Standard Mischief

Yesterday’s blog entry covered a webpage that allows anyone to create a boarding pass good enough to get past the initial TSA screening. It was created by Christopher Soghoian as an example of how the TSA at the airport is enacting “security theater”, instead of real security. Chris also points out that anyone who receives their pass via email, could just edit that instead; which is only a slightly harder trick to pull off.

At least one congress-critter was not amused.

According to ABC news:

“The Bush administration must immediately act to investigate, apprehend those responsible, shut down the website, and warn airlines and aviation security officials to be on the look-out for fraudsters or terrorists trying to use fake boarding passes in an attempt to cheat their way through security and onto a plane,” wrote Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., a senior member of the Committee on Homeland Security, in a statement.

However, Christopher points out that the exploit is not a new one. In fact, congress-critter Senator Schumer (D-NY) published nearly the same exploit in a February 2005 press release. Chris says, ?Perhaps he’ll be my cell-mate.?

I’ve been unable to google up a response from Senator Chucky, which is strange because it is oft repeated that the most dangerous place in DC is in between Charles Schumer and a camera.

Just for fun, I’ll point out that Rep. Markey isn’t above squealing about border security himself. This document shows security shortcomings in our Nation’s ports. What if teh Terrorists got ahold of it?

The bottom line is that “security theater” isn’t about real security, it’s about projecting an image that we are actually “doing something”, whether or not those things make us safer or not.

Build a security fence, sufficiently staff the border, have real security at the airport and lay off those people with nail clippers and clear plastic baggies of shampoo.

Latest word: Christopher reports that the FBI is at his door.