Can anyone remember an instance when our government's reactionary measures actually prevented any disasters? Requiring everyone to remove their shoes and belts didn't prevent that flight from Amsterdam to Detroit from blowing up. Neither did confiscating nail clippers and night cream. And here's a news flash for the Department of Homeland Security: Banning pillows, blankets and trips to the bathroom won't prevent anything either.

Why don't we try some new strategies? Revise the watch list procedures. Listen to tipsters. Figure out why people want to blow us up in the first place. But one thing we've learned is that these TSA Band-Aids don't accomplish a damn thing.

It reminds me of a George Carlin standup line: "Airport security is...only there for one reason: to make white people feel safe."

They say that in every joke, there's an element of truth.

President Obama said today the nation's airport screening procedures are being reviewed after a Nigerian man on a terror watch list tried to set off an explosive device on a plane Christmas Day. Additional screening measures are in place at some airports after 23-year-old Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab boarded a plane bound for Detroit with a homemade bomb hidden in his pants.

Today, Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula claimed responsibility for the plot. Obama responded by saying the United States will "disrupt, dismantle and defeat" anyone who poses a threat. What do you say?

What questions do you have about the Christmas Day attempted bombing? What's your reaction to government's response to it? Do you feel safe when you pass through airport security? If you did this Christmas weekend, what was your experience like?

Send your thoughts using the link above.

I am not surprised after this barbarian tried to blow up Flight 253. After September 11, 2001, I have no confidence in this government's safety. It may be because I was actually in the towers on that tragic day. Unfortunately, there is no way that we can detect any of these terrorists coming into this country. I think that there are more of these terrorists in this country than are in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen etc. Maybe if we bring our soldiers here, I may feel a little more safer.

Ralph/BayRidge

While its the right for us to protect our country at all time, the thought of traveling now makes me sick. If Additional screening is implemented then it would be so harassing to go out and come into the United States. I remember going back to visit my birth country, and having to go through the procedure by taking off my shoes, my pants belt and the officers searching my hand luggage and having me throw out my hand cream, so I just can imagine what will happen now!

Ruthann
Queens

Mr. President is right in his administrations determination to "disrupt, dismantle and defeat" those who plot, plan or conceive any type of terror plot against the United States or any other nation for that matter. The Christmas incident linked to 23-tear-old Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab is a despicable act that flies in the face of Nigerian nation posed to refurbish her image from an increasingly negative press of recent times. I stand by any action that will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law, any person who engages in terrorism or other forms of inhumanity against their fellow human beings.

GEORGE
LeFrak City

Its hard enough to travel in the united states i got searched and kept on waiting for having a coin on my back pocket...from this threat we will be expecting more money for luggage and much more..

--Joel R.

I never felt safe but I think they need to start really start full body frisk & Hire people who are going to do the frisk the right way!!

Neferti

I've flown recently, mistake left matches in my purse until I got home i didn't know they were there, how come the tsa didn't locate it!?!

Makes you think.

Wes G.

The Problem is The Fundamentalists on All Sides.....Jew... Christian.... and Muslim.....Let Jerusalem become a Free Trade Zone..... Of All Sorts for All Believers in the Abrahamic Tradition....Airport Security is secondary at best.

DMD in Washington Hgts.

I am pretty sure we are all scared and frightened with what is going on. As a Muslim myself I am really concerned with how we are going to be profiled and looked upon. These people think they are doing the right thing when in reality they aren't, and it hurts us as Muslims AND everyone else.

How do you think we feel when we go to the airport now and then, perhaps just to pick up relatives or to go visit home? We get the weirdest looks the craziest remarks and whatnot.

How many Americans are going to see us as terrorists or extremists?

I think we need to put a foot down and re-teach Islamic Values, because terrorism and terrorist activity is forbidden and people in America think its part of our religion when its not! In conclusion we need a better security program, and it seems pathetic they couldn't get this guy.

Peace (Salaam)
Sami

Your chances of dying from a terrorist act are miniscule. Your chances of dying from heart disease are almost 2 out of 3. This means that this angst is a waste of time and that junk food should be on the restricted list.

Rob
Gramercy

I think the complete security process need to be rethink for the airline. We need to think out side the box to fix some the the simplest security problem. The people that want to cause harm are think outside box to cause us harm.

Kevin H.
Briarwood

Perhaps the problems are that the TSA needs to do better recruitment and look into the low salary given to such employees. Remember, a happy and caring worker is a good one

Olanike A.

As I watch the news and I hear about another person attempting to blow up a plane I wonder who is actually on the no fly list? In December of 2001 I was on the AA Flight 63 with Richard Reid aka the shoe bomber. The day before Richard Reid got on my flight he tried to get on another flight. He was stopped and not let on the flight. The airline was suspicious of him because he was 1) paying with cash 2) didn't have luggage 3) booked a one way ticket.

So how come he wasn't put on a do not fly list? Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab's Dad told had earlier reported his concern about his son’s activities to relevant American authorities. So why was he let on a plane?

Allison
New York, New York

I fly quite often, and it seems like I am the only person who realizes that this incident didn't begin here at home. TSA officers do there jobs to the best of there abilities, baring invading peoples personal spaces. People complain that they feel that being full body examination is too much, but it will actually have prevented this from happening. If you don't think airport security has gotten better since the invention of TSA then you are not thinking enough. If you expect TSA officers to be able to "do a better job" then equip them with the right tools, or stop complaining on issues they they can't fix.

