1) Knives were used. From an operational perspective that was risky. It was probably based on the assumption that people wouldn't fight back against a knife. Although, that probably would not be a good assumption anymore. It also means that the terrorist organization that sent these individuals felt that the paltry US air security system would make getting guns on board difficult (which is good news). In the future, we will probably have security guards on each US aircraft that are armed with guns like El Al does from here on out, so knives would not be a problem.
2) Our financial system. Our economy is based on a strong dollar which is made possible by the perception that the US is a safe place to invest. We run a huge trade deficit that puts immense downward pressure on the dollar. It is only because people living in riskier places around the world send money to the US that the dollar doesn't decline in value. If people begin to see the US as risky as the rest of the world, we could see capital flight. That would mean we are in for some very rough times. Imports would cost 20-30% more, our standard of living would drop, and our asian trading partners would plunge into a depression (they are not doing so well already). It would take a very long time to either gain back that confidence in our financial system or export our way out. Watch the dollar over the next couple of days. I hope I am very wrong about this.
Two observations: 1) Knives were used. From an operational perspective that was risky. It was probably based on the assumption that people wouldn't fight...
John Robb
jrobb@...
Sep 12, 2001 1:25 am
1.) What could have been used is a ceramic knife. A few years ago manufacturers of such items as police body armor recieved a security memo commenting on the...
Nick Robinson
machome@...
Sep 12, 2001 1:36 am
... I often fly with a stainless steel serrated-edge Spyderco folding knife. It's a nasty looking implement with about a 3.5 inch blade and I've never been...
Steve Poole
stevep@...
Sep 12, 2001 8:26 pm
... I recently got back from a vacation in Singapore and Malaysia, and I took a small pocket knife (~10cm blade) with me in my carry-on bag. I took a total of...
Darren Gibbons
dgibbons@...
Sep 12, 2001 3:19 am
... Interesting thought. The World Trade center stings the economy so badly because of the aptness of the name; too much stuff was *centralized* in the WTC. ...
bowersj2@...
Sep 12, 2001 3:40 am
... risky. It was probably based on the assumption that people wouldn't fight back against a knife. Although, that probably would not be a good assumption...
lowerpower@...
Sep 12, 2001 4:28 am
I heard a joke way back when the hijacking where just getting started, it suggested that instead of keeping guns off the plane, give everyone who boards a gun....
Larry McDowell
larry.mcdowell@...
Sep 12, 2001 4:52 am
I must say, even I would not hesitate. Just like a pilot. I'd refuse and make it so they had to crash the plane into whatever building. You are going to die...
Miss Flora - Webservant
webservant@...
Sep 12, 2001 5:24 am
The problem is that the cockpit was locked. The passengers couldn't attack, eve bare-handed. After the aircrafts' thieves took over the cockpit, they...
cool_guy@...
Sep 12, 2001 9:39 am
The problem is that the cockpit was locked. The passengers couldn't attack, eve bare-handed. After the aircrafts' thieves took over the cockpit, they...
Miss Flora - Webservant
webservant@...
Sep 12, 2001 1:27 pm
... couldn't ... their ... I heard that on at least three TV channels, so it came from the television, if that's to be trusted. There have been interviews...
cool_guy@...
Sep 12, 2001 11:20 pm
Whoa, I never said that the cockpits didn't have locks. I am afraid I hadn't read anyhting on the net about the conditions on the plane and we don't own a...
Miss Flora - Webservant
webservant@...
Sep 13, 2001 12:56 am
... on the ... where ... well. ... the plane ... very ... OK, sorry if I was defensive. I know how it is to be TV-less. Most of the time it is wonderful,...
cool_guy@...
Sep 13, 2001 12:28 pm
But even then you see (or hear) some crazy things... such as, "With a name like Smuckers it has to be good." Ah, such reasoning! That one really made me...
Miss Flora - Webservant
webservant@...
Sep 13, 2001 6:55 pm
My son just told me that Osama Bin Laden was recruited and trained for terrorism by the CIA. He became a rouge agent and eventually became the terrorist leader...
winhink
whinkle@...
Sep 13, 2001 12:57 am
Not a CIA agent but certainly US trained. The Reagan administration started these programs to help out the Afghans in their war against Russia. Osama Bin Laden...
Omar Javaid
omarj@...
Sep 13, 2001 2:14 am
There is no direct (unclassified) evidence linking the CIA and bin Laden. However, during the Afghan-Soviet conflict in the mid-80s, bin Laden led the ...
I think giving a gun everyone as they board the plane (except known psychiatric cases, felons and terrorists) is the best solution to preventing future...
Miss Flora - Webservant
webservant@...
Sep 12, 2001 1:30 pm
... preventing ... differentiate ... You are welcome to your opinion, but I don't see you offering any alternative. I have thought of some others. The...
cool_guy@...
Sep 12, 2001 11:19 pm
... between nutheads, flakes, terrorists and psychiatric cases??? Then too, what about international flights? Most states now have a concealed carry permit,...
Larry McDowell
larry.mcdowell@...
Sep 13, 2001 1:44 am
... It only takes one, especially, as you pointed out, at high altitude... -Jake...
Jake Savin
jake@...
Sep 13, 2001 12:32 pm
... From: <cool_guy@...> To: <wtcattack@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2001 11:36 AM Subject: [wtcattack] Re: Guns and Butter ... ...
ma
maarten.almquist@...
Sep 12, 2001 10:46 am
... Which tells the rest of us that you´re one of those who wouldn´t get one... /ma>>>>>>>>> *smile* God bless, Miss Flora...
Miss Flora - Webservant
webservant@...
Sep 12, 2001 1:28 pm
One thing I noticed in all my years in the military and as a passenger traveling around the world is that El Al didn't get hijacked for one very good reason:...
John Robb
jrobb@...
Sep 12, 2001 11:58 am
You can say that if you want. The FACT is that there have been exponentially more hijackings ever since guns were banned on airplanes. Of course there are...
cool_guy@...
Sep 12, 2001 10:56 pm
It is pretty clear we should follow the El Al rules of security. That is the test case for this. It works for them and it should work for us. Most of the...
John Robb
jrobb@...
Sep 13, 2001 12:58 am
... <<<It is pretty clear we should follow the El Al rules of security. That is the test case for this. It works for them and it should work for us. Most of...
cool_guy@...
Sep 13, 2001 12:31 pm
Please don't confusingly conflate systems of government with airport and aircraft security. El Al developed its system of security in a harsh environment. It...
John Robb
jrobb@...
Sep 13, 2001 1:40 pm
Conflation? No. A simple comparison. There was no knee jerk reaction, either - you are the one with a knee jerk reaction, saying we must implement this now...
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