What should a free man do?

Nothin' to see here, folks

Here's an update on  this sagacious post having to do with the suspicious men on the Seattle ferry last fall.

And, if you can stomach it, here is a smug lecture on how right the PI felt it was to not run the pictures in their paper.

After that crock o' crap, maybe you're ready for some lucid observations.

As noted, the PI has frequently run pictures of violent crime suspects in order to help local police solve crimes. I can guarantee you there were times when the picture or sketch helped the cops come up with a person of interest... and that person was found to not have been involved in the crime.

But when the FBI asks the PI to do this exact thing one more time, for the good of the people, the PI gets high and mighty.

This liberal lunatic double-standard is just nauseating, isn't it?

And, now to the FBI.

I was formerly a Special Agent with the US Army Criminal Investigation Division. Though the FBI has primary investigative jurisdiction on federal property, CID agents investigate all felony crimes committed on Army installations. There's more to it than that, but that's all you need to know for me to make this point.

As part of an investigation of a major crime, CID Agents had to contact the local FBI office to ask if they wanted to assume investigative jurisdiction on that particular case. If the FBI said yes, then we had to give all our case work to the FBI. 

That's the procedure still today.

Many, many times we dutifully called the local FBI office to see if they wanted to assume and were told by their agents to call back in a few days. 

Why?  So they could wait for us to solve the crime for them, without them doing any work. 

I know personally of scores of times when agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation waited to assume until we had identified a suspect.  Then they would officially take the case, swoop in and make the arrest... and claim all the credit in the press.

Many times.  It was disgusting and unprofessional and unfair.  And they still do it today.

Why?  Because, as good as they are, they are glory hounds.  They will not permit their image to be tarnished in any way.

So, what's my point?

You can't trust the FBI ~ that's my point. 

They will lie to you, lie to us, in order to protect their reputation. As if their dishonesty and cover-ups haven't become part of the lore by now.

That in mind, there is no reason at all to believe them when they assure us the ferry suspects were  found to be innocent business consultants.

Go to Annie Jacobsen's story and see how the feds screw up and then cover up. Watch it all and explore.  She knows her stuff.

So, unerschrocken; pay attention.  Do not be deceived.  Do not be lulled into complacency.

You're accountable for what you know... and then what you do.

Ahoy there, and there and there...

It's boating season again and we're being aske  by DHS to get involved in spotting suspicious things, people and activity. Sure. No problem.  Take a look at this before you read further.

I don't own a boat myself but I am in the market for a cute yellow canoe... with a quad-50 mounted amidships. Let me know if you run across one.

Anyway, I've read a commentary or two unnecessarily vitiating what are really well-timed and entirely reasonable requests to be vigilant. So, to those whiners I say... put a sock in it.

It's not "boobery" just because you're not pleased that every thing you wanted done to protect you hasn't been done as quickly as you wanted or to your level of expertise, and it doesn't mean people aren't trying. If those people, presumably government folk, aren't meeting your standards it doesn't mean you have no moral responsibility to be alert, observing and reporting suspicious stuff ~ nor that you get to chide people into neglecting their responsibility as good citizens.

So keep the nattering na-bob crap to yourself. You know who you are.

Blame isn't the issue. Saving lives with what and who we have on hand and in place right now is what matters. The fact is that recreational boaters can be an effective aid in spotting suspicious boats, people and activity. The more eyes and ears out there the better.

This NJ link is pretty good ~ perhaps you should become familiar with the material, and the rest of the site as well.

Here is a useful USCG brochure.  I'm no sailor; nor have I studied this subject in great depth so my offerings are nascent, awaiting addendum, yours and mine.

Here are some things that might be worth consideration...

You don't have to be on the water to be looking for water-borne threats. There are many leisure-time venues across the country that can easily be targeted.

Does your city have a waterfront area with restaurants, shopping centers, outdoor concert spots? Perfect soft targets: lots of people crammed into small spaces; easy approach and quick getaways with lots of room to run from the cops.

So, when you're at these places, be aware of watercraft approaching that may be suspicious.

Suspicious?

Small boat, easily navigable, low in the water, large covered object in the center of the boat, probably two people on board. May have a motor seemingly too large for the boat. The boat will probably be moving at more than a sight-seeing pace. Objective?

Move from a safe distance into/under a target area or structure and detonate that big ol' bomb they're hauling.

What to do?

If you're in a structure that the boat can get under, a building or a pier, get out/off ASAP. Maybe all you'll be able to do is get to the outer walls of the structure (terrorists will try for center of mass explosion to maximize the number of innocent people they kill) and get under something to protect yourself from flying glass. The explosion will probably blow glass out, away from the center of the structure, but some may fall inside. Cover your head.

