Post 911, one of the few things that gave me some peace of mind anytime I was aboard a commercial flight was the assumption that somewhere amid the seated passengers, there was probably a sharp-shooting sky marshall with a Glock semi-auto, just waiting for someone to make his day in the cabin.
Hearing about those special ceramic rounds that are designed to fragment harmlessly against the fuselage while delivering equivalent knock-down energy to lead slugs was also reassuring, in that a clip or two could be emptied into would-be air pirates or terrorists, with minimal risk of de-pressurisation.
With those deterrents in mind, I am still baffled as to why this terrorist who so obviously tried his damndest to blow up this Delta aircraft was not culled by a marshall as soon as there was a safe line of fire. Surely this was a clear-cut case in which deadly force was justified, and with that done, investigations could still be pursued after the perp had been deep-sixed.
If such instant justice sounds extreme to some, it bears remembering that extremists worldwide NEED to be put on notice that any threats to passengers and aircraft will invite an instant, overwhelming and brutal response. [/ Rant over.]
