Munir Nassar <nassarmu at redconcepts.net> writes:

> On Fri, 30 Aug 2002, Michael Vieths wrote:
>
>> *parses message*
>> ...and this relates even peripherally to this list... how?
>
> the ummm... scan-thingie they ummm... they use at airports, was 
> ...<scratches head> ...able to boot hte linux kernel, yes thats it
>
> and this experimental scanner-type-thingie was used to find the weapon 
> on the idiot^H^H^H^H^Hsuspect.
>
> Munir Nassar
>
That's a much more interesting reason than the real one, alas.  

And, alas, I'm in enough agreement with Bruce Schneier on such matters
that I'm sure that terrorism -- or even the subset problem of airport
security -- isn't going to be solved with software, not even open
source software.  About the only way Linux is going to foil a
hijacking is if it's on the laptop that somebody clubs the next
would-be-Shoeabomber with . . . 

. . . and for that, I think even the most devout Linux advocates
agree, even WinME is just as good.  

-- 
Years ago, airlines used to offer "smoking" and "non-smoking"
flights. It would be interesting to see what would happen if airlines
began offering "armed" and "unarmed flights." Which planes do you
think that would-be hijackers would prefer to take?
      -- Dave Kopel