Shut Up and Bend Over, Part II
More sniffity statism from your nation's editorial boards:
Some individual pat-downs have gone too far, and the T.S.A. was ham-handed in answering those concerns. But the Obama administration should weather this storm by realizing these attacks are purely partisan and ideological. Americans know the difference between a big scanner and big government.
At what point did Americans turn into a nation of crybabies?
Don't like searches? Agree to body scan
Grin and bear it
The hysterical hullabaloo over airport security procedures is a waste of time
Assume TSA has good reason for intrusive frisking
TSA is constantly evaluating and updating screening procedures to stay ahead of evolving threats.
The goal is to employ state-of-the-art procedures to protect the flying public. Passengers who cannot handle these methods are not forced by anyone to travel. They should opt out, all right … of flying.
Rather than trying to slow down the security process at airports, travelers should do all that they can to keep it running smoothly.
If protesters really want to make their point, they should hit where it hurts -- the pocket book. Don't fly at all. Drop a note to airlines letting them know they have lost business and it won't return until things improve.
While you're at it, include a note about airlines' ridiculous add-on fees. If anything deserves a protest, it's those.
For visualization purposes:
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More evidence for ?'s thesis that the media is a champion and defender of the actual positions of elected Democrats, not "liberal."
Just like "liberals" are.
That makes sense
There are no elected Democrats in the TSA or DHS.
The media is champion and defender of whoever is in power. Dig up some articles from 2002 when the GOP had the donkeys by the balls and you'll see what I mean.
I disagree slightly. You're right: the MSM in '02 carried much water for War, Inc., BUT that's only because, at the time, it would have been bad business (read: looked unpatriotic)not to. That is, the MSM consists of pussies.
The MSM grabs ankles for the (D)'s because they drink from the same pond of kool-aid.
Wonder how they'll react when 81% of Americans asked, "Given that anti-terrorism operations may be endangered by press reporting, should the government review newspaper articles for sensitive information, or should we take our chances with certain death?" respond in favor of prior restraint.
10 Super-Synergistic-Proactive-Next-Steps...for National Opt-Out Day
National Wear a Hijab and/or Habit Day (really, any combination will do)
National Electric Underwear Day
National Dirty Drawers Day
National Don't Change the Diaper Day
National Incontinence day, aka "Am I legally required to explain that wet spot?" Day
National Puppetry of the Penis Day
National "Viagra" Day
National Hippie Hygiene Day
National Spontaneous Emissions Day
National Crabs Give-Away Day
National "furry wearing a hijab covered with drawings of Muhammad and Bruce Vilanch re-enacting the kama sutra" Day.
I'll participate in National Eat Whatever Gives You the Worst Gas Imaginable Day
That way it's gender-neutral and all can participate!
National "Ooops, I totally forgot my sanitary napkins" Day.
National 70s Bush Day.
I think we should all get "Yo! Fuck the TSA" t-shirts.
Rather than trying to slow down the security process at airports, travelers should do all that they can to keep it running smoothly.
I'll volunteer to do some of the pat downs. I'll let you know which passengers look "suspicious" to me.
*chuckling*
Americans know the difference between a big scanner and big government.
And many see both as unAmerican.
At what point did Americans turn into a nation of crybabies?
When they remembered they weren't a nation of sheep.
Don't like searches? Agree to body scan
Don't like either? Uh, we'll get back to you.
Grin and bear it
Squealing like a pig is optional.
The hysterical hullabaloo over airport security procedures is a waste of time
Unlike reading opinion journalists.
Assume TSA has good reason for intrusive frisking
Just made an ass out of u and me.
TSA is constantly evaluating and updating screening procedures to stay ahead of evolving threats.
...to its authoritay.
Rather than trying to slow down the security process at airports, travelers should do all that they can to keep it running smoothly.
You know who else liked to keep something that rhymed with planes running on time?
Drop a note to airlines letting them know they have lost business and it won't return until things improve.
Yeah. Choose instead that airline that doesn't force random molestation on its customers. Oh, wait...
That last one from the Roanoke Times is a special kind of stupid.
