EVEN EL AL SECURITY ISN’T PERFECT.
UPDATE: Michiel Visser writes that it’s not even close. (Permalinks not working, blah blah, scroll down, blah blah, Blogger sucks, blah, blah.) His comments:
As someone who went through Tel Aviv airport last Thursday, I have to debunk the myth. Although security is a notch up from your regular airport, I was actually disappointed. The screeners seem to consist of 20-somethings plucked from the Tel Aviv nightlife, and I saw many people who were late for their flights being ushered through a much less secure track. Also, things were so chaotic that it wouldn’t be too difficult to smuggle something through if you’re really determined.
This just reinforces my point that, overall, “security” isn’t the best response to terrorists. Guards are sure to get bored and can’t be the best. Terrorists only have to have one good day; guards have to be good all the time, which is impossible. The best defense against terrorists is to kill them first. The Israelis, contrary to popular belief, haven’t really done that, because we haven’t let ’em. We should start letting them, and we should do it ourselves. That will do more good than any number of searches or metal detectors, and with far less damage to civil liberties at home.