Major Terror plot foiled against U.K.-U.S. bound flights

[nystate]

It's our entire economy that's at stake. Our economy depends, among a lot of other factors, on easy travel from point A to point B. Take that away and we'll have a recession, or worse, a depression.

Imagine how much the economy would suffer if 10 wide-body jetliners were blown from the sky on the same day?

Remember TWA 800? That was the beginning of the end for TWA, and that was just one flight. Ten would kill the entire industry.

This is nothing compared to what might have happened...

[zoeyann]

Agreed. IMHO it's illogical to give up freedom to protect freedom

What about freedom of the press. In times of war the press in peace time this is fine, but in war time their freedoms are diminished for the protection of our soldiers and country

[P.K.]

All this talk of losing freedoms. I wonder if this is influenced by the fact that you have not really had any major attacks apart from the 11th September 2001. I don't know if it is in our genes now as it were but if you look back at old tv footage from the blitz you'll see a similar reaction from the public as currently. We just accept these things have to be put in place to protect and keep the country going and get on with our lives without complaining.

[gtalum]

Imagine how much the economy would suffer if 10 wide-body jetliners were blown from the sky on the same day?

Perhaps you didn't notice, but the plot was foiled. Further, the steps taken so far would do absolutely nothing to prevent this plot from succeeding had it not been found out.

Remember TWA 800? That was the beginning of the end for TWA, and that was just one flight. Ten would kill the entire industry.

I hate to tell you, but TWA was about 2 steps from going out of business well before TWA 800. It may have spurred it a little bit quicker the last bit into the grave, but TWA's death started in 1978 when deregulation occurred. By you rlogic, AA and UA should be out of business since they each lost two airliners on 9/11. Instead, they are two of the healthier remaining US legacy airlines.

[Brent]

Italy arrests 40 in security swoop after UK plot

ROME (Reuters) - Italian police have arrested 40 people linked to Islamic groups after increased security checks following a foiled plot in Britain to blow up transatlantic airliners, the Interior Ministry said on Friday.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/11082006/325/i ... -plot.html

[stormtruth]

The safety of the flyers is way more important than the loss of money from these businessmen.

It's our entire economy that's at stake. Our economy depends, among a lot of other factors, on easy travel from point A to point B. Take that away and we'll have a recession, or worse, a depression.

Taking a step to appear safe which will damage our economy without actually increasing safety to thwart a miniscule probability of danger is silly.

Miniscule probability?

As far as I'm concerned, it's our freedom and lives that are at stake. Our economy won't exist if we are under Taliban control.

Our freedom and privacy is slowly being taken away by the U.S. government not the Taliban.

Obviously, the new restrictions here do not make us any safer otherwise why would the UK have different more strict restrictions? Doesn't that mean that eventually the U.S. ban will expand if we are to be truly SAFE.

Which means no laptops, carryon bags, cell phones, etc. This will destroy the airlines ability to make money. Businesses won't let their business travelers put a laptop into regular baggage. The information on them is too valuable. Also airlines do not reimburse people for damaged or stolen laptops among other electronics -- read your ticket. Once this ban is passed here like in the UK watch the US economy nosedive as everyone telecommutes and business travel is cut considerably.

At some point we have to stand up and demand the government actually catch and/or kill the terrorists instead of just taking away our water bottles and iPods. Grandma's water bottle and little Billy's gameboy are no threat to anyone. They government has had over five years and we are not one bit safer. In fact we are less safer. The idea that we are safer today is a lie. If we were more safe today then why do the restrictions just keep getting worse?

What's next? We fly naked and wear government assigned robes when boarding the plane? I guess many of you will still say "better safe than dead" even while wearing your Taliban-like plane robes.

[kevin]

I would like to remark that my comments to Derek, were directed at this statement :

what good is freedom, if we are dead?

something for some to think about

What good is fruit juice if you are dead is a valid argument. But I won't let Derek say that just because we give up fruit juice onboard planes to protect our lives, that we should give in to fascism. That's all.

I think the rule against liquids on carryons, while inconvenient, is definitely tolerable. Just to clarify.

[fwbbreeze]

At some point we have to stand up and demand the government actually catch and/or kill the terrorists instead of just taking away our water bottles and iPods. Grandma's water bottle and little Billy's gameboy are no threat to anyone. They government has had over five years and we are not one bit safer. In fact we are less safer. The idea that we are safer today is a lie. If we were more safe today then why do the restrictions just keep getting worse?

Actually, its less safe...but I digress, do you look to start fights? We are in fact safer than before 9/11 and we are engaging the terrorists around the world. Sacrificing a bottle of water, a laptop, an Ipod, ets does not mean we are giving up some of our "rights". It is simply a restriction on air travel.....SO WHAT. If you dont like the rules....dont fly!!

fwbbreeze

[sunny]

Bottom line, gtalum and stormtruth, this IS the way it is. Might as well just learn how to deal with it.

[kevin]

At some point we have to stand up and demand the government actually catch and/or kill the terrorists instead of just taking away our water bottles and iPods. Grandma's water bottle and little Billy's gameboy are no threat to anyone. They government has had over five years and we are not one bit safer. In fact we are less safer. The idea that we are safer today is a lie. If we were more safe today then why do the restrictions just keep getting worse?

Actually, its less safe...but I digress, do you look to start fights? We are in fact safer that before 9/11 and we are engaging the terrorists around the world. Sacrificing a bottle of water, a laptop, an Ipod, ets does not mean we are giving up some of our "rights". It is simply a restriction on air travel.....SO WHAT. If you dont like the rules....dont fly!! Your responses again remind me of

fwbbreeze

Your arguments are not enhanced by childish images of children.

