Terrorist Foiled by Passengers

Now THIS is true American heroism.

ROMULUS, Mich. (AP) - An attempted terrorist attack on a Christmas Day flight began with a pop and a puff of smoke - sending passengers scrambling to subdue a Nigerian man who claimed to be acting on orders from al-Qaida to blow up the airliner, officials and travelers said.

The commotion began as Northwest Airlines Flight 253, carrying 278 passengers and 11 crew members from Amsterdam, prepared to land in Detroit just before noon Friday. Travelers said they smelled smoke, saw a glow, and heard what sounded like firecrackers. At least one person climbed over others and jumped on the man, who officials say was trying to ignite an explosive device.

Kudos to these true American heroes for stepping up and averting what could have been a real tragedy. Very reminiscent of the shoe bomber attempt in 2001, which most articles on yesterday's terror attempt have referenced.

President Obama has called for "appropriate increases" in security, but has not made any real public statements about the near-disaster.