Breanne - unless you're planning to travel to the UK you can still take laptops, ipods etc. on the plane.

As to your other comments - I just don't have the words to adequatly display my disgust.

Maybe for a minute or two you might put yourself in the shoes of a 24 year old Muslim mother who was born in this country, loves America and disdains the terrorists as much as you do.

I still hold by these truthes:

1. Get my luggage to where I am going and give me a meal with a drink on the plane and I will gladly not complain about liquids or carryon.

2. More people will die this year from DUIs and other criminal acts in the US than from any terrorist attack. Lets throw our $$ billions $$ there.

3. Some of the posts on this blog show why it is so easy to hate americans. We are racist in many aspects. As in hate all muslims. Should people that dislike the KKK hate all white people? What about the IRA in Ireland? Should we hate all catholics?

We in America waste resources, are fat and obese from overeating and throw out more food than is consumed in some third world countries, expect everyone to speak our language and do many other things to tell the world that we are better than them all.......

It is one thing to be free and proud. It is another to throw it in peoples faces.

To the writer who said: "I hate being made to feel like a criminal as my bags are searched." because they are blond and blue eyed.

I have olive skin due to my ethinic backround (not even middle eastern, but some are too dumb in this country to know that many people from Europe and Asia look like they are from the middle east.

I am a american citizen born and bred on the East Coast, have a family with siblings serving in the US military, a father that worked for the US government in Washington DC for 20 years and was a police officer in one of our fine states as well as having had and passed FBI and other law enforcement security checks for my job.

Guess what? I hate being made to feel like a criminal as my bags are searched also.

Just because my skin is olive doesnt mean I should be searched.

Behavioral interviewing, etc is a much better method.

First, what person in their right mind would spend $50.00 for sunscreen. WalMart sells it much cheaper and it does the same thing. Perhaps instead of water, try a soda, the can or bottle makes a noise when opened for the first time, and that would ensure it had not been tampered with. Water is highly overrated anyhow. To the person who asked how to live without I-Pod and computer on the flight, there is a simple solution that has been around for hundreds of years, it is called a book. Try it, you might like.

I am so greatful to live in a country where people cite movies in order to form their opinions. Oliver Stone had the exact same motivation to make Flight 93 that Mel "Adolf" Gibson had in making The Passion $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$They know that we as Americans would line up and pay money to watch two cars crash into one another. I wonder how much Oliver is going to donate to victims families after he makes $400 Million cashing in on the death of their loved ones.

I fly often and have done so for many years. It used to be pleasant,even on long flights, but now things are different, due mainly to Americans who think they have the right to have everything their own way, regardless of how 'their rights' are infringing on other's rights. Before, we didn't have any of those noisy gadgets, people rested, slept, read, talked or simply enjoyed the flight, no one, as far as I know, suffered any irreparable damage because of this. No one carried bottles of water on board, and I haven't heard of anyone dying of thirst during a flight. Overhead compartments had plenty of room for whatever small article you might have with you, so no one was hit on the head with a huge bag, or had to wait a long time to find a seat or get off the plane, while most of the desconsiderate passengers stood on the aisle struggling with their huge bags. Airlines should limit carry-on items to basic essentials. The airlines should also improve their services to their passengers and offer water and food in flights, we also need security for the luggage, as many pieces are getting lost and things are being taken from the checked-in suitcases, and most of all, more respect and courtesy from the staff, not only from the airlines but also from the TSA, these people have a tough job but they are the rudest people of them all, and yes, start profiling, forget about being politically correct. Just a few days ago they "randonmly selected" my 16 year old granddaughter and checked, with radar, and some form of swabs, every single piece and surface of her small carry-on bag; she was kept, with my daughter and 8 yr. old grandson in the security section for a long, long, time and the only response my daughter got when she mentioned they were going to miss their flight was "Oh well..." The airlines are being run only by greed. They don't care what kind of service we get or how many inconveniences they put us through or how rude their staff is. They are shoving more and more of us in an airplane with total disregard for our confort. Strict security is now part of our lives for those of us who fly. Let's just accept it and do our part in complying, it is for our safety,and everything would go a lot faster if we do without complaining. I doubt that our 'rights' would be violated if we are not allowed to carry suntanlotion on board.

