Reminds me of the 20's and Prohibition. Everybody ganged up to rationalize things that convulse the nation. Somehow, the Depression opened the door to repent of a terrible mistake. Of course, Demon Weed soon took on the mantle that Demon Rum shook off, so the nation didn't exactly get much of a interval of sanity. Anyway, people will just keep on rationalizing the "need" for taking liberty in the interest of "safety". One of the oldest human errors since the dawn of civilization.

^
As a military brat, I was towed across the globe. I went to High School with this American president. My brother has done 22 years with the US Army; and 3 tours in Iraq/Afghanistan. I would have been there too if I could have flown jets; but I worked at NASA instead and then found a career out in software.

I'm now based out of France but travel to my teams across Europe, Asia and the US. I'm asked many questions about America; and my attitude of it's global place has changed. It's actually hard to think of returning, especially when Canada appears to more maturity and national pride than the US.

America's adolescence is readily apparent from a global view. With so much wealth and power so early; we've struggled to learn responsibility, purpose and judgement. We've been heroic in our self-sacrifice but that doesn't make our country mature. We've made horrendous mistakes; and perhaps none greater that of throttling our own citizens and freedoms out of fear. We've long lost the moral high ground.

A mature government would understand the consequences of it's action and understands the natural reactions. Instead we accept immaturity and soothe ourselves as being the richest and most powerful nation on the planet.

That is about to change for America. Our position as economic and military powerhouse will be overtaken in years, not decades. Our only chance to remain relevant is to achieve the maturity of older nations.

It's time to grow-up America. Reject the coddling nanny-state thinking. Rediscover our core values. Be heroic for ourselves and more importantly our children.

Currently, at today's nothing interest rates, it costs in excess of 500 billion and rising to service the debt. Because the US is paying next to nothing in interest rates, a small move upwards in interest rate, to 1 or 2 per cent will effectively double and triple this. That is going to happen. We are currently paying a litle more than 0%, Greece is paying in excess of 16%. The music will stop for the US long before it gets anywhere close to that Greek rate.
Couple this with the annual 1.5 trillion in overage, and you quickly arrive at numbers that are impossible to finance.

The TSA may be at the bottom of the list, but the cuts will be imposed on government functions from top to bottom.

We need to do everything in our power to move them up the list!^

I'd been kicking around thoughts on this (boycotting the TSA in an effective way) but couldn't quite together something cogent.

I like this idea, could really bring about some publicity, maybe even a news story. Since so many of us are more or less forced to fly for business or family obligations, that doesn't mean we can't boycott the people supporting this mess. Kind of like the Zappos.com advertising on the TSA bins.

^^ Well said.

There is going to be some real tragedy when they discover the same about the whole body X-Ray Chambers.

Proof of the concept is in the news today. Just look at the uproar over the Casey Anthony verdict - a not guilty verdict in a trial held according to the Constitution. Yet the vocal masses are not happy and are calling for justice.

This is a perfect illustration of why TSA and other government agencies get away with processes and procedures that are arguably not in accord with the Constitution. It is far easier for a government official to endure the wrath of those opposed to their processes than deal with the aftermath of one life lost.