Two female suicide bombers approach a train station and execute over 35 individuals and injure over 100 more people. Timing, target, methodology… all have an investigative importance to the event. Rush hour gives you a greater population to impact. The KGB counter terrorism offices were within range. Suicide bombers are practically impossible to stop. But while all of this is important to counter-terrorism investigative efforts, what effect does this event and others like it have on us?

Sadly, most Americans this morning were unaware of the attack. Major cities will have an increase in police presence at the transportation facilities. Most of us will recognize the increase, shake our head and move on. The abundant presence of law enforcement makes us feel good, safe and secure. Much like a floating iceberg more is going on in the law enforcement communities than meets the eye.  Attempts are constantly being made to identify operational plans of small groups who want to conduct this type of attack.

As a result of the most recent attempted attack aboard a commercial aircraft, a new policy is in place which mandates flyers can no longer stand up during the last hour of an international flight. Additionally, nothing on your laps will be allowed (blankets will be taken back), and all items must be stowed. All as a result of an examination of methodology of the latest attack, and government’s belief it must do something.

Of course we will do this and issue the new mandates. Officials are “duty bound” to do something. Let the public think they are safe. Shoes were x-rayed after the shoe bomber incident. This person sewed explosives into his underwear. So what’s the next natural step in our response? Mandating all undergarments be x-rayed as well? How far away are we from the FAA or Homeland Security mandating that all underwear must be checked?