Fear of terrorist attacks has forced The Customs and Border Protection Agency (CBPA) of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to take down part of an architectural structure. The structural complex, designed by the New York firm of Smith-Miller & Hawkinson, opened just a few weeks ago and was initially approved by the CBPA.

“There were security concerns,” said Kelly Ivahnenko, a spokeswoman for the customs agency. “The sign could be a huge target and attract undue attention. Anything that would place our officers at risk we need to avoid.”

Nicolai Ouroussoff has more in today’s NY TImes here. Although I am in general agreement with Ouroussoff, he seems to forget that government agencies, particularly those with national security concerns, do not have the liberty to play with human lives, especially those of their employees. Furthermore, the CBPA may have a solid reason for this decision, and one which the general population, including Ouroussoff, may not be privy to.

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