So much of this story reminds me of the "Beer Summet".

Obama said he did not know much about the case, but he went on to cast his judgement that "they acted stupidly."

In this case, we don't know all the facts and it will probably be a while until we do. Therefore, it would be wise to hold one's judgement (and tounge) until we know more.

With that being said... within the month, I almost had to remove a passenger for "not complying with a crewmember's instructions." That is the only criteria I as PIC needed to know from my Flight Attendant to be authorized by the FAA and my company to deny transportation.

This passenger refused to comply with the Flight Attendant's instructions required for a safe takeoff. It was this persons BEHAVIOR that was unsafe and they refused to comply with a simple (and REQUIRED) safety precaution. Once I turned the aircraft around to return to the gate (showing we were serious about complying with the FARs) they complied and changed their BEHAVIOR.

I would like to know about the behavior of these two gentlemen in question on the airplane that were heading to a CONFERENCE about Islamaphobia. Has that been covered? Or is it all about the pilot? I truely do not know (I have not followed the story that closely), but it has gotten the two some free press, hasn't it.

Curious...