As I will be traveling back from London to Boston tomorrow on British Airways and because some cowardly, manipulative, power hungry men (along with some terrorists) have forced an untenable and ultimately futile set of security measures into place I will be entirely and completely out of touch for pretty much the entire day on Monday.

Beginning 4-5 hours before my flight when I check my luggage until the flight actually leaves (probably late, if at all) and through the completion of the flight and my passing through US customs and retrieving my baggage I will have absolutely no access to any of the electronic gadgetry which allows me normally to stay available. All the toys and tools with which I normally occupy myself will be checked through as baggage (though the airlines are not taking responsibility for theft, mind you). I'm told I will be allowed to carry a clear plastic bag with my wallet, travel documents, and enough prescription medicines to last the flight as I pass through security. There is some difference of opinion as to if I will be able to include something so dangerous as a paperback book, or if I will be able to purchase one inside security at the duty free shops -- and if I do, if I'll be able to then bring it on the plane. A bottle of water and a few snickers bars are out of the question.

Between the alarmists, the cowards, and the terrorists, travel has finally become so inconvenient as to make me consider staying home next time. The irony is, even this security is far from perfect. I'm quite sure that if I can think of flaws in the process that so could those who seek to bring havoc. It does increase power and reduce dissent however for those in charge.