If you're in a large boat and a smaller suspicious boat pulls up alongside, ala the USS Cole, get on the far side of the boat, the one upon which you're hob-nobbing with the hoi-poloi... as quickly as possible, as far away from the suspect boat as possible. Seems like it would be wise to stay above deck and not run for shelter below because the pressures created by the explosion combined with all the different bulkheads and angles will create really treacherous blast and shrapnel patterns. Stay clear of hatches and stairwells going down because the blast and shrapnel will be flying out of those holes.

Sport boat approaching parallel to the venue, one driver, two or more people on the side of the boat closest to shore. Approaches fast, slows down a bit as it moves closer to shore. You'll may not be able to see the hands of the passengers because they're holding objects (weapons?) below the sides of the boat a/o suddenly drawing firearms from bags/boxes on the boat deck. Weapons are fired into the crowd and escape made. If the venue is on a river, the attack will likely come from upstream and escape will be made downstream.

What to do?

Duck. Get behind something that will stop bullets. Stay there. Somebody should call the cops, obviously.

Is this a situation where you can return fire, if you're armed? I don't know. Some laws read that if someone's shooting at you from a car and you want to return fire, you should shoot at the driver/passengers who represent the threat, not the vehicle. Is it the same law/principle when shooting at boats? Seems like it should be. Am I telling you to shoot at a boat carrying people who've shot at you? No. I'm not. You decide that, then and there. Should you decide to shoot, your intent in that case would be pretty hard to determine and prove. If you do shoot, cops may ask if you were shooting at the boat or at the people on the boat. Believe me, you were shooting at the people not the boat. Weren't you?

Could you accidentally hit an outboard engine behind which some bad guy appears to be shooting at you? Seems possible. Hmmm... figure the odds of that.

Markets near the water. As you visit outdoor food markets, you'll pick up different smells, most of them dull and ambient, not sharp and wafting.

Dull and ambient is fish. No problem.

Sharp and wafting could be a chemical agent released from a spot where air flow moves it into and through your location.

What to do?

Get out immediately. Let out one vocal warning: GAS! Cover your mouth and nose with damp cloth if possible. Move uphill and upwind. Don't mingle with others, transferring the chemicals on your clothes to theirs. Report to responding HazMat crews and follow their directions.

So you're going to take an exotic cruise, huh? Hmmm. You may want to read up on the posts here having to do with boat take-overs and hostage situations.

Report suspicious things that are not of immediate importance to the National Response Center... here.

James Jay Carafano, Ph.D. with the Heritage Foundation, writes an  excellent article here entitled; Small Boats, Big Worries: Thwarting Terrorist Attacks from the Sea.  Read it all, unerschrocken.

No holocaust here

The pictures of Amina and Sarah Said, and Methal Dayem, which are posted here, are meant to stir a response.  But not just to get you yelling and pounding your fists on the table.  I hope it lights a fire under your righteous anger and that you let that anger drive you to do something other than write at this and other blogs about the barbarity of these 'customs'.

My focus at this blog is on American girls who are slain under the principles of this so-called religion of peace.  But I add this story out of Australia to show evidence that these savagess don't care where they are on the earth. They don't care what the rules are unless they're sharia rules. They don't care if Westerners call it murder. 

They could not care less. 

They will continue to slaughter their women because it's how Muslim 'men' are wired.  But let's not pretend they're crazy and an insanity defense, within the framework of our legal system, would be appropriate.

They're not crazy. 

In the core of their souls, millions of Muslim fathers believe their daughters need to have their throats cut for sins such as coming home late... wearing jeans... falling in love with someone from another religion. 

And millions of Muslim mothers believe it's their duty to help bring honor back to their families by assisting in these vicious murders. As if they had honor in the first place.   

In the smartest part of their brains, millions of Muslim brothers are certain it's entirely rational for them to attack their sisters with fists and feet, knives and rope, bullets and blunt instruments... and leave them in a bloody heap. 

But they're not crazy.  They're certainly wrong, but not insane by any legal or psychiatric definition.  They are evil. 

In addition to being sane and evil... they're here.

More and more Muslim women will be attacked and killed by the men who are supposed to love and protect them... as long as we let it happen.

And this story tells us clearly how UK authorities, and eventually those in the US, will let not only murders like this continue, but also any kind of thuggery and brutality Muslims wish to inflict on whomsoever they don't like.

Don't let it happen here.  

Hostage Situations

The paradigm used to be a plane was hijacked, flown to someplace unpleasant, then some sort of negotiation conducted. Usually all hostages were released unharmed. If 9/11/01 didn’t change that entirely, it at least changed the way we should all look at hostage-taking.

How to tell the difference between a hostage-taking done with homicidal destruction in mind such as that of 9/11/01; or that committed with negotiation in mind, such as the Korean missionaries taken hostage in Afghanistan in 2007?

