First they came...

When they came for my nail clippers,
I remained silent;
I had trimmed my nails.

When they took away my box-cutter,
I remained silent;
I was not a opening packages on the plane.

When they came for my bottled water,
I did not speak out;
I was not thirsty.

When they prohibited my ipod,
I did not speak out;
I can look out the window for 8 hours.

When they came for my carry-on luggage,
I stopped flying.

It sounds funny. That we should be upset about no longer taking liquids onto planes. No bottled water, no contact lens solution, no suntan lotion. For short flights, perhaps it is of no consequence. For long international flights, it might be a considerable inconvenience. For those of us who have, up til now, rarely checked bags on flights (and took every precaution to avoid doing so), it is a headache. I intended to take a single carry-on bag on my upcoming Quito trip. Normally this bag contains bottled water and food items for use on the flight as well as hygenic supplies such as toothbrush and toothpaste. On a long flight, these are nice-to-have, everyday items that nobody would give a second thought in bringing. Now they are *banned* on airplanes. That, to me, sounds ludicrous! However, some people think these procedures make flying safer. Like these people from a cnn.com reader response page:

I, for one, feel safer flying with a higher security level. Why to people have such a problem with adhering to new rules and regulations, even when it means making air travel safer? If the airlines work together with their passengers by providing water, juices, etc on the plane, then all will be happy. One question: why are there no security check points in train stations?
Carolyn Smith, Port Jervis, New York

It amazes me that people whine and complain about the "inconveniences" imposed by the new security rules at the airports. These are probably the same people that will scream and cry out at the government if a terrorist attack does occur and ask WHY our government did not protect them!...
Joan Lockwood, Marysville, Michigan

I'm tired of people being upset for having to throw away liquids and gels! Come on people there is a sick group out there that is trying to blow your plane up and you want to complain! Get over yourself and your designer perfumes and listen to what the government is trying to do to keep you safe. I think no carry-on luggage should be in affect as of yesterday, lets keep everyone alive and safe.
Erinn Thielman, Avon Lake, Ohio

The majority of the responses read this way, though there are some sensible responses among them as well. These people assume that the problem is the inconvenience of not taking liquids on the plane. They assume that the restrictions put in place make flying safer for everyone. They fail to consider the real cost; that in taking such drastic measures, "the terrorists" have achieved more than blowing up a plane. They have changed the daily routine of travel for "freedom-loving Americans" and "less-freedom-loving Brits" everywhere (refrain from making toothpaste joke).

We've given up everyday niceties that are enjoyed in any civilized society for the myth of increased flight safety. Nothing will stop an organized terrorist cell from blowing up another plane, train, or building. Our security methods are reactive and anticipatory. New measures are put into place based on perceived threat. Should the threat ever go undetected, methods to stop it will not be in place. We would have given up so many things to no effect.