Many Americans have slipped into a state that's akin to Stockholm Syndrome.
Years ago forward-looking (paranoid?) civil-libertarian types (like me?) were saying that the intent of the TSA wasn't to promote secure air travel -- experts pointed out that there were many cheaper and more effective ways to do that, starting with hardening doors to airplane cockpits and tightening security measures for airline and airport employees -- but to get people used to surrendering their liberties and learning to meekly stand in line when ordered to do so by people in uniform. Whether that was the intent or not, it has worked, to a large degree. I'm 59 years old, born & raised in the USA. At no time in my life have I witnessed the American public so prone to authoritarianism and so willing to accept fascist rationales for things like preventing people from flying for wearing a harmless t-shirt. Years ago I heard some TSA agents at Logan Airport laughing about how the day before Senator Ted Kennedy had been prevented from flying to Wasthington DC because his name had turned up on a "no fly" list. I said to them, "Excuse me, did I hear right? A United States Senator is on a no-fly list and you think that's *funny*? You're a bunch of fascists." I was actually surprised to hear the words come out of my mouth. This one macho guy says, "We're protecting your freedom, sir." I said, "Bullshit. You're preventing my Senator from being in Congress. In other words, you're subverting the democracy that protects my freedom. You can tell yourself whatever bullshit you want when you look in the mirror." Another time I was at Logan Airport escorting my 88 year old mother-in-law, who was in a wheelchair, to the gate, where airline people were going to meet her to escort her on a flight to Florida. This would be the last flight she would ever take; she was frail and a bit concerned that she was confused. So I forgot all about the pocket knife in my pocket, but TSA found it. I apologized, explained the situation, and asked them to hold it for me until I returned from getting my mother-in-law on the plane. I explained that the knife had belonged to my late father-in-law and had sentimental as well as practical value. The agent mocked me "Oh, you 'forgot it', did you?" I said, "Yes, in fact I did. Why would I bring it though security? I'm not even getting on an airplane. I don't have a ticket. I'm just escorting her." The agent and his supervisor were laughing as they dumped my knife into the secure lock box, which meant that it was doomed to be destroyed (or possibly stolen, who knows?) In American airports, people with first class tickets are given preferential treatment. But the TSA claims that they have nothing to do with that; it's the airline's policy to manage lines until they get to the screening point. I've railed against it and once got through a first-class line with a lower-class ticket, but another time I was stopped and sent back to the long poor folks' line. I thought of making a stink, but there were too security guards there and I knew that at the very least I would miss my flight if I refused to cooperate, and at worst might find myself in jail. So I gave up and got in line. In short, we're a nation of sheep. jrs On Aug 25, 2012, at 1:25 AM, Udhay Shankar N wrote: > On 25-Aug-12 8:57 AM, Venkat Mangudi - Silk wrote: > >> http://shirt.woot.com/plus/threat-level-doctorow-1 > > From the above link, a story of someone who got tossed off a flight [1] > for wearing this t-shirt (this is the ostensible excuse for > racism/security theater of the most braindead kind). > > I've asked this question before, but I am still bemused. Especially in > litigious America, how is this whole stinking mess not disappearing > beneath a torrent [2] of lawsuits? Yes, I am aware of the doctrine of > qualified immunity [3], and am still bemused. > > Anyone? > > Udhay > > [1] http://boingboing.net/2012/08/21/delta-refuses-boarding-to-poop.html > [2] See what I did there? > [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qualified_immunity > > -- > ((Udhay Shankar N)) ((udhay @ pobox.com)) ((www.digeratus.com)) >
