TSA: The Poll

[Stinky The Clown]

I have no inherent antipathy toward the mission of the TSA. I am the opposite when it comes to their most public face - airport "screening". It angers me to think the United States is perpetrating this on its citizens and the world.

Some time ago, I started using the saying "a nation of suspects." And, in many ways, we are treated that way. We have to show ID when we enter an office building to see a doctor or lawyer or accountant. We have to show ID almost everywhere. Movement is afoot to require IDs to vote.

When we fly, it is even worse. Long lines of people, alone and in family groups, are herded through chutes to be individually searched. The lines are not unlike young cattle running through chutes on the way to be castrated . . . . . or worse. When I fly - and I fly a fair amount - a stereotypical old World War II movie loops through my mind. There is the man with the leather gloves and leather coat, Doberman Pincher by his side, saying to each person who passes through the chute station he's manning, "Paypahs. May I haff yoo paypahs plees."

I know some of you agree with my view on the TSA. I am surprised so many do not. Not that you disagree with me; lots of people do. It is that I see this as a matter of politics. I recall the outcry from this community when Barbara Bush's stupidest son started the whole deal.

Things seem to have changed. This poll is intended to measure how much.

5 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	Yes, I think airport passenger checks are worthwhile
	1 (20%)
	No, I think there are other methods to ensure airline security
	4 (80%)
	I don't know
	0 (0%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
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[malthaussen]

1. There is no way to "ensure" security

That's the problem right there.

-- Mal

[sendero]

2. The current screening doesn't "ensure" .

.... anything as numerous instances of guns and other contraband getting on a plane prove adequately.

There is NO possible way to "ensure" anything.

The real question is "does the extreme procedures of the TSA add an increased level of security that is commensurate with their intrusiveness?".

I say no.

[malthaussen]

5. I don't think that IS the question...

Although it is a reasonable point. I think the real question is, will the American people ever learn that the price of liberty is vulnerability? The law of diminishing returns kicks in very severely when you talk about "security."

-- Mal

[sendero]

7. To be honest, I don't .

... think the average American is on board with the current regime of screening either.

But the government has long since abandoned any pretense that it gives a crap what the people think or want.

[Stinky The Clown]

4. My other mantra has been "Life has risks. Deal with it."

Right after 9/11/01 we became a nation of cowering cowards. MIMS played "Daddy" and everyone swooned, willing to follow him anywhere he wanted to lead us.

Thus was born Security Theater 3000. It has been the pretext under which most of the ills we face were begun. It was the genesis of the GWOT and the money siphon that begat. I can't believe that less than a decade later and even the opposition to Everything Bush™ is so maddeningly acquiescent.

[malthaussen]

6. What really caused me pain

... when they started in with all the Patriot Act crap and the rest of it, was that nobody (or hardly anybody) seemed to realize we were reacting just the way the terrorists wanted us to. The purpose of terrorism is to create terror. It's funny that so many fail to understand that.

-- Mal

[RC]

3. I once had the 4 in. crescent wrench on my key ring questioned because the TSA agent did not know

what it was.
Another time they searched my camera case and took everything out, but missed the case with the filters in the front compartment, even though they removed the lens cleaning cloth and the rubber thingy I use to remove the filters, that was in with the same compartment.

I never feel safer when I fly because of TSA. That guy across the aisle with the foot long knitting needles is safer than someone with a fingernail clipper?
TSA is never proactive. They only react after the fact.

[Stinky The Clown]

8. Afternoon kick

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