The Air Marshal Shooting

A few quick thoughts on yesterday's shooting in Miami by the federal air marshals: 1) It's a tragedy for a man to die because he (apparently) refused/forgot/didn't take his medication, but the responsibility rests on him (and/or his wife and other caregivers). 2) The marshals did the right thing. Given the nature of our enemies, no threat can be taken lightly. 3) There will be some (idiots) who will critique and condemn the air marshals, regardless. That's just the country we live in today. 4) What are the odds that the head air marshal in Miami is named Bauer?

And 5) A very potent message went out to the terrorists yesterday. Mess with an American plane, and you'll probably end up dead. While the government is understandably reluctant to discuss actual numbers, the odds are that your next long flight, especially a cross country or international one, will be guarded by armed marshals who have passed the most stringent shooting tests (even tougher than the Secret Service) of any government agents. These men (and women) are as much on the front lines of the war on terror as any member of the Armed Forces serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. I'm glad they're there.