Just Counting
In this CNN News article we are informed that:-
“… a federal air marshal identified himself … Two other air marshals identified themselves … The marshals then handcuffed him and seated him in the back of the plane.”
“So what?” You ask.
I tell.
We know that on at least one occasion on a transatlantic flight to New York, three air marshals were on a plane. While some flights may have no air marshals, and some flights may have more than three air marshals, we know that on at least one occasion there were three toughs ready to deal with problems.
We also know that an easy way to flush them out, to identify them if you will, is to have on board a stooge whose job it is to rub booze over his face, smoke in the lavatory, and push away a flight attendant.
Now if you were a terrorist who wanted to neutralize air marshals before hijacking a plane, what tactics would you use?
And if you were an air marshal, how would you feel about this news article?
Of Senators and Cockroaches
The USA, indeed the world, is wringing its hands in anguish over the shooting of Senator Gabrielle Giffords by a 22 year old man “described by friends as a pot-smoking loner”.
That’s the story link to Senators.
The link to cockroaches is not so evident – I have trouble bringing myself to stamp on a cockroach or a wood louse, so you need to believe that I don’t condone the random shooting of anyone, especially the six people left dead, and especially the family, friends and colleagues of all.
This is not a heartless blog; it is a blog about Clear Thinking.
Here’s the pitch:
Why, in a nation of 307,000,000 people, most of which adults are empowered to carry a gun, are we surprised that, from time to time one of the gun-toting adults lets loose?
In this article I am not arguing for or against gun control – although I have strong thoughts about it.
I am arguing for Clear Thinking.
I am amazed that there are not MORE of these random shootings, given the apparent ease with which one can obtain a gun (I’ve never tried) and the ludicrous idea that you may or may not conceal the weapon. What difference does it make whether you are allowed to conceal it if you plan to drill someone in the head anyway?
It seems to me that a nation that enshrines gun-ownership by private individuals should not be surprised when one of those individuals lets loose.
