Gwern Branwen wrote: > On Mon, Jun 29, 2009 at 2:42 PM, Sage Ross wrote: > >> It would raise his profile, indicate that Western media had taken >> notice of the kidnapping, and therefore raise his value to the >> kidnappers (either his value as a negotiating chip or his symbolic >> value if executed). >> > I don't buy this thinking. This is the sort of wooly-headed stuff that > has us throwing billions down the black hole of Homeland Security & > taking off our shoes at airports. 'security experts' will say > anything; I don't trust them unless they're Bruce Schneier. > > Fear is one of the great motivators, and those (motivated by the other great motivator, greed) making big money out of Homeland Security know it. I doubt that their antics would stand up to any kind of cost/benefit analysis. Smaller amounts spent in other areas would be far more effective at saving more lives.
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