A Plot Uncovered

The story of British authorities arresting at least 20 people in an alleged plot to blow up airliners on their way to the United States is still breaking. At this early hour, it sounds like this one may have been real.

A first result of the apparent uncovering of the plot has been a new restriction barring passengers from bringing liquids or lotions in hand baggage--authorities say that they believe the alleged plotters were planning to use liquid explosives of some kind.

All very well and good, but are we confident that security measures now in place would stop a bomber from putting explosives and a detonator in checked baggage, as long as he or she was willing to go down with the plane?

Have you noticed how much of what passes for security is really the appearance of security? Do you really think that having to show your driver's license at the entrance to an office tower is a deterrent to someone who wants to blow the building up? What's to stop the would-be terrorist from calling, say, a law firm in the building, announcing himself as a new client, making an appointment to see Mr. Jones, carrying a bomb in his briefcase up to the "security" desk in the lobby, checking in to for his--real--appointment and then leaving the bomb in an elevator or men's room, or just triggering it in a convenient place? Next to nothing is the answer to all of those questions.