Airport security.  It keeps us safe… to a point.  I missed a flight this morning and it didn’t need to happen.  With 5 people in front of me, it took almost 45 minutes to get through the security checkpoint.  The security people were very concerned with ensuring that everyone go through the new body scanner that was standing there like a glistening new toy, beckoning us poor travelers to “give it a try”. 

How much is enough security, and how do we balance the need for it while also realizing that we can’t stop every threat that might occur.  If someone tries to blow up a plane by lighting his underwear on fire, why do we respond by inconveniencing millions of innocent travelers with policies and procedures that are designed to look more like they are “doing something” rather than actually accomplishing anything?  When we react by instantly banning gels and liquids from carry-ons, (throwing out perfectly good toiletries in the process, by the way) we validate our fears and certainly contribute to the means and ends of the bad guys because we react so foolishly. Damage to a country doesn’t always come from blowing things up.  Creating fear, panic and economic chaos works very well, and often, we are the ones doing it to ourselves.  What better way for our enemies to destroy us?