Richard Reid, the attempted "Shoe bomber" was a potential terrorist who intended to recreate the events of 9-11 by hiding explosive in his shoe. He was foiled and arrested.
What was at first thought to be one of the dumbest attempts at terrorism perpetrated by a big goofy halfwit is now hailed as a stroke of genius in terms of real inconvenience to the American people who now, 85 year old grandmother, servicemen in uniform and Joe Sixpack must remove their shoes for inspection in order to board a plane.
Thanks to the advent of the shoebomb, airport screeners get to target fat guys with short arms and good looking women with lots of cleavage to bend over and remove their shoes.