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Friday, December 9, 2005 12:00 AM

The war on terror: Miami

The shooting of Rigoberto Alpizar wasn't just a horrible mistake. It was also a major setback for sane airport security.

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  • Friday, December 9, 2005 12:49 PM

    Mishearing via accent

    The airline ban on "questionable objects" has always amused me; an airline passenger needs only to snap a CD or DVD in half to produce two keen-edged, deadly weapons.

    Regarding Alpizar, I'll bet that he did NOT say anything about a bomb. I'll wager that he said "I've got to get off" (as reported by a passenger) or, perhaps, "I've got to go home," and adrenaline and fear caused the marshals to hear "I've got a bomb" - Alpizar had a Costa Rican accent, probably a thick one. If Alpizar's words were misinterpreted, and he was clutching his bag, the marshals could have associated that in their minds, and not have physically "heard" him say it.

    To be honest, I'm truly surprised that the marshals don't carry high-voltage tasers instead of handguns - a distance-enabled stun gun would have worked just as well, and an innocent man would still be alive.

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