"Flag on Detroit suspect lost in overflow of intel" (article, Dec. 29) states as an excuse, "Thousands of similar bits of information flow into the National Counterintelligence Center each week. ..."

What a crock! Are those charged with processing such information like the blind man sorting pebbles in a diamond mine? How many times a week does a Muslim man report his own son — to supposedly responsible authorities — and states he fears his son is becoming radicalized? I’d say that the probability that such information is credible approaches certainty and the probability the son will subsequently confirm his father’s fear in a substantial way is relatively high compared with the other thousands of bits of information. "Similar"? Sure, like the Hope diamond is similar to a pebble.

Of course, this makes perfect sense in a culture that believes it’s preferable to blow up an airliner than profile a terrorist. Nothing suspicious about a Nigerian with no passport or luggage buying a one-way ticket with cash from Nigeria to Detroit. But after the fact, everybody responded perfectly according to protocol, says the secretary of Homeland Security.

Swell! Ya know, the next terrorist may be wearing a suit, have lighter skin, checks a bag containing clothes and buys his ticket with a credit card. Oh yes, and his bomb is hidden where the sun don’t shine. Heaven help us!

Frank LeitnakerMiesau, Germany