H.L. Mencken, one of America's greatest political pundits, observed that ?The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed....?

The much-publicized terrorist plot to blow up fuel storage tanks at JFK Airport illustrates Mencken's point perfectly.

Four Islamic radicals, led by a retired cargo worker, supposedly planned to ignite fuel storage tanks, causing a chain reaction that would destroy the airport and much of Queens, New York. However, technical experts and security analysts point out that even if the plot had succeeded, the damage would have been minimal. Jet fuel is difficult to ignite, and the fire would have been quickly contained.

The criminal complaint in this case makes it clear that the alleged terrorists were actually reluctant to kill masses of people, and didn't have necessary training or contacts. And in the middle of the mess, predictably, was a convicted criminal acting as a federal informant in exchange for leniency.

All of this appears to follow the formula Mencken described decades ago.

Let us stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free.