Yeah, Bruce Schneier talks about what he calls CYA (Cover Your Ass) security.
http://www.wired.com/news/columns/0,72774-0.html?tw=wn_index_24
Quote from article: "Much of our country's counterterrorism security spending is not designed to protect us from the terrorists, but instead to protect our public officials from criticism when another attack occurs."
Makes you wonder if some of the laws are more likely intended to shield public officials simply from criticism.
More liberal