The general response of most governments to the Sept 11 attack seems to indicate that they're trying to milk this situation for all it's worth. I'm not surprised that someone would think of arming pilots, after all, this idea would be from the same people who decided that confiscating knitting needles and nail files would result in greater aircraft security.
If I were given the choice between the possibility of a terrorist hijacking and the absolute certainty of the madness that is being forced upon us by our own over-controlling authorities, ladies and gents-put me down for terrorist action. At least I've got a bloody good chance of not ever having to deal with them, and even if I did, the pain would be quite brief. With all the stupidity being thrust upon us in the name of our safety, there is no end, and there is no escape! And worse still, we're paying for it, whether it is in money or inconvenience or loss of freedom. And we'll pay for it regardless of the effectiveness of any proposal.
The quote "I'd rather die on my feet than live on my knees" seems somehow appropriate.
I suppose I don't buy the line that is being forced down our throats. Sorry, but I just don't think that something as big as Sept 11 will happen every day of the week unless we blast the snot out of every disgruntled Mossie on the planet and confiscate knitting needles from pregnant mums. In fact, it is just possible that blasting them will only stir them up further. Now who would have thought that those crazy ******s would react that way? I know that the idea is far-fetched but you just can't trust those loonies to behave like us civilised folk. We'd never react like that, would we?
I know, how about spending more of our money on hair-brained schemes that do little more than give more power to people who are ill-equipped to wield it while causing honest taxpayers to hate terrorists even more because of the drama they are putting them through for no good reason? You know, that idea just might get the nod.
Beware of Bureaucrats promising to look after your well-being!