Security Theatre Act VI and Intermission Newsreel

Act VI: Light My Fire

I don’t smoke. I have never been a regular smoker of anything. Except maybe salmon. Nevertheless, I am seriously considering buying a lighter. Not just any lighter, but a genuine Zippo lighter.

Why? Because Zippo is standing up for your rights, and asking the TSA just what they are thinking with their latest missive. Perhaps they take umbrage with the news coverage specifically saying “Zippo-type” lighters would be prohibited on airplanes. Perhaps they are concerned what this will do to business.

In any event, Zippo offers an excellent debate. They begin by conceding that lighters probably don’t belong in the cabin. However, Zippo lighters meet rigid safety criteria, as tested by independent entities, that suggest they are perfectly safe for checked luggage. Especially since ammunition and aerosol cans — arguably items of at least similar risk — are allowed in checked baggage. In conclusion, they “believe this rule is unnecessary for public safety.” Period.

So if this is not about public safety, what is it about?

Don’t think to hard about how the rules protect you, since this is the same agency that might have put a Canadian government official on the No-Fly List. Of course U.S. authorities can neither confirm nor deny this.

Intermission: Newsreel

A moment of silence, please, for the American soldiers who have died in Iraq. The number is now over 1500. This number does not include contractors and journalists. Do not forget them. Support the troops by praying for peace and their safe return home.

Meanwhile, back on Capitol Hill, Senate Republicans are trying to ram through bankruptcy “reform” again, despite Democratic attempts to add amendments to protect consumers. This is an item of critical importance when you consider that half of all bankruptcies involve substantial medical debts and credit cards — another source of debt — are woefully underegulated. The same Senate voted against a measure that would make credit card companies clearly notify consumers of their ludicrous policies.

Elsewhere in Washington DC, President Bush and his administration are seeking to quash a bunch of lawsuits by invoking the “secrecy privilege.” Now, the principle behind this privilege, which has been used now and again for two centuries, is that some facts just have to stay secret for the sake of national security. However, in this day and age one can’t help but wonder if it is being used now to silence a whistle-blower retaliation case and accusations of torture.