We are learning more about the second American killed last week in Syria fighting for ISIS. Abdirahmaan Muhumed was killed in the same battle as Douglas McAuthur McCain. Muhumed is believed to be part of a group of 15 Somali Americans who have left the country in recent months to fight with ISIS.
While you're standing in line at the airport "getting to know" TSA agents, how many other possible jihadists are running around in "secure" airport areas because of inadequate security clearances?
By the way, there is growing concern over the fate of 11 commercial jetliners that were reportedly stolen when Islamists seized control of Tripoli International Airport last month. A Moroccan military expert told Al Jazeera that there was "credible intelligence" that Al-Qaeda linked groups were plotting to use the planes against targets in North Africa on the anniversary of 9/11.
No doubt this disturbing news is of particular concern to Israel and the anti-jihadist government in Cairo. Other security experts fear the planes could be used to destroy one of Saudi Arabia's major oil refineries.
Politicians Beware: The Voters Are Grumpy
With just a little more than two months before the upcoming mid-term elections, a new Politico poll finds that American voters are grumpy. They are down on the state of our union and anxious about their personal finances. And they have largely soured on President Obama, giving him negative ratings on his job performance and on nine of twelve issues. For example:
-
70% of voters believe the country is on the wrong track. Only 21% said it was on the right track.
-
Only 29% felt that their personal economic situation has improved over the past four years, while 71% said it had either stagnated or gotten worse.
-
44% of voters approved of Obama's overall job performance; 51% disapproved.
-
43% of voters approved of Obama's handling of the economy; 55% disapproved.
-
38% approved of Obama's handling of foreign policy; 58% disapproved.
-
38% approved of Obama's handling of immigration; 57% disapproved.
-
35% approved of Obama's handling of spending and the federal budget; 61% disapproved.
Obama held his own on issues like Social Security, Medicare, jobs and standing up for middle class values. The president can take some comfort in knowing that he isn't the most unpopular thing in Washington: 80% of voters disapproved of the job Congress is doing.