Decius wrote:

"This shows that the program has worked beyond our expectations," said Rep. John L. Mica (R-Fla.)

?? It appears they shot an innocent person. There are questions. Where the proceedures followed? Are the proceedures correct? Even if this is the best we can hope for it should not be trumpeted as a success. It is a failure and it deserves critical analysis.

Decius,

I respect your opinion, but making this tragic incident into something more, is simply wrong.

This mentally disturbed who claimed to have a bomb, who hadn't taken his medication, did not notify the airline that they had a mental patient on board, and the wife KNEW her husband hadn't taken his medication, if anyone is to blame for this man's death, it would be his Wife.

The Air Marshall did his job, and under great risk, took the action he needed to in order to protect the other passengers and bystanders from harm. If this mentally unstable person would have simply followed the requests of the agent to STOP, and Surrender, he would not have been shot.

Lastly, what would have happened if it were a bomb, and the news read, "Bomb kills 27, maims and injures 44, while Air Marshalls stand idly by." There would be an outcry from the public that "NOT ENOUGH HAD BEEN DONE" to protect the public...

So where does the line get drawn?

I prefer to err on the side of safety... besides, sometimes it cleans the gene pool...

RE: Shooting Is Defended But Gets Mixed Reviews