I've been traveling through European airports since long before there was a TSA. And yes, the security is real - try it some time.
One thing that the European's don't do is tell me I am going to be found guilty at a jury trial
You really are provincial, aren't you. (Hint: most of Europe doesn't do jury trials.)
Have you really ever taken a scheduled airline flight?
All the time. What I am commenting on, which apparently completely went over your head, is the funny little fact that the hassle factor on flying from a European airport goes way up when the flight is to/from the US where TSA rules take effect. Otherwise it is more or less routine. Makes you believe that they believe that our approach is nothing but show.
You see, you missed a key point. The American view of security is to try to guard everything and stop the bad guy at the point of attack. The professional security approach is to investigate and root him out at home. This is what real security professionals in the US do (and we do have some here, but it is a very small fraction) and what European police do. It is the old saw that the best defense is a good offense.
But our Thousands Standing Around can't do much more that stand around, look through the dirty linen bag, confiscate shampoo and get alarmed at flashing lights.