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The war on screwdrivers
From The Times:
A flight from London to Washington was diverted to Boston today, flanked by fighter jets, after a passenger was found to have a screwdriver, matches and a note with a reference to al-Qaeda on her.
From CNN:
BOSTON, Massachusetts (AP) — Fighter jets escorted a London-to-Washington, D.C., flight to Boston’s Logan airport Wednesday after the pilot declared an emergency because an apparently claustrophobic passenger caused a disturbance, a federal official said.
The federal security official said there was no indication of terrorism and denied reports that the woman had a screw driver, matches and a note referring to al-Qaeda.
[Via Fark]
Should we be terrified of terrorism?
A nice piece by the Cato Institute on terrorism’s real and imagined impact (pdf):
Even with the September 11 attacks included in the count, the number of Americans killed by international terrorism since the late 1960s (which is when the State Department began counting) is about the same as the number of Americans killed over the same period by lightning, accident-causing deer, or severe allergic reaction to peanuts.
[Via The Tattered Coat]
Sick but funny, in a geeky kind of way
From Idiot Toys:
Report: Terrorists planned to use iPod as detonator
WHY THIS PLAN WOULD’VE FAILED:
Because the battery would’ve gone flat! Ha ha ha!
You’ve only got a FireWire cable and bombs are USB! Ha ha ha!
Crying wolf
I wanted to blog about my mixed reaction to the terror alert – mainly concern, but tinged with a bit of cynicism – but it seems that Mr Eugenides nailed it for me:
On balance I, like most others, would rather be safe than sorry. We’ll have to wait until the dust settles on this one before we can truly know just how close we were to disaster; sadly, it’s not impossible (though it seems unlikely) that this is another in a long line of false alarms. But in the meantime, our ongoing – and entirely justified – suspicion of the mendacious bastards that run this country might usefully be leavened with a healthy dose of gratitude at the vigilance of our security services. In this day and age, sadly, the state’s duty to protect its citizens is no mere philosophical conceit, but a day-to-day reality, and it is increasingly the security services, not the armed forces, which are at the front line in this [very real] war. It’s not paranoia if they’re actually out to get you.
Flying today? Don’t read this
Just got a newsflash email from Channel 4 news:
A plot to blow up passenger flights in mid-air has been foiled by police and security services.
The official security threat level in Britain has been moved up from severe to critical which means an imminent attack is expected.
Around 20 people were arrested overnight in London in connection with the plans which are believed to involve detonating explosives smuggled onto planes in hand luggage
Flights between Britain and the US are thought to have been targeted.
Security at all UK airports has been increased and additional security measures been put in place for all flights.
All passengers will be hand-searched and have their shoes X-rayed before boarding their flight and all bags must now be checked in.
Travellers are only allowed to carry a few items such as wallets, travel documents, medicines and spectacles into the cabin and are being asked to put them in a clear carrier bag.
Parents with young children can take baby food, milk, nappies and wipes aboard.
But the cabin ban includes handbags, mobiles phones, laptops, iPods and electrical key fobs.
For a full list click here http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_about/documents/page/dft_about_612280.hcsp
Pushchairs and walking aids must be X-ray screened, and only airport-provided wheelchairs may pass through the screening point.
All passengers boarding flights to the USA will have to undergo a second search at the boarding gate.
A spokesman for the Department of Transport said: “Regrettably, significant delays at airports are inevitable.
“Passengers are being asked to allow themselves plenty of extra time and to ensure that other than the few permitted items, all their belongings are placed in their hold baggage and checked in.
“These additional security measures will make travel more difficult for passengers, particularly at such a busy time of the year. But they are necessary and will continue to keep flights from UK airports properly secure.
“We hope that these measures, which are being kept under review by the Government, will need to be in place for a limited period only.
“In light of the threat to aviation and the need to respond to it, we are asking the travelling public to be patient and understanding and to co-operate fully with airport security staff and the police.
“If passengers have any questions on their travel arrangements or security in place at airports they should contact their airline or carrier.”
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “We would like to reassure the public that this operation was carried out with public safety uppermost in our minds. This is a major operation which inevitably will be lengthy and complex.”
Home Secretary John Reid said the alleged plot was “very significant” and was designed to “bring down a number of aircraft through mid-flight explosions, causing a considerable loss of life”.
Going away for a bit
Back next week. Have fun.
Oi! Crichton! Noooo!
I’m posting this mainly to annoy Stephen: a climate scientist says Michael Crichton has misused his research.
Our results have been misused as “evidence” against global warming by Michael Crichton in his novel “State of Fear” and by Ann Coulter in her latest book, “Godless: The Church of Liberalism.” Search my name on the Web, and you will find pages of links to everything from climate discussion groups to Senate policy committee documents — all citing my 2002 study as reason to doubt that the earth is warming.
[Via Digg]
When bouncy castles attack
TWO women were killed yesterday when a giant “bouncy castle” broke free from its moorings with 30 people inside it.
The huge inflatable – half the size of a football pitch – shot 50 feet into the sky above a busy park and flipped over in mid-air.
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