Tough one.

Generally, if the bad guys kill someone in front of you, they're probably not going to negotiate ~ they're most likely planning on becoming martyrs, taking you along with them.

Yea, whatever.

If they're taking hostages and not just setting you up for slaughter, they'll want to keep as many of you alive as they can to use as bargaining chips. So, if they beat people instead of cut their throats, be grateful... you might get out alive.

Those are probably your best clues as to the intent of your uninvited guests.

So, let's discuss some basics.

Despite their training, terrorists are going to be pretty nervous during the first part of the take-over since they have the least control then ~ the least control of you, of the situation. FBI statistics indicate you are most likely to be injured in the first 30 minutes of a hostage incident. But, if you’re perceived to be a threat at any stage, you could get hurt or killed. Right then and there. On purpose.

Yes... you.

The most important thing is to stay calm and don’t make sudden movements unless you're reasonably sure those movements will help you escape. Because of the confusion in the first several minutes of a hostage incident, the best time to escape is then and there, while you are perhaps still in a public place. But resistance may be risky. Your decision to resist or cooperate must be carefully made, in advance if possible. More on this later.

While being held hostage by whatsoever egregiously-aggrieved group, try to avoid direct eye contact with them. It can be seen as confrontational ~ aggressiveness. And to make a point to the rest of the hostages that everyone needs to fear and obey them, they may drop you on the spot. So, behave like a good victim. Don’t be passive-aggressive. Follow their directions.

If you're planning some sort of resistance, don't give it away by having a snotty look in your eyes that says: Just you knuckleheads wait until you turn your back, then me and my homies are gonna give you guys the business.

No. Remain seated with your seat-belt on and your tray table locked in the upright position.

Don't be a tough guy with your eyes. When the time comes, you be a tough guy with your brain and your heart and with your fists and feet and every improvised weapon you can find a/o think of. You will know when that moments comes. Til then, in your eyes, look a little scared. Just a little.

Be careful to whom you’re speaking and what you say. Be discreet ~ the man or woman you’re discussing resistance/escape options with might be part of the terrorist team merely posing as a hostage.

If spoken to; keep your answers short, non-political and non-religious. I don't care how many tongues you talk in or with, you’re not going to change or convert anybody in this situation. And if you think you're going to evangelize them anyway and become a martyr for your faith if they kill you, then shame on you. You don't know how many others around you they'll kill just because you couldn't ignore your "duty" to preach the gospel to every nation. Just shut up and... pray.

While it's not wise for you to try to negotiate with your captors, FBI studies show that terrorists tend do less damage and harm if, within the first five minutes of taking hostages, someone calmly and clearly says something that can be a bit of an epiphany to them.

This person can be a cop on scene, but they're not going to be there in 5 minutes, are they?

It could be a security officer, but security officers aren't trained in this little tiny life-saving tactic because the great big security companies, and the small ones for that matter, are worried more about litigation if their guards screw up than they are with protecting you.

It could be any of the other hostages, if there are others. But do they know what you're about to know? You want to bet your life on the answer?

Okay. Then it's you. You're going to have to suck it up and find a way to approach whichever terrorist seems to be in charge.

Say something like this; within five minutes of your being taken hostage...

• Hey; looks like everyone's okay so far. Um, look... if you don't kill anyone, I think you'll be okay. But if someone dies, you may die also.
• We don't want people to get hurt. As long as no one's injured or dies, I think the police will try to help you.
• This might not turn out too bad if you surrender right away, or let some of us go as a sign of good faith.

Pssst: Don't say kill, hostages, raid, arrest, die, attack, etc. ~ words that suggest violence against your hostage-taker(s).

If it appears you'll be held for more than a couple days, then forming some rapport with the terrorists might turn out to be useful. You may remember from a previous post that, if you're going to strike up a chat with a terrorist, you should do so with one who's wearing a mask or hood. Go look at the Beslan posts here if your memory needs refreshing. Hooded or not, in any conversation with terrorists, remember to not talk religion or politics; but listen attentively, even if you have to fake it. If you don't agree with what you're hearing, don't argue. Be quiet. Just nod and say, Uh-huh... uh-huh.

You want the terrorists to see you as a real person, so you have to humanize yourself. If asked, talk a little about your family and give some general hints about your life. Show them pictures of your family members, especially male children. Why? Because they value men more than they value women.

Show a general interest in their lives but don't probe or seem intrusive. See if you can find some commonality but don't be obsequious. Speak their language if you know it; learn their first names, if possible and appropriate, and speak to them by name.

