Editorial: Bush’s air marshal plan doesn’t fly

In the wake of several canceled trans-Atlantic flights over the Christmas holiday, the Department of Homeland Security has announced that armed "air marshals" would be required for all international flights. This announcement follows on the heels of a contentious ongoing debate in the wake of the 9/11 attacks regarding the arming and deputizing of commercial airline pilots.

The announcement sparked controversy overseas, particularly in Europe, with an addendum demanding that all flights to land on American soil must accommodate American personnel.

"We are asking international air carriers to take this protective action as part of our ongoing effort to make air travel safe for Americans and visitors alike," explained Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge. "I have said that we will take specific steps to increase security whenever necessary, and with this action we are doing just that."

While Britain has recently signed on its full compliance to the program despite the objections of its airline pilots, other European nations are uneasy, if not downright hostile, toward the idea, with certain airlines refusing to fly overseas if armed guards are aboard. The Department of Homeland Security promptly retorted, hinting that any international flight that refuses to cooperate will be denied access to American soil.

This is merely the latest example of the arrogance and extreme lack of prescience that plagues the Bush administration.

Despite what people may feel (and this has nothing to do with feelings, it's about results) armed guards aboard airplanes will do absolutely nothing to ensure the safety of those aboard. Before their placement, airplanes were weapon-free zones. Now we have someone with a loaded gun aboard, who can be overpowered by a few people quite easily. Voila! You've just handed the airplane over to a hijacker.

Not to mention that people are much more aware during flights. We've taken to self-policing. A prospective hijacker wouldn't be able to get five steps toward the cockpit before being choked with a belt, beaten in the head with a pair of spiked heels and trussed up with pantyhose.

And most importantly, an armed guard has absolutely no recourse against a shoulder launched anti-aircraft missile. He gets to be consumed with burning jet fuel like everyone else.

This is foolish and it belies a simple-minded approach to a challenge that needs to be addressed from different angles. We cannot solve this problem by a display of strength alone.

The administration needs to get their heads straight and start implementing programs that actually deter terrorists rather than boost their approval ratings. It's been two years now and they're still playing catch up, feeding on our fears in order to gain a tighter grip over us.