“Just when we thought it was okay to get back in the air,” Flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit was attacked by a terrorist from Nigeria, who was educated in Britain, and with ties to Yemen and Al Qaeda.
It seems that Umar Farouk Adulmutallab chose the wrong flight on Christmas Day, 2009, on his way to Detroit. It was his misfortune in failing to carrying out his mission; and the salvation of all the passengers on Flight 253 that Jasper Schuringa also chose this flight to America.
Jasper, a video director and producer was sitting across the aisle from the bomber and when he heard a pop as did all the other passengers; he went into action seeing the smoke and fire. He said to himself, “Fire in a plane is not that good, of course.” He was able to subdue the bomber and secure some type of device while calling for water. The crew of the flight also went into action and assisted him in bringing down Adulmutallab. They took him to first class, stripped him down and made sure he had no other weapons and handcuffed him to await law enforcement to take him off the plane once it landed.
Reports are coming in fast and furious regarding the connections and statements of the terrorist who had ties in Yemen to Al Qaeda and was actually reported to the US Embassy by his own father.
Since reports are now suggesting that Abdulmutallab had requested his particular seat, there needs to be an evaluation of such request. Schuringa said he went into action when he heard the sound and heard some hollering, “Fire! Fire!” He reported he knew something was really wrong when he saw the smoke and saw the terrorist’s pants open and he was holding a burning object between his legs.
He was quoted as saying, "I pulled the object from him and tried to extinguish the fire with my hands and threw it away,"
He said he then screamed for water and pulled Abdulmutallab out of his seat and dragged him to the front of the plane.
To ensure the suspect did not have other explosives on his body, Schuringa stripped off Abdulmutallab's clothes. He then handcuffed the alleged attacker with the help of a crew member.
Schuringa said the other passengers applauded as he returned to his seat and that he sustained minor injuries during the take down.
"My hands are pretty burned. I am fine," he said. "I am shaken up. I am happy to be here."
Abdulmutallab was immediately taken into custody following the incident and treated for second- and third-degree burns on his thighs.
The Nigerian suspect, a student at University College London, is 'talking a lot' to the FBI. He is reported as saying that there were plenty more like him out there. The remains of the device are being sent to the FBI for analysis.
Did he slip through a crack or a walk into a wide open door? There were many red flags that should have alerted the airlines and government that this man was a danger. He should have appeared on the “no-fly” list. He paid cash for a one way ticket. And had been reported by his father as being a threat to the US. There was a report that he may have actually flown without a passport.
While many are applauding Jasper Schuringa as the “Hero who saved Christmas,” most were thankful to God that the device did not accomplish its mission.
It seems America has become too lax in security; perhaps using hindsight to make changes after an incident rather than looking forward to what one FBI agent said after 911. “We need to imagine everything that is possible and prepare for it even if it never happens.” Sweeping up the broken glass afterward does not save the prized vase. Preventing the “accident” from happening in the first place is what will save it.
A spokesman on CNN this morning said this had better be a “lightning bolt” wake-up call to everyone including government, airlines, and passengers.
Living near one of the largest airports in the world, ATL, and having family fly often, it is of no comfort for the government to tell us what happened after it happened and what they are doing to prevent that from happening again while the terrorist are plotting the unexpected.
Passengers on board the flight were interviewed by law enforcement before leaving the airport. While just thankful to be alive and to have both feet on the ground, the long interviews were very hard as it was reported there was only one restroom and water fountain and no food. There were small children who grew restless; but thank God their little lives along with all the others were saved from the terrible hatred of those who could care less.
President Obama continues his vacation in Hawaii and has been scarce before the cameras which is a rarity for him even if he is on vacation or on foreign soil. He merely says in a nutshell that investigations are ongoing and new security measures will be implemented. Has he maintained too low of a profile in light of this the first attempted terrorist act on American soil since 911? Some think so.
People of faith see the hand of God in this foiled attempt to explode Flight 253. The device apparently did not have the impact desired, Jasper Schuringa was onboard the plane, and the crew acted quickly to extinguish the flame. And now they have a prisoner who seems to be talking a lot about this plot and who put him up to it and perhaps other plots can be foiled as well.
Some see Yemen as the next war zone for America. Yemen was where Al Qaeda was born, Osama Bin Laden has ties to Yemen – they were responsible for the bombing of the Cole; and for bombings in the embassy.
One question looms large in the mind of this writer. Should cell phones be allowed on planes? Or should people be required to stow them with luggage below? And people with only carry-on luggage such as this 23 year old terrorist had should be not allowed to bring them onboard.
Many highly explosive IEDs are ignited by cell phones – this should be a major consideration for the government and the airlines – what could look like a simple breaking of the rules by using a cell phone could prove disastrous.