When I wrote about U.S. participation in the Afghanistan war that led to 9/11 I thought it was obvious that I referred to the war in the 1980s (since that was before 9/11) when they were fighting against their Marxist government which was supported by Russia. But since someone responded saying our soldiers left to fight in Iraq I see that was not clear. I forget that many were not even born yet when the real beginnings of this began. The U.S. has had a history of getting into things they should not and not taking care of things they should. That goes across both party lines. If Clinton would have "hunted down the dogs" after the first WTC bombings we may not have seen 9/11. If we had not pulled out of Afghanistan in the 80s perhaps their people would not have felt so abandoned and the hatred towards the U.S. may not have taken such ugly roots. But all of this does not change the fact that there are some people who genuinely HATE everything American. That includes our own people. The Oklahoma bombers were born and raised Americans. The person(s) that bomb and threaten abortion clincs are Americans. The problem here is that we want all our freedoms, great environment, and all the luxeries we have to offer but very few want to pay for them. Whether it is volunteering at a local community center or running for a local political office. Few want to take that challenge. I see many complaints and whining today but few with concrete plans to change things. What do I do? I educate myself before every vote. I volunteer for things in my community. If I do not like something I figure a way to change it. If I can't change it then I either do not use it or participate in it. I can choose not to take a plane if I feel I am being treated unfairly. I can choose to use less fuel if I do not like the price of gas. I can choose to stay home if the local theaters are showing movies offensive to me. I can choose to move to Canada, Brazil, Sweden or Austrailia. I do not have to live in the U.S. and neither do you. If you do not like it, change it or get out. Every single person has the ability to change the world we live in. Even the smallest actions can snowball into magnificent results.

Breanne, your dispicable comment about muslim concentration camps is one of the many reasons many foreigners dislike Americans. It's a broad-sweeping comment with no support that only proves your ignorance.

Lisa,

So you want to go with the bans on 'everything'. Ok lets look at that. What about the guy with prescription LIQUID medication?? Yes, yes, I know we have all heard it - as long as it's been prescribed by a doctor and the label has our name on it then it's ok. Right??? :) ?? Sorry. I have a printer and sticky labels at home too!

This liquid ban will stop nothing! Neither will all the future bans on luggage, carry ons, or even clothing. Deal with the community that grows and supports the perpetrators of these acts of violence. Deal with the Mullahs in the local mosques that preach death to America and all that is not Muslim. Such people likely live in your very city.

For the folks who are responding to this alleged plot (any actual explosives found yet??) by spewing racial hatred, I hope you have considered that if we start jamming innocent families from groups you don't like into boxcars and shipping them to the camps, some number of white-skinned non-Muslims would be so revolted by seeing America turn into Nazi Germany that they would commit acts of "terrorism" against that regime, or perhaps against your local Nascar stadium (as a previous poster suggested), in response. And by the way, if my own loved one were to die of deep vein thrombosis because they could not drink adequate fluid on a long flight or take their necessary meds...well, I'd probably better not pick a government-monitored forum to blow off steam about what I might do, but bowing my head compliantly just might not be the end of it.

Some other semiliterates have sarcastically suggested that we have two different airlines, one for those who want the security and one for those who don't. That's fine with me provided that the latter plane also flies the flag of a government that doesn't use every economic and military means at its disposal to oppress and exploit the rest of the world. In fact, I've been on that airline. I've flown domestic flights in a third-world country where the domestic security was nonexistent and people could get gas cans on board. They had a separate terminal set up for international flights with x-ray machines and metal detectors. That country didn't have the power to mess with anyone else, so they figured nobody else would care to mess with them. And they were right. No, "They" don't "hate our freedom," or They would attack the Netherlands. They hate our power and the fact that we keep grinding their faces in it. We have no choice but to use force against the individuals who are now attacking us, but if we're smart we'll try to motivate fewer people to attack us in future, not more. If you treat a thousand people as "two-legged dogs," one of them someday will bite you on the leg, and you'll deserve it.

Breanne, Scranton,PA, you are exactly what you yourself deplore about terrorists. They also hate people they do not even know. You make a wide judgment about Muslims in America that is false. Most love America and want to be a productive part of our country. Remember in grade school the bad kid that caused recess to be canceled for the entire class? Because a few fanatic Muslims choose to become terrorists, does not mean they all are threats and should be kicked out of America. Remember Timothy McVeigh? Should all WASPs should be stereotyped a domestic terrorist? Of course not. Tunnel vision that focuses on one group could leave us blindsided by another. The bad guys are individuals or small groups deviant from the whole. They exist in every culture. Even ours.

Lisa -
Your comment "First, the "right" to comment on the blog is exactly the same for anyone with an internet connection - regardless of governance."

Consider this...

"China limits what its citizens can see on the Internet by using technology built into the country’s basic web infrastructure, dubbed the “Great Firewall of China.” The technology allows Chinese authorities to block web pages they don’t want people to see; hijack web sessions if certain taboo keywords like “democracy” and “freedom” are searched; and cancel links that would take viewers to forbidden sites, including pornography, international news sites, the search engine Google, many blogs, and sites related to Tibet and the banned religious movement Falun Gong."
www.cfr.org/publication/8913/chinas_new_internet_restrictions.html

In China - you wouldn't even be allowed to know this discussion exists, let alone say anything on it.

jm, I will point out several mistakes made by other Presidents that cost lives. Kennedy, Bay of Pigs, Johnson, Vietnam. I can continue.

The point the individual was making with McVeigh was that just because the person is blue-eyed does not mean he can't be a terrorist. The American who was training with Al-Qaeda is an example of this as well.

I am grateful that Bush has been the President rather than Gore or Kerry. Gore's reaction to 9/11 would have been the same as Clinton's weak response to the attack on the Cole. Shoot a few missiles and hope they go away.

