Things were going badly.  My friend told me to cheer up, things could be worse. So I cheered up, and sure enough, things got worse ...
The only thing that continues to surprise me is that I continue to be surprised at the level of dopiness rampant in aviation security.  Certainly 98 percent of travelers probably get through the security screening process relatively unscathed physically and emotionally, confident in the near certainty that the rules will somehow change once again shortly before they get to the front of the queue.

Midwest airport scenario:  Carry-on bag with clothes, CDs, and a bowling ball. TSA screener prohibits the bowling ball (“blunt object”). No, it’s not on any list or regulation. TSA agent blithely states she had the authority to declare x-rayed and explosive-tested spherical objects with no sharp edges as prohibited. Local rules - her rules.  OK, picture this: a guy with three fingers jammed into a 16-pound weight hanging off one arm, hollering “turn this airplane around or I’ll give somebody such a lump ….”

Eastern airport scenario:  Young disabled child, only able to walk with leg braces. Forced to remove them and hobble through themetal detector without assistance. Not clear how, or even if, the braces were checked.  Local rules. A formal (but not exactly heart-felt) apology issued, but only because the parents put up a well-justified stink and the media coverage was quite deservedly embarrassing for TSA.

The continuing litany of outrageousness raises a lot of issues.  People who paid an awful lot of money don’t want to miss their flight, so they put up with such thoughtlessness, not aware of their rights, or what the regulations do or don’t allow. They fail to complain, or to request private screening as provided for by law.  You don’t need a reason, and if the agent demands one – as has been the case many times - start taking names, notes, and ask for the shift supervisor or the Federal Security Director. Admittedly, the flying public isn’t totally blameless in doing and/or carrying dumb, and sometimes dangerous (but not terrorist-related) things; you would not believe some of the stuff that still pops up. Screeners have an important and difficult job, but they are not law enforcement officers, and their authority does not extend to changing the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures on the fly. (No aviation pun intended.)

Just to pile on, I should mention the USA Today story that DHS officers have lost 289 guns over the past couple of years, some of which have ended up in the hands of gangs, drug dealers, and other felons. That’s frightening enough, but how about this extra factoid: DHS agencies collectively claim 190,000 weapons, including handguns, shotguns, and military rifles. DHS agencies have 185,000 employees. Do the math: 5,000 more guns than people. Now, recall the recent story that they want to give secret clearances to 10,000 more employees, some of whom apparently can’t even remember where they left their guns.

"No matter how cynical I become, it's never enough to keep up."
Lily Tomlin