Ignorning the Obvious

Earlier today I was reading in Time Magazine about some of the "Lessons of Flight 253." Time reports that "missed signs, cumbersome lists and spotty screening permitted a terrorist to take a makeshift bomb on a Christmas flight to Detroit." What is so frightening to me, is that many of the "missed signs" appear so blatant. Of course, hindsight is always 20-20, but if global aviation-security is missing this obvious cues, than how can we, the public, feel secure about their also seeing the more subtle warnings.

There is something about the magazine's timeline of events reminded me of television shows that I grew up with in the late 60s and 70s. Comedy was not very subtle then. It was in your face, obvious. Right out there, for everyone to see. Not that I am saying that the possibility of what could have happened on Flight 253 is in anyway funny - just the opposite - it could have been devastating. What I am saying is that the from the earliest signs to the exploding underpants - is right out there for everyone to see - or to miss in this case. Here is a snippet of how Time lays it out:

May 2009 - Abdulmutallab is barred from entering the UK and placed on Britain's security watch list.

August 2009 - Visits Yemen to study Arabic, renounces family ties, and received lessons in bombmaking.

November 2009 - Abdulmutallab's father warns the US embassy in Nigeria that his son has developed radical views. His name is placed on a low-level watch list. His visa is not revoked.

December 2009 - Pays cash for $2,831 one-way airline ticket. Gives no contact information. On December 24th, he flies from Lagos, Nigeria to Amsterdam, carrying only a backpack. There, he transfers to Northwest Airlines Flight 253 to Detroit.


Getting back to comedy, when I was growing up in the 1970s, the Carol Burnett Show was one of that era's series that offered obvious comedy. It was right there, in your face. I have a snippet of one of their skits, that happens to focus on a gentleman (Harvey Korman) boarding an airplane. Enjoy: