Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Airport Security: Police State Proving Grounds?

Is it just me or is the Transportation Security Administration using airports as proving grounds for ever-invasive technology that would be extremely useful for a government, say, that wanted to establish a police state?

In addition to the countless invasive measures already in place at airports, the TSA is pushing full-body scanners, which would size people up like slabs of meat being led to an abattoir.

There is an alternative to all this madness: People can assume the risk for flying and choose airlines they believe will best insure their safety.

What happened to market solutions for commercial safety problems? After all, flying is a business.

The odds of dying in a plane hijacking are about 9.3 million to one for a U.S. citizen. How does that warrant the current expenditure of time, labor, and invasive technology to supposedly protect the lives of Americans?

Despite all of the measures imposed by the odious Department of Homeland Security, a recent airline attack by a man on the "no-fly list" wielding a crotch-bomb had to be put down by an alert civilian and a steward. DHS' reaction? Nothing to see here.

A key question is: Why are we subsidizing the security of airlines, while aiding and abetting a government that is all-too-happy to infringe on our civil liberties?

Another question: Why did Obama just extend immunity to Interpol by executive order? Legal analysts claim Interpol already had many of the same immunities diplomats have. Apparently, with all the problems this nation faces, it is crucial to ensure that Interpol is protected from Freedom of Information Act requests.

The lingering question: Why did Obama propose the erection of a civilian national security force, accountable to him only, that would be just as well-funded and well-equipped as the U.S. military?

Again I ask, why did Obama propose the erection of a civilian national security force, accountable to him only, that would be just as well-funded and well-equipped as the U.S. military?

We need to challenge the airports on their invasion of our civil liberties. Better yet, next time you have a long trip - drive, take a train, or ride the bus.

1 comment:

Nora said...

Great idea, RJ! Last night, we flew from Mexico City to LA; sooo unpleasant! First, we were frisked, twice, then they warned that the last one hour and fifteen minutes of the flight, the lavs would be locked and we were not allowed to have anything in our hands or laps. So, during the last one hour and fifteen minutes of the flight, my children were scolded for having sweatshirts in their laps, I was scolded for looking at my photos on my digital camera and told to put it away and every few minutes, the flight crew came on the PA to remind us that the lavs were locked and we weren't allowed to hold anything for the remainder of the flight. Un-effing-believable! As a former flight attendant, I am very sympathetic to the flight crew but it is very challenging to remain pleasant when being treated like a criminal for wanting to stay warm or read a book!