[tw]

The question of keeping National closed is mute. Politicians got even more and put a neat little twist on the facts. First, all Congressional flights will have multiple Air Marshalls. IOW that protection comes at the expense of protected flights from other airports and the general public. Those Congressman think their flights should have better protection? Of course. But they phrased it so that it sounds as if an infinite supply of Air Marshalls exist. Basically they want their cake and screw us too.

Prohibited air: yes ,that circle is due north of the Pentagon, on the Washington DC side of the Potomac. Is that where the Naval Observatory (and Cheney's house) is?

Outside of Washington are numerous restrictions. For example, over Fort AP Hill in VA, a large area west of what I think is Quantico, the area around and south of Patuxent River Naval Air, large area around what I believe is Aberdeen Test Ground, and a region in MD that I believe is Camp David - east of Hagarstown MD - an area that may be larger than Washington DC. But again, almost trivial prohibitions inside Washington DC and none outside of DC. Do you like this FAA graveyard mentality? Or is this just another example of Congressional mettling? 85% of all problems are directly traceable to top management. The only remaining question is who is the top management and will WE hold them accountable?

We know that National is only reopening because of a self serving Congress. They simply say we will add security on all flights. For who? The public, or for a self serving Congress? No Air Marshall is going to stop a suicidal pilot - Clancy's book again. No ground based defense system can protect anything in Washington if National remains in operation. Aircraft of that size have no business so close to Washington DC. But maybe that is too much logic for a Congress so interested in their own convenience and personal safety?