Or don't fly commercial airlines. Charter a private jet if you are taking the family or a group. Rates are normally based hourly and can be similar in cost to those last minute tickets through American or Delta. Hell, you have your own flight attendant, leather seats, and can get taxi service to your house, and can normally land at a municipal airport closer than the major airport.. Can't beat that.
So in other words simple human dignity is now a luxury for those with the cash to pay for it. Nice one, Sy.
Has Joad Cressbeckler weighed in on this issue?
the Obama administration should weather this storm by realizing these attacks are purely partisan and ideological
The irony. It hurts.
It's okay when WE do it!
And you sat on it accidentally, right?
Well the Houston newspaper got it mostly right.
The hysterical hullabaloo over airport security procedures is a waste of time
If the Chron got anything right, it was purely by accident, I can assure you.
I, for one, welcome the aggressive pat downs. As long as I won't get arrested for heavy breathing, moaning and sweating during the pat-down procedure.
I can go along with the Roanoke Times piece. I'm not going to fly, and I'll let th airlines know. If I am compelled, by virtue of my employment, to fly, I'll give as much trouble to TSA as humanly possible.
Neoprogs - eesh.
While you're at it, include a note about airlines' ridiculous add-on fees. If anything deserves a protest, it's those.
I'd seriously like to punch whoever thought it was a good idea to include that line. Bullshit fees are something to protest over, but not naked scanners or government-enforced sexual assault? these journalists should have their right to vote revoked completely, since they clearly believe government (run by Team Blue) knows best.
God, I hope Team Red takes over the Senate and Presidency in 2012--maybe it will bring civil liberties back into fashion with Team Blue again.
It's like the GOP and fiscal responsibility. Earth shatteringly important when you're in the minority, when you can actually do something about it, not so much.
Exactly.
The whining about fees is ridiculous. If it weren't for baggage fees, airfares would be higher, and those like me who travel light would have to subsidize overpackers. Extra weight means extra fuel and that's not free.
Actually air fares are higher, it's just that the fare increases were camouflaged as luggage fees etc.
At what point did Americans turn into a nation of crybabies?
I've been asking myself that a lot, lately, but I don't think the Courier Journal's definition of "crybaby" is the same as mine.
I look forward to the first reported incident of a TSA nudie booth technician caught playing pocket pool to the scans at Ft. Lauderdale. I bet it has already happened too but the TSA is fighting the FOIA.
And I give it 18 months until a large cache of nudie scans pops up on the tubez. 18 months TOPS.
Earlier today I heard Judge Napolitano (no relation to Janet) on the radio saying that a bunch of images from the Baltimore airport scanners showed up being circulated around a Baltimore courthouse, because someone at the courthouse is a friend of one of the TSA agents, who forwarded the images to him and he forwarded them along to others.
I did a couple Google searches for anything corroborating this, but didn't find anything, so I don't know if he really knew what he was talking about. Either that or it's a big news coverup conspiracy.
Either I didn't hear him right (I was kinda half-listening, I guess) or he got it wrong. I'm thinking that this is the story he was referrring to.
A Florida courthouse using a body scanner improperly kept thousands of images, but they don't have the same high resolution that the airport scanners do.
But it does show how, despite the claims to the contrary, the machines do store and can transmit the images.
Either I heard him wrong or he was mistaken.
I just found a story on-line about a Florida courthouse that improperly stored thousands of body scanner images. Although the scanner they use does not have the high resolution that the airport scanners do, it does show that, contrary to prior claims, these machines do store and can transmit the images.
Stupid spam filter won't let me post the link for some reason.
BSR, that's how you get around the notorious reason spam filter.
Already happened:
http://www.dailysquib.co.uk/?a=2389&c=124
Nevermind. Wasn't aware it was a satire site.
""
"The young ladies were going through the scanner one by one, and every time one went through, this guys face was getting redder and redder. His hand was moving and then he started sweating. He was then seen doing his 'O' face. That's when the security dragged him out of his booth and cuffed him. He had his pants round his ankles and everybody was really disgusted," Jeb Rather, a passenger on a flight to New York told CBS news.""
