Yesterday, a Nigerian man named Abdulfarouk Umar Muttalab apparently attempted to destroy the aircraft he was riding in, by way of burning his lap off, except his device failed to work properly and his fellow passengers subdued him (they should have beat the crap out of him, but being Dutch, they were probably incredibly polite about it, mores the pity).
That's one thing, but now the "authorities" have ratcheted up security precautions one or two more notches as a result. And we are definitely approproaching the ridiculous. My friend Paul Mehner (@paulmehner on Twitter) re-tweeted Rick Strahl (@RickStrahl) on the new rules and procedures being put into effect.
Here's the Yahoo News report:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Airline-passengers-see-apf-2678313752.html?x=0
Passengers getting off flights from overseas reported being told that they couldn't get out of their seat for the last hour of their flight. Air Canada also said that during the last hour passengers won't be allowed access to carry-on baggage or to have any items on their laps.
I can see it coming. We will eventually be manacled into our seats for the entire flight. What, you need to use the lavatory, you terrorist? Just wait a moment while we unshackle you. And of course, our security officer, Bubba, will accompany you into the lav, to ensure you don't do anything funny.
Because that is what's happening here. We have reached the point where we are all considered to be terrorists, by default. And we will be treated accordingly. As Rick Strahl points out, this is good training for sheepdom.
Politics
12/27/2009 3:03:21 AM UTC 
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