That is such an interesting story!

I'm sorry, Tom, and I hope that the long-term effect is a positive one, even though right now, it is anything but.

I don't know if things immediately jump to "stopping" -- I assumed it's more "let's talk to that person a little more and doublecheck their ID," or something else that 1) is still part of SOP and 2) isn't humiliating and invasive. Because the same thing would also happen to people acting oddly because they're afraid of flying, or they're tired, or whatever. That's fine.

I know that it happens in US airports often enough (as it's happened to my brother) that I doubt it's any worse there, as well.

Interesting book review: Book Reveals Ninja Way of War, From Throwing Stars to ‘Hearts and Minds’

Were Japan’s legendary ninjas the world’s first Special Forces? Seems so, based on the vignettes in the snappy new nonfiction book Ninja Attack!, written by husband-and-wife team Hiroko Yoda and Matt Alt, with illustrations by Yutaka Kondo. Like today’s commandos, Japan’s ninjas were skilled warriors, clever tacticians and, most importantly, subtle when they needed to be and culturally savvy all the time.

Forget the black masks, throwing stars and obscure martial arts of Hollywood ninjas, the authors stress. The real deal — a class of stealthy fighters that dominated Japanese warfare for a thousand years starting in the 7th century — would do “whatever it takes to get the job done.” If ninjas were still around today, “it’s hard to imagine them sticking with a vintage sword and chainmail instead of, say, an assault rifle and a bulletproof vest.”

Tom, I hope that your therapy session helped, even though it was tough.

Laura, have you ever lived in France?

Laura, have you ever lived in France?

ita, are you going to move to France?

I'm wondering if it's France, or French guys. And then I need to abort that train of though, stat.

would assume Israel's bigger airports would be as busy as most US airports, right? With the exception of maybe LAX and O'Hare and things

Per Wikipedia (...salt as needed) Ben Gurion had about 11 million passengers through, in 2009. The Indianapolis airport (...not one I think of as big) had 7.5 million. Seattle had 31 million. O'Hare (one of the biggest in the US) had 64 million. So, Israeli airport is rather smaller than US ones.

i've heard from more than one friend that they had to have an extensive interview when leaving Israel as a young American woman travelling alone, but not that they missed their flights or anything.

My brother and his friend were separated and question for more than four hours. Two youngish American men going from Israel to Moscow though.

I'm a little tired of people calling for either 1) a boycott of flying or 2) a protest at security.

I really don't understand what people think throwing a fit *at* security is going to do. I've complained when they've broken the rules but, if they are following the actual policies, what does being a tool in the line do for you or anyone?

No, I don't think their policies make anything safer. But I am absolutely certain that being a tool to a person doing their job won't make anything better. Complain to actual agencies or government reps, don't fly if you are that opposed but don't be a tool in the line. At best it's showmanship and at worst you are going to make me late for my flight.

There are risks when I fly, I accept this. I also accept risks when I am in a car, on a train or walking down my tilty stairs in the rain.

Well, it's not "fine," but at least that's a more reasonable process. It's the equivalent of a good cop checking in with "Everything okay here?" when something looks odd. Profiling based on behavior will turn up plenty of false positives. As long as you & security both know that, I think it's okay; knowing there's some reason behind it makes a big difference, at least to me.

Concur.

Native Americans visited Europe 1000 years ago

Ooooooh! Fascinating. Off to obsessively read more. Thanks!