The Felt Pen is mightier than the ... Leatherman?

So ... this isn't exactly related to writing, but it's something that I still find quite interesting and, perhaps, just a bit disturbing. Yesterday I went with my son's high school music department--as a chaperone--to Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia. A fun day was had by all. However, there was something interesting about the outing.

When we arrived and were all approaching the entrance, we had to go though the security check. First, we had to pass through a metal detector, then we had to have our bags searched by security personnel. Since I was going to be on chaperone duty, and knew that I would be spending part of the day sitting alone by the front gate area, I brought my backpack, which is filled with what I am reading and writing, as well as pens, pencils, paper, etc. The tools of the trade for a writer.

Now, let me back up just a bit.

For Christmas a couple of years back, my son gave me a Mini Leatherman tool, which I sometimes remember to carry in my pocket. It has the basic tools: screwdriver, file, bottle opener ... and ... a knife. This time I forgot to take it OUT of my pocket and leave it at home, knowing that weapons (of any kind) are not allowed in the park. I thought, Damn! I'm either going to have to take it back to the bus or lose it. I wasn't sure what I was going to do when I set off the buzzer. They sent me back to go through it again, and, surprisingly (or maybe not so), it didn't go off this time. Of course, since I knew I wasn't going to use it as a weapon, I did not volunteer that I had the Leatherman in my pocket.

Now ... here's the funny part. While searching my bag the guy found ... a Sharpie. I have it in my backpack to label folders or address large envelopes, things like that. Imagine my surprise when the guy told me I couldn't take the felt pen into the park. I looked at him dumbfounded and asked, "What?"

"We don't allow felt pens in the park," he said.

At this point I WANTED to tell him that I had a knife in my pocket. But reason won out and I kept my mouth shut. I am not stupid, I understand that the taggers out there who have never been taught that it is not acceptable to deface the property of others have made certain things tough for the rest of us. Felt pens aren't allowed because idiots mark up the park. Of course, we've all seen it. We can't go into a single public restroom without seeing the work of taggers. So ...

I'm not certain what the point of this post is, but what I am certain of is that the events of yesterday morning only solidify my belief that much of the so called security measures in place in our country are ineffectual and worthless, and only serve to waste time. They give the illusion of security, but never truly protect us from potential danger. Thankfully, this wasn't a big deal this time. I was going to an amusement park to have a fun day. And most of the people in attendance, I'm sure, were only there to do the same.

But what if I intended to do someone harm? I could have. The blade on this Leatherman is large enough and sharp enough that, if used effectively, could certainly be a deadly weapon. So ... had I intended to cause harm to someone, I could have ... easily. Only I wouldn't have been able to Tag the area to announce to the cops that I had been the one to do it.