Brian from Queens

I have no questions. The Govt does the best they can...things happen. Now we can really tighten up and put us all in lock down but then the rights and freedoms we cherish will be infringed and they will win. While a serious issue it needs to be put in perspective.

Rich
Midtown East

Mandatory Body Scanners every major airport also any Arabian or other foreign Government aiding and abetting Al Qaida is henceforth personna non grata with this country and can risk Delta force intervention on their soil. We should also map out extradition and capture by their host country's military forces. Lets reactivate and retrain Our CIA snipers for certain hostile tyrants that use prayer as an excuse to prey on their people.

John
Kissena Park
USAR (ret.)

First of all the response was four days too late. Also everyone is complaining about big mama's attempt to explain the reasoning behind this failed attack. According to her we took her message out of context. Easy for her to say.

This terrorist is being treated as though he were a turnstile jumper. He should have been brought to Gitmo immediately and taken care of by our military without any questions asked at all, he is a terrorist, without question. I am waiting for all of these so called liberals to standing all together looking so scared and singing god bless America again.

I keep saying they are going to get us all killed.

maxxiee
mp

Why do we have a threat in the first place??? What is the root cause of terrorist aggression against the USA and Americans? If we can answer that question we may end terrorism all together.

Dave from queens

All these security breaches are becoming a bit disconcerting. Is it the fault of this administration or is it that the powers that be don't want this administration to succeed. They make enough mistakes on their own. They don't need any outside help to mess up.

Allen, Northern Manhattan

I WOULD BE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT SECURITY ON ALL ASPECTS OF TRAVEL. HOW MANY PASSENGERS ARE THERE ON A PLANE?, HOW MANY PASSENGERS ON A TEN CAR SUBWAY? WHERE IS THE SECURITY ON THE RAILS? WE DO NOT REMOVE OUR SHOES FOR INSPECTION TO RIDE THE SUBWAY. BACKPACKS DO NOT GET SEARCHED ANYMORE. HOW MANY PASSENGERS ON THE FERRY? THIS FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY IS JUST PANDERING. SOME HALF WIT STILL MANAGED TO BRING SOMETHING ON BOARD OF AN AIRLINE. IT DOES NOT WORK.

JOE, BAY TERRACE

The ugly head of terrorism strikes again and this time on Northeast Airlines flight 253 over Detroit. Thanks to quick thinking passengers and crew members the evil doers plans were folded. This incident was so reminiscent of flight 93 on 9/11 when courage was in such large supply as it was here on flight 253. Now this time all ended well. My question is why was this man allowed to fly when he was on a terrorist list.

Freddy
Glen Oaks Village

I think that the key word regarding this matter is "AFTER", "AFTER the attempted bombing incident took place. "AFTER" the incident suddenly full x-rays that can show powder hidden in ones underwear...so where next to stash explosives? In the meantime adults had better stock up in DEPENDS products since there will be no more potty breaks for the last hour of the flight! I AM CERTAIN THAT WHEN THEY saw that man light up the inside of the plane many passengers wished that they had been wearing their DEPENDS!

Yep we are the "after" it happens reactors.
I did fly to Chicago on 12/18 and returned on 12/20 to be greeted by the angry stranded travelers (storm).
Flying scares me when everything goes perfectly...terrorism makes it worse, but, this is the world we live in since 911.
Happy New Year and thank you both for making my year much better.

Kathy from Throggs Neck da bronx

Since this individual was on the terror watch list ;;;why wasn;t he automatically asked to step aside & given a extensive search before allowing him to board the plane????? Thank God for the brave passengers that were able to subdue him & prevent a possible air tragedy. I rarely travel by plane-. In 37 years-I traveled 4 round trips & 1 one way. I don;t intend to fly in the near future?

ElizabethLIC

This terrorist thing will go on forever, Obama knows not to scare people like bush. We have terror attacks here to as will as the school shooting. Terrorists can strike any place...not only on planes.no one secures trains or buses Some people hate us. We need to stop interfering with their culture it is no of our business and Obama knows this.

Don't forget Wako and Oklahoma

Rich/Chelsea

that tells me he got past security and all .we can get blown up again any time any where any how by them why not keep them out dint we gothrew enough already

Dianne
Staten Island

Hi. We just got to our house in Brooklyn after 2 Air Canada flights. Victoria to Vancouver and then Vancouver to Newark. All US bound flights looked like they were delayed. We were told when we got to Victoria, we were told that NO carry-on was allowed - I carried my nekked laptop with me and my ziplock back of medical supplies and my purse. We were thoroughly searched though no one went through our bags. We did not have to sit in our seats during the last hour. But we were over 3 hours delayed - and Air Canada said it was due to new security regulations. Ironically, they allowed my husband, a professional musician, to carry his guitar on board.

I don't mind screenings or security...I welcome it. But there's just no excuse that that guy got on a flight with explosive materials - really, just no excuse.

Eileen

The consensus of opinion is correct These so-caLLED screeners you show oin TV are OBVIOUSLY uninterested and apathetic as they feel they are underpaid and only care that they have a job in tough times and are counting on per centages that nothing will happen!! BS TIll it happens to you or yours!!

JOE G in PARK SLOPE!!