You may be aware of something called "The War on Terror." If you aren't, try taking a flight from London's Gatwick Airport.

Recently, I arrived there, as advised by my travel agent, four hours before my flight's departure time, at the ungodly hour of 6 a.m. The War on Terror began immediately.

I was informed by a PA system that no quantities of liquid in excess of 100 ml were permitted in carry-on luggage. This measure has apparently been introduced to thwart terrorists with alchemical inclinations and a fondness for stirring up explosive cocktails from a mix of individually innocuous liquid ingredients while their fellow passengers are studiously ignoring 1.) the pre-take-off safety instructions; 2.) the wild-eyed guy next to them who is murmuring "death to the Great Satan, Allah Akhbar, Tony Blair's a hound's rear end" and mixing an explosive cocktail of individually innocuous ingredients. And that's before failing to blow up his shoe because he can't light a match a la that prize terroristical turkey, Richard Reid.