newarksmells,
I agree.
I also agree that the crew that has to destroy a full passenger jet would feel very bad about it; however, perhaps you would agree that would be a better outcome than a repeat of 9/11.
There is also much to be gained in having human eyes close to a suspect jet. Is the jet what the flightplan says it is? Is it possible with a visible show of force to change the intention of a hijacker?
The bottom line is that since 9/11 the terrorist has had access to a very cheap weapon of mass destruction and until we can find a better way to stop him we have to do everything else we can.
I'm afraid we all have to live with that - or die.