Apparently, it boils down to perception. When the lines between ingenuity, honesty and stupidity blur just right, the results can be just as insightful as they are oddly entertaining.

More than a week ago, Nathaniel Heatwole, 20, of Guilford College, committed a self-described act of “civil disobedience” by sneaking box cutters, bleach and fake plastic explosives onto two Southwest Airlines planes. He was even kind enough to e-mail federal authorities the flight numbers and airlines he snuck the items onto, but is now being charged with carrying a concealed weapon.

Although there are multiple issues at work in this case, foremost among them are self-proclaimed activism, the reaffirmation of airport security issues and even passing off what could be misconstrued as sheer stupidity as effective social change.

While Heatwole’s security aversion certainly doesn’t fall under civil disobedience, his aberrant form of activism proved a valuable point about the ability and effectiveness of workers delegated to airport security.

Since Sept 11., many Americans, as well as the American government, have been up-in-arms about security but even those in charge of said security seem somewhat skeptical. There has been a consorted effort to increase rather caustic security measures under the feeble guise we are now safer, but Heatwole’s antics prove before airlines can add security measures, the simple act of hiring needs drastic improvement.

Todd Curtis, an aviation safety expert who runs the Web site AirSafe.com illustrated this point.

After the incident, Curtis pointed out that while security measures and checkpoints have increased, the entire airline hiring system is inherently flawed.

“The ramp workers, the people who clean the plane, the people who bring the baggage and food and beverages aboard, still undergo no more than a cursory level of scrutiny and background checks,” Curtis said.

Curtis’ sentiment, however, is nothing new as anyone who has spent time in an airport in the last two years can tell you problems exist. Heatwole simply brought this issue to national prominence by imposing a bit of brave/stupid activism and has been met with polarizing results.

Sure, Heatwole is in some respect a hero for simply pointing out the inadequacy of the security at airports, but did he really need to smuggle in box cutters to do so? One look at the men and women running security at airports, the meager background checks that will allow almost anyone to procure one of these jobs, or even the American government allowing petty, restrictive and harmfully reactionary measures should speak loud and clear.

For all the efforts of added security in airports and civil liberty attacking measures running rampant and gaining support from many paranoid, fearful Americans, it took a single college student to make many realize the whole system is asinine and ineffective. In some respect it’s good Heatwole simply wanted to prove a point rather than hurt people.

In the past week, cries for greater security in airports and other areas were deafening, but what good is security or protection being provided by overworked, stressed, under trained individuals? Heatwole proved just how effective all of these heavy handed measures really were.

If this supposed security can’t stop a 20-year-old college kid with obviously too much free time, what good is it against terrorists or others who pose real danger?

Heatwole’s actions were a wake-up call and the kick in the pants America’s actions were desperately in need of. The next step is to do the same to prove the futility, stupidity and inefficiency of America’s pathetic military forces. The only real danger in Heatwole’s case is that some moron is sure to follow suit in hopes of gaining prominence or a little infamy.

Let’s just hope Heatwole’s actions are seen for what they are rather than yet another excuse for government officials and airlines to “increase” security while strangling civil liberties and personal rights.