My TSA Diatribe

[Hoi Polloi]

[chartreuse]

Seems the ambassador of India got molested at Jackson, Mississippi, causing a bit of a diplomatic rumpus. There's a lot of media coverage, e.g: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... tdown.html and an interesting thread on flyertalk (which I won't link to, due to some of the language) in which it's observed that the local senator gets a lot of money from the parent company of Rapiscan and alleged that other local politicians (and their relatives) also benefit from the manufacturers of the scanners.

[Hoi Polloi]

Seems the ambassador of India got molested at Jackson, Mississippi, causing a bit of a diplomatic rumpus. There's a lot of media coverage, e.g: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... tdown.html and an interesting thread on flyertalk (which I won't link to, due to some of the language) in which it's observed that the local senator gets a lot of money from the parent company of Rapiscan and alleged that other local politicians (and their relatives) also benefit from the manufacturers of the scanners.

Why is it an unfortunate unacceptable incident when she gets a pat down which completely justifies her boycotting an entire state and requires diplomatic calls between countries, but when you or I get one it is just fine and dandy? Our government apologized to her. Why not to us?

[chartreuse]

Seems the ambassador of India got molested at Jackson, Mississippi, causing a bit of a diplomatic rumpus. There's a lot of media coverage, e.g: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... tdown.html and an interesting thread on flyertalk (which I won't link to, due to some of the language) in which it's observed that the local senator gets a lot of money from the parent company of Rapiscan and alleged that other local politicians (and their relatives) also benefit from the manufacturers of the scanners.

Why is it an unfortunate unacceptable incident when she gets a pat down which completely justifies her boycotting an entire state and requires diplomatic calls between countries, but when you or I get one it is just fine and dandy? Our government apologized to her. Why not to us?

Precisely.

[Hoi Polloi]

Opening of the Grammys in 2002 - Airport Security sketch with Jon Stewart
Linked because it has one curse word. He was ahead of his time!

[Excaliber]

Now coming to a WalMart near you: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40552073/ns ... -security/

Some pretty thoughtful folks who have noted the absence of national security incidents at WalMarts are questioning whether this latest move is tied to the new TSA search procedures (one can't ignore that it comes from the same source and follows in a very short time frame) and whether or not it has more to do with social conditioning than it does with safety.

I really like my local WalMart, but, regardless of what purpose announcements like the ones described in the article are really designed to accomplish, they would unquestionably severely annoy and offend me, just like the mini TV ads that blare from some gas pumps. Seeing and hearing Janet Napolitano urging everyone to look out for terrorists behind the vegetables and in the parking lot every time I shop would seriously interfere with successful digestion of my food. If these announcements come to my local store I would consider joining the folks who advocate bringing their carts with everything they'd picked up before the announcement was made to the manager and explain to him why they are abandoning that merchandise and taking that business to his competitors who provide a more customer friendly environment.

Our government representatives may be intent on ignoring the voters while they race forward with their radical agenda to transform America, but I suspect WalMart will do a better job of listening when its customers speak with their wallets.

[Shoot Straight]

Why is it an unfortunate unacceptable incident when she gets a pat down which completely justifies her boycotting an entire state and requires diplomatic calls between countries, but when you or I get one it is just fine and dandy? Our government apologized to her. Why not to us?

In a free society, all are equal under the law. In a repressive society, some people are more equal than others.

[chartreuse]

Some pretty thoughtful folks who have noted the absence of national security incidents at WalMarts are questioning whether this latest move is tied to the new TSA search procedures (one can't ignore that it comes from the same source and follows in a very short time frame) and whether or not it has more to do with social conditioning than it does with safety.

Some of those thoughtful folks have observed that the bulk of the instinctive support (for want of a better word) for whatever the TSA does in the name of "security" comes from infrequent or non-flyers. Where better to find such folks than WalMart? Of course, this move really being only only about airports would be a least worst scenario. Some have speculated that it's a precursor to a whole great empire-building expansion. As Dr Jerry Pournelle is wont to say, the purpose of the TSA is to convince the American people that they are subjects, not citizens.

Incidentally, somebody recently asked me why I cared about the molestation, if it hadn't happened to me. I replied "Matthew 25:40. Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done unto me".

[gemini]

quote Chartreuse "As Dr Jerry Pournelle is wont to say, the purpose of the TSA is to convince the American people that they are subjects, not citizens."

I flew into DFW this evening from SFO. The above sentiment was very apparent at SFO. I was amazed at how all the subjects were required to
humble themselves before the pimply faced TSA workers or face petty punishments. I found the TSA workers attitude to be rude, obnoxious, and condescending as a whole. Folks, it's just going to get worse. With the current mind set of TSA and Homeland Security, I see a logical progression
of totally nude passengers boarding planes. We've gone from showing ID's, to bag inspections, to baggage being x-rayed, to partially disrobing, to either full body radioactive scans or complete physical pat downs...... yea, it's scary stuff for sure....... I'm scared of my own government.

[Dave2]

I just want to know how the TSA agents can bring themselves to give kids those pat-downs. If anyone had tried to do that to me or my sister when we were kids, I think my dad would've given them a few months of medical leave.

[Excaliber]

quote Chartreuse "As Dr Jerry Pournelle is wont to say, the purpose of the TSA is to convince the American people that they are subjects, not citizens."

I flew into DFW this evening from SFO. The above sentiment was very apparent at SFO. I was amazed at how all the subjects were required to
humble themselves before the pimply faced TSA workers or face petty punishments. I found the TSA workers attitude to be rude, obnoxious, and condescending as a whole. Folks, it's just going to get worse. With the current mind set of TSA and Homeland Security, I see a logical progression
of totally nude passengers boarding planes. We've gone from showing ID's, to bag inspections, to baggage being x-rayed, to partially disrobing, to either full body radioactive scans or complete physical pat downs...... yea, it's scary stuff for sure....... I'm scared of my own government.

If you're alarmed, complain loud and long to your congressman and senators - while you still have a congressman and senators.

All of these measures are conceived and implemented by the executive branch, which is out of control and virtually unaccountable to the American people. The only practical way to stop them is for congress to prohibit spending money on them.

[chartreuse]

If you're alarmed, complain loud and long to your congressman and senators - while you still have a congressman and senators.

All of these measures are conceived and implemented by the executive branch, which is out of control and virtually unaccountable to the American people. The only practical way to stop them is for congress to prohibit spending money on them.

I don't have a vote, yet, so would somebody please complain twice - once for you, once for me.

I am thinking of saying to TSOs that I encounter "Look, I know you guys aren't allowed to strike, but can't you all get Blue Flu or something?"

[KD5NRH]

I am thinking of saying to TSOs that I encounter "Look, I know you guys aren't allowed to strike, but can't you all get Blue Flu or something?"

Or find a more honorable profession like selling crack? At least then they'd only be "providing a service" to people who want it.

[bnc]

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=Tt2yGzHfy7s[/youtube]

[Gyrogearhead]

Ya know, the other day I heard that to reduce the costs of Obamacare, all medically necessary X-rays were going to be outsourced to the airports to avoid duplication of expensive equipment and facilities. One unintended benefit is that if you mention Al-Queda or say "Allah Acqubar!" during the proceedure you'll get a free coloniscopy as well.

Gerry