Only the Size of My Head

I've been saying for years now that so-called "Airport Security" is a sham. Ever since 911 the TSA has been making it increasingly unpleasant for the average traveler to fly. Barriers and layers of useless procedure now stand between you and the gates, not to mention at least one shoe removal.

Ever since my father was able to (unintentionally) get past "security" with a six inch apple knife in his mesh backpack, I've been convinced that the security measures are just a gigantic act to make us all feel safer, while in reality accomplishing very little. Very little that is, other than slowing us down and pissing us off – although I suspect in-airport water sales are doing quite well now that you can't bring your own, thank you very much.

Well it seems I'm not the only one unconvinced by the TSA's airport theatrics. Jeffrey Goldberg (The Atlantic), with the help of Bruce Schneier has smuggled quite an assortment of contraband onto the tarmac and into the sky. He's chronicling his exploits – particularly his most recent adventure in Minneapolis – in an article entitled "The Things He Carried"; it's an interesting, if depressing read and one that sadly isn't going to make me feel any happier about the 7 billion dollars we're wasting on the mostly useless "Homeland Security" bureau.

As a side note, am I the only one who thinks that "Homeland Security" sounds like it came straight from a literary dystopia?