Re: New X-Ray Imager

At 10:38 AM 2/4/97 -0500, Adam Shostack wrote:
>
>| A poll last week by the Los Angeles Times found that a majority of
people --
>| 58 percent -- said they would curtail some civil liberties if it would help
>| thwart terrorism. Thirteen percent said it would depend on what rights were
>| at stake. The poll didn't ask people to single out any rights.
>
>	Its worth noting the 'if it would help thwart terrorism.' 

It is irrelevant if terrorism is indeed be thwarted. The public does not
require this to happen. All that matters is to generate the *perception* of
increased security, not to increase security itself.



-- Lucky Green <mailto:shamrock@netcom.com> PGP encrypted mail preferred

   "I do believe that where there is a choice only between cowardice and
    violence, I would advise violence." Mahatma Gandhi

Lucky Green wrote:
> At 10:38 AM 2/4/97 -0500, Adam Shostack wrote:
> >| A poll last week by the Los Angeles Times found that a majority of
> people --
> >| 58 percent -- said they would curtail some civil liberties if it would help
> >| thwart terrorism. Thirteen percent said it would depend on what rights were
> >| at stake. The poll didn't ask people to single out any rights.
> >
> >	Its worth noting the 'if it would help thwart terrorism.' 
> 
> It is irrelevant if terrorism is indeed be thwarted. The public does not
> require this to happen. All that matters is to generate the *perception* of
> increased security, not to increase security itself.

Let's remember though that perception of security applies not
only to passengers, but also to potential terrorists. If they *think*
that they would not be able to bring a bomb easily, they would be less
inclined to do so.

	- Igor.