Don't do anything to attract their attention unnecessarily. Don't piss 'em off by being the one who keeps asking to use the lavatory. Limit your fluid intake to a minimum. If you need to take some medication, let them know. If the meds are necessary to keep you alive, they might let you, even help you, take it. But if you explain you need the meds or you'll die and they don't care, um... that's a bad sign.

Accept food and other comfort items provided to you. Eat what you are given, even if it doesn't look appetizing and you don’t feel hungry. Eat whenever food is offered. You need to stay strong.

If they force you to present their demands to the police, state clearly that the demands are from the terrorists. Avoid making a plea on your own behalf ~ don't stand there on the street or whine over the phone; Oh my God. Dooooo something. They're gonna kill us all. We're all gonna die. Saaaaaaaave us.

You do that and they'll take you back inside and bind/gag you because you're out of control and they don't need that hassle... if they don't put two in your head.

You may be moved while you're held hostage and your captors may blind-fold, gag, a/o restrain you in order to make this move easier for them. You may be beaten into unconsciousness so they can move you. This is how it may happen:

• They bind you somehow, so you can't resist the beating you're about to get.
• Then they may gag you so you can't cry for help. But the gag might be loose so you won't choke on your own blood or vomit.
• If this is what's happening to you, it may not be bad... they're trying to keep you alive.
• If they wanted to kill you, they'd just walk up behind you and cut your throat.

Don't resist if they try to drug you ~ they're probably just trying to sedate you in order to make you more manageable. If you are conscious, follow your captor’s instructions carefully.

Escape?  Only you can weigh the risks and make the decision. Avoid impulsive escape attempts, and don't try to do so unless you are reasonably sure you can make it. Before attempting to to get away, think about these things, if you have time:

• What will happen to you if you fail?
• What will happen to others if you fail?
• What will happen to others if you succeed?
• If you do make a try, you may have to harm a captor to pull it off. Are you prepared mentally and equipment/training-wise to kill someone in your effort?
• If you're caught, are you prepared to face those consequences?

I'd like to recommend Viktor Frankl's book, Man's Search for Meaning. He discusses this issue in great, profound detail.

If you are able to escape, it's probably best to head for a U.S. Embassy or Consulate to seek protection. If you cannot reach either, go to a host government or friendly government office. Absent all those, go to a business that you can identify as being American, Canadian, European. Or, head for a Catholic church... the biggest one you can find.

While captive, don’t get lethargic or fearful. Care. Care about yourself. Remember those who love you who want you safe. You matter to them and to many more than you know. You need to remember: though the US government will not negotiate with terrorists, that doesn't mean they won't try to work for your safe and quick release. And, if there are children among the hostages, they'll work even harder.

Stay alert and keep your mind active. You will probably be questioned by government authorities once the situation is resolved so pay close attention to the what's going on around you.

Be observant.

• Notice the details of the room/building in which you're being held, the sounds of activity in the building and determine the layout of the building by studying what is visible to you.
• Listen for sounds through walls, windows or out in the streets, and try to identify the various odors in the area.
• Know the bad-guys.
• Memorize their schedule, habits and rank structure.
• Look for patterns of behavior to be used to your advantage, and identify weaknesses or vulnerabilities.
• Use this information to assess opportunities to escape.
• Try to memorize the number of terrorists, their descriptions, weapons, identities of other hostages, etc.
• You may be released or escape, and this information is critical.
• One proven method for remembering such information is to mentally give nicknames to each captor and note their clothes, faces, posture and temperaments.

You need to stay calm, alert, mentally prepared. Why? Because when HRT comes crashing through the doors, floors, ceilings and windows, you need to be able to immediately process what's going on in front of you and immediately do the right thing.

What's that, Undaunted?

If a rescue is attempted, at least by US police a/o miltary, it will be sudden, fast and probably loud. Don't get up to cheer the good-guys on. Stay down. If you hear explosions or shooting, drop to the floor immediately and stay down. Point your feet toward the sound of the shooting. If you can't get down, then cross your arms on your chest, bow your head and stand still. And, um... pray if you got 'em.

In the absence of HRT orders, move as quickly as possible to an area that looks to be controlled by good-guys, with your hands in the air to show 'em you're not armed and pose no threat.

As the HRT takeover is in motion, expect to be treated roughly until they know who's team you're on. No, you're not the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, or just a singer in a rock-and-roll band.  You're a hostile target until they secure the entire scene. You'll initially be treated as a suspect and may be handcuffed and searched.

Don’t resist. Just don't. If you do, you're going to find out how many rounds an MP5 a/o HK USP Tactical can crank out before your lifeless body hits the floor. Keep your hands on your head and don’t move until you're told to do so.

If you don't want to follow those simple rules and clear HRT orders because of some wild hair you now have or suddenly get up your you-know-what, then you'll end up in a body bag.

Hostage Rescue Teams are the bad-ass boys with the bad-ass toys. Don't make any mistakes.

