Here is a related question. I'm not sure whether it should be a separate thread or not.

Many of us complain about security measures that are more for show than effect, especially considering all of the holes in the system. How many of you think that the these measures have to be there even if they are just show? When I say "have to be there" I mean, people would freak out if they weren't there. Is there a sense in which all of this *is* necessary but just to pacify a squeamish public?