Diplomatic Immunity?

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The Qatari diplomat who caused a midair security scare when he tried to sneak a cigarette and then joked about it was on his way to Colorado to meet with a jailed Al Qaeda operative, officials told Fox News on Thursday. The Qatar embassy said the prison visit wasn't the only purpose of the trip -- diplomat Mohammed Al-Madadi was also planning visits with college students from Qatar. The embassy, responding to questions from Fox News, said the trip was approved in advance and that such consular visits have been held monthly with the prisoner since mid-2009. Consular officials frequently visit foreigners held in the United States to make sure they are being treated well. But the revelation about this particular meeting with Al-Marri only raised more questions about Al-Madadi's behavior Wednesday night on board the United Airlines flight from Washington, D.C.. En route to meet with a notorious terror inmate, the diplomat flouted the rules routine flyers know well are in place because of the threats posed by such terror suspects. The diplomat's behavior caused a full-blown law enforcement response. After Al-Madadi tried to sneak a cigarette on the flight and then joked that he was trying to light his shoes on fire, two F-16s were called to escort the airplane to the Denver airport. The incident lasted another hour while the plane was held on the tarmac. related links * Qatari Diplomat's Midair Scare Cost Taxpayers Thousands * Qatari Diplomat Who Caused Security Scare Expected to Be Sent Home, Official Says * Diplomatic Impunity? Qatari Official Not the First to Stir Trouble on Assignment The young diplomat flew back to Washington, D.C., on Thursday and the State Department made clear he would not be staying long. One senior official said he'd probably be catching the next flight back to Doha. "His ability to function effectively has been compromised," the official said, adding that the diplomat will probably not be returning to the United States after the incident. It's unknown whether the scheduled visit with Al-Marri added to the tension with the State Department. Al-Marri was first arrested after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, accused of being a sleeper agent researching poisonous gasses and plotting a cyberattack. But by the morning after the airline incident, officials were already calling for Al-Madadi to either be recalled or expelled for doing just about "everything wrong" on board the United Airlines flight. Though no explosives were found on the flight and the envoy is not expected to be criminally charged, Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Mich., ranking Republican on the House intelligence committee, said the diplomat should be out of the country. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/04/08/diplomat-touched-bomb-scare-way-visit-jailed-terrorist-1790072623/ Wow Do you think he should be immune to the consequences in this situation. I do not. I think he should have to foot the bill and publicly apologize. But I dont see that happening. Chances are, Obama will apologize to him for our airlines having rules. What do you think?