Well written, although it would be great if the stories referred to in the column had a dynamic link to an article with the complete story.

How about this, in the tried and true traditions of American Pioneerism: Employ profiling-look at travel history, national origin, ties to fundamentalist groups-Christian, muslim or ecological, and citizenship. Have an "EZ PASS" lane for all Americans on domestic flights or are lawfully carrying a concealed weapon with a carry permit from his or her state of residence. This way, you have increased focus on the bad actors, and a huge deterrent in that there are potentially hundreds of Todd Beamers-with guns-roaming the airports at any given moment. The terrorists would strike the airports from their target lists.

Dr. Sowell is so right. It is remarkable that the progressives of the world are so eager to forget the past and please those they fear. One of the UK's greatest leaders said it well; and it was not 250 years ago. "One cannot appease aggressors if one values the lives of the innocent." If Mrs. Thatcher were in power today then this certainly would not have happened. We all may pay a terrible price for this sort appeasement. 9/11 will be considered miniscule in comparison if we don't change our attitudes.