It's a tricky issue. The TSA does seem overdone. However, if terrorists are allowed to pull off the same stunts over and over, then the US will look very foolis

It's a tricky issue. The TSA does seem overdone. However, if terrorists are allowed to pull off the same stunts over and over, then the US will look very foolish and ineffective at protecting its people. So, I don't blame the US for being cautious. It is the terrorist's goal to make people afraid of flying and distrustful of the US government -- so in a way, making the TSA visible (their visibility being a "feel-good" defense) is in fact counter-terrorism. People do seem to trust them (and hence the US government) with their security.