That is only because they didn't listen to their constituents. Everyone ELSE knew what the impact would be, except for the people passing the law.

The purpose of TSA is safety: "Protect the Nation's transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce."
So it is to stop someone from blowing the plane up, as well as stop them from hijacking a plane and flying it into a building. Keep in mind that TSA's mission is NOT specific to air flight!

Anyone can estimate it, it is very very very close to 0.

The same way everything else in the airport is broken up by airline, as I'm sure it was done before 9/11. Or better yet, don't do any security at all!
There are airports in Europe that have security at the gate, and these are awful. Not only does it not help to get there early, as the gate doesn't open up until a certain time, there is generally no facilities after the checkpoint. No food, no water, no toilets (not always, some have toilets and vending machines)

This is the problem really. Flying is one of the safest ways to travel. After 9/11 more people drove to their destination and traffic deaths went up.

When you have a suspect, or a witness... But when you don't have a suspect, who do you look for?

That is the wrong kind of profiling, and doesn't work. Profiling is supposed to based on how the person is acting. The problem is, well its acting, and people can control how they act.

Profiling is a horrible crime. Profiling based on something stupid like race doesn't work anymore than the current situation works. Profiling based on anything else can be tricked. But what exactly are we worried about? What is it we are afraid of?

She said "The thing is, we lost and if you don't comply it's treason." In other words, it is treasonous not to cooperate. Sounds like the headline is spot on.

What spin? TFA claims Yahoo CEO said "Releasing classified information is treason." She also said "The thing is, we lost and if you don't comply it's treason." These are both direct quotes from Ms. Mayer. So, how is this a spin on the article? The article is just reporting on what she said.

Why would you think that? King and Clancy don't "produce" their books.

I would guess you want your new book to be fact checked BEFORE you published it.

Of course this happened AFTER he got through TSA screening.

Is it really hard?
Prior to 9/11 there random searches and metal detectors with xrays. That didn't stop people. Why should a little more stop anyone? There are LOTS of ways to get into an airport. Supposedly the guys that planned 9/11 spent a long time planning it. They are going to let a little deterrence stop them?
TSA isn't about deterring anyone. It is about controlling the population and keeping them in fear.

They are having an impact all right. They cost us money and time. Anecdotal evidence suggests some tourists aren't coming to American because of them. And evidence suggests driving has gone up, and because driving is statistically less safe than flying, more people have died has a result.
So we can't tell if TSA has deterred anyone (would it really? What we did previously didn't stop anyone, why should the TSA) but evidence has suggested they failed to stop some terrorists, like the underwear guy and the show guy (well that one isn't on TSA, but still)

Uhm, pretty much. Just like you won't find many terrorists trying to bring a two handed long sword on a plane. A grenade isn't exactly the weapon to use in close quarters. And chances are wouldn't do significant damage to the plane itself.