Tuesday, November 23, 2010

The TSA: America's Maginot Line

The Maginot line was a hugely expensive failure because every strategist knows that when you want to surprise and discombobulate your enemies, you 'go where they ain't'.  By pouring all of their military resources into fixed positions, the French became predictable and lacked the flexibility to respond when the Germans (inexplicably) failed to behave according to the French plan.

The TSA defends airports and airplanes.  Yet virtually nothing else is protected.  Except court houses.  Because that was the last location of a terror attack (Oklahoma City).  If a terrorist attacks a popsicle stand next I suppose they will become 'hardened'.

Think about it:  if you were a terrorist and wanted to cause chaos and fear the last place you'd go is to the Airport.  A few big Uhauls full of Fertilizer and Diesel fuel on Madison Avenue and 52nd street or Michigan Avenue at lunch rush is all it would take.  And with the modern Iraqi Cell Phone IED technology at hand, you don't even need to meet your 72 virgins yet.

The TSA is a love letter to terrorists:  "We'll watch these little bits of America, you can bomb anyplace else".

It is also a classic example why the Federalization of our governance is such a hugely expensive disaster.  But more on that later.

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