Threat Test

This heron was eating while my mother was flying (click on this photo to enlarge)

My 80 year-old mother rarely travels by air, but on Thursday she was flying back to California from Virginia, where she had gone to visit my older brother. When I woke Thursday morning and heard the news of terrorist plots against airplanes, I was shocked and dismayed.

Before my mother flew from California last week to start her journey I had a serious talk with her. I said, "If your plane is being hijacked don't look terrorists in the eyes, don't try to make conversation, answer questions with your eyes averted, and don't tell anyone that you are Jewish. If you are wearing a Chai, or Star of David, take it off before you fly. Only be heroic and take chances if you feel that you must, that would be okay." I actually said those words to my mother.

I obviously didn't perceive the dangers correctly. On Thursday the TSA took my mother's toothpaste, shampoo, deororant, body wash, lotion, and moisturizer, but let her keep her eye medication.

Our country is absolutely insane if they don't know how to discern an actual threat.

It's Friday. Be careful, be safe, and have a great weekend. See you Monday.