The Post's editorial board – correctly in the Tracker’s opinion – weighs in on the damage the lawsuit by the flying imans could charge.
“Exhibit A in defense of the notion that America doesn't take Islamist terrorism seriously enough has to be the curious Case of the Flying Imams.
Last November, US Airways removed six Muslim clerics from a flight preparing to depart Minneapolis after several passengers - including other Muslims and Arabic speakers - noted them behaving suspiciously.
Their activities included moving between seats, praying ostentatiously and repeatedly bringing up Osama bin Laden's name in Arabic.
They were, in other words, spoiling for an incident.
They got it.
Responding to passenger concerns, the captain kept the plane on the ground and alerted the FBI. The imams were removed and questioned for several hours.
Of course, the story didn't end there.
Last month, claiming civil-rights violations, the clerics filed a federal suit against US Airways and the Minneapolis/St. Paul Metropolitan Airports Commission.
The suit also seeks to force the airline to reveal the identities of the "John Doe" passengers who reported the possible threat, so that they, too, can be sued - individually.
Such an action must be seen for what it is - rank intimidation.
If the imams are successful, what potential witness would ever want to come forward to report suspicious activity?”
The editorial points out how important the “See something, say something” campaign is to subway security.
If folks were afraid they’d be branded xenophobic and sued for reporting suspicious activity the whole campaign will fall apart.
-- Chuck Bennett
