> Members of the prince's entourage called the required inspection of their > private belongings an ''insult'' and ''humiliating'' -- sparking a > diplomatic flap that has the United States and Spain on the brink of a > protocol war. Too bad. If I, as a citizen of this country, must be inspected, then foreigners not travelling on official state business need to be inspected too. > Crowning it off, Iberia Airlines, the prince's carrier of choice, is > suggesting it might pull out of the airport, according to two sources close > to the international incident. They were threatening this long before Prince Buffo came along. > Now, Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas has sent the Prince of Asturias, next in > line for the throne, an apology, saying he's asked for an investigation into > what went wrong. The mayor is an IDIOT! Just because this guy is a prince doesn't give him any special privleges. If he doesn't wan to be inspected, fly on a private aircraft. > Whether the prince gave U.S. diplomatic officials enough notice of his > arrival is at the heart of the problem. > The U.S. State Department requires 72 hours notice to arrange for expedited > security screening in a private area. The prince's people called with six > hours notice. > When members of the royal party were told that they and their carry-ons > would have to be searched -- just like the masses -- the royal flap erupted. > ''We're your allies!'' one member of the royal delegation shouted in > Spanish to inspectors at a particularly tense moment. Then follow the rules, you Royal Stupidness. > The need by the princess-to-be to go the powder room caused another > flare-up. Ortiz was told her already-searched purse would be searched again > on her return from the nonsecure area. She decided to hold it. > That sparked more angry words and exchanges, delaying the process and > making the entire royal party late for the flight, which waited. > At one point, Milton Oribe, Iberia's station manager, said he would ignore > the required screening, come what may, witnesses said. > Oribe also offered to vouch for the prince and his entourage, adding that > he would see to it that the Spanish carrier withdrew from MIA, according to > witnesses on the scene. Gee. Wish I could get someone to vouch for me. > Mayor Penelas, calling the brouhaha a ''lamentable situation,'' immediately > sent a letter of apology to the the royal family and pointed out those doing > the screening were federal employees. Again, the mayor is an idiot for sending an apology.