Meet John Smeaton: One Kick and He Is The Hero of Glasgow
Airport Baggage Handler ‘Just Set Aboot’ Attacker; Fans Send Beer Money
Wall Street Journal
GLASGOW — Last Saturday afternoon, baggage handler John Smeaton was standing in front of Glasgow Airport smoking a cigarette when a Jeep Cherokee burst into flames nearby. He watched its burning driver emerge. A police officer pursued the passenger.
What happened next has turned Mr. Smeaton, 31 years old, into an unlikely folk hero. When he saw the passenger hitting the officer, Mr. Smeaton ran over and kicked the assailant.
Mr. Smeaton has been interviewed on the BBC, CNN and other networks about his response to the attack in which two suspected terrorists attempted to ram into the airport’s main terminal.
Mr. Smeaton voiced a defiance that has turned him into a de facto spokesman for Glasgow’s fighting spirit. His message to terrorists:
“You come to Glasgow, we don’t stand for it,” he says. “We’ll just set aboot ye.” (Translation: “In Glasgow, we’ll just deck you.”)
As to all the attention he has been getting John Smeaton has described his role more modestly.
“I did nothing special,” Mr. Smeaton said. “I just ran in and booted a guy.”
Wild Thing’s comment……..
The terrorists will never know the kind of spirit that exists in people like John Smeaton and many others around the world. People that when an attack happens they react to help others, or do what they can to keep the attack from happening. I am glad when they point out those that do take a stand, that do something like this, it is right in the face for every terrorist to see how much appreciated it is. And how that spirit cannot be killed off ever.
One of my favorite quotes is, ‘The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in time of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality’ — Dante
John Smeaton has demonstrated that he has the right stuff. you can cover my six anytime John, Thanks.
This is soooooo true of the Scots.
Even King Edward I (the Longshanks) found that out.
Good for Mr. Smeaton.
I wish that we were allowed to do that here to asshole idiot terrorists who wish us to live in fear.
The Scots are very audacious and they will stop at nothing to show it.
Fantastic! This story reminds me of a couple of Scot friends (Beth Anne and Roger) who would do the same thing. Only, I suspect Roger would NOT have stopped with just one boot (Inactive Marine). And Beth Anne would have gotten a few “lumps” in too. The quote from Jack (above) is great.
SSgt Steve, USMC
“Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!” — Ben Franklin
We have needed a John Smeaton for a while. Someone to counter the politically correct tip-toeing around the reality of islamic terrorists in our midst. The fact Mr Smeaton is a Scotsman is a bonus. There were many John Smeaton type heroes on 9-11. Sadly, there will be a need for many more in the coming days and years.
Buy more ammo!
I don’t think it has ever been a question of the people of the UK or the United States with a problem. It is our leaders that have no backbone.
I was watching a Toby Keith special, and after he wrote the song about ‘the Angry American’ he was not going to record it. Because of the lyrics. Somehow, CMC (Commandant Marine Corps) got word of it and talked to Tody personnally, and told him to record it and not to worry about the lyrics, In particular, ” We’ll put a boot in your Ass its the American way”… The Commandant told Toby you record the song, for the troops and “we’ll put the ‘boot’ in their ass.” Well he did and so did the US Armed Forces. And Toby Keith was a registered Democrat … I guess being an American meant more to him than party.
Hence, Toby got into trouble because of the lyrics and the Libs went Apesh*t over them but, the truth is hard to argue with. Peter Jennings of ABC wouldn’t let Toby on his special unless he changed the lyrics, Toby would not change the lyrics and said … Oh well…
My point is this, the people of this country and the UK are the best they know what is going on and will respond accordingly.
“I did nothing special,” Mr. Smeaton said. “I just ran in and booted a guy.”
Thank God for people like John Smeaton. He gives one hope that the West still has backbone!
Jack that is a perfect quote, thank you.
Darth……..LOL it sure was a goal. Tah dah!
Lynn, so true!!
Steve that is a great quote too. I love good quotes for things. Thank you.
Tom, yes we sure did have our Smeatons on 9-11. And I agree we need more of them for what is for sure to come.
Mark that gave me goosebumps reading that, thank you so much.
I am so glad Tobby recorded it, I bought the CD because of that song and the lyrics.
Your right too, it is our leaders that don’t have a backbone.
Always On Watch, yes and we will too. My heart feels that we have many that would stand up to the terrorists. Like Mark said it is our leadership that has backbone.
We need more John Smeaton’s, especially in the Whitehouse!