Security Screening

I haven't blogged about this and this follow-up because so many other bloggers have, including Michelle Malkin, Rachel Lucas and Professor Bainbridge.  But Sharon asked my opinion, so here goes:
 
I understand the level of fear and concern generated by these articles.  But did people not notice that:  1) there were Federal Marshalls on the Jacobsen's plane, and they were alert to what might or might not have been happening? and, 2) in both cases the people causing the alarm were detained and questioned? 
 
Yes, there are still bad guys out to get us.  But maybe it's more helpful to quietly watch and learn than to create a scene that would be news in the media.  Why should we be telling the bad guys just how much we know and just how closely we're watching them?  (The media already does WAY too much of this, as far as I'm concerned.)
 
In another blog earlier this week (can't remember which one), someone posed the question, "What would you have done in the same position?"  My answer would have to be "nothing, unless the Marshalls asked."  The Federal Marshalls and/or Air Marshalls were armed and aware.  If someone had decided to play hero, it could have caused more problems than it solved and given the Marshalls less freedom to do what they needed to do.
 
Does it bother me that Mr. Mineta ordered that airport screeners cannot pay attention when an unusual person or group of Middle Eastern extraction goes through security, but they can strip-search your grandma?  You bet.  My personal belief is that any unusual-looking group should get special screening attention.  After all, we've had Taliban fighters who are as white as me, haven't we?  And that Hispanic guy who was trying to make a dirty bomb? 
 
In Ms. Jacobsen's case, though, while this scares the pants off a lot of people, I actually find it comforting to know that our airport security system is working.  Despite Mr. Mineta.
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Ah!  You've gotta love those judges who won't allow security screening!  Gives me a warm, fuzzy, safe and secure feeling.
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Kevin has a different take on security screening.  But maybe that changed after reading Annie Jacobsen's article, above.
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