I call bullshit on the story.
Yeah, we'd never arrest one of our guys for doing that!
The deterrent effect is there. Just drove to Kansas from Michigan ~12 hours each way, rather than fly. Bonus was taking my wife and son, and getting to stop by Hannibal, MO ("Boyhood Home of Samuel Langhorne Clemens (Mark Twain)!?" on the way home.
We've decided we REALLY like central MO - wouldn't have known that if we flew. Also, Hannibal is kind of a sad town, and the Mark Twain "REAL Boyhood Home, Or Maybe the One He Was Born In, Or Something" place was closed. On a Wednesday? On a Wednesday.
But it was still better than flying.
A boyhood friend of mine had land in Dixon. It had two caves, one of which we never found the end of. I've been to Twain's house in St. Louis and Hartford, but I was too young to appreciate it.
C;mon comrades. This crusade against airport security just isn't generaqting the hate of government it was supposed to. How about noisy street cleaners? Early risers are potential libertarians. How abour government-mandated daylight savings time? Have we done that?
Not quite. Everyone I talk to - and there's no political bubble in my world - hates this, and resents it. Especially older folk. If you watch the talking heads in the network news and read the editorial boards, they're treading on fine ice and walking a thin line. They sound like the scolds and jackboots they never would have sounded like when Bush was in office, and everyone I know over forty has raised an eyebrow, both over the TSA, and the media response. So...media and gov't credibility is dropping, which means I must reassure you
Good Maxie, sit down now. Can Mummy get you a treat to make it all better? Rub your tummy?! Good boy! Good boy, Maxie! Fetch the tenny...fetch the tenny.
They were jackbooted back when the ridiculous post-9/11 air travel security measures first came online (ie, everything beyond reinforcing cockpit doors and allowing passengers to fight hijackers). Of course, the public was much less combative about those at the time.
I had a conversation with a very left-leaning person friend. Very pro-environment, pro-Al Gore, etc, etc, who hates what the TSA is doing.
Not scientific, but a very telling point of datum to me.
Too bad anyone who gives a flying fuck about civil liberties is up in arms about the pat-downs.
I'm eagerly awaiting the next terrorist to sneak aboard a plane with a bomb up his butthole, so you can finally get the free cavity searches you longed for.
Then all they need to do is REALLY cram it up there and I'll get that prostate exam free of charge!
GO SIT IN THE CORNER! BAD MAX! BAD!
Re: Max,
Oh, yeah?
http://latimesblogs.latimes.co.....sures.html
"On the eve of one of the nation's busiest travel days, a poll has found that 61% of likely voters oppose the newly enhanced security measures at the country's airports.
The poll by Zogby International of 2,032 likely voters also found that 48% said they would probably seek alternatives to flying because of the new measures."
Max is not a very smart pet yorkie, I'm afraid . . .
Inbreeding does that.
Those numbers are changing even more to the negative side the longer this keeps getting attention. Hence, the massive, and dare I say, coordinated effort to stamp this down, by attempting to shame Americans as crybabies for not wanting a government employee to grab their crotch.
Max just loves Big Brother. And he knows that Big Brother loves him.
Lots of people feel this way, and nothing that Big Brother does can change their mind. The 20th Century is full of examples of where this leads.
Passengers who cannot handle these methods infinitesimal risks are not forced by anyone to travel. They should opt out, all right ... of flying.
STFU you chickenshit cocksucker.
"chickenshit"
I agree. I think anyone who demands this level of security (theater) is just too much of a pussy to defend themselves should they actually see someone trying to detonate a bomb on a plane.
My ex-wife works on a newspaper editorial board, writing unsigned editorials.
That is all.
I LOL'ed!
See I look at the "nation of crybabies" in a similar but different way than the LCJ. I think we are in danger of turning in to a nation of crybabies if we DON'T stand up to this nonsense.
Americans that are so freaked out about terrorism that they need security theater and the TSA to pretend to make them safe can have their own airline -these are the real crybabies. The rest of us would like to go back to the reasonable security measures we had prior to 9/11.
