Of course, our esteemed government officials were quick to point fingers (along with many Americans who had no experience with which to know better) at the Private Security System Run by the (gasp) AIRLINES (more gasps). The clear implication was that legions of hijackers would do all sorts of bad things to airlplanes if we didn't Federalize the entire airport security system.

Anybody else catch the questioning of the CIA Director by Congress last week? One congressman asked him [paraphrasing here],

"If John Walker Lynde could find the Taliban so easily and Actually Meet With OSAMA BIN LADEN, why the hell couldn't the CIA similarly infiltrate the Terrorist networks?"

In true bureaucratic style, the CIA Director smiled coyly and told the congressman that he couldn't reveal the details there in front of everybody but to rest assured, Mr. Congressman, we Have infiltrated the Taliban. The Congressman appeared to roll his eyes at this load of crap coming from the CIA Director.

Not even the rabid supporters of federalizing airport security actually demonstrated any links between the current airport security setup and the events of September 11. If the hijackers used knives and boxcutters, the FAA explicitly allowed those items. No other hijacking, actuall or attempted, could be blamed on the private screeners. Even better, no one has told us how the new improved system will increase our safety. Even El Al let a guy carry a gun in his carry-on to New York a couple weeks ago. And, aren't they the best?