Well, it looks like we have a partner in squashing liberties and choice in favor of supposed anti-terrorism.  In case you didn't see this one , the United Arab Emerates is trying to ban blackberries because they use ultra secure encryption.  Why is this bad?  Because they claim they can't investigate terrorists that use blackberries.  Sounds like a load of crap to me.  I mean, I'm sure that they've run into problems trying to get data from suspected terrorists and were stalled by blackberry's RIM, but really?  Banning the smartphone?  Next thing you know, they'll be standing in line for two hours at the airport holding their shoes in hand.  Wait...

Here's the thing about terrorists and security.  We keep spending our time and resources trying to catch the last terrorist that attacked.  Follow me here.  September 11, 2001, a handful of dirtbags hijack 5 planes with box cutters, and we can't carry pocket knives or nailclippers on board anymore.  Somebody plans to use separate liquids to improvise an explosive over the Atlantic ocean, and we have to leave our mouthwash at home.  Some other jerk hides a bomb in his shoes, and we all have to stand around in our socks.  These guys may lack critical thinking skills concerning their religion and family values, but they are creative, and this policy of security is tail-wagging-the-dog-ish.

Surely nobody thinks that even THEY believe they can bring down our country by some random or even orchestrated violence.  We'd catch them before they could do enough obvious damage.  Hidden damage, though.  Damage to our securities.  Our freedom.  Our idealogies.  Our pride.  That could start some real badness.  You don't demolish a building by picking it up and throwing at the ground.  You carefully plan the best place to set charges, you decide the best type of charge to do the job, and you pull the trigger.  This is what they are doing.