U.S. gropes for security/privacy balance

by Andrew Zajac

The shadow of 9-11 in Washington lightens with each year that passes without an attack. But on holidays like the 4th of July, the fingers still tighten ever so slightly on the armrests.

The Department of Homeland Security typically issues statements about low threat levels intended to reassure, but their effect is disquieting. Consider DHS's holiday assessment in yesterday's Congressional Quarterly:

"The Homeland Security Department reported that as of Thursday afternoon, it has received no credible threats to suggest a terrorist attack for the July Fourth holiday. However, the department is continuing to monitor for problems.

"Due to the symbolic importance of the holiday, the large number of mass gatherings and special events and increased travel associated with the celebrations, DHS and the

Kudwa said local authorities and security personnel may increase their security precautions. She encouraged the public to report anything suspicious, including unattended bags, unattended vehicles in restricted areas or the use of cameras and recording devices at large public gatherings... "

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More broadly, the entire nation still is looking for that balance between security and privacy.

Nearly seven years out from the attacks, it would be reasonable to assume that issues would get hashed out and some sort of consensus would emerge on what's reasonable to sacrifice in the interests of security.

But no such common agreement has developed and in that sense the 9-11 hijackers continue to haunt us, exacting an onging, untold price in dollars and in ill-will.

Airport checkpoint protocols keep changing, warrantless electronic spying remains a simmering issue and the FBI keeps looking for more wiggle room in rules about when and who it can investigate on suspicion of terrorism.

What's more, new issues continue to emerge. One of the more contentious is
the seizure for inspection of laptop computers and other electronics by DHS's Customs and Border Inspection agents.

A growing number of Americans have complained of the airport seizures, prompting congressional hearings. Depending on your point of view, having the feds take your laptop for a week or two is similar either to a simple luggage inspection, or to a strip search.

The Los Angeles Times highlighted the outcry over the seizures in this article.

A couple of days later, DHS offered this defense: DHS laptops.doc