Back from the UK Drama

I just spent the last week in the UK, and lucky me, I arrived a day before the Heathrow drama took place so I got off lightly. I got back yesterday night so I managed to fly back home the day they had lowered the threat to critical. That still meant clear plastic bags, no liquid and limited items as handbaggage. I still managed to purchase a book once checked in; "1000 places to see before you die". How appropriate.

Nothing strange about flying, apart from perhaps x-raying my shoes and a few delays here and there. I wonder if this will be the default travel style of the future or if it is something that will pass? there is talk that Australia might propose a ban on handluggage permanently.

The people working in security at Heathrow told me they thought x-raying shoes was stupid.

On the news one could hear reports that BAA and other airports around Britain had urged the British Government to lower the security threat alert.

So I ask myself... why keep on x-raying summer flip flops and the likes?

What better way to create and instill fear in a general public? Now not only will we look suspiciously at anyone Asian or Arab, Muslim or as often mistaken for one, Sikhs, but they have also placed the threat in something as ordinary as shoes. It is quite brilliant... fear is a great, subtle weapon and convincing device.