When Bad Policy is in Plain View
Sometimes the bad effects of a law are hard to see. But at other times, the problem with a law is quite visible and obvious to the naked eye. A few years ago Congress passed and President Bush signed the “Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007,” which, among other things, set in place a phased-in ban on the incandescent bulb in favor of the […]
The daily grope: Current “security” scheme hinders economic growth
A new survey of public opinion on the “security theater” conducted by the TSA delivers some interesting findings: 1. More people are offended by having to remove their shoes at security checkpoints than being groped. Really? 2. Asked to describe the security regime, people said, “inconsistent,” “stressful,” and “embarrassing.” 3. When people are discouraged from traveling, the economy suffers–perhaps at the rate of 888,000 jobs and […]
The daily grope: Pilot in trouble for making video
An airline pilot publishes a video in which he says, “airport security is kind of a farce. It’s only smoke and mirrors so you people believe there is actually something going on here.” A few days later, four federal agents and two sheriff’s deputies show up at his home. He also lost his right to carry a gun in the airport, as a number of […]
The CFL game
Like Frank Beckman and Nolan Finley, I’ve been buying extra incandescent lightbulbs in anticipation of the day that I won’t be able to buy them at retail establishments. Isn’t it remarkable that it’s come to this? A simple, cheap, and tremendously useful product will disappear from retail shelves–not because there’s a shortage of an essential ingredient, or because someone has come up with a vastly superior […]
The daily grope: TSA failure rate is up to 70 percent
Let’s see now. Citizens should let federal employees grope their private parts at the airport or stand, hands-over-head (criminal suspect style) while subjected to semi-nudie scanners because doing so keeps dangerous materials off planes. Right? Well, a man recently took a loaded pistol onto a flight, missed entirely by the TSA. Here’s the kicker: A person briefed on the latest tests tells ABC News the failure […]
Free Wi-Fi, Courtesy of Corporate Self-interest
Remember the saying, “to the person who has a hammer, everything looks like a nail?” Here’s one application of that in the political world: “If there’s a new, promising service or technology on the horizon, government must get involved to promote it.” We we’ve endured taxes, subsidies, and regulations, all in the name of increasing access to electricity, “green” products (think: Toyota Prius and Chevy Volt), […]
The daily grope: Security checkpoints are not the security cure
If you’re going to take a commercial flight for Christmas, you know the drill by now: limit the toiletries in your carry-on bag to sample-size bottles; throw your water or pop in the trash before you enter the security checkpoint line; take your laptop out of your carry-on; take off your shoes; take off your belt; take off your pants. OK, we’re not quite to […]