Bob Sullivan has an excellent and incisive critique of the security complex post-9/11, in light of the recent crash of Cory Lidle's plane into a NYC skyscraper. As Sullivan points out, this was an opportune moment to take stock, as for a unacceptable amount of time one morning last week, we didn't know if we were hearing about another 9/11-like attack. One might reasonably ask why and how this could happen, given that the popular impression is that a large enough bird would be summarily shot down from the skies over Manhattan in this age of confiscated toothpaste.

Sullivan's main observation is that, while us proles have been massively inconvenienced (or humiliated, or had our rights violated, etc.), the "elite" have been playing by a different set of rules. It turns out, they never meant any of this "security" to apply to themselves -- in essence, leaving gaping holes that completely undermine any claim to increased preparedness or protection.

It's almost like all that was ever desired was the appeareance of protection -- and the concomitant fear engendered in the populace by hysterical and showy measures.

Want to see real "regime change" in the elections next month? Pass this article around -- next to the situation in Iraq, the effectiveness of homeland security is the biggest failure of the government since 9/11.