CNN gives object lesson on how secrecy can prevent the need for hard/costly fixes (TSA vs. pilot).

[Pholus]

Most of my complaints about the nude-o-scopes/freedom gropes revolve around intense, privacy invasive passenger scrutiny set against nearly criminally negligent security for everything else at the airport. But I guess we shouldn't be pointing this out.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/12/24/california.tsa.pilot

The money quote (from the writer, not the pilot) asks a question that can be read in multiple ways, including as a warning of what the new normal is supposed to be:

"In the age of WikiLeaks, where divulging sensitive information
can be so controversial, why did this pilot decide to share his
videos so publicly?"

So, instead of going through the actual work of fixing a problem it appears that an acceptable tactic is now to declare the problem "secret" so that when everything blows up there is a scapegoat (anyone who tried to warn that there was a problem).

Welcome to the age of accountability nullification through secrecy!

It reminds me of the early days of the no fly list where the TSA was unresponsive to a concerned citizen who showed them how with photoshop you could fly even if you were on the no fly list. After a period of nothing happening, the citizen publicized the hole and the TSA went after *him* instead of fixing their big old glaring, gaping hole. It is there to this day.

It makes me feel *oh* so safe...

Merry Christmas and/or Happy Holidays!

[2Design]

1. yes again the focus is not on the problem but the one showing the problem

remember there is not torture - just pictures
there is no sexual assault - just enhanced pat downs and no more pictures