Airport Security - 2011 Thanksgiving Edition

The antics of Homeland Security and the TSA never cease to amaze.

Some of you may remember that when all this wonderful "security" process started we were required to turn on our laptops at the checkpoint.

When the iconoclast that I am inquired as to the purpose of this exercise, I was informed very sternly that "we need to make sure it is not a bomb."

Something in my nature is perverse. I was at that time carrying a Mac Powerbook that had two batteries. So I pulled out one of those - while the computer was running - and asked the agent "and how do you know THIS little brick is not made of C4?"

I almost missed my flight. Never argue with stupidity and ignorance vested with authority.

So now we have the "body scan."

Will this scanner determine what might be in a body cavity? For years drug mules have placed their wares in body cavities to evade search. The answer to the rhetorical question is, of course, a resounding NO. Will the "intense" pat down find such items. Again, NO. And are we told the number of milliREMs that the scanners will expose us to. Again, NO.

So, driving home I heard the news that passengers throughout the country are being delayed and missing flights - in the name of a false security that will protect none of us.

When did this nation of individualistic anti-authoritarians become a nation of cowardly sheep?

How did we reach the point where we are willing to abdicate all of our rights for the sake of the illusion of safety?

I fear for our future.