Daniel Pipes, writing in the New York Sun, demonstrates that some terrorists are not recruited for their intellects:

One would think Mahmoud Maawad, a 29—year—old illegal immigrant from Egypt living in Memphis, Tenn., would lay low and stay out of trouble. But no, he defiantly did just the opposite.

He used a fake Social Security number to open a bank account, arrange for household utilities, and enroll at the University of Memphis business school. He worked off the books at a convenience store and in early 2005 sold alcohol to a minor, for which he was arrested. And then, in mid—2005, he ordered $3,300 worth of airline—related goods from Sporty's Pilot Shop, including such items as an airline pilot's uniform, a flight gear bag, a radio communications handbook, and an instructional DVD titled "How an Airline Captain Should Look and Act."

To top it off, he placed the order on an overdrawn credit card.

Sporty's, not surprisingly, informed the FBI about Mr. Maawad's order and federal agents searched his apartment in September. There they found flight simulation software and detailed information on Memphis International Airport. Mr. Maawad was then indicted for wire fraud and fraudulent use of a Social Security number.

Regrettably, some jihadists are cunning, intelligent, even brilliant. But suicide bomber is not a career which attracts many of those planning to rise through the ranks on the basis of their brilliance.

Ed Lasky