The lines~at-airports camera shot has become a staple of news programs, and most Americans seem to know what’s expected of them when somebody shoves a microphone in their face: “Yes, it’s time- consuming, but if it makes flying safer, anything for security.” It’s approaching the player on a winning sports team who says “We knew we would have to give 110% today” as an American cliche. Just once, I’d like to hear somebody say, “It’s damned inconvenient, and I don’t think it makes flying one iota safer,” which has the added attraction of happening to be true.
