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2003-10-21 Home Front

Box Cutter ~~Idiot~~ Suspect Charged, Released

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Posted by Steve White 2003-10-21 1:54:45 AM|| || Front Page|| [5 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Heatwole did us all a favor. Instead of being indicted he should be congratulated for bringing attention to serious problems within TSA and FBI. Give the kid a job offer. Though I don't agree with his pacifist politics, I admire his initiative.

Posted by Mark 2003-10-21 6:18:15 AM|| 2003-10-21 6:18:15 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 I thought failing to register for Selective Service was illegal. Why don't they throw that one at him, too?

I guess this is just another pacifist so wrapped up in his own self-worth that he considers himself above the law.

Posted by Robert Crawford 2003-10-21 7:19:15 AM|| [http://www.kloognome.com] 2003-10-21 7:19:15 AM|| Front Page Top

#3 Okay, I travel and my husband does often, too. And I have to say that I think it's ridiculous to demand that every possibly-useful-as-a-weapon item be screened before people board planes.

Bombs, guns, large knives, yes. But the hysteria over other items just leaves me shaking my head. I can't even bring needlepoint to work on during a long flight, for goodness sake! Those 2", blunt tipped needles and scissors with round points might be lethal in the hands of this grey-haired woman.

Get a grip, America.

Posted by rkb 2003-10-21 7:56:58 AM|| 2003-10-21 7:56:58 AM|| Front Page Top

#4 My grandmother inher 70s got in trouble with the Australian authorities for carry on a plane a tiny blunt knife to cut her food up.

Posted by Bernardz 2003-10-21 8:21:02 AM|| 2003-10-21 8:21:02 AM|| Front Page Top

#5 I'm not impressed since this guy would considering yarn a lethal weapon when used properly.

Posted by Charles 2003-10-21 10:14:09 AM|| 2003-10-21 10:14:09 AM|| Front Page Top

#6 Don't give this kid the attension he craves. We knew some kook was bound to pull such a stunt.

I'm not sure that we need to alter security procedures to detect matches in a bottle of suntan lotion or clay. It's bad enough that we're shaking down granny for her knitting needles we don't need to be confiscating Playdough and Silly Putty.

Passenger screening is more effective than the cavity searches because this delinquent decide to make a spectacle.

Give the steward/stewardesse a taser to make everybody feel better, but don't worry about box cutter boy.

In reality, if I think Mohammad is going to try to down the plane and all he brought is an exacto-knife, we're sitting pretty as long as I have access to the beverage card. Unless he has donned a helmet, a man can only take a certain number of full soda cans off the head before slipping into unconsciousness.

Once he's down - it's not like they confiscated everyone's belts. Have you ever heard of the term "whipping boy." I'd match my imagination against pacifist boy any day.

Posted by Super Hose 2003-10-21 11:14:19 AM|| 2003-10-21 11:14:19 AM|| Front Page Top

#7 I'm not going to advocate that he be given a "free pass" for his actions, but he *did* bring this issue front and center. From what I've seen and heard, much of the hoopla about "improved security" after 9/11 is just that--hoopla. Perhaps his action may be just the wake-up call needed to inspire a more serious approach to airline security.

Posted by Flaming Sword 2003-10-21 11:37:52 AM|| 2003-10-21 11:37:52 AM|| Front Page Top

#8 Bombs, guns, large knives, yes. But the hysteria over other items just leaves me shaking my head.

Because the government is not interested in stopping terrorists at the expense of political correctness. If this wasn't the case, they'd be looking at PEOPLE, and not items.

Posted by Bomb-a-rama 2003-10-21 11:45:46 AM|| 2003-10-21 11:45:46 AM|| Front Page Top

#9 A neighbor took her 85-year old mother to San Jose (CA) Mineta airport the other morning - at 5:30 AM - for her return flight to Massachisetts. Mom had put her cane through the conveyor before her replacement hip set off the metal detector. The guardians of public safety immediately hussled her to the side, and told her to step up onto a thick rubber mat. She, barely able to walk, tripped over the raised edge, fell and hit her head and shoulder on one of the tables there. Off to the ER and a day in the hospital. Daughter will have to fly home to get her settled and cared for. As soon as the two women started to leave the scene, someone rushed out and removed the mat.

I feel SO much safer!

Posted by Dave 2003-10-21 12:34:52 PM|| 2003-10-21 12:34:52 PM|| Front Page Top

#10 Profiling is bad they say. That is why there is no profile of those suitable for security profiling.
Is there no end to the current wave of stupidity infecting those accredited with protecting the people including those out of left field?
FBI agents not doing their work, interpreters for the pentagon not living up their oath of allegience, TSA agents not passing the test to screen old ladies and babies!

Posted by Barry 2003-10-21 12:37:52 PM|| 2003-10-21 12:37:52 PM|| Front Page Top

#11 rkb says:

Get a grip, America.

It ain't America, cookie, it's Norm Mineta, a DEMOCRAT, who for some inexplicable reason the president did not replace when he came into office, and the other IDIOTS at the TSA. God forbid they hurt someone's feelings by looking at people; better just to take everything and pretend they're making you safe.

This bullshit won't prevent highjackings in America; what's preventing them is everybody knows the next time someone tries it, the passengers will kill the bastards on the spot.

I drive everyplace I can; it's not worth flying anymore - and I loved to fly.

Posted by Barbara Skolaut 2003-10-21 1:58:35 PM|| 2003-10-21 1:58:35 PM|| Front Page Top

#12 The Feds are going to blow lots of smoke over this one, threaten Heatwole with years of rock hockey in the big arena, blah blah blah. In the end Heatwole will quietly get probation and the Feds and the airlines will probably learn something. And that will be that. Next issue...

Posted by Alaska Paul 2003-10-21 2:29:26 PM|| 2003-10-21 2:29:26 PM|| Front Page Top

#13 ..and the Feds and the airlines will probably learn something.

I seriously doubt it.

Posted by Bomb-a-rama 2003-10-21 4:13:17 PM|| 2003-10-21 4:13:17 PM|| Front Page Top

#14 At LaGuardia this weekend I was yelled at and told to take my belt and shoes off because I was a "moron" trying to walk through with them on (OK .com and Fred--don't pile on with the "moron" remark! LOL

Posted by NotMikeMoore 2003-10-21 11:08:56 PM|| 2003-10-21 11:08:56 PM|| Front Page Top

#15 Huh? Did they tell you (or was there a sign) to take them off? Was it at the metal detector? I'm not sure I understand.

Posted by .com 2003-10-21 11:55:48 PM|| 2003-10-21 11:55:48 PM|| Front Page Top

#16 There was no sign, nada--just a fat guy yelling at everyone--Delta terminal at La Guardia--"take ya belt off--take ya shoes off--you're holding up the line!"

Posted by NotMikeMoore 2003-10-22 12:20:51 AM|| 2003-10-22 12:20:51 AM|| Front Page Top

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