Law enforcement officials constantly assume that every group is just as likely to commit an act of terror as every other group, and so there is no point in singling out members of any particular group for special scrutiny. That is the kind of thinking that led to this incident, although it could conceivably have […]
UK: Two Muslim passengers arrested for suspicious behavior on plane to Cyprus
This report comes from a local UK paper, Wakefield Today: “Terror on plane” (thanks to Kemaste). They locked themselves in the bathroom and were banging on the walls. This is a strange story, but Islamic prayer, which one said was what he was doing, doesn’t involve banging on walls. A BUSINESSMAN from Wakefield was caught […]
Passenger Yells “Allah Achbar,” Plane Diverted
From the UK Courier, “Holiday jet passenger tells of terror alert,” with thanks to JS: A DUNDEE University graduate told last night how he and his family found themselves at the centre of a terror alert when a passenger on board their holiday flight started shouting slogans linked with Muslim extremism, forcing the flight to […]
Pipes: Moussaoui Asked, Can an Airplane Pilot Shut off Oxygen to Passengers?
Daniel Pipes investigates “Zacarias Moussaoui’s Plan of Attack” in Frontpage: Zacarias Moussaoui, 36, a French national of Algerian origins, pleaded guilty on April 22, 2005, to six counts of conspiracy to commit terrorism. He says he intended to take part in a post-9/11 air attack on the White House. “I came to the United States […]
Annie Jacobsen Gets a Visit from the Feds
Annie Jacobsen is the author of “Terror in the Skies.” Here she recounts a visit from the Feds. From Women’s Wall Street, with thanks to Jimmy The LGFer: The four federal agents showed up exactly on time, in a rented green mini-van, carrying briefcases and wearing suits (it was 75 degrees). They came to discuss […]
Atlanta: Alert issued for ex-flight school student
He had no means of income and took flight lessons while in the US illegally. Obviously this is another case of discrimination and profiling. “Alert issued for ex-flight school student,” from CNN, with thanks to Teri: The man, Zayed Christopher Hajaig, has been located in the United Kingdom, said Steve Emmett, a special agent with […]
Ex-Detroit Metro screener charged with hiding bin Laden sympathy
He was discharged from the Air Force for pro-Osama statements. Then he got a job as…an airport screener. But of course, what he said was taken out of context. From AP, : DETROIT (AP) — A Yemeni immigrant who was discharged from the U.S. Air Force after expressing sympathy for Osama bin Laden following the […]
Six Planes Hit By Laser Beams in Past 4 Days
“On November 22, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security sent an intelligence bulletin to police agencies to alert them that terrorist groups have shown an interest in using laser beams to try to bring down airliners.” From CNN, “Lasers illuminate airline cockpits on approach,” : WASHINGTON (CNN) — Six commercial airliners in the past […]
Minnesota: Iraqi man who was arrested at airport ordered deported
If he wasn’t involved in jihad-related activities, and if his travel was innocent, why did he lie? From the Star Tribune, with thanks to Bruce: An Iraqi man who pleaded guilty Wednesday in St. Paul to lying to airport officials about his Mideast travel was deported to his homeland and ordered never to return to […]
Japan drafting anti-terror steps
From Reuters, with thanks to Nicolei: TOKYO: Japan is considering steps to allow authorities to fingerprint and photograph foreigners entering the country and to permit the deportation of suspected terrorists, a Japanese daily said yesterday. The proposals were included in a draft outline of security measures expected to be adopted soon by a task force […]