SOB Americans stick out

Flying back to Dubai yesterday, I arrived in London at 7:30 AM, always a busy time. On this occasion the line for the transfer security check was taking 90 minutes to go through. Most arriving passengers’ planes were not able to get to a proper gate and these arrivals were ferried by bus and arriving at the same point about midpoint of this Terminal 4 queue. From there airport personnel were directing those going to Terminal 4 to walk to the end of the queue, nearly 0.5k away from the security checkpoint. (Obviously not a situation anyone was happy with – the solution will be to greatly expand the screening stations. At present there are only 3 screening machines.)

I joined the end of the line, and just after I passed that midpoint in the line a group of plain clothed American military (or ex military now working a military contractors) cut into the queue, and refused to comply with the airport employee’s instructions about where to join the queue.

Gentlemen, we are in a war and one of the fronts is public opinion. You lost that battle today, and you endangered fellow Americans actually serving in harms way. Your behavior was repugnant. For the love of God, we are standing in that line waiting for inspection because of a few terrible people who hate us. Don't give ammunition to the rest of the world that shares your values of openness and freedom. Please, don't.

Later, on the plane to Dubai, I gradually came to the realization that my seatmates were quiet Americans working in Afghanistan. And it occurred to me how easy for the ugly minority to stick out and form the basis for shaping opinion of the average American. And that I was one of those who too quickly jumped to a quick generalizations.

So, you sons of bitches - allow me reiterate, I despise you.