Airline Security - More Common Sense

Within the tidal wave of analysis around the failed attack Christmas Day on NorthWest Airlines, I have yet to see the question asked - "Where were the Air Marshals?"  This flight, on an American carrier, having originated overseas, certainly falls within all criteria for a covered flight.  The presence of Air Marshals on this flight may or may not have prevented the bombing, had the attacker effectively utilized the device.  As the event unfolded, this would certainly have been an effective demonstration of Air Marshal capabilities.  My understanding is the integration of TSA Air Marshals, INS, Secret Service and Border Patrol, within Homeland Security, has resulted in a more flexible pool of agents but not enough to fill all needed roles.  One of the few constants in security management is the inability to prove a negative.  In this case, just because there have not been other recent, serious attempts to by a passenger, to bring down an airliner, did not mean there would not be new attempts or that Air Marshals have not effectively dissuaded previous attempts.  TSA Leadership has failed to maintain the force it was created to field.

So what about the body-scanners?  The technology is solid, the systems are available and the concerns are few.  Those there are, seem to be quite a modest price to pay for such improved security.  How is that so frequently we allow our most important goals (ensuring the safety of those we serve) to be compromised by a noisy few who in most cases are ill-informed to begin with?