/2003_08_01_tequilamockingbird_archive.html#106130081750298230

(I would be frightened if blond and blue-eyed men acted like this too.)
#41

On July 20th, 2004 at 2:09 pm, Bill from INDC said:

I don’t think that it’s not news, but I sure as hell don’t understand how a plane load of people could not do anything but sob for 4 hours.
#42

On July 20th, 2004 at 2:12 pm, ForNow said:

At best, these & other Middle Easterners are engaging in resentful taunting behavior rooted in their bottomless Muslim bigotry, their wounded Muslim �pride.� While trying to draw us into the sucker�s dialectic of pandering to Muslim pride & shame, simultaneously they are behaving in sympathy with the terrorists for they are providing cover�they are aggressively trying to be a crowd of suspicious behaviors (averaged across many flights) into which the terrorists can blend.

And that�s at best.

And I strongly suspect worse.
#43

On July 20th, 2004 at 2:13 pm, Alfred North said:

Here are the FAA Memos that started it all (November 2001): http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/rules/20011116.htm and http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/rules/20011119.htm

Note the part at the end of the second one about the “but-for” test. Airline personnel should be trained in how to articulate objective grounds for suspicion — people carrying unusual-shaped cases, or putting objects in their shoes, etc. — that are independent of ethnic or race-related factors. If they can justify their search based on such objective grounds, they do not have to worry about being penalized.

Incidentally, here is Michael Moore’s take on the sheepishness of all white American airline passengers on 9/11 (as quoted by Cathy Young in the Boston Globe): “In one of his ’satirical’ routines in England in 2002, Moore derided the passengers on the planes hijacked on Sept. 11 as white middle-class wimps. According to Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, a writer for the London Independent, ‘If the passengers had included black men, he claimed, those killers . . . would have been crushed by the dudes, who as we all know take no disrespect from anybody.’”
#44

On July 20th, 2004 at 2:23 pm, Tim said:

Is anyone going to actually investigate Jacobsen’s claims (ie talk to the Syrian “band”, interview other passengers and flight attendants, talk to the airline, the authorities, etc) or are we all just going to speculate endlessly?

Right now this story seems to me to be just an excuse for us to frighten each other.

Let’s get the facts, please. The truth will set you free…
#45

On July 20th, 2004 at 2:49 pm, Baklava said:

Lynn,
The bible and Torah doesn’t talk about killing the infidel like the Koran.

Also if there were large populations of Christians and Jews (with estimates of 10% of the population) inside the United States strapping on explosives and going to cafe’s and shopping areas and Weddings on a weekly and monthly basis (as goes on in Israel) there would just about be utter chaos, fear, and just about a civil war if there wasn’t one.

Do you pose your question with designs on making people have sympathy for muslims?

We have been acting with such compassion and frankly with so much kindness and deference to muslims to the horror of some of us who want level headed, prudent, reasonable and smart policy. Nobody is asking for extreme measures. The most extreme you see is wondering why Syrians with passports (not citizenship) can’t just be kept out of the country? Syria is marked by the state department as a terrorist nation….that we can’t travel to.

Timmy,
You are late to the misleading effort. People here have seen Michelle post about her calls to the various people including government agencies and Jacobsen’s parents (I believe that’s who they were) and Northwest and others. I post only to keep you honest with late-coming readers to the post who might think that you were “on to something”.
#46

On July 20th, 2004 at 4:04 pm, Tim said:

Actually, to make sweeping assertions like those above about “dry runs”, we’re going to need more information, more evidence. That means talking to other passengers and most importantly, the accused themselves.

Until that happens, these wild, frantic hypotheses are just that. Sorry.
#47

On July 20th, 2004 at 4:12 pm, Baklava said:

Tim,
We are free to make the conclusions that we wish to based on the information given and the leg work that Michelle and others have put into it.

I personally think that we have made reasonably good determinations that if are false caused no harm to anyone. Based on history, past terrorist acts, memo’s by the FAA, the woman’s observations, other passenger’s observations (to the point one woman was crying on her husband, and to the point that the flight attendant was worried also), we all have our right to come to the conclusion and freely write about it.

If you feel you need more evidence then I hope you feel that way about all the information you are fed by the network media (CNN, CBS, ABC, NBC). As they have done quite more speculating and spinning than any of us could dream of.
#48

On July 20th, 2004 at 4:17 pm, Chuck said:

I’m *sure* if we talk to the accused they will immediately identify themselves as terrorists and/or bullies if that is the case.

Cmon, think before you type….
#49

On July 20th, 2004 at 4:38 pm, tao said:

fear shall rule them all..
#50

On July 20th, 2004 at 4:52 pm, tmaron said:

This doesn’t really smell like a dry run for a terrorist mission but a wet run for an Al-Jazeera media propaganda event.

