Senator Feinstein's Response
Sep 14, 2006 | 1:54 pm
#1
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Senator Feinstein's Response
Below are the relevant portions of the e-mail I received from my senator this morning in response to an e-mail I wrote to her after the 8/10 restrictions were imposed. Of note is that my post railed against the restrictions. The Senator's response seemed a little a canned - maybe I was sent the wrong form letter.
Oh, and Ms. Feinstein was kind enough to include a reference to the TSA website should I have any questions. She sucks.
--Sioux
I understand the concerns that you mention in your letter. As a
frequent traveler, I believe it is necessary to constantly evaluate and
modify our security procedures to help protect all travelers. Protection of
air passengers is not an exact science and security personnel work
diligently to develop policies that balance efficiency with the latest
security concerns and passenger safety. I understand that this includes
making tough decisions that may lead to uncomfortable travel
restrictions. It also means that the Transportation Security
Administration (TSA) must exercise care when limiting necessary items
such as medical aids on flights.
As new security issues come to light, the responsibility to
maintain high security grows, even if it might be an inconvenience to
airline passengers. I am pleased that the involved agencies seem to
improve the capability to detect and deter attacks with each coming day.
I am concerned, however, that we are still not prepared for significant
threats to passenger, crew, and community safety and there is much we
can still do to ensure that flying remains one of the safest ways to travel.
Please know that my staff and I will keep your comments in mind as we
continue to monitor the effectiveness of new travel security policies and
as legislation regarding this issue comes before the Senate.
frequent traveler, I believe it is necessary to constantly evaluate and
modify our security procedures to help protect all travelers. Protection of
air passengers is not an exact science and security personnel work
diligently to develop policies that balance efficiency with the latest
security concerns and passenger safety. I understand that this includes
making tough decisions that may lead to uncomfortable travel
restrictions. It also means that the Transportation Security
Administration (TSA) must exercise care when limiting necessary items
such as medical aids on flights.
As new security issues come to light, the responsibility to
maintain high security grows, even if it might be an inconvenience to
airline passengers. I am pleased that the involved agencies seem to
improve the capability to detect and deter attacks with each coming day.
I am concerned, however, that we are still not prepared for significant
threats to passenger, crew, and community safety and there is much we
can still do to ensure that flying remains one of the safest ways to travel.
Please know that my staff and I will keep your comments in mind as we
continue to monitor the effectiveness of new travel security policies and
as legislation regarding this issue comes before the Senate.
--Sioux
Sep 14, 2006 | 1:57 pm
#2
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That's about what I would expect from "Two Drink Maximum Dianne".
When does she retire? Comrade Dashle could use a partner on the golf course...
When does she retire? Comrade Dashle could use a partner on the golf course...
Sep 14, 2006 | 2:04 pm
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That's what I would expect from pretty much any Congresscritter or Senator. They can't be seen as being "soft on security" by Joe Bag-O'Donuts.
Sep 14, 2006 | 2:06 pm
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I'm sure it was a legislative aide with instructions to write a canned response that is non-committal ony any front. If you want to really discuss the issues with her (or anyone's elected representative) I believe you must schedule an appointment with them and have an off-the-record discussion about your concerns.
Sep 14, 2006 | 3:21 pm
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I received exactly the same letter from her this morning too -- in response to my letter that I sent (by email and regular mail) within a few days of 8/10.
So, not only did it take her a month to respond, but as you noticed, her reply supported the TSA and included completely extraneous commentary (medical aids? my letter said nothing about medical aids, and I assume yours didn't either).
OTOH she did a slightly better job than Barbara Boxer -- I got a response from Barbara Boxer slightly quicker (last week) but it was the standard "national security" letter and did not make any mention of TSA screening procedures (which my letter was about) at all!
So, not only did it take her a month to respond, but as you noticed, her reply supported the TSA and included completely extraneous commentary (medical aids? my letter said nothing about medical aids, and I assume yours didn't either).
OTOH she did a slightly better job than Barbara Boxer -- I got a response from Barbara Boxer slightly quicker (last week) but it was the standard "national security" letter and did not make any mention of TSA screening procedures (which my letter was about) at all!