Absolutely NOTHING security-wise that has been done since then would've stopped ANY of the 9/11 terrorists, and it sure as shit didn't stop the shoe/underwear bombers either.
You failed TSA. Repeatedly. Let's do something else.
me
That and arming the pilots is all that was needed. 9/11 won't happen again, so let's stop pretending that Biff The TSA Goon is our last line of defense.
Trey Garrison, who pokes his head in around here now and then, wrote a piece in the late 90's called (IIRC) "A Nation of Cowards" when he wrote for a now defunct site called JournalX. It was quite good as I recall, in terms of getting the fire in the belly started.
I've looked for it since then without success, so if Trey shows up, perhaps he could fish it out.
At what point did Americans turn into a nation of crybabies?
I think it was september 11th 2001.
The goal is to employ state-of-the-art procedures to protect the flying public. Passengers who cannot handle these methods are not forced by anyone to travel. They should opt out, all right ... of flying.
What kind of subsidies are we giving the airline?
At what point did Americans turn into a nation of crybabies?
I think it was september 11th 2001.
Nah,
it was way before that.
Remember the Alar scare in '89?
http://www.pbs.org/tradesecrets/docs/alarscarenegin.html
There were reports of frightened parents calling the cops to save their kids from "poisoned apples" after CBS aired their bullshit story.
At least we aren't alone...
Not really seeing the statism of the first paragraph of the Roanoke Times editorial link.
The second paragraph about add-on fees being worse than molestation -- OK, that was them being dicks.
Not really seeing the statism of the first paragraph of the Roanoke Times editorial link.
The second paragraph about add-on fees being worse than molestation -- OK, that was them being dicks.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.co.....sures.html
What happened to that mythical 81% that CBS said favored the sexually-deviant pat-downs?
Was there ever a poll that suggested 81% favored the pat downs?
The Zogby poll that came out today seems more in line with the people I'm talking to. You'll need to cut-and-paste the link, sorry.
http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.cfm?ID=1925
""The Zogby poll that came out today seems more in line with the people I'm talking to.""
Same here, a little better than half I've talk to approve of the scanners. That's still too much IMO.
Sorry, I had the Zogby poll backwards.
What happened to that mythical 81% that CBS said favored the sexually-deviant pat-downs?
That was a push poll, with the wording devised to steer people into giving the answer the pollsters wanted.
The question was straight forward.
q32 Some airports are now using "full-body" digital x-ray machines to electronically screen passangers in airport security lines. Do you think these new x-ray machines should or should not be used at airports?
If that was the question, that's a push poll.
Let's try:
"q32 Some airports are now using "full-body" digital x-ray machines to electronically screen passangers in airport security lines. These machines provide a clear image such as to make you look totally naked to the person(s) watching. Do you think these new x-ray machines should or should not be used at airports?
""These machines provide a clear image such as to make you look totally naked to the person(s) watching.""
Who doesn't know that already? I don't think it would be necessary to not make it a push poll.
That question is misleadingly worded; it sounds like the person standing right there can see you visually and see the scan at the same time.
Formulating non-pushy poll questions is an art, not a science, and a pretty hard one.
"To reduce a risk of death that is already 1,000 times lower than your chances of dying while driving to work tomorrow, would you be willing to choose between A) a full-body x-ray that has 1) not been tested to be safe and 2) exposing an image of your nude body to a complete stranger who might have a cell-phone camera, or B) an open-palm pat-down by a government worker that 1) if performed by a law enforcement officer under similar circumstances (without probable cause) would expose him to a lawsuit and 2) if done to your daughter would be grounds for charging them with committing a lewd act on a minor?"
There!
Is this evidence that the full pat down horrors make people accept the scans?
http://www.foxnews.com/politic.....t-protest/
Yeah, this issue has proven to be nakedly partisan, and creepy. Never bought the 81% thing, but I've spent fifteen years laughing over the call letters of CBS News. "News?"
That said, I can't recall seeing headlines and off-handed comments as sneering and nasty as these, even from legacy media types.
