By No matter who is President there are still terrorists who will do anything to kill innocent American lives.
A Northwest Airlines passenger from Nigeria, who said he was acting on al-Qaida‘s instructions, set off an explosive device Friday in a failed terrorist attack on the plane as it was landing in Detroit, federal officials said.
Flight 253 with 278 passengers aboard was 20 minutes from the airport when it sounded like a firecracker had exploded, witnesses said. One passenger jumped over others and tried to subdue the man. Shortly afterward, the suspect was taken to a front row seat with his pants cut off and his legs burned.
The White House said it believed it was an attempted act of terrorism and stricter security measures were quickly imposed on airline travel, but were not specified.
Law enforcement officials identified the suspect as Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab. Others had slightly different spellings.
One law enforcement source said the man claimed to have been instructed by al-Qaida to detonate the plane over U.S. soil.
“It sounded like a firecracker in a pillowcase,” said Peter Smith, a passenger from the Netherlands. “First there was a pop, and then (there) was smoke.”
At least one passenger acted heroically.
Smith said the passenger, sitting opposite the man, climbed over passengers, went across the aisle and tried to restrain the man. The heroic passenger appeared to have been burned.- Associated Press
One of the lessons learned from 9-11 is that passive action in the skies is just going to lead you to the grave. As seen today, and eight years ago with the shoe bomber, passengers will fight back.
What will these stricter security measures be? Not surprisingly, there is no media outcry about government secrecy now that we have a Democrat in the White House.
I was a Northwest Airlines Platinum or Gold Frequent Flyer from 1996-2002 and flew about 400,000 flight miles in that period. Personally I’ve been on Northwest’s service from Amsterdam to Detroit. When I flew it, a 747 was the plane used.
4:21 pm on December 25th, 2009 1
Bears re-quoting:
"Science flies you to the moon. Religion flies you into buildings."
6:09 pm on December 25th, 2009 2
'Ceptin' as of late, not too many Baptists or Swedish Lutherans have been flying airplanes into buildings.
Islam isn't just a religion- it is a political system, and so much more.
That said, if people want to come to America and practice the worship parts of it- no problem. Don't expect a hug and a welcome parade, but no one should mess with you either.
But if you start talking about "death to America" etc- then expect your doors kicked in, two to the chest/one to the head, and flies crawling across your lifeless eyes when all is said and done.
Not that we'll be doing that for much longer- we still have time to run away and declare our defeat.
6:20 pm on December 25th, 2009 3
The clown had some firecrackers. Hardly a threat to Western Civilization.
8:56 pm on December 25th, 2009 4
It's the thought that counts.
9:09 pm on December 25th, 2009 5
I watched NBC nightly news for the 25th. One stupid American called the person who tried to kill everyone an African American. Guess she couldn't say Black Person. Now I guess all blacks are african americans.
We have lost our minds and certainly our way.
9:10 pm on December 25th, 2009 6
I refuse to call him the alleged terrorist. If you want to call him an alleged terrorist, you are an idiot.
12:42 am on December 26th, 2009 7
Lemmy—you were watching NBC. What do you expect, accurate reporting?
12:49 am on December 26th, 2009 8
Western Civilization? No.
278 individuls likely thought it a Threat to THEM!
Firecrackers? There was a Pop sound. They are still looking at the device.
12:58 am on December 26th, 2009 9
Just wondering if the President is still on vacation?
I'm sure this is something he can handle over the phone. No need to interrupt the trip to the islands.
3:26 am on December 26th, 2009 10
The passenger that leapt over several seats to put that terrorist in a head lock is a hero. He'll probably get a lot of free frequent flyer miles for that one!
5:53 am on December 26th, 2009 11
It wasn't the reporter who said it, but a passenger they were interviewing.
11:00 am on December 26th, 2009 12
On the other hand he may get sued for assault.
The plane was over US territory. Sounds like this "hero" passenger may have violated some civil rights or committed a hate crime. Did he attack the guy because he thought he was a terrorist or because he was muslim?
Of course, I hope not – but you never know about the US justice system.
1:30 pm on December 26th, 2009 13
Not "firecrackers".
The device contained PETN. (Pentaerythritol)
The Justice Department calls it "a high explosive". But then again, so is gun powder.
2:59 pm on December 26th, 2009 14
I am surprised USFK has not restricted people to base over this incident. We have New Years coming up and it would be an under the table excuse to pump up MWR funds. This is a serious force protection issue in my opinion here in the ROK.
4:05 pm on December 26th, 2009 15
Oh you glorious Bastard!
6:40 pm on December 26th, 2009 16
F*ck that guy.
As for you, pal, I hope that YOU get the opportunity to experience something like this up close and personal.
Then see if you call it "only firecrackers".
6:42 pm on December 26th, 2009 17
Worse- he is from Nigeria – so he is (shhh!) b-l-a-c-k AND a Muslim.
Oh- it isn't REALLY a justice system- it's a legal system. Not much to do with justice at all…
10:11 pm on December 26th, 2009 18
"Islam isn’t just a religion- it is a political system, and so much more."
Dude, your national motto is "In God We Trust". It's printed on your money.
10:19 pm on December 26th, 2009 19
The guy is Dutch. Yes, the media is calling him, "The Flying Dutchman".
9:18 am on December 27th, 2009 20
#1 Science also gives you ammunition to kill millions, along with religion. Momma say They both are the devil
(Waterboy reference)
1:10 am on December 28th, 2009 21
Yes, and as an immigrant, I think it is pretty neat-o.
We're SO religious. Not- really that much.
When a case goes to court in the USA, be it civil or criminal, it is tested against codified laws- NOT religious doctrines or dogma.
5:26 pm on December 3rd, 2010 22
i am afraid of travelling by plane by i might just get an airline travel when i go to europe this month ,;'