You opened this thread wondering which airport I would cast a critical eye upon. Sadly, my unpleasant experience happened in a place where our freedoms and liberty are being abused literally in the shadow of one of the greatest symbols of freedom; The Statue of Liberty.

I took my 9-year old son to NYC as he has never been. As is the case at many museums, court houses and other public venues, Liberty Island requires passage through security. Unlike the cursory pass though some museum metal detectors or the bored security guard poking inside your backpack with a drumstick, the security on Liberty Island is more thorough and abusive than any airport I have visited.

As with airports, all outer garments must be removed and cellphones, cameras, etc to be placed in a bin. Unlike airports, it was required to empty your pockets of all contents and remove all belts! NO exceptions. PERIOD. Signs posted everywhere forbid photography within the security area. All visitors must pass through puffer AND metal detectors.

When I did not remove my wallet, a security guard barked an order at me to do so I refused and said that I do not allow my wallet to leave my possession. She said "fine, lets do it the hard way" and summoned a police officer. He yelled at me "Do it or you're on the next boat back to the city" MY son is giving me the "Daddy, please dont make a scene, I want to visit the Statue of Liberty" face so I tell the cop that this is a disgusting violation of civil liberties and he should be ashamed of participating in this activity. He gives me the "like I give a crap what some dumbass tourist had to say" look. A pull out my wallet but not before removing the $130 in cash and hold on to it. He gives me a look but decides to not say anything. Next, he says to remove my belt. I show him my belt and mention that that I travel through airports every week of my life and never have been required to remove my belt. Once again, I get the warning to cooperate or leave. I pull off the belt and proceed to pass through.

On the other side, another security guard asked what was in my pocket. I was bewildered as I had already passed through both machines. I told her it was a "Wet Nap" like the kind you get in a restaurant when you order something messy. She requested to see it. Holy crap! What is next? Proctology exams? After getting redressed, I tell the cop that our forefathers that built Liberty Island and those who deeply value the symbolism of the Statue of Liberty would be deeply disturbed by the activities taking place here today. He just gives me a typical apathetic look and I move out of the security area with my son.

The best thing to happen from this experience was the explanation to my son that if we don't fight for our freedom and stand up for what is right, our freedoms will erode and diminish over time.