Finally got my spouse to understand
Apr 20, 2011, 12:26 pm
#1
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Finally got my spouse to understand
My spouse does not have the same indignation I do with the TSA/DHS in violating our rights. My spouse continues to stand behind the concept of the government knows best how to combat air terrorism after 911.
I live in Seattle, so we had this little conversation yesterday.
ME: Imagine you are in the downtown bus tunnel waiting for a bus.
SPOUSE: OK
ME: A group of TSA agents enter the bus tunnel and selects you to step aside for a moment.
SPOUSE: OK
ME: The TSA tells you they need to check your purse, your shopping bag and you will need to have your person patted down to search you for contraband in a place of public transportation.
SPOUSE: I would tell them to pound sand.
ME: Why?
SPOUSE: They have no right to do that. I haven't done anything wrong.
ME: How come it's OK at the airport?
SPOUSE: (long pause) Oh!
I live in Seattle, so we had this little conversation yesterday.
ME: Imagine you are in the downtown bus tunnel waiting for a bus.
SPOUSE: OK
ME: A group of TSA agents enter the bus tunnel and selects you to step aside for a moment.
SPOUSE: OK
ME: The TSA tells you they need to check your purse, your shopping bag and you will need to have your person patted down to search you for contraband in a place of public transportation.
SPOUSE: I would tell them to pound sand.
ME: Why?
SPOUSE: They have no right to do that. I haven't done anything wrong.
ME: How come it's OK at the airport?
SPOUSE: (long pause) Oh!
Apr 20, 2011, 2:02 pm
#4
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If only this would work on more of the kettles that chose to submit at the airport...
Apr 20, 2011, 6:07 pm
#5
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A nicely done illustration, yknot.
However, that argument wouldn't work on a lot of people. The conversation would continue something like this:
YOU: How come it's OK at the airport?
SOMEONE DENSER THAN YOUR SPOUSE: (long pause) Um, because it's a different situation.
YOU: How is it different?
SDTYS: Because people can't hijack a bus and fly it into a building and kill 3,000 people.
YOU: So that makes it okay to strip our rights away from us at the airport but not a bus tunnel?
SDTYS: Flying is not a right. If you don't like it, take the bus.
However, that argument wouldn't work on a lot of people. The conversation would continue something like this:
YOU: How come it's OK at the airport?
SOMEONE DENSER THAN YOUR SPOUSE: (long pause) Um, because it's a different situation.
YOU: How is it different?
SDTYS: Because people can't hijack a bus and fly it into a building and kill 3,000 people.
YOU: So that makes it okay to strip our rights away from us at the airport but not a bus tunnel?
SDTYS: Flying is not a right. If you don't like it, take the bus.
Apr 20, 2011, 6:58 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 96
My spouse does not have the same indignation I do with the TSA/DHS in violating our rights. My spouse continues to stand behind the concept of the government knows best how to combat air terrorism after 911.
I live in Seattle, so we had this little conversation yesterday.
ME: Imagine you are in the downtown bus tunnel waiting for a bus.
SPOUSE: OK
ME: A group of TSA agents enter the bus tunnel and selects you to step aside for a moment.
SPOUSE: OK
ME: The TSA tells you they need to check your purse, your shopping bag and you will need to have your person patted down to search you for contraband in a place of public transportation.
SPOUSE: I would tell them to pound sand.
ME: Why?
SPOUSE: They have no right to do that. I haven't done anything wrong.
ME: How come it's OK at the airport?
SPOUSE: (long pause) Oh!
I live in Seattle, so we had this little conversation yesterday.
ME: Imagine you are in the downtown bus tunnel waiting for a bus.
SPOUSE: OK
ME: A group of TSA agents enter the bus tunnel and selects you to step aside for a moment.
SPOUSE: OK
ME: The TSA tells you they need to check your purse, your shopping bag and you will need to have your person patted down to search you for contraband in a place of public transportation.
SPOUSE: I would tell them to pound sand.
ME: Why?
SPOUSE: They have no right to do that. I haven't done anything wrong.
ME: How come it's OK at the airport?
SPOUSE: (long pause) Oh!
Thank you!
Apr 20, 2011, 8:12 pm
#7
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Apr 21, 2011, 12:52 pm
#8
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You: You can't hijack a plane and crash it in a building either. Cockpit doors have been reinforced and passengers and crew are no longer instructed to cooperate with hijackers but to do whatever it takes to apprehend them.
Apr 21, 2011, 2:26 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2011
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This whole bus/airport comparison reminds me of the monologue from near the end of the movie A Time To Kill.
Can you see her? I want you to picture that little girl...
Now imagine she's white.
Now imagine she's white.
Apr 29, 2011, 11:59 am
#10
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 627
You also have to remember something that's frequently left out of the "security vs. freedom" debate: the TSA's shenanigans _are not security_. Testers _are still getting through_ with guns and explosives.
Apr 29, 2011, 2:35 pm
#12
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A nicely done illustration, yknot.
However, that argument wouldn't work on a lot of people. The conversation would continue something like this:
YOU: How come it's OK at the airport?
SOMEONE DENSER THAN YOUR SPOUSE: (long pause) Um, because it's a different situation.
YOU: How is it different?
SDTYS: Because people can't hijack a bus and fly it into a building and kill 3,000 people.
YOU: So that makes it okay to strip our rights away from us at the airport but not a bus tunnel?
SDTYS: Flying is not a right. If you don't like it, take the bus.
However, that argument wouldn't work on a lot of people. The conversation would continue something like this:
YOU: How come it's OK at the airport?
SOMEONE DENSER THAN YOUR SPOUSE: (long pause) Um, because it's a different situation.
YOU: How is it different?
SDTYS: Because people can't hijack a bus and fly it into a building and kill 3,000 people.
YOU: So that makes it okay to strip our rights away from us at the airport but not a bus tunnel?
SDTYS: Flying is not a right. If you don't like it, take the bus.
So what would someone say when you explain to them that the TSA has been showing up at bus/train stations, sporting events, etc?
Cue Jackie Gleason doing Ralph Cramden:
Hah-men-ahh-hah-men-ahh-hah-men-ahh...
May 1, 2011, 2:33 pm
#13
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: SJC
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Posts: 1,628
Occasionally, a WTMD goes off to force a random check. However, I am certain that this "randomness" has increased substantially lately. And since you've given them "a reason" they grope away.
At least the guys in the UK are courteous about it and tell me it was random. These TSO goons give me the "what did you forget, you idiot?" look.
Jun 27, 2011, 11:36 am
#14
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 627
Digging up an old thread here, I have found that TSA apologists are employing the same MO used by creationists and War-on-Drugs supporters: Explain and Suppress.
"The TSA and full-body scanners are here to stay! They're coming to all airports in the USA and the world!"
...followed by a refusal to either listen to or answer a rebuttal.
"The TSA and full-body scanners are here to stay! They're coming to all airports in the USA and the world!"
...followed by a refusal to either listen to or answer a rebuttal.