Terrorist Dry Run - Inside the Terrorism Toolbox

Last night on AMC, I caught the last few scenesprobably not be allowed to do so for security
of the film True Lies with Arnold Schwarzeneggerreasons. And if it is common practice among
and Jamie Lee Curtis. What blew my mind wasYemenis, wouldn't authorities be more aware?
not so much the explosive climactic action sceneThese guys can't be the first two from that
with Ahnold in the cockpit of a US Marines jetcountry to have their bags searched. Also, if
fighter, trying to save his daughter who's hangingthere is a pharmacy shortage in Yemen, why
off it by a couple fingers over the streets ofwould you bring empty bottles? And why pack
Miami while a terrorist comes at him from theknives and box cutters? I'm sure they probably
back with a machine gun and a knife ("You'rehave those where they're going.
fired!")While the authorities believe this was a false
I just couldn't believe that the terrorists in the filmalarm, and though I'm glad they took action, I'm
were conspicuously Middle Eastern! Notstill a bit concerned by the details. I also fear that
blond-haired, blue-eyed Swedes like I could havethis incident may be fodder for the left's claims
expected. I forgot that a world in which peoplethat not all Muslims are radical and that they're
called a spade a spade (usually) actually existedbeing wrongly profiled. Scarily enough, considering
not that long ago! Furthermore, I found out Jamesthe Air Marshal's legitimate concerns, they got
Cameron was the director. And he's definitely nofurther than they should have in post-9/11
conservative. I doubt any upcoming films will haveairports.
similar casting or plot, and Cameron will never castIt's fortunate that we're not now lamenting the
such villains again. However, such a depiction coulddeaths of 200 people vaporized over the Atlantic,
not be more relevant in a post-9/11 world.although it's certain that some people in this world
In fact, on August 30, authorities arrested twowould celebrate such a thing. If it had been a
Muslim men after their United Airlines flight fromlarge-scale tragedy, you can be sure that Obama
Chicago landed at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport.would express his condolences with a disclaimer:
Yemeni citizens Ahmed Mohamed Nasser al Soofi,"While our thoughts and prayers go out to the
currently living in Detroit, and Hezem al Murisi fromvictims and their families, let us remember that
Memphis, were suspected of "a conspiracy to awe should not paint Muslims with a broad brush.
terrorist criminal act." As of September 1, theyRemember, in America, everyone has the right to
have been freed from all wrongdoing. However,practice their religion and to be treated equally.
some of the details of the case still seem fishy.More dangerous are those racist religious fanatics
Al Soofi went through extra security at thewho attended Glenn Beck's rally last weekend. Did
Birmingham airport in Alabama because of bulkyyou notice that the majority of them were white
clothing. Authorities found $7000 on him, but heChristians?"
was cleared to fly to Chicago. Then, while the FBIThough this may have been a false alarm, we
maintains they don't know each other, both menmust be ever-vigilant. Islamic extremists are still
missed their flight from Chicago to Dulles, andplotting ways to kill thousands of Americans. And
United put them on the same one to Amsterdam.for those who maintain that this group is a very
However, al Soofi's luggage went without him tosmall minority of Muslims, what comfort does that
Dulles, which raised concerns with US authorities.give anyone when they're so organized and
Customs officials called back the plane from Dullesstreamlined and committed to their cause? That
to Dubai and searched al Soofi's luggage, wheresmall, practically harmless minority killed over 3000
they found some strange things: watches tapedpeople on 9/11 and has kept the Iraq and
to an empty shampoo bottle, a cell phone tapedAfghanistan wars going for years!
to an empty Pepto-Bismol bottle, and otherThe self-righteous warnings against Islamophobia
watches and cell phones taped together. Officialsthat Obama and the left direct at the American
have said that box cutters and knives werepublic are absurd and offensive. How dare they
eventually found in the luggage of both men.lecture us on the importance of religious freedom
While it's not illegal to carry those items in aand respect for different cultures! They should
checked bag, and while there was no evidence ofinstead blame those who have caused so much
physical explosives per se, it's still a bit strange.of the recent strife in the world, who often seem
Although reports now coming out say thatto be Middle Eastern. Maybe when pigs fly.
Yemenis often travel this way, to make sureJihadists would love that, right?
their stuff stays together in transit, they should