Attack on US Embassy in Yemen: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_American_Embassy_attack_in_Yemen
Attack on US Cole: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Cole_bombing
Osama Bin Laden connection: “Osama bin Laden is believed to be the youngest of 24 brothers in a family that came from Yemen and built up one of the largest construction companies in the Arab world, Bin Laden Group, an empire based in the Saudi city of Jidda that made its fortune in building projects for the Saudi royal family.” http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/osamabinladen/
Connection of Fort Hood shooter, Major Nidal M. Hassan, to Yemen and Yemeni American cleric, Anwar al-Aulagi http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/15/AR2009111503160.html
Read more about the hero of Flight 253: Jasper Schuringa:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/12/26/national/main6024122.shtml
Comments
We need to install a large flusher on the airlines. That way the would be bomb, and also the bomber, can both be tossed out from 30,000 feet. This might just deter the next one.
As a second option, flight staff should hand out baseball bats to certified USA redneck passengers only. Let them fly for free and have them cruise the isles or make sure they get seated near any person with more than a four syllable last name.
These people prove themselves to be evil, and should be dealt with as if they are evil.
Hats off to the passengers and crew for choosing to fight instead of run. The outcome could have been a whole lot different.
Again, you have made more concise well researched information available to us. Your time and dedication is appreciated.
God has blessed our nation once again and hears our prayers of thankfulness.
"God has blessed our nation once again and hears our prayers of thankfulness."
But the terrorist was serving God with his actions. I'm confused. How can God bless our nation by foiling this attempted attack while still allowing terrorists to make these attacks in the first place? Won't someone please help me understand this strange paradox?
"God has blessed our nation once again and hears our prayers of thankfulness."
But the terrorist was serving God with his actions. I'm confused. How can God bless our nation by foiling this attempted attack while still allowing terrorists to make these attacks in the first place? Won't someone please help me understand this strange paradox?
GB:Space is limited for such an indepth question.But first of all let me tell you MY God did not tell him to do such a thing.The Eternal only true God is a God of love and would never condone such an act.His commandments are"Thou shalt not kill" His other commandment is that we should love each other as we love ourselves.I would not want any part of any religion that causes hurt and harm to people even beheading them. This young man is apparently so misguided that he dose not realize to do such a thing is a horrid. He is consummed with hate.God created a perfect world - man brought sin into the world with death, disease, and evil destruction.When satan gained a foothold into this world, he became the prince of this world and he hates us all.He knows that his destiny is eternal damnation and he wants to take as many as he can. God is love and he wants that we should spend eternity with Him in a place too wonderful for words.Doesn't make sense that good brings good and evil brings evil?
GB: E-mail me at BeingFamily@Aol.com and I will spend as much time as it takes to answer your questions as to the best of my ability. Just put "Atlanta Faith and Family article" in the subject line so I will open it. I pray that you find all the answers you are looking for-I have been a Christian for more than half a century and I would want to live the Christian life over any other in the world.Bad things happen to good people. God is sovereign and He warns us over and over about the consequences of our sin and when we don't listen and obey, then we have to face the consequences of our choices. If something goes good we thank God; but if not, we blame God when it was because of the choices we made not God.God would not have any to perish; ;but He did not make us a robots or puppets; but with a free will to choose or not to choose and with that comes the consequences good or bad. God made a perfect world but game man a choice - man brought evil into the world, not God.
"God has blessed our nation once again and hears our prayers of thankfulness."
But the terrorist was serving God with his actions. I'm confused. How can God bless our nation by foiling this attempted attack while still allowing terrorists to make these attacks in the first place? Won't someone please help me understand this strange paradox?
GB: You have posted the same comment three times; apparently you are playing games. If you want real debate, information, or encouragement, post something else - otherwise these will be deleted as a prank.
Dear Confused GB: "God has blessed our nation once again and hears our prayers of thankfulness." Prayer is power! Our faith and trust in God's glory, love, and mercy is the truth. God knows who has loving hearts and who is evil.
God is all good. It is wrong to kill innocent people on our Holy Christmas Day. Terriorist use God for their evil purpose. The devil is confusion and twist the truth. People are given the choice of free will and God is waiting for us to choose HIS WILL. God is love and God loves us all. Please pray the Rosary!!!
People of faith see the hand of God in this foiled attempt to explode Flight 253
where was god on 911? was he asleep or on vacation
you poor deluded fools
bmg: You do not have the correct concept of the God people of faith honor and respect. While God is a God of love and compassion, He is also a God of wrath. God causes it to rain on the just and unjust and because of His wonderful gift to us for our freedom of will and choice, many innocent people suffer because of the guilty. God is God and He is past our meager ways of finding Him out. God has a plan for each life He gives; and a plan for each life He takes. When He created man, it was for His purpose and fellowship but rather than make a lot of robots, he made man with a mind and will of his own. When we come to God or deny God it is of our own free will. God never sleeps and He never slumbers. Because of man's choice, sin came into the world and sin has consequences. Many things happen or do not happen because of people's choices. People all along the line on 9/11 made bad choices. The flying Dutchman made the choice to be there the day he stopped the bomber.
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