Hostage release can be the most dangerous part of the entire ordeal. Many things can go wrong... accidentally or on purpose. Your captors will be extremely nervous during a release, for a number of reasons. They may also be anxious to evade capture and punishment. They may be intent on surrendering and ending the ordeal. Or not. They may have deadlier ideas since press coverage will be maxed out to cover the end of their surrender. Just remember: shooting a/o bombs... get down and stay down. If you're wounded, you'll probably be okay because EMS is right across the street and around that corner to your left.

Hey, Unerschrocken; survive.

No matter what occurs.

Control your fear and live.

Evil

Quick post today, with a crisp salute to Marisol at DW.

You can find some mention of honor killings here, but these just cite the murder of Muslima innocents here in CONUS.

Only three dead girls so far, as much as the weight of available evidence informs us.  So, what's the big deal, Undaunted? 

It's about evil in the name of god.  And, no ~ no other religion permits and practices these heinous, barbaric acts against innocent women and girls.

Take a look at all of this and tell me what excuse these 'men' will come up with next.  Tell me where these shitty, craven, evil savages are locked up. 

They're not locked up.

Tell me innocent Muslim women in America have no reason to  fear being murdered for simply being away from home more than daddy likes. 

That belief died kicking and screaming and fighting for breath... with Methal Dayem and Sarah Said and Amina Said ~ may their memory be a blessing.

Yes, the story cited herein comes from Jordan, home of 'moderate' Muslims.  But some of you still don't get it: that same 'moderate' Islam is already here, deep in the hearts of thousands if not millions of 'moderate' Muslims who will assure you Islam forbids the killing of innocents.

Yet these same 'moderates' will look their daughters, sisters, mothers and cousins in the eye and then cut their throats, watching them cry and moan and twitch as they bleed out in the dirt...  'men' who were supposed to love and honor and cherish them, now their glad and "godly" slayers.

Be not deceived; God will do His part and judge them later.

Now, what are you going to do? 

An old hippie with a big stick

I was cruising some sites and came across one a couple days ago that was pretty interesting.  You can find it here.

I'll let the gentleman introduce himself but I asked him to bring his perspective to this forum.  And, I'm sure we'll get some good interplay going here. 

Hold on.  I'll be right back.  I need to post something on a personal note.

Give this a listen while I'm gone.  It'll break your heart.

Okay.  I'm back... but not for long. 

Now, where were we?  Oh, yes; it's aaaall comin' back to me now.

Big sticks.

Remember the scenario is that you're minding your own bidness on a plane somewhere above the deck and suddenly you're being swarmed by bad boys and girls who seem inclined to have you stay seated while they take over that plane and fly it into some place on the ground with lots of innocent people in it.  Was that a run-on sentence or just unusually informative?

Let's say one of the terrorists fools the TSA matron, making her believe he really is a gimp and needs that cane on-board the plane.  As if there's just so much walking to do up there.  What are you going to do if a cane or its kin is used as a weapon against you?

Well, if you want to live to tell the tale, you're going to have to fight.

You have to get past both the pointy end of the cane and the striking shaft and into the body of your attacker.  To deflect blows, put your weak arm up with your hand, palm out, about 6 inches in front of your forehead.  The palm should be out because, when he hits you, it will hurt less than when he hits the unprotected bones on the top of your hand.  And you don't want that pain, now do you?  And, maybe you can actually grab the cane when he swings it.

Maybe.

Again; I'm not telling you to try any one of these moves.  These are basic principles you can either forget or remember, use anytime in your life or never in a million years.  Your choice, not mine.

So, there you are duking it out with some perfectly sane but deluded thug, way up in the wild blue yonder.  You've decided to defend your life and so you've attacked, moved inside the arc of the swinging cane so it can't hit you. 

Now what?

Stay on the attack.  Attack.  Attack.  Attack.  Keep your legs moving, knock the guy over.  Knock him into stuff that hurts.  Yell at someone to pour coffee on him, to stomp on his hand.  It's your life... do something.

None of that comfy chair stuff will work here, eh, Biggles?

More on this coming, unerschrocken.

Granny ~ gimme some of that yarn...

First a caveat: Nothing I write here is advice from me to you whereby I am telling you to do something in any given situation.  I'm merely telling you about some tactics and ideas that some law enforcement agencies use or used in dealing with combative people.  You can choose to do anything you'd like with the ideas.  If you try them in any situation, you may be hurt and if you're hurt, it's not my responsibility.  Not all tactics work in every situation. If you use any of the ideas here and hurt someone else who takes you to court, then it's not my fault.  I'm not telling you to do anything.  I'm not even suggesting.

I'm just sayin'...

Anyone and everyone is invited to offer their suggestions and to post them here.  None will be edited except those that are obviously... silly.

