Small Acts of Terrorism

Extract of an article on MSNBC news

'Significant accomplishment'

One writer on a jihadi Internet forum scolded those who condemned Abdulmutallab, the alleged perpetrator, as a failure.

"From my prospective living in the United States brother Abdulmutallab succeeded. Maybe he didn't achieve his full objective but you do not necessarily need to achieve a grade of 100 percent to pass the class," the writer said in an early January posting on the Ansar al-Mujahideen discussion forum, which is pro-al-Qaida and is now closed to new members.

"What Abdulmutallab did was instill a fear in Americans. This is a very significant accomplishment. An increased fear of flying, for example, can cripple the airlines and cause economic problems."

Another poster answered: "What did he accomplish? How many billions do you think they will spend to boost security that won't work anyway? He humiliated the Americans, afterward Newark Airport was on lock down for 6 hours because someone walked the wrong way. Success comes in many ways."

Gadahn, in his video, took a broader view, telling followers: "Jihad is neither the personal property nor the exclusive responsibility of any single group, organization or individual. ... Instead it is the personal duty of every able-bodied Muslim on the face of this earth."

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Over the weekend I was downtown and there was huge jam of people leading to the IT show at the city link. And I was thinking if a suicide bomber blew himself up at that site, it would have been death, destruction, mayhem, and chaos. Of course, it is difficult to get a bomb in Singapore, so that's part of the security.

But with all the airport security in the US, the chances of getting a bomb onto a plane is very much reduced (hopefully!). Airport security now includes screening at the check in area where bags and people are screened for bombs and other weapons. So what's to stop this from happening:

"Excuse me sir, that looks like a bomb in your bag."

"Yes it is." *Boom*

And the terrorist takes out an airport check-in counter with expensive equipment, some security staff, and maybe a lot of passengers waiting to clear check-in.

And people become afraid to fly.

And next time you wanna fly, you have to call the airport and they will send a team to meet you at your home, check your luggage for bombs and weapons. Seal the bags and put you in a secured vehicle and bring you straight to the airport. :-)

It's not going to be so bad. At least not in Singapore. But, since guns and bombs are more easily obtained in the US...