Did you know we have our very “arm” of Homeland Security here in Sacramento? In dealing with Customs last week here at SMF, I noticed the DHS patch on the men in blue.

The office at SMF is a little tiny hotbox where you talk to the officials through thick, darkened glass reminiscent of the old KFC on Alhambra/Broadway about 15 years ago. The window is better than those in any modern-day bank. It looks impenetrable.

As with any government entity, Homeland Security requires paperwork. Since 9-11, the usual process now contains extra paperwork, signatures, stamps and more. It brings to mind the argument often made about gun waiting periods: criminals won’t wait to get a gun–they’ll do it illegally. It’s the average joe who will be inconvenienced.

I see a similar application to Homeland Security. The average joe or juan or ivan or however you want to call him will be inconvenienced and forced to pay extra, but the criminal/real terrorist will always have an expedient way around the red tape.