WHEN DID 'SNOW GLOBES' BECOME WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION?

You know the ones I mean - those liquid filled glass/plastic globes depicting some sort of bucolic winter scene. You turn, shake & an instant snow slowly falls over all.


Very young children & grandmas seem to love them.


But not the Grinches at the TSA.


According to our friends at Jet Blue - the airport safety checking Scrooges will steal ... er of course I mean 'gently take' ... the holiday globes right from your hands (as well as the 'ho, ho, ho-ing' Christmas smiles from your faces) if you try to bring them on an airplane.


It seems there's enough liquid inside - that if made from the wrong chemistry set - could blow up Cleveland. 


Not a really bad prospect to some - & it would give a mercifully early end to the Browns' less than stellar f'ball season - but, none the less, it probably would be a national tragedy. 


Anyway, welcome to the wonderful winter world of post 911 holiday travel.


Today, not only globes but some traditional holiday treats & liquids are verboten. 


To avoid incident, tears & the confiscation of Uncle Oswald's Christmas cranberry sauce -  the only present he really wanted - the modern day highwaymen at the TSA suggest putting:


1. 'Any liquid, aerosol and gel item ... in your checked bag' - Good.  


2. 'Ship it ahead' - Better.


3. 'Or leave (them) at home if they are above the permitted 3.4 oz.' - Obviously what they like Best.


Their list of 'no-nos' include: 


Cranberry sauce
Cologne
Creamy dips and spreads
(cheeses, peanut butter, etc.)
Gift baskets with food items
(salsa, jams and salad dressings)
Gravy
Jams
Jellies
Lotions
Maple syrup
Oils and vinegars
Perfume
Salad dressing
Salsa
Sauces
Snowglobes
Soups
Wine, liquor and beer 


How they missed a 'partridge in a pear tree' is beyond me.

But, bakery chefs might be in luck:


'You can bring pies and cakes through the security checkpoint, but please be advised that they are subject to additional screening.'


Looking at the girth of some of the TSA-ers, that might include taste tests.


And they want you to remember:


'While wrapped gifts are not prohibited, if a bag alarms our security officers may have to unwrap a gift to take a closer look inside.'


Picture a 10 year old tearing apart the wrapping from the newest, most wanted  Playstation game - double speed that visual - & you'll get the idea.