Innocent Syrian musicians assaulted on airplane by racist Americans.

There is a difficult proplem in how to tell the difference between terrorists and lawsuit baiters.
#51

On July 20th, 2004 at 4:58 pm, All American Girl said:

Baklava,
Quite frankly I have no idea what Lynn’s point was, however the thought has crossed my mind that had the 9/11 hijackers been either Jews or Christians, I wonder if other Christians and Jews would be treated with the same amount of sensitivity given to Arabs.

Re: Ms. Jacobsen’s account, I truly believe that if the 14 men had been either a Jewish or Christian band, frightening and terrorizing the other passengers, that plane would have landed somewhere in flyover country. I also believe that the band members would have been escorted off the plane, interrogated, put in the pokey and ultimately would have some sort of charges brought up against them. All this to the applause of fellow Jews and Christians.

I will never understand why some on the left find it so difficult to admit that what the Syrians did was wrong. It doesn’t matter what their motivation was. It also doesn’t matter that this may or may not have been a “dry run.” It also doesn’t matter that this may have just been some sort of sick game. What they did was WRONG! The authorities should not have just sat by and allowed the passengers and flight crew to be tormented in this way.

I am definately not a “Terrorism expert” so I don’t know for sure if this was a “dry run” but I do believe that it was.

We need to accept the fact that there are people out there who would love to kill us for no other reason than we are Americans. We also need to accept that these same people consider murdering us an act of worship.

We need to wake up.
#52

On July 20th, 2004 at 5:48 pm, Baklava said:

There is a substantially large segment of the muslim population that wants to kill Americans and the Jews. Muslims themselves estimate up to 10% of muslims have the kill the infidel sentiment having been taught such from birth.

To just cavalierly pretend that there are so few and that we are unfairly looking at them and we should just mind our own business on a flight (and what if it were Christians or Jews really doesn’t put into perspective if THERE REALLY WAS huge large segments of the Christian’s or Jewish people who wanted to kill Americans or Israeli’s. If the problem in Israel came here where there are suicide murderers showing up at Bus stops, pizza parlors, night clubs, weddings and shopping centers and blowing themselves up on a weekly or monthly basis you’d better believe that this country would be close to or in a civil war.

To answer your question. Christians and Jews if they were of the mindset that Islamofacists would not be given the same consideration. I truly believe we have bent over backwards to not upset muslims.
#53

On July 20th, 2004 at 6:45 pm, All American Girl said:

Baklava-
I agree with you that this problem we face is much larger than some would have us believe. We are battling a foe who’s god is telling them they must murder us for many reasons but cheif among them is Who we worship.

I too have thought about the prospect of Homicide bombers coming here and frankly I admire Israelis for their perseverance. If this type of terrorism were to come here, I am afraid that there would still be some wishy washy people who wouldn’t want to incite Muslims by taking decisive action against them.

I believe that we living in a pivotal time. Either we choose to fight this battle seriously, in the terms dictated to us by the terrorists or we can choose to bury our heads in the sand and pray that if we leave them alone, they won’t hate us anymore.
Quite frankly, I choose the former!
#54

On July 20th, 2004 at 7:30 pm, Lynn said:

All American Girl and Baklava,
Thank you for your points of view. I fully agree with you. I’m sure that if the terrorists were Jews or especially Christians, the entire world, including the left, Hollywood, the press and even Michael Moore would be 100% behind President Bush, and terrorism would be crushed quickly. No man is as blind as he who refuses to see.
#55

On July 20th, 2004 at 7:42 pm, Seamus said:

“Why were these individuals and their personal effects not thouroughly checked out before they got on the plane?”

They apparently were checked out thoroughly after the flight, without anything untoward being discovered. Why should be expect the results to have been any different if they had been checked out beforehand?
#56

On July 20th, 2004 at 7:43 pm, Seamus said:

That should have been, “Why should *we* expect”.
#57

On July 20th, 2004 at 9:37 pm, robert merritt said:

I sure am glad to call you my fellow american. Your report was a refreshing
from this day’s turmoil.
#58

On July 20th, 2004 at 11:27 pm, Julie Anne Fidler said:

“To those who shrug that “nothing happened” and that this is ‘not news,’ I say: Wake the *%&^#@ up and stop acting like 9/10 sheeple. Better a false alarm than a flaming plane.”

Amen!
Personally, I’m hoping to never have to fly again (doubtful it’ll work out that way) but if I do, I’m going to be the most alert and “paranoid” passenger on that flight!