WASHINGTON -- The massive terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 brought home to the United States its vulnerability. Protecting Americans' security has become a critical challenge. So has protecting their freedom. People who seek to do the first often sacrifice the second. So it has been in the war on terrorism.

Perhaps the greatest tragedy is where liberty is traded for safety, yet no one ends up more secure. For instance, many of the new rules involving airline travel do nothing to prevent terrorism.

At least they are mere inconveniences as opposed to assaults on fundamental liberties.