[strela]

But we were free once. I know we were, I can remember it.

Free to carry potential explosives on aircraft filled with other people? Free to simply make up our own rules as we go, dreamily ignorant of other people's safety? No, I can't say that I ever recall living in that sort of country.

[Rifleman]

Don't be denser than you have to. A couple of lighters are not potential explosives. And they were empty. And they could have been mailed to the passenger if the stupid functionaries were not focused on our obedience rather than actual flight safety.

Are you really claiming that perhaps an ounce of butane is more dangerous than, oh say the vodka in the couple of dozen little bottles in the galley or the fuel in the tanks or for that matter the methane in the intestines of the passengers?

Almost all of the "security measures" that have been implimented after 9/11 are frauds, government employee busywork. If they had been serious, the first things done would have been arming the pilots and armoring the cockpit doors. They did the second, the first is still undone.

I believe you when you claim to be unable to recall when this nation had a sane government and a free society. All that has been put down the memory hole and you have mastered the skill of double think.

Double plus good, comrade!

[Publius6961]

Putting words in people's mouths and then ridiculing them?
Sorry. I apologize for my previous remarks.

I didn't realize that you were a kid.