They must be really pissed about the election and the public distrust in them.
Fuck Bush and fuck all of you.
Too late!
That is to say, been there, done that...
At what point did Americans turn into a nation of crybabies?
I know, right? Just shut up, pay the taxes, and quarter my troops. "Oh noez! Mai ritez!" Buncha damn crybaby bitches...
Was there ever a poll that suggested 81% favored the pat downs?
I suspect 81% said they did not want to be blown up, and the pollsters "interpolated" those responses.
Actually the poll said 81% favored the scanners.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories.....7902.shtml
"Full body scanner" doesn't quite tell the story; that poll is bogus.
You would have to live on a remote island not to know what the full body scanner shows.
Strange. A lot of folks, including me, must live on remote islands.
What did you think that something called "full body scanner" would show? Only parts of the body?
You forget to ask this simple question, does it make a difference?
Oh come on. If they provide details you guys accuse them of push polling. If they don't provide details you accuse them of not giving enough information.
I don't see you leveling the same accusation at the poll that says the majority agrees with you.
Let's see... just stand there with my arms up for a moment or get my dick grabbed by another guy.
Hmmmm...
Just to be clear... I'll take the scanner between those choices...
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
CBS reporter Peggy Fox taunts TSA protester
I am at National Airport watching 20-somethings protest TSA.
TSA/DHS have required that they get a permit, not issued until 2:30 pm. Each must wear a green tag that designates an area they can stand in to leaflet.
They are not allowed to be in even groups of two. I just watched Fairfax, VA resident Brad Aefsky be taunted by the local CBS reporter Peggy Fox because "there was no protest" i.e. he was standing alone. She then added "they are just trying to protect us," "don't you go to the doctor," and, agreed with one passer by that using language critical of the TSA that uses words or references like "groping" or "sexual assault" is (allegedly) offensive to anyone who has been sexually assaulted. Ms. Fox asked the 27 year old (male) anti-TSA leafletter "Have you ever been sexually assaulted."
see her photo at
http://www.TSAResistance.blogspot.com
Ms. Fox asked the 27 year old (male) anti-TSA leafletter "Have you ever been sexually assaulted."
I think that the appropriate response would have been "are you coming on to me?"
""Have you ever been sexually assaulted."
He should have put a TSA badge on his shirt and then grabbed her crotch, asking her, "since I'm now dressed as a TSA employee, are you okay with this?"
Suck it up gringos, and welcome to the New World Order...
This was on failblog today. A body scanner in Denver was caught masturbating in August. Did anyone else hear about it when it happened?
http://www.dailysquib.co.uk/?a=2389&c=124
haha. Shit. wasn't aware it was a satire site. nevermind.
I didn't know x-ray machines could masturbate. Makes you nervous about them becoming sentient...as Leonardo di Caprio wrote, "masturbato ergo sum".
Was h/she a professional masturbator?
What the fuck kind of question is that? All of them are professional jerkoffs!
Yep, in other words "WANKERS".
I think America ought to rediscover the finer art of driving. I figure bankrupting these industries would be a good thing.
It's all so simple - anyone who wants to fly is crazy, and anyone who is crazy shouldn't be allowed to fly - Yosarrian
+ This!
What to do on the airplane after passing through TSA http://detnews.com/article/201.....Washington
WTF so you read Playboy to research legal definition of pron? Everyone knows pron is on the internet, Playboy is just for the articles.
What's wrong with that?
Money shot in the NYT piece: "many of these politicians seem happy to trade away a long and proud history of civil liberties over a few moments of inconvenience in the airport." Remember: if you don't submit to arbitrary searches, your civil liberties might be in danger!
Of course they seem happy that way since many of them are exempt from the inconvenience.
The biggest fucking joke is that these people actually believe that the TSA is staying ahead of terrorists in some way. Every new security thing they add is purely reactive to the most recent threat that the public knows about. After 911, they started confiscating sharp objects. After the shoe guy they started scrutinizing shoes. After something that happened in England, they somehow figured out that it is impossible to make a liquid explosive if you can have less than 3 oz of liquid in one container. After the underpants guy they add a way to see through your underpants.