The will to win. Never forget this: if you don't fight an attacker who appears determined to hurt you... then he'll probably kill you.  If you do fight and get hurt and stop to feel your pain a/o tend your wounds... he will probably kill you.  If you want to live you have to fight ~ you can't dance, you can't dazzle anyone with your fancy footwork.  If you want to live, you may have to kill your attacker. 

Edged weapons. Rule One in any knife fight: you're going to get cut. So, if your intention in a take-over is to resist, then it may be a good idea to go to a police supply store and get some Kevlar-lined gloves.  Um, before you get to the airport, eh?  They don't sell 'em on the concourse.  Keep them in your carry-on luggage, or better yet, in your coat pockets if you're wearing one.  Most cop stores won't sell them to you unless you're badged so you might have to order them on the Internet.  These gloves may protect your hands, depending on the weapon being used against you and how it's being used. 

You can go to any number of self-defense classes and have some guy show you how to take a knife off someone.  It sure looks easy, eh?  If you practice as much as that instructor does, it's a cinch.  But you're not going to practice and you know it.  So you need to know some basic principles and a couple moves and, if it happens, you may decide to give it your best shot and maybe have a better chance than if you learned some fancy drill... and then never practiced it. Those martial arts instructors are good, tough guys and can teach you a lot.  But it's going to take time and effort and money and you may have little or none of any or all. 

Many police officers have the good fortune to attend the Street Survival Seminar, given around the country to police officers, federal agents, correctional officers, and some few others.  Self-defense experts on the SSS staff did a lot of research years back, to determine which edged-weapon disarming technique was best.  Best means effective, easy to remember and employ without hours and hours of practice.

Here goes.  Bad guy with knife.  With both of your hands, grab the wrist of the bad guy on the arm/hand holding the weapon.  Hold on tight no matter what.  Don't let go.  Are you gonna get scratched?  Um, probably.  See The will to win above.  Anywaaay, while holding on tight; kick, stomp, bang, bite, head-butt, pile-drive, whatever you have to do for as long as you have to in order to control the knife-hand of the attacker.  Presuming that you're not alone, call out to other passengers to help.  More on that below.  You'll possibly have to knock the attacker out.  Well, okay then... he's probably got it comin'.

If you're alone, if you decide to resist a take-over, then you may have to do all this yourself and you can't give up until the bad guy drops the weapon or is knocked out.  If he drops the knife you will probably still have to keep fighting to get him restrained with belts, shoe laces, un so weiter.  If you manage to punch this guy's lights out, good for you.  Then immediately restrain him with whatever you can find. 

Belts.  Shoe laces.  Bag shoulder straps.  Ladies nylons.  Neck-ties.  Yarn?

Take-downs: If terrorists try to take over the plane you're on and you (and others?) decide to resist, you can't go down the aisle pretending you're the heavyweight champeen of the woild.  You can't try to conjure up all that cool stuff you heard and saw on Kung Fu and in Bruce Lee (Become the watah...) movies and put a whippin' on the bad guys.   Not enough room in the plane for all that movement.  No, the can of whoop-ass you need to open up is labeled: Get the bad guy on the floor as quickly as possible using whatever means necessary.

It's totally your choice but you might grab a handful of hair.  The best place to grab is on the back of the head.  Why?  Because it's harder for him to reach back there and break your hold than it is if you grab a hunk from the front.  When you've got a good grip, use your strength and weight to drive the terrorist to the floor.  Where the head goes, the body follows. So, assuming this is a worst case scenario, you need to put the hurt on the bad guy real bad and real quick.   Ergo, maybe he needs to have his head banged into and off of as many solid objects as possible between where his head is when you grab his hair and when you have him on the floor.  So, be creative... and be brutal.  You need to inflict severe pain on him in order to break his train of thought, to disorient, to force him to stop and address his pain. 

Remember this, troops; a female terrorist may hurt you first and worst, compared to her male co-workers.  She may feel a need to prove her toughness and commitment to everyone... even you, Mr. Niceguy.  So the little lady with the soft brown eyes may just cut your throat for less than no reason.  Pay attention.

Live.   

Improvised weapons: You may choose to use anything that will induce pain and inflict injury. It doesn't have to be a samurai sword you managed to sneak aboard. Buh-lazin', freakin' HOT coffee in the face is a good one ~ of course this all assumes a worst case scenario where you're trying to prevent take-over of the plane and probable murder of everyone on board and untold numbers on the ground.  Um... aziwuzsayin: coffee, tea, laptop computers, shoes, hangers, belt buckles swung on the end of, guess what?  Belts.   Coffee pots from the galley, that die-cast tractor you were bringing to your nephew.

