With the United States being as fickle as it is with its support, I think one should be careful. Let us not forget that the US supported Osama against the Soviets. We should also not forget that the US also supported Saddam against Iran. Clay - SEA Fan of history -----Original Message----- From: Russell Ng [mailto:russng@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]=20 Sent: Wednesday, September 22, 2004 6:18 PM Subject: Re: Stupidity of airline "security" and two incidences Dennis The authorities didn't feel that Richard Reed was a dangerous threat either. No red flags appeared next to his name. Not until he tried to light his shoe bomb did people know how dangerous he was. If he had done it in the washroom, that would have been the end of the aircraft and passengers. There is a fine line between who is allowed into the US and who isn't. With his well publicized support for Saddam Hussein, support of the fatwa regarding Salman Rushdie, I think this would have caused some ripples in TSA's pond. TSA decided that they'd rather err on the side of caution in Yusuf Islam's case and order the aircraft to land in Bangor. Russell SIN At 06:21 PM 9/22/04 -0400, Dennis W Zeuch wrote: >I dont think Cat Stevens (whatever his new name is) is a dangerous threat to >the National Security of the United States. Is this the road we want our >country to be taking?