How the fuck to they get away with claiming to be "one step ahead" when they are probably two steps behind? And who are these fucks who believe them?
Agrred. It amazes me that sheeple think the TSA is actually accomplishing something that makes us more secure. the fact is, TSA has not caught a single terrorist nor prevented a single incident. Please... this is a job they advertise on pizza boxes. do you think these TSA morons are all James Bond clones? Barney Fife is more likely. "If you don't like it, don't fly" brings us dangerously close to a totalitarian state (and I'm a pretty middle of the road guy politically). Now they've already started the Nuremburg Defense..."don't blame me, I'm just doing my job." Really? If you take pride in yourself and your freedoms, quit your job that violates our rights.
Seattle Times says:
"Passengers who cannot handle these methods are not forced by anyone to travel. They should opt out, all right ... of flying."
What if someone has to fly because of business? What if the flight is overseas? What if their employer has to fire them because since they cannot fly, they cannot do their job? You can bet your last nickel that the Seattle Times will lobby for legislation to prevent such firings.
Turning this around, does the Seattle Times think that employers can fire mothers who want to take time off to raise their newborns? Rephrasing the Seattle Times:
"Women who cannot handle such employment conditions are not forced by anyone to become mothers. They should opt out, all right ... of being mothers."
Would the current Seattle Times support Lochner?
"Anyone who cannot handle such employment conditions is not forced by anyone to work. They should opt out, all right ... of working."
I wonder if the Seattle Times would have a similar attitude about requiring someone to say the Our Father before getting on a plane. After all, if you don't want to say the prayer, you can just opt out of flying.
"Anyone who cannot handle such editorials is not forced by anyone to read our paper. They should opt out, all right... of buying it."
But the Obama administration should weather this storm by realizing these attacks are purely partisan and ideological.
God damn, NYT, can you suck Obama dick any fucking harder? I mean, really? That seems to be all they're concerned with. Fuck liberty and privacy, fuck the fourth amendment, STOP MAKING OUR GUY LOOK BAD.
Need to turn the rhetoric around:
So scared of low risk terrorist threats that you favor photo-stripping and genital inspection? Can't handle non-intrusive pre-clearance, don't fly.
You've got evidence I'm going to engage in terrorist activity, and you can prove it in court, arrest me and charge me in a court of law. Until then you can shut your cowardly craw and stop bitching about my taking a stance against control freak fascism.
Just don't ask anybody for ID in Arizona.
National Airport was emptyish today, though Amtrak was packed.
See my pics: http://www.facebook.com/album......=731661712
http://www.janetalia.com/
http://www.janetalia.com/
http://tsaresistance.com/
Every single one of these newspaper companies should shut down in the name of "safety".
Their idiotic writers are ginning up justified hatred.
I'd love to see some protests outside their offices burning copies of their papers.
I'm struck by the hypocrisy of their calling former President Bush "Hitler" in every issue -- and this is o.k.? WTF? The New York Times, and the press in general continues to demonstrate why they are bankrupting and long ago have become less relevant than... than... the National Enquiror -- and less factual.
I'd boycott the airlines over this, if I hadn't already given up flying years ago due exactly this sort of BS. And I'd cancel my subscription to any newspaper that printed an editorial like those, if I still subscribed to any. Airlines and newspapers are irrelevant to me these days, and you know what? I don't really miss them.
"Four legs good, two legs BETTER".
John Stephens, exactly!
Today: As long as they don't penetrate.
Tomorrow: As long as they're only using their fingers.
Day after tomorrow: As long as they're using lubricant.
How far will the TSA go?
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And some people still wonder how the Germans allowed the Nazis to take over.
As lily-livered as the German press when Hitler assumed power.
The NYT and similar articles, of course, are nothing short of red meat for Napolitano's ideological DHS that has already declared war on American citizens. If they can just see victims of rape refusing to be groped as rightwing Republicans, it becomes so much easier to give them the enemas they deserve, right? First you demonize then you humiliate. And then...