Tuesday, November 16, 2010

According to TPTB, We Apparently Cannot Have Dignity and Safety

Let's talk airport security. I've been k'vetching and complaining about this for years, and it now looks like several folks have just had enough! So many ideas have run through my mind as I read the comments made by TSA and Homeland Security. And for those Republicans that still insist the USA Patriot Act hasn't infringed upon our freedoms or robbed us of freedom, let me tell them, not only has it infringed upon our freedom, it's also robbed us of our dignity and apparently all sense of logic. Here are a few ideas for those that are traveling through the holidays. First, for those with perfect bodies, put on your best bikini instead of underwear, then a regular ensemble for the day's travel, suit, jeans, whatever. I've even thought of doing it myself, considering my imperfect body, for the shock and awe impact! When you get to the airport an hour early like a good sheep, plan your strategy well. As the move toward embarking takes place, determine just what you will say pleasantly, that will allow you to opt out. Then, once you are in the line that has opted out and you know your sexual groping is imminent, begin disrobing and folding your clothes very carefully and apparently oblivious. Remember, underneath it all, you are acceptable for a day at the beach. It may be chilly, but it is not indecent . . . Then when airport security asks you about private screening, refuse. You will want witnesses. For the sake of sane humanity, do not opt for a private pat-down, a.k.a.: sexual groping in a skimpy bikini. No one will see the ludicrousness if you allow airport security their privacy without accountability.
In reading the commentary on the articles about technical strip searching, one man hoped under all the stress and duress, when the time came for the full body scan or the pat down, he would be able to "rise" to the occasion. Others hoped to make some sort of innuendo that would return or deflect the intimidation presented by airport security. Remember for those of us that saw "When Harry Met Sally," we can always embrace the opportunity . . . to "have what she's having!" The bottom line is this: we have given up our liberty for the presumption of safety and now we have neither. The definitive verdict for me was when the man, Mr. Tyner, could not opt out without incurring invasive intimidation, and then could not opt out without civil suit or federal fine. Clearly our government has run away with authority when a person can face a fine which is criminal and a suit which is civil. The TSA officer that dealt with Mr. Tyner is quoted to have said something about losing some rights when he bought his ticket! It's really over, for all practical purposes; there is no going back. I don't even believe there was an underwear bomb and who knows how many US citizens share my opinion about that. Even if they don't share my opinion about the alleged bomb which just happened to "appear" the day after a suit was filed against the invasiveness of body imaging scanners. That's right! December 22, 2009, a suit was filed that claimed the body imaging scanners invaded our right to privacy and had not passed the rules of 'transparency': https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=e384470f-e185-43a7-9432-0702cd9a57a8 Sure enough, the next day, supposedly, somebody had a bomb in their boxers, which of course would lead to the unquestioned need for body image scanning . . . Our freedom, our dignity, and our safety are no longer secure in the hands of our government or our Federal Agency of Transportation & Airport Safety & Security, that's F.A.T.A.S.S. Oh, that those initials would be emblazoned upon their shirts and badges. I wondered what I could come up with for D. U. M. B. Airport Safety & Security, but I'll have to get back to you on that one. Off the top of my head: Dominant & Unaccoutable Militaristic Bureaucrats for . . . Meanwhile, I hope each of us does what we can to express and demonstrate that this security business has simply gone too far and we the people will not stand for it, nor will we be virtually strip searched for it!
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. a Proverb of Holy Scripture

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

You have me cracking up w/this one. Outstanding! hahahahahaha. Rachel

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