Here’s my problem with the new enhanced security measures being practiced by the TSA: they’re giving people the opportunity to bitch about something new. And that’s basically it; as for the rest of what everyone’s complaining about/defending regarding the gropey-gropey pat downs and nekkid-picture-taking scanners… I really don’t care all that much.
Why? How can I be so blind to the erosion of liberty?
Because I don’t think any such erosion exists. We have lots of rights in this here country, but air travel ain’t one of them. Yes, the 4th amendment protects against unreasonable search and seizure, but if you read the fine print on any airline ticket (hell, any train or boat ticket too), you are agreeing to be searched any time the security apparatus sees fit.
I do dislike the way the TSA operates, but mostly because I find their processes inefficient and the screening decisions made by thier employees arbitrary and capricious. I think it’s security theater more than actual security.
Yes, these new procedures are kind of a pain in the ass. No, I wouldn’t be surprised if the naked scanner pictures are being ogled by unprofessional TSA people behind closed doors.
But I don’t think this is any kind of a nefarious plot to bring us closer to fascism. Nor do I think this is the government valiantly defending us from evildoers. What I think is that this whole situation is another example of the government trying to do good, but in actuality acting like the large, uncoordinated, ham-handed, heavy-fisted, obnoxious drunk uncle it so often is.
That’s it, that’s all. Is it too much to ask for people to recognize this for what it isn’t and to move on?
drunk uncles groping and taking naked pictures??
ps love your spoiler alert.
I agree that I don’t think it is actually a conscious effort to take a step toward fascism, but I think anytime we lose any part of a liberty it’s a slippery slope that makes it easier for more upsetting things to happen down the road.
In other words, even if the government isn’t out to get us and this isn’t part of some master plan to turn the country into a police state, once people give in and are used to this, then the next thing will seem less upsetting, and the next thing, etc., until we suddenly find ourselves in a surprisingly un-free society.
Also, I don’t at all believe that these new “security measures” are doing a single thing to make us one bit more “safe”. Case in point, if you haven’t already seen it:
Adam Savage gets through security with foot-long razor blades
And, on the topic of paranoia, in case you thought for a minute that corporations weren’t actually evil and the government wasn’t pandering to them, here you go:
Large corporations that pay little or no tax at all
Supreme Court allows corporations to make limitless contributions to political campaigns
Sorry to seem Debbie Downer. On a nicer note, I hope you enjoyed your well-deserve Auntie Anne’s.
So I therefore am one of the loud complainers.
No, Jenn, you’re fine. Because your opinions are well thought out and nuanced. What lit me off yesterday was more the fire-from-the-hip the sky is falling attitude I was hearing from some. Auntie Anne’s is always delicious. However yesterday I had a hot pretzel in the german christmas village they set up in downtown chicago and hoo boy…. I had to sit down and take a moment it was so good.
Wow. I feel that I am living in the wrong city in light of this news. We are always searching for delicious pretzels and coming up short. Rob prefers the “bavarian pretzel” variety you may remember from your youth from a stand in the mall – not buttery like Auntie Anne’s (although I love those too, he hates them) and your German Christmas Village sounds like a likely place.
Dear Boston: Please immediately copy Chicago’s idea. Love, Jenn.
I am also pleased that I don’t just sound like a complainer. 😉