Recently in World / National Security Category
From John Cassidy's forthcoming book, How Markets Fail: "In China between 1981 and 2005, according to a recent study by researchers at the World Bank, the poverty rate fell from 84 percent to 22 percent, a drop of almost two thirds. By the end of the period more than 600 million Chinese had been lifted out of poverty."
Identification. Not with Al Qaeda or the Unabomber. All it takes is a means of identification, like a driver's license. I have been riding Amtrak lately and visiting with editors in various high rises, and everywhere I go I am asked for a photo ID. Like most people, I show my license. I guess non-driving terrorists might momentarily be thwarted by this measure, but it's hard to imagine what else is accomplished aside from slowing down normal comings and goings.
I am reminded by these episodes of Bruce Schneier's comment about "security theater." While it's true that security used to be absurdly lax--I was once served with a subpoena in the middle of the LA Times newsroom--I have to wonder if we are doing much good now with all the passes and other measures employed in Manhattan office towers. I suppose if nothing else we are giving comfort to the lawyers.
I am reminded by these episodes of Bruce Schneier's comment about "security theater." While it's true that security used to be absurdly lax--I was once served with a subpoena in the middle of the LA Times newsroom--I have to wonder if we are doing much good now with all the passes and other measures employed in Manhattan office towers. I suppose if nothing else we are giving comfort to the lawyers.
Daniel Akst
