From: ichudov@algebra.com
Date: Tue, 4 Feb 1997 11:41:08 -0800 (PST)
To: Lucky Green <shamrock@netcom.com>
Subject: Re: New X-Ray Imager
Message-ID: <199702041941.LAA04346@toad.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain


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.