Checkpoints and Borders Policy Debate - Grand Rapids Press: Paul Collins print honoring TSA workers to hang at GRR Airport

An interesting story by Tom Rademacher of the Grand Rapids Press, about gifted prints of a work done by American realist painter Paul Collins (wikipedia) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Collins_%28artist%29):

The Grand Rapids Press:
Paul Collins print honoring TSA workers to hang at Ford Airport (GRR)
Saturday, June 09, 2012, 11:30 AM (http://www.mlive.com/living/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2012/06/paul_collins_print_honoring_ts.html)

A short quote from the article:

[Paul] Collins said the idea came to him to use the print at airports after witnessing too many passengers complaining. Just recently, Collins said he and wife, Carol, were in a Chicago airport and after listening to a woman blather on, he turned to her and asked "Would you rather that they (TSA workers) touch you, or an undertaker touch you after you crash?"

Here's a picture of the artist along with the print:
http://media.mlive.com/grpress/lifestyles_impact/photo/cropcollinsjpg-5a9e822f3bb9f831.jpg

The reader comments about this puff-piece are almost universally scathing. Just one example:

"I'd like to see the same headline with the words 'Paul Collins print honoring' removed."

Where's that hurl smiley?

Ah, http://wemissjerry.org/smiles/throwup.gif

I think I'm going to be ill

Whelp, there's a city to scratch off of my list of places I ever intend to spend a dollar in.

Can't someone explain to this twit that TSA woudn't know real security if they saw it?

Whelp, there's a city to scratch off of my list of places I ever intend to spend a dollar in.

In fairness to the fair city of Grand Rapids, read the comments of some of its citizens. ;) They could have been written by FTers. Here's one more example to whet your appetite:

The Soviets used artists to paint similar propaganda pieces back in the 20th-century.

The citizens may be fine people, but the powers that be there have allowed this picture to go up. That says to me that the tax dollars I would have spent there would go to supporting people I'd rather not support.

Believe it or not, I was actually considering a visit to Traverse City this summer, and it's much cheaper to fly into GRR and rent a car than it is to fly into TVC.

The TSA may fondle your genitals, rub your buttocks and breasts under duress, look at you naked under duress, allow its employees with a grade-school diploma to shout at and humiliate people of education and accomplishment including former heads of state, but they're on your side!

Yeah. They're on our side, on our *ss, on our family jewels and in our face. Their goals and ours haven't the slightest convergence. The only picture I'd commission is them in front of a firing squad.

The only picture I'd commission is them in front of a firing squad.

A little extreme, no?

Oh my goodness. :mad::td::mad::td:

Well, this is the mindset we're up against.

Disgusting. Especially equating the heros of 9/11 to the TSA.

:rolleyes:

The TSA will probably whip out their Color Guard Bugle, Drum, Chowder, and Donut Detail to spiff up the yearly anniversary of the unveiling, and a monthly rededication ceremony, and to celebrate TSO's grandchildren's birthdays, etc.

A little extreme, no?

how about bent over naked and beaten with fly swatters.

seriously, what the TSA and its clerks are doing is not a small, insignificant thing. It is destructive and causes harm both to individuals and to the relationship that should exist between us and those we have appointed to run things. It is unfortunate that justice is unlikely ever to be visited upon these perps.

Please note: The actions of one artist do not, in any way, represent those of the tens of thousands of artists who work every day to protect our liberties by not creating propaganda.

Mike

Please note: The actions of one artist do not, in any way, represent those of the tens of thousands of artists who work every day to protect our liberties by not creating propaganda.

Mike

:D

I just showed the artwork to Mrs. RBOAT. She asked:

Why? Nobody wants to see 9/11 when they are at the airport.

I TOTALLY remember seeing a TSA clerk help raise the flag at GZ on 9/12. He should have painted one in, shiny badge and all.:p

"The efforts of the TSA may be [unconstitutional], but we share the same goal of keeping [women and children molested]."