During my 74 years - well, during the ones that I've thought about the issue, at least - I've never understood the concept of doing anything with the attitude that it must be done regardless of the cost. I don't dine on steak and lobster every night - the cost to my health and wallet are too high. Who in the world thought, at any point during the past 11 years, that the panic mode in which public opinion seemed to demand that we operate was worth what it cost - in freedoms, time, energy, money? I've never understood and still don't understand why we stand still for TSA. At least one politician agrees with me (or, perhaps I agree with him!)
From Slashdot.org:
Rand Paul Has a Quick Fix For TSA: Pull the Plug637
Posted by Soulskillon Friday May 04, @02:29PM
from the might-increase-their-efficacy dept.
from the might-increase-their-efficacy dept.
suraj.sun quotes from Politico:"Rand Paul has a reform plan for the Transportation Security Administration: Scrap the whole thing. A personal message from Paul (R-Ky.) came atop emails this week from the Campaign for Liberty Vice President Matt Hawes, asking for readers to sign a petition in support of Paul's 'End the TSA' bill. A Paul spokeswoman said that legislation is being finalized next week. 'Every inch of our person has become fair game for government thugs posing as "security" as we travel around the country. Senator Rand Paul has a plan to do away with the TSA for good, but he needs our help,' reads the petition, which also asks signers to 'chip in a contribution to help C4L mobilize liberty activists across America to turn the heat up on Congress and end the TSA's abuse of our rights.' 'The American people shouldn't be subjected to harassment, groping, and other public humiliation simply to board an airplane. As you may have heard, I have some personal experience with this, and I've vowed to lead the charge to fight back,' Paul wrote at the top of a C4L fundraising pitch, according to blogs that received the email. 'Campaign for Liberty is leading the fight to pressure Congress to act now and restore our liberty. It's time to END the TSA and get the government's hands back to only stealing our wallets instead of groping toddlers and grandmothers.'"
I agree. I doubt Congress will have the courage but they should given what is being done in the name of supposedly keeping us safe. It's infuriating to say the least
Posted by: Rain | May 04, 2012 at 07:05 PM
I couldn't agree with you more!!!
Posted by: Kay Dennison | May 04, 2012 at 07:08 PM
Hear, Hear! (or is it Here, Here)?
Anyway, I just plain agree.
Posted by: bogie | May 05, 2012 at 04:14 AM
Recommended reading :;-
"Beyond Fear" by security expert Bruce Schneier.
Subtitle "Thinking sensibly about security in an uncertain world".
ISBN 0-387-02620-7; Copernicus Books, NY, 2003.
Pre TSA, but still terribly relevant writing about "security theater" vs. real security.
Posted by: Ole Phat Stu | May 05, 2012 at 05:28 AM
Rain--Perhaps members of Congress have a low opinion of the willingness of the populace to look at risk-taking judiciously.
Kay--You've been busy working on kindred issues.
Bogie--There was no doubt in my mind what your stance would be. (BTW--It is here: hear it! Thus, perhaps it should be, "Here, hear?")
Stu--Thanks for the info. I don't get any money from this nor have I bought many books online (I learned a lot from having spent $330 for a book online that turned out to be worth about $30 to me - a steep learning curve); but, Amazon has the book that you mention as a Kindle download for a reasonable price.
Beyond Fear: Thinking Sensibly About Security in an Uncertain World.
Posted by: Cop Car | May 05, 2012 at 07:24 AM
Well, I wasn't sure if the intent of the saying was something like, "hey y'all, hear this - really hear it", or "here is something we should pay attention to."
Posted by: bogie | May 07, 2012 at 03:18 AM
I think the fear instilled has accomplished to some extent exactly what the terrorists wanted -- we've relinquished freedoms we cherish.
Posted by: joared | May 07, 2012 at 04:47 AM
Bogie--I'll defer to ME if she wants to jump in there.
Joared--Yes, to the extent to which our "normal" lives are changed by terrorism, "they" win.
Posted by: Cop Car | May 07, 2012 at 03:15 PM
Now the TSA & consorts allege this as self-justification :-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-17985709
Imagine suggesting to Al Quaeda they hide bombs in their turbans.
Would that blow their minds? ;-)
Posted by: Ole Phat Stu | May 07, 2012 at 11:24 PM
Stu--Yes, with all the rigamarole that they put people through, the new device would only have been detected by a fluke of the highest order.
I recall seeing a political cartoon with at least one man shown to have missiles hidden in a turban. I agree that it would be mind-blowing!
Funny that TypePad doesn't mind "bombs" but did mind "porn" - or - perhaps I was wrong about what made one of your comments unacceptable to TP's temperament.
Posted by: Cop Car | May 08, 2012 at 08:13 AM
I never worry about this stuff. I don't care if they want to pat me down. What I won't stand for is the x-ray machine treatment.
Posted by: Hattie | May 09, 2012 at 02:48 AM
Hattie--Although I lament the time wasted and the freedom lost, this posting was even more to object to the waste of money in ineffectual processes and equipment. In addition to being ineffectual, similarly to the case for our multiple military endeavors, the haste with which the technology has been rushed into service has led to a great deal of waste, if not outright fraud.
Congress: The TSA Is Wasting Hundreds Of Millions In Taxpayer Dollars
Posted by: Cop Car | May 10, 2012 at 07:50 AM