Tough Consequences for Jerks

From Huffington Post:

Military jets escorted an American Airlines plane to a safe landing at New York City’s JFK Airport on the 10th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

NBC LA reports that the two F-16 fighter jets were called into action after three passengers refused to come out of a bathroom on a flight originating in Los Angeles.

There was initially some confusion as to whether the jets had been called, with NBC New York noting that a security official first said fighter jets had been launched and then another security official said they had been set to launch.

A law enforcement official told the AP that the incident isn’t thought to be terrorism.

Pardon my stridency.  What is wrong with people?  3 people who will not come out of the bathroom? How much did it cost us, the taxpayers, to send up those F-16 fighter jets?  How about sending the jerks the bill for that scramble?  If they don’t pay it, get a judgement on them.  Furthermore, how about a year in jail?   I am also ready to ban people who do stupid things on planes from boarding a plane in the United States for life.

From NBCLosAngeles:

The three men were later questioned and released at the airport, an FBI spokesman said.

Passengers told NBC New York after landing that they didn’t even know there was an incident on board until they saw police meeting the flight on the ground.

The three men were drunk.  Each week we read about some fool who wants to do something incredibly stupid on an airplane.  It should be painful and expensive to be stupid.  I don’t care how stupid the rules get.  The airlines and the government rule here.  I have a choice whether to fly or not.  If I don’t like rules, I can stay off planes (and I do stay off these days). 

Why are three people in the bathroom?  Is this a mile high club with a kink or two?  Get a motel room, on the ground, jerks.   They should not have been released.  They should have to pay for the expense to the taxpayers.

Flight 93 National Memorial Dedication Ceremony

It was only fitting that President Bush honor those who lost their lives  on 9/11/01 fighting the terrorists on Flight 93.   his speech was moving and he reflected upon another small town in Pennsylvania that had many heroes–Gettysburg.

Following his dedication, President Clinton spoke.  He spoke of the Alamo and how the people knew they were going to die, but stayed the course.  Both speeches were extremely moving.  Bill Clinton said it was a disgrace that there was still 10 million more dollars to raise and he announced that he and Speaker Boehner had formed a bipartisan partnership to raise the rest of the cash for the memorial.  He received a standing ovation. 

CLINTON: So, since I am no longer in office, I can do unpopular things.

CLINTON: I told the secretary of the interior, the head of your development program, that I was aghast to find out that we still need to raise $10 million to finish this place. And Speaker Boehner and I have already volunteered to do a bipartisan event in Washington.

Let’s get this show on the road. Let’s roll. Thank you and God bless you.

Read more: http://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2011/09/10/bill-clintons-flight-93-memorial-dedication-speech#ixzz1XcOgmk5H

 

Vice President Joe Biden was in attendance also and addressed the crowd.  He was very gracious to both former presidents and spoke of his own personal losses generally and to reassure. 

I am more convinced than ever that this National Memorial to the bravery of the passengers on Flight 93 is the right and proper acknowledgement of people who gave all so that others could live.  They fought back.