You could be right, Chris. But I tend not to credit intelligent planning when simple stupidity can just as conclusively lead to the same thing 🙂

I can imagine how stupid ideas start out sounding sort of smart- like the travel registry thing. After a while, they get some momentum going, and at about that point they develop the “…to protect us from terrorism” mystique*. As in “How can you not be for this? It is to protect us from terrorism!” Everyone who has to approve these plans can imagine scenarios where, under some circumstances, virtually *any* stupid idea might be the one that prevents the next catastrophe. And no one wants to be the guy who rejected the plan that was intended “…to protect us from terrorism”

Basically, take any stupid idea you can possibly imagine. Tack on the the phrase “…to protect us from terrorism.” Then ask in a loud, whiny voice, preferably with flecks of spittle flying from your mouth while waving a placard saying “9/11: never forget!”. Alternately substitute “…for the children.”