Sep 14, 2006 | 5:07 pm
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hey, at least you received a reply-i'm still waiting for one from her, senator boxer and rep. pelosi 
Sep 14, 2006 | 5:24 pm
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Let's get real here - do you really think that any Congresscritter gives a rat's patootie about the "inconveniences" that have been imposed on frequent travelers? This matter is w-a-a-y down on their radar screen. I doubt if any one of them have seen more than a handful of complaints. Let's face it, we are not a strong entity with lobbying force. And as stated in this thread, and congress person that tries to roll back these "measures" will immediately be pounced on as soft on terror (at best) or an appeaser. Nothing will be done until after the election, at the earliest. This is not a Democrat / Republican / Liberal / Conservative issue - it is a generalized political football. The best we can hope for is a change in TSA / Fatherland Security, where more prudent procedures might take precedence.
Sep 14, 2006 | 5:30 pm
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We may not hold much weight with Congress, but many of us do with our respective airlines and hotels.
Keep giving the airlines and hotels an earful every chance you get, especially if you call to cancel a ticket.
If they lose enough money, they might start speaking with their tax and lobbying dollars in our favor...
Keep giving the airlines and hotels an earful every chance you get, especially if you call to cancel a ticket.
If they lose enough money, they might start speaking with their tax and lobbying dollars in our favor...
Sep 14, 2006 | 10:04 pm
#9
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Originally Posted by Spiff
We may not hold much weight with Congress, but many of us do with our respective airlines and hotels.
Keep giving the airlines and hotels an earful every chance you get, especially if you call to cancel a ticket.
If they lose enough money, they might start speaking with their tax and lobbying dollars in our favor...
Keep giving the airlines and hotels an earful every chance you get, especially if you call to cancel a ticket.
If they lose enough money, they might start speaking with their tax and lobbying dollars in our favor...
Spiff, as usual, is right. Writing letters to your senator or representative
is a waste of time. You might as well write a letter to Santa Claus and
send it off to the North Pole. Instead, write to the CEO's of the airlines
and hotel chains and express your displeasure. Let them know you
will be reducing or curtailing your travel and let them know why
you are doing so.
Last edited by GeneralAviation; Sep 15, 2006 at 5:52 am Reason: typo
Sep 14, 2006 | 10:27 pm
#10
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Originally Posted by GeneralAviation
Spiff, as usual, is right. Writing letters to your senator or representative
is a waste of time. You might as well write a letter to Santa Claus and
send it off to the North Pole. Instead, write to the CEO's of the airlines
and hotel chains and express your displeasure. Let them know you
will be reducing or curtailing your travel and let them know why
you are doing do.
is a waste of time. You might as well write a letter to Santa Claus and
send it off to the North Pole. Instead, write to the CEO's of the airlines
and hotel chains and express your displeasure. Let them know you
will be reducing or curtailing your travel and let them know why
you are doing do.
Sep 14, 2006 | 11:43 pm
#11
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Senator Feinstein I never trusted, especially given her judgments. She's also a symbol of why even a Democratic Party takeover of the legislative branch is no guarantee that the security nonsense we witness will come to an end come this fall. It's going to have to get worse before it gets better ... in that it's overkill in the security arena -- which massively impacts on the majority and/or on business interests -- that will get the pendulum to swing back to sanity.
Sep 15, 2006 | 7:55 am
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Originally Posted by GUWonder
Senator Feinstein I never trusted, especially given her judgments. She's also a symbol of why even a Democratic Party takeover of the legislative branch is no guarantee that the security nonsense we witness will come to an end come this fall. It's going to have to get worse before it gets better ... in that it's overkill in the security arena -- which massively impacts on the majority and/or on business interests -- that will get the pendulum to swing back to sanity.
What we need is a strong socially/environmentally responsible Libertarian movement - something that has been thoroughly lacking in this country for far too long. Not that he was socially or environmentally responsible (but more so than the current boob-in-office), but perhaps someone can channel Ronald Reagan? I think if he were elected today, the TSA and DHS would be gone in 10 days and the agencies that used to share turf would be told to get along and play nicely or he would fire them all and put the senior people in jail.
. We need a new replacement for her...she's done good things in her days, but her way of thinking is getting to be old.