Criticism...

[beldurin]

This is something that most people will never understand.

"But critics complain that the marshals overreacted. No explosives were found in Alpizar's backpack, and none of the seven passengers interviewed by NEWSWEEK heard him refer to a bomb. 'Couldn't they have done something else [to subdue him]?' asks Alpizar's brother Carlos.There is no time

Comments

[yakumofujii]

Yeah I would have to agree with you on that. One report I heard was about how they train Marshals and the reason why they would use deadly force. Part of there training is to watch the subjects hands at all times if they loose sight of them i.e. they go into thier pockets or a bag then greater force is justifiable. In this case the subject had proclaimed he had a weapon/bomb in his bag and once his hands disappeared from sight into the bag the only option left for the marshal was deadly force to protect the rest of the passengers. Its sad that a lot of news agencys are pointing the blame on the Marshal for trying to save peoples lives.

[hawtblondechick]

I'd have done the same too. No question. This is one of the many reasons I despise the media and it's bullsh*t because if there had been a bomb in that bag and they didn't do anything, there would be HELL to pay.

Instead of blaming the FAMS, here's a better idea: If he was off of his meds, his family should have either a) medicated him or b) not let him fly. EVERYONE knows that there are things you cannot do in an airport and on a plane. If someone is not mentally capable of complying with these rules, then they should not fly. End of story.

[cidermouserules]

It's tricky. It's really an issue of security vs. freedom. A lot of supporters of things like the patriot act fail to understand that. The more secure this country is, the less free we will be.

Personally, I'd rather have a bomb go off in the states once a year than have our freedoms trimmed and rescinded anymore than they have been. I'd rather live under threat from my enemies than live in a police state in my own country. (hypothetical, of course)

There's no universal right or wrong in any of these areas or situations though, it's just all about where you draw the line.

In this case, I think they did the right thing. It is an unfortunate (though ironic) statistic; however, that now since 9/11 more Americans have been killed by anti-terror security measures than terrorists themselves.

agreement

[cmorrigu]

You've hit upon the way I see things. The problem is that the balance has yet to be restored. Before, flying was much less annoying than it is now. I actually wasn't able to take a flight to Canada about 2 years ago because I didn't have my passport/BC with me. I was amazed - out of the dozen or more flights I've taken to/from Canada, I've never needed a passport/BC before

[beldurin]

ersonally, I'd rather have a bomb go off in the states once a year than have our freedoms trimmed and rescinded anymore than they have been. I'd rather live under threat from my enemies than live in a police state in my own country. (hypothetical, of course)

Nice of you to put so many other peoples' lives in danger for you to feel better about your "freedoms." Hey, I have a question for you: Exactly which of your freedoms have been "trimmed and rescinded?" Because, and maybe I'm missing something here, I haven't seen any. Perhaps you can enlighten me.

that now since 9/11 more Americans have been killed by anti-terror security measures than terrorists themselves.Really? What about those dead American troops blown up by car and roadside bombs in Iraq? What were they killed by if not terrorists

I will keep this short and sweet...

[phigamphenom]

Eh-em....

Word, homie. Word.

[kingseyeland]

Most of me agrees with you.

Odd, there is no mention of Alzipar saying he had a bomb until he was off the plane and in the jetway, away from witnesses.