We don't know how to stop terrorists

When top security official Janet Napolitano told us on Dec. 26 that "all systems worked just like they should," all doubt about detecting terrorists flying to America was removed. We don't know how to do it.

For all his recent stern statements about the Detroit boxer shorts bomber, the president initially called it "an act of isolated terrorism." Obama was wrong and took the path of least resistance before the American people.

When the strength of our national security system depends upon the courage of airline passengers, all systems aren't working. Napolitano was proud that her department brought 120 airplanes out of the sky quickly. We did that on 9/11 without a Department of Homeland Security.

Since Napolitano knows how to bring lots out airplanes out of the sky, possibly her title should be Secretary of Air Traffic Controllers. But controlling national security is out of control.

The Christmas Day scare and recent security breaches in our skies add "airport security" and "terrorist intelligence" to "airplane food" on the growing list of oxymorons related to flying in America. The only redeeming feature about this is that the Muslim community has gone public against air terrorism - and that's a welcomed overdue first in America.

Paul O. Bischoff

Wheaton