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I just sent this to my Congresscritters. And I don't appreciate the comments that some people made that infrequent travelers don't deserve an opinion on this issue. I'm an infrequent traveler (no more than 4-6 segments a year, in general), and I deserve the right to make comments about the waste of my tax dollars, my eroding civil liberties, and an unrestrained government bureaucracy. BTW, please don't send my letter, it's much more useful if you write your own. This only took me about 10 minutes, anyway.
Hello, I am writing to express my displeasure with the TSA's new "security" procedures. They are a knee-jerk reaction to to a terrorist plot that was foiled. I cannot believe that a sealed water bottle purchased in the sterile area of an airport is a threat to security, for example. Further, the now-mandatory x-ray screening of footwear does not detect many types of explosives. TSA continues to practice risk-avoidance practices, constantly trying to respond to a previous threat. This is perfectly exemplified by the recent ban on liquids and the "shoe carnival" that was brought about by Richard Reid. TSA still does not screen most passengers for explosives, and virtually no plane cargo is screened. Instead, they spend their money on lavish banquets, excessive staffing, and useless procedures. It is not a coincidence that many people refer to TSA as 'Thousands Standing Around'. I urge you to demand that TSA rescind most of their newest rules, speed up the installation of explosive detection 'puffers', and begin to be responsive to taxpayers, travelers, and Congress. Thank you. |
Originally Posted by mbtmsu
wow...where can i get my musket?
your privacy ends at my right to protect myself. aka, your right to swing your fist ends at my nose. if want to share a plane with me, you lose many of your rights. sorry, nothing, ever, ever, ever is going to change that. no matter how many revolutionary heros you quote. By the way, how do you feel about sitting on tons of cargo that has not been screened? |
Originally Posted by mbtmsu
wow...where can i get my musket?
your privacy ends at my right to protect myself. aka, your right to swing your fist ends at my nose. if want to share a plane with me, you lose many of your rights. sorry, nothing, ever, ever, ever is going to change that. no matter how many revolutionary heros you quote. |
Originally Posted by amejr999
I just sent this to my Congresscritters. And I don't appreciate the comments that some people made that infrequent travelers don't deserve an opinion on this issue. I'm an infrequent traveler (no more than 4-6 segments a year, in general), and I deserve the right to make comments about the waste of my tax dollars, my eroding civil liberties, and an unrestrained government bureaucracy. BTW, please don't send my letter, it's much more useful if you write your own. This only took me about 10 minutes, anyway.
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essxjay, go for it. That there are worse problems is no reason to avoid tackling the ones that grab your passion and energy.
Erosion of rights through just plain silly responses to serious threats is a serious issue, IMO. We would be so much better off is the all money, time and brain power that is going into silly responses were going into more intelligent and practical ones. To exclude all these items now is the classic case of closing the barn door after the horse has bolted. If the pattern that is emerging from these hind-sighted rule making frenzies is continued, we will, indeed, one day be x-rayed, de-nuded, and hand-cuffed to our seats for the duration of our flights. Someone, some group will eventually cover all the bases in trying to bring down aircraft. We will lose some. Best we all acknowledge that now - we are not completely safe and never can be. But we need to live with some dignity, freedom and courage in the midst of all of this nonsense, IMO. Part of that is expressing to elected folk that some of us are not unreasonably scared nor are some of us unreasonably reassured by plain stupid responses to exposed or even successful attempts to kill us. |
Originally Posted by PatrickHenry1775
We as a nation are in trouble if that is our mindset. My wnating to avoid being searched and having personal toiletries confiscated by the government is far different than me swinging my fist in your direction.
By the way, how do you feel about sitting on tons of cargo that has not been screened? if you don't want to have your personal liquids taken, check them. buy new ones. leave last week's at the hotel. fedex them ahead. but unless the tsa decides it is ok, there is no way you are bringing them onto a plane we share. by the way, that post was pretty poor, lacking any semblance of a point. |
Originally Posted by PatrickHenry1775
Good letter, but unfortunately puffers will not detect innocuous components that could be assembled into explosives past the checkpoint. TSA should focus more on people, be less concerned about things. However, screening cargo to the same degree as passengers and their checked bags would be an improvement.