About the ICE...I am not sure...but I am on a traveling HOCKEY team and i have to bring my stick...and I doubt i can carry that on...but it will come out as woodchips if i check it. My hero is a hockey player too, her name is ICY HOTT.

"the real point is the absurdity of the things we have to put up for the sake of " our safety" we dont live in 1776 we live in 2006.. Everyone needs to take their own breaths and try to get through this craziness. "

You don't give me a name to reply to - lol

You are right, of course, and that is one of the points I was inferring to in the original comment.

There was a great deal of shock, bewilderment, anger, and confusion this morning. Chaos. To be expected.

Should "plans" and "procedures" not have had the kinks worked out in teh last 5 years. You bet. Those "in charge" need to step up to the plate.

We, in the meantime, need to get a grip. And we need to STOP playing the "freedom card."

There was a very REAL threat this morning. (I'm ignoring the conspiracy theorists.) While "they" figure out how to deal with the threat, and ensure our safety - and more importantly - our national security, we need to chill out.

Figure out the rules and play by them until things settle down a bit.

Let's get the Duffy's to stop trying to sneak lotions on board - it's search and discovery holds EVERYONE up.

Let's get parents of potentially screaming kids to think of interpersonal diversions until they can have access to the dvd's and mp3 players.

Let's get Moms to think like Moms and plan for the nutritional needs of their children during flight - with the airline.

Mr. Insurance Guy? Need your laptop with you? To protect my personal credit information you have on your hard drive? {rolling eyes} As others have suggested - ship it. Or better yet, talk to your IT department about secure VPN access and data encryption.

Miss Silly Teen who can't be parted from her cell phone? You'll survive. Those big, funny looking things in the airports? Pay phones.

Sorry, Lonnie-

He was warned off the yellow-cake argument - he used it anyway, and then tried to destroy the person who offered up the facts. That's leadership, alright. Lying, too. Maybe even treason.

Not being one bit sarcastic - who's paying for that war, and who's posting 14 BILLION in PROFITS in 3 months? How is that possible? Are you driving 300 more miles a week? Can you still think for yourself? He was bought and paid for when the SEC was stopped from investigating Arbusto. Ludicrous is believing you can honestly make millions by selling a debt-ridden oil drilling company that's never found anything but Texas dirt.

What's ludicrous is that people still trust that election thief. You've really got to want to believe.

I haven't heard or seen anything concerning restrictions on ICE. However, if it gets HOT in the airport or on board, that could pose a problem.

To he who wrote: ‘sure- and the day after that happens, along comes a blue eyed caucasion Tim Mcveigh lookalike’
Since when does Muslim have anything to do with skin or eye color???? We are talking about a religion here. People who follow a book and leaders who tell them this is their obligation according to this book. This is a programming that does not necessarily have anything to do with the color of the package which holds its contents.

If there were robots walking down the street that would just suddenly and immediately start killing people or explode, wouldn’t you try to remove them? Wouldn’t you want to find the ones which were likely programmed to explode and move them away from those they wished to destroy? These people are programmed to believe that they will be rewarded in ‘heaven’ if they give their life to kill you. Deal with it.

I agree with Don of USA " the military has been making sacrifies for us for years" Think of all of the troups & the families that have been directly affected by the war on terroism, not to mention the victims & families of 9-11. To complain about what we are not able to bring on a flight and to say it's a inconvience is insane! Inconvience is not being able to leave your home, or wonder IF your family member is ok, or if they are on the flight that went down! I believe that this is ALL related to the Hezzbolah, Islamic, BIN LADEN ETC.... As Americans we tend to feel that we have rights to everything and anything, and we tend to take these rights for granted-

Lee, the nation was split before Bush became president. We went into Iraq for several reasons, only one of which was WMD's, another was because Iraq was supporting terrorism. While we didn't find the WMD's that we were looking for, we did find some. On the support of terrorism, I will refer you the ISG report.

As the statement about oil prices, that is so ludicrous it is either sarcasm or just plain paranoia.

Lisa from VA-- Touche~~ so so serious.. However, the real point is the absurdity of the things we have to put up for the sake of " our safety" we dont live in 1776 we live in 2006.. Everyone needs to take their own breaths and try to get through this craziness.

What about ICE? Can we bring ICE on board? Does anyone know?

"Lisa from VA-- it is however your constitutional right to get on this blog and sound off against those you dont agree with..... Rock on..."

lol - Actually, not true. The constitution does not give me specific rights to get on a blog and comment. First, the "right" to comment on the blog is exactly the same for anyone with an internet connection - regardless of governance.

But the actual "right" to comment in this case is simply granted by NBC - the owner and financial backer of the blog. Anyone who thinks the internet is "free" is delusional.

If you have nothing to hide, then you should have no problem with stepped up security. As for the "eradicate all muslims", sure- and the day after that happens, along comes a blue eyed caucasion Tim Mcveigh lookalike. What then?

By the way - not sure if anyone has posted this but the TSA has information on the restrictions...

http://www.tsa.gov/press/where_we_stand/security_measures.shtm