Jim Shella has a story about the new security measures at the State House. More cameras, limited access to the parking lot, doors lock a half hour earlier during the week, public access is limited to four hours per day on the weekends, and metal detectors are coming.
I understand the concerns, but I oppose the measures. The costs of security are incremental but the potential consequences of inadequate security could be tragic. That’s why security has a way of ratcheting up. There’s really no way to know when you have too much.
To me, part of living in a free and open society means that we have to trust our fellow citizens enough to allow ourselves access to our public spaces; particularly our democratic centers. I don’t think it’s healthy for the body politic to indulge itself in its fears. I believe have to be brave enough to risk tragedy. The alternative is a slow death of a million cuts in which we subject ourselves to ever more suspicion and security, magnifying our fears beyond their legitimate level and sowing distrust among citizens.
The public has indirectly demanded this. All of the “we should have done more” that comes out after a tragedy causes this CYA attitude.
Perfect example is how I couldn’t even take a screwdriver on a plane. I had to throw away one of my best ones because it was in my laptop bag. However, the plastic from my laptop could have been sharpened into a far more lethal device in the bathroom in-flight.
I don’t mind things like cameras, however limiting public access is just getting silly. If you allow it at all, you have just as much risk regardless of the amount of time.
Took the kids to the east coast for the traditional summer drive-in-the-car-until-the-kids-make-you-nuts family vacation. Took them to see historic sites in Philly. Was horrified, but shouldn’t have been surprised, at the airport-style security for the LIBERTY BELL. All that was missing was the requirement to remove shoes. Oxymoron? Sad commentary on our society? Democracy in a (Liberty) Bell Jar? Highly disturbing, to say the least.
I have also heard of a pilot complaining about the airport security confiscating his nail clippers before locking him in the cockpit with an axe.