Probably unsuitable for your purposes in the scenario we're envisioning here: comfy pillows and blankets, club soda, milk, melted ice, toilet paper, Q-tips, pie, German potato salad, fuzzy toys, cellophane wrap, pocket lint, those liiiittle tiny cloths they give you to clean your new glasses when you've spent 400 freakin' dollars on 'em.  I mean, at that price, they should give us something the size of a schooner sail.  Am I bitter?  No; I'm just sayin...

On 9/11/01 there were 4 to 5 savages per plane.  Savages?  Yep.  Evidence indicates there may be a dozen or more the next time an attempt is made at hi-jacking a plane.  So, it's gonna be the wild-wild west up there and, check it out... you've got no cavalry coming through the door at 30-thousand feet.  So, you're going to have to want to live more than they want to die. 

Am I telling you what to do?  Nope... just offering some ideas based on what has worked in other places and times.  It's your choice.

Be prepared, unerschrocken.   

Well, then ~ make your own watch list

Yes, it is the mandate of the federal government to protect us.  But, and I hate to be pedantic, it is not the responsibility of any government to protect you.  That is a matter of settled law, not opinion.  This story should remind us that we're all in this together.  We all have to be on the same team.

So, in terms of your own self-protection and that of those you love, that means you have a bear to cross.  Yea ... I know.

How many Air Marshals are on any flight you may take?  Probably none, like it says here, given manpower at FAMS juxtaposed ‘gainst the number of planes flying any given day.  How many off-duty cops a/o agents who’re packing heat on any flight?  Few.  How many armed ‘citizens’ per flight?  I’d guess that’s a goose-egg.

So, if miscreants are trying to get another plane, and they most certainly are as evidenced here then you’d better have a plan in case one slips through the crack, eh?  Read the whole thing; Annie's done a lot of hard work here.

Here’s your watch-list, unerschrocken.  Pay attention or this is all you'll get from me, you knuckleheads.

No matter where you are between the front curb and the ramp to the plane, stay away from glass walls and trash cans as much as possible.  Trash cans go boom.  Right after that boom, glass walls turn into shrapnel.

Who are you looking for?  Yes, looking for.  Proactively...

Men a/o women, maybe Middle-eastern in appearance. That can be a good start to your list of suspicious things, but don't assume people who appear to be from the Middle East are the only ones who can/would pull the pin on you.  They may appear to be Indonesian.  Or Filipino.  Or Caucasian.  Or Black.  Or Hispanic.  There’s really no way to tell in advance who’s zoomin’ who.  So you’re going to have to be paying attention to what they’re doing.

At the curb, does someone seem to be extra careful with a particular bag?  Like maybe he's got to be the only one touching it?  Like maybe he doesn’t want it to go BOOM right there or its contents discovered too soon?

If you see someone in the airport put a bag down and begin to walk away from it, ask loudly, loud enough that there is no way he can’t hear you: Hey, is this yours? If he ignores you and keeps walking away… trouble?  Could be. Maybe he's deaf.  So, go tap him on the shoulder and ask again.  If he turns back to you but keeps walking away without answering you or returning to the bag… trouble?  Uh-huh… that would be my guess.  Move away from the abandoned bag quickly, calmly and quietly letting others in the area know there's a suspicious thingy over there (point to it) and then call security or the cops on a land-line phone.  Don't run up or down the concourse screaming, OH MY GOD, IT'S A BOMB, A BOMB, A BOMB I TELL YA.  RUN FOR YOUR LIVES.

Just don't.

At the ticket counter, do you somehow hear or see someone with a one-way ticket paid for with cash?  I'm not saying at all that you should poke your nose into someone's bag or business ~ you should not.  But you may spot something within the parameters of the plain view doctrine.  Is there another person in the line next to you with the same setup... making it two bad guys?  Listen to the ticket clerks before you get to the counter… you may hear a/o see something then that, put together with things you hear a/o see later, may indicate trouble.

On the way to the security check-in, do you see someone who seems hesitant to get in line for the x-ray/search? Do you see someone making last-minute, furtive adjustments to things in luggage, carry-on or stowed?

Do you see people together who seem to disperse and behave as though they’re not together and don’t know each other the closer they get to the plane?  Since 9/11/01 terrorists have done dry runs on flights using as many as 14 men. See Annie Jacobsen's great work at The Aviation Nation if you think I'm yankin' your chain.  As if...

At the check-in counter/boarding area:  Do you see men a/o women who sit apart from each other but look at one another repeatedly as though they know one another a/o appear to be giving signals of some sort, back and forth?

Do you see passenger(s), male a/o female, who appear focused on something other than their surroundings, as though they’re deep in thought.  They may seem hesitant to be near other people waiting in the area lest they be engaged in dialogue.  They want to concentrate on their mission and their role in it.  They’re rehearsing in their minds what they’re about to do and don’t want to be disturbed by you or anyone else.