I disagree with you on whether the world is safer because of US policy, but no one should ever talk with someone who will demean another in an attempt to 'win' an argument. So I'm not going to explain my position to you, and I don't think the person you're attacking should either.

[gtalum]

Bottom line, gtalum and stormtruth, this IS the way it is. Might as well just learn how to deal with it.

Again, I'm glad that people don't take that kind of advice. Could you imagine if the American revolutionaries had done so? "Well, it is what it is, and there's nothing we can do about it." Sickening.

Fortunately I have the constitutional right to speak up to effect change.

[Skywatch_NC]

Bottom line, gtalum and stormtruth, this IS the way it is. Might as well just learn how to deal with it.

Totally agree.

No use in "crying over spilt milk" and having veins in your neck POP.

[sunny]

Bottom line, gtalum and stormtruth, this IS the way it is. Might as well just learn how to deal with it.

Again, I'm glad that people don't take that kind of advice. Could you imagine if the American revolutionaries had done so? "Well, it is what it is, and there's nothing we can do about it." Sickening.

Fortunately I have the constitutional right to speak up to effect change.

Okay then - what can you do about it? Go into an airport and DEMAND that you be allowed to carry on what you'd like? Hope you are ready to "assume" position.

Sickening, huh? lol

[kevin]

Bottom line, gtalum and stormtruth, this IS the way it is. Might as well just learn how to deal with it.

Again, I'm glad that people don't take that kind of advice. Could you imagine if the American revolutionaries had done so? "Well, it is what it is, and there's nothing we can do about it." Sickening.

Fortunately I have the constitutional right to speak up to effect change.

Yes, I am quite sure it is a person's right to 'petition the government for a redress of grievences' not a person's obligation to 'get over it'. Whether sensible or not, we are all entitled to our opinions, and it is the political processes which resolve our differences.

[gtalum]

Okay then - what can you do about it? Go into an airport and DEMAND that you be allowed to carry on what you'd like? Hope you are ready to "assume" position.

I've had TSA personnel fired for improper conduct. I'm not really afraid of them. I also go to the airport armed with written confirmation of my precise rights and I hold them accountable.

Further, while I don't like it, I do comply with the rules when i fly. I work from outside to effect change.

Sickening, huh? lol

Yeah, it's pretty sickening to see so many people roll over and say "Please save me Mr. Gummint! Take away my dangerous rights and liberties just so long as you save me from the big bad terrorists!"

[fwbbreeze]

At some point we have to stand up and demand the government actually catch and/or kill the terrorists instead of just taking away our water bottles and iPods. Grandma's water bottle and little Billy's gameboy are no threat to anyone. They government has had over five years and we are not one bit safer. In fact we are less safer. The idea that we are safer today is a lie. If we were more safe today then why do the restrictions just keep getting worse?

Actually, its less safe...but I digress, do you look to start fights? We are in fact safer that before 9/11 and we are engaging the terrorists around the world. Sacrificing a bottle of water, a laptop, an Ipod, ets does not mean we are giving up some of our "rights". It is simply a restriction on air travel.....SO WHAT. If you dont like the rules....dont fly!!
Your arguments are not enhanced by childish images of children.

I disagree with you on whether the world is safer because of US policy, but no one should ever talk with someone who will demean another in an attempt to 'win' an argument. So I'm not going to explain my position to you, and I don't think the person you're attacking should either.

Let me assure you I am in no way attempting to "win" an argument. It just amazes me that a few on here claim to have all the answers..."arm chair presidents" as they are called. Its so easy to dictate what you will do thru a computer screen with total anonymity. Like Sunny said, attempt to exert your "rights" next time you fly, but prepare to assume the position and spend some time in the BIG HOUSE. But please feel free to continue to bash this country and its policies...this is my last comment in the thread.

[sunny]

I've had TSA personnel fired for improper conduct. I'm not really afraid of them. I also go to the airport armed with written confirmation of my precise rights and I hold them accountable.

But what are you going to do if they are doing their job within the guidelines? You will have to follow the rules just like everyone else dear. Sorry

Yeah, it's pretty sickening to see so many people roll over and say "Please save me Mr. Gummint! Take away my dangerous rights and liberties just so long as you save me from the big bad terrorists!"

Who's rolling over? What I am doing is accepting reality rather than pitching a fit because I will be inconvienced some.

[gtalum]

But what are you going to do if they are doing their job within the guidelines? You will have to follow the rules just like everyone else dear. Sorry

As I mentioned, when i fly I follow the rules. i do hold the TSA exactly to their responsibilities, however, and have had two TSA agents fired for misconduct. I carry the TSA's rules in my carry-on and I protest loudly when they don't follow the procedures to a "T".

Who's rolling over? What I am doing is accepting reality rather than pitching a fit because I will be inconvienced some.

I'm sure the people in Vichy France thought the same way in 1940-44.

[sunny]

I'm sure the people in Vichy France thought the same way in 1940-44.

Yeah - well we live in a different world today now don't we? We can't see this enemy because they disguise themselves as civilians. Oh well....

[brunota2003]

Personally, I dont give a flip about what they do with airplane rights...its private property...they tell you that you cant have something you are either going to leave or suck it up...there really isnt much you can do about it...you cant have anyone fired from the airport as they are following what the gov't told them to do...plus the fact that i do not fly so anything they say or do does not effect me in anyway...