The US Travel Association's statement on TSA tactics hits the nail on the head

"We certainly understand the challenges that DHS confronts, but the question remains, 'where do we draw the line'?

Our country desperately needs a long-term vision for aviation security screening, rather than an endless reaction to yesterday's threat," the statement said.

"At the same time, fundamental American values must be protected."

Thank God somebody is still standing up for American values.  Lord know the feral government no longer does it.  Why is the US Travel Association speaking up?  Because TSA tactics are bad for business.  The massive government takeover of airport security has not made us safer, just more pissed off.

Airlines and airports have an inherent interest in keeping terrorists off of their planes.  A security failure means passengers and employees killed, and aircraft destroyed.  To government bureaucrats it's just another oopsie.  Think I'm being too harsh?  OK.  How many government bureaucrats got fired because of 9/11?  Reprimanded?  Demoted?  Zip.  Zilch.  Nada.


On a related note, here's a humorous oldie but goodie about terrorist threat levels...
 

The British are feeling the pinch in relation to recent terrorist threats, and have therefore raised their security level from "Miffed" to "Peeved". Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to "Irritated" or even "A Bit Cross". The English have not been "A Bit Cross" since the blitz in 1940, when tea supplies nearly ran out. Terrorists have been re-categorized from "Tiresome" to "A Bloody Nuisance". The last time the British issued a "Bloody Nuisance" warning level was in 1588, when threatened by the Spanish Armada.

The Scots have raised their threat level from "Pissed Off" to "Let's get the Bastards". They don't have any other levels. This is the reason they have been used on the front line of the British army for the last 300 years.

The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from "Run" to "Hide". The only two higher levels in France are "Collaborate" and "Surrender". The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France's white flag factory, effectively paralyzing the country's military capability.

Italy has increased the alert level from "Shout Loudly and Excitedly" to "Elaborate Military Posturing". Two more levels remain: "Ineffective Combat Operations" and "Change Sides".

The Germans have increased their alert state from "Disdainful Arrogance" to "Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs". They also have two higher levels: "Invade a Neighbour" and "Lose".

Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual; the only threat they are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels.

The Spanish are all excited to see their new submarines ready to deploy. These beautifully designed subs have glass bottoms so the new Spanish navy can get a really good look at the old Spanish navy.

Americans meanwhile, and as usual, are carrying out pre-emptive strikes on all of their allies "just in case".

Canada doesn't have any alert levels.

New Zealand has raised its security levels - from "baaa" to "BAAAA". Due to continuing defence cutbacks, New Zealand has only one more level of escalation, which is "I hope Australia will come and rescue us".

Australia, meanwhile, has raised its security level from "No worries" to "She'll be alright, mate". Three more escalation levels remain: "Crikey!", "I think we'll need to cancel the barbie this weekend" and "The barbie is cancelled". So far no situation has ever warranted use of the final escalation level.

* - I don't know the origin of this.  Looks like it came from Australia