Terrorism

The purpose of terrorism is to terrorize. So what has the Underwear Bomber managed to do?

Think of the sheer stupidity of "Sit In Your Seats With Your Laps Empty For the Last Hour of the Flight (Or the Air Marshal Will Shoot You in the Head)" rule. What is so magical about the last hour of the flight? Anyone who smuggled a bomb or an Insane Chemist Bomb-Making Kit(tm) on board could try to blow the thing up at any point of the flight. (Don't expect the DBP to figure that one out, by the way.)

Our government will pour billions of dollars into the detection of underpants made out of bomb-precursor chemicals. Millions of air travelers will be further inconvenienced. Millions more travelers, when there is a choice, will opt not to fly to avoid the hassle. That will further hurt the airlines and vacation businesses which depend on long-distance travel. (On the other hand, it will be good for local attractions, drivable destinations and Amtrak.)

All of this without doing much more than scorching the terrorist. I'd rate the attack as "very successful".

Update: If you are flying on an international flight, better bring a dead-tree book with you (or sedate yourself) as DBP may be preparing to ban the use of all personal electronic devices.

Shit. Why not just put all of the passengers in restraints, like Con Air? The guards flight attendants can just walk up and down the rows with Klingon pain-sticks and zap anyone who says anything at all.

(H/T)