They may seem unusually well-groomed and overly-perfumed for just a quick business jump.  Ritual hygiene ~ getting ready to meet their maker, intending to take you along for the ride.

They may turn away from roving security and police patrols, hiding their face; or get up and move from their seat if they see a police K9 team, because they’re concerned explosives might be sniffed out by the dogs.

Is a woman who appears to be very pregnant moving in a way that suggests she doesn’t care about the child she’s bearing?  Does she bump her bump against the seat or pull the seatbelt tooooo tight?  Given x-ray machines and searches, that scenario may be statistically improbable but… you never know, but perhaps this will turn the lights on for you.

If you use the lavatory and notice something broken such as a seam between the wall and the mirror, or ceiling tiles that appear out of place, damaged, cut, punctured; report it to crew immediately.  Not when you get around to it.  Now. If you see something affixed to the wall or counter that doesn’t match the décor or just doesn't look like it belongs, report it immediately.

Are there men a/o women who in quick succession get up and go to the lavatory, forming a line at one particular lavatory though several may be unoccupied?  Are any of those people carrying items into the lavatory?  Does anyone in that line cut in front of someone else? Could be a dry-run or an actual attack... putting a bomb together in the john.

Let's say you're sitting there trying to figure out which in-flight music to listen to (I recommend Steve Winwood.  Fly is a particularly enticing song.) and you see some guys across the way putting Vaseline or lotion on their necks, arms, and hands... trying to keep the stuff off the palms of their hands.  What's up? You're watching a very detailed dry-run, or, as we used to say in the Army... the balloon is going up ~ a hi-jacking attempt is about to take place.  They're putting lubricants on their necks, arms and the backs of their hands so when you try to grab them, they can slip away. But they want to be able to grab and hold weapons so they may apply the lubricant with a tissue to keep their palms dry.

So, everything’s going fine and Poof, suddenly you’re taken over by terrorists.  You can sit there repeating in your head, Ruh-ro… we’re all toast.  Or you can do something.

Pretty basic choices.  The paradigm changed, didn’t it?  Used to be they’d grab a plane with a bunch of hostages and negotiate for something.  Nowadays, you can’t be sure.

You should understand that you’re probably going to have to fight since your other choice will probably be to die in a fiery crash.

Ouch.

Okay, who wants to duke it out with bad guys on a plane?

... or get off the pot

Here is a report on how things, post 9-11, are still not what they ought to be. 

And  here is an editorial with which I largely agree.

But I want to make this point: despite the mistakes the government has made and will make in the future, and despite the many promises we've been given that they're doing their best to protect us, the resources of the US government are limited, as you can see here.

They are not omniscient, they are not omnipotent, they are not ever-present.  Recruiting levels for the FBI and CIA are down, as just one indicator of what will continue to be a problem.

So, what are you going to do?  What are you going to do?

Bitch because they don't do everything right?  Whine because they don't do everything according to your schedule?  Bitchin' and whinin' can bring to pass some results over time but what about the personal angle? 

How about you do something to provide for your own security, safety and for that of those you love?

If we're just talking about flight schools, maybe these ideas need to be considered and put into action ~ without waiting for the government to tell you, or give you permission.

• If you own or operate a flight school and you have students or applicants about whom you are suspicious, then report your suspicions to the FBI, the FAA and to anyone in law enforcement who will listen ASAP. 
• If you're afraid you'll be sued for reporting your suspicions, then sell your business to someone with balls.
• If you think the local flight trainers aren't doing their job, as in not reporting suspicious stuff, then pull some stake-out time on their operation. 
• During daylight hours, arousing no suspicions about yourself or your activities and breaking no laws, take notes and maaaaaaybe even pictures of the suspicious people, vehicles and circumstances you observe. 
• Do not confront anyone, do not investigate any of your suspicions, do not accuse anyone of anything. 

Observe what is there in plain view to see  and report it ASAP, accurately and completely.

Justifiable Homicide

Yea, sure; this happened in Jerusalem but it's already happened here, too.  The shooter at the Jewish Center in Seattle in June '06, the shooter at the Trolley Square shopping center in Salt Lake City . I've listed other like incidents here before ~ the list is long.

There will be others to list in the future.

So, if you don't agree yet that we're at war and that there's an existing, deadly threat to your safety and to those you love and to this country and our way of life, then I guess you're still not paying attention.  Terrorists hate and have vowed to kill Jews and Americans. 

These attacks will continue in Israel.  They will continue and increase here in the US.  So, it's okay to be prepared to respond to terrorist shooters, to be unerschrocken like this student at the seminary. 

So, if you haven't looked at the training posts here, you probably should.