Silly ideas come from both political parties. The latest is one pushed by the Wall Street
Journal, whereby the taxpayer forks over more cash to pay for some face recognition
software package to be employed at airport terminals. We give up more of our privacy to an
overweening government that cannot possibly protect us from suicidal militants intent on
wreaking destruction. My reply follows:
I’m beginning to wonder whether Mr. Miniter understands what he is advocating. He writes for a
paper that supposedly advocates free markets and liberty, only to contradict his own position by openly
supporting another massive centralization of power - one which will most assuredly be abused once
enacted.
Countless security breaches in the last two years clearly demonstrate that the Transportation Safety
Authority is simply not up to the task. That he is asking that we cede more of our privacy for some face
recognition program is all the evidence we need of the agency’s incompetence. As even he admits,
the frisking of old ladies by bored TSA personnel cannot be seen as anything other than a PC mentality
gone berserk.
If Mr. Miniter were to return to his free market roots, he would realize that the power of the market
system is its ability to react and innovate to constantly changing circumstances – something that a
lumbering federal bureaucracy is singularly ill-equipped to achieve.
Even if one assumes the airlines are evil corporations in the sole pursuit of profit, their survival depends
on their ability to protect their crews, planes and passengers. They would have every incentive to adopt
whatever measures they deemed necessary to save lives and property. With Uncle Sam in charge, that
incentive does not exist. How does this make us safer?
A prediction: The TSA, with or without the fancy recognition software, will fail miserably in its duty.
That failure will become the rationalization for bigger budgets, more invasions of our privacy, and less
security for everyone.