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Originally Posted by JS
Let me get this straight -- our rights can be rendered null and void if mbtmsu says so. Got it. :rolleyes:
walmart must be having a sale on muskets today |
First off, I really like this idea. However, as others have said, you do not represent everyone (differing views + FT is a business). Perhaps better phrasing would be something akin to "I'm a member of the FT community?" That said, I feel you represent me better than Tom DeLay did. Of course, that's not saying much.
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Originally Posted by peachfront
It sounds all very well, but I have noticed in my journeys through life that the man who won't stand up for his own freedoms certainly won't stand up for mine. I would be very surprised that the man who stands quietly while his wife's contact lens solution is snatched is doing anything of value to feed the hungry of Kenya. People who always find an excuse not to lift a finger...always find an excuse not to lift a finger.
I didn't travel this weekend, so I can't contribute to the list of outrages. What I will do is fax a letter to my representatives and my airline pointing out the chilling effect on the economy and on the right of free travel caused by these restrictions. It seems little enough to do. But what abou the man who expects his Govt to trample upon freedom of others to further hs own? Meaning "Don't harass me, harass him. I don't look like a terrorist" |
Originally Posted by essxjay
Here's what I'm going to do:
Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), who's one my state's reps, sits on both the Aviation Subcommittee and the House Committee for Homeland Security. He's the kind of rep who will listen to credible reports and try to act on it. I'm going to email him, telling him who I am, that I represent Flyertalk (explaining what that is) and inform him about some of the ridiculous things that have been confiscated from us Flyertalkers over the weekend. What I'm asking from you all is to please post here (I really, really would prefer not to get emails on this) the details of what's been taken from you: item, airport, date of incident, which security checkpoint this occurred, and any other details you think relevant. I'll compile them into a letter on behalf of Flyertalk. I'd particularly like to hear from the gentleman who had his condoms taken, ladies who've had mascara and crystal deoderant taken, anyone regarding gel-type sport shoes or orthothics, and anything else that's clearly not on the prohibited list. (Obviously there's more than I've mentioned here, but it's late and this is my final creative act for the day. I've got a paper to write tomorrow and must sign off now.) I kindly ask that you not b.s. me. In other words, please be on the level and be willing to be contacted yourself. "Let's Roll." -------- essxjay Portland, Oregon |
Originally Posted by mbtmsu
but unless the tsa decides it is ok, there is no way you are bringing them onto a plane we share.
Do you honestly believe there is currently "no way" to bring ANY liquids onto a plane?
Originally Posted by mbtmsu
uhh..not good at all, but what is your point? That the tsa does a bad job and provides no security? then again, how many American airliners have been brought down by a terrorist act in the last 5 years?
Previous to 2001, were American flag carriers being "brought down" yearly, monthly, daily? My oh, my, oh, my! How did we EVER get by without the TSA! Perhaps you need to ask yourself this: "How many weapons has the TSA missed in the last 5 years" You know, those weapons probably belonged to all those evil doers you’re so deathly afraid of.... You certainly are an entertaining individual ^ |
Originally Posted by PatrickHenry1775
Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.
I rememebr when this was your signature. I liked it. But I also like "Those who urge sarcificing liberty of a few to purchase a little Temporary Safety, will have neither Liberty nor Safety." ^ ^ ^ DO you know who said it? |
Originally Posted by mbtmsu
uhh..not good at all, but what is your point? that the tsa does a bad job and provides no secruity? then again, how many american airliners have been brought down by a terrorist act in the last 5 years?
Originally Posted by mbtmsu
f you don't want to have your personal liquids taken, check them. buy new ones. leave last week's at the hotel. fedex them ahead. but unless the tsa decides it is ok, there is no way you are bringing them onto a plane we share.
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Originally Posted by PatrickHenry1775
We are in the midst of a revolution. Under the guise of fighting terrorism, our rights as Americans are being eroded. Did anyone else note the opinion from the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upholding searches on subways? So much for privacy and the Fourth Amendment for ordinary Americans.
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