There has been a tremendous amount of media coverage and talk about the latest security methods implemented by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). It has dominated alternative and Indie media, as well as talk radio, and now, even the mainstream media has picked up the story.

Legislators in some states are talking about measures [...]]]>

There has been a tremendous amount of media coverage and talk about the latest security methods implemented by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). It has dominated alternative and Indie media, as well as talk radio, and now, even the mainstream media has picked up the story.

Legislators in some states are talking about measures to deflect the TSA’s new security policies and Congressman Ron Paul of Texas has introduced HR 6416, a bill titled The American Traveler Dignity Act.

People are furious.

This wave of discontent stems from a newly enacted policy of the TSA that subjects random airline travelers to a full-body scan that uses back-scattering and radiation technologies to reveal their bodies through their clothing. The arguments over the safety of these two types of machines will never cease, but that’s only the beginning of the chaos.

For those flyers who object to the body scanners, an alternate method of satisfying the TSA’s enforcement is what the agency has termed an “enhanced pat-down”.

For over two weeks, I’ve read stories (horror stories, to be precise) of TSA agents touching women’s’ breasts and genitals, of men having their genitals groped and squeezed through clothing and of young children being physically examined while they cried and screamed. This past week, I’ve read accounts of TSA agents reaching inside people’s trousers and bras.

One woman (a breast cancer survivor) reported that a TSA agent ordered her to remove a prosthetic breast that she wore in her undergarment. One woman – an attorney – phoned a local talk show host to tell him how a client of hers (a disabled and ailing woman) was ordered to remove a continence pad she was wearing. These things went on in front of other passengers.

Needless to say, these women were less than delighted with their travel experience.

At least three of my friends have told me that these measures are no big deal. I even heard a talk show host say: “We live in a post-911 world. If you want to travel, you’ll just have to get used to giving up some of your freedoms.”

Oh, really.

One friend told me that she hadn’t seen me so worked up over any issue since 2005. Well, she’s correct. This does have me worked up and infuriated and I think my reasons are sound. I also think they are the exact reasons to be angry that people are missing left and right.

To begin, I don’t think any of these measures are anything less than perverted, Draconian and very much akin to something you’d expect out of the former Gestapo. I also happen to believe that the Fourth Amendment is the law and not a suggestion. But, that these atrocious encroachments on privacy and travel are said to be in the name of safety and security is what truly pisses me off more than anything.

They are not. They are about two things and two things only: money and making you obey.

How does it escape anyone’s notice that the man who made these scanners possible while acting as the lead of Homeland Security (Michael Chertoff) is now sitting at the head of the company that manufactures and distributes them?

Has it also escaped your notice that the scans and invasive pat-downs are currently random? Well, if such measures are needed to ensure the safety of all passengers aboard a commercial aircraft, why isn’t everyone being scanned? I mean, if it’s really that critical and all.

Additionally, the US Representative who ushered the TSA into existence, John Mica, is now encouraging airports around the country to invoke their opt-out rights if they find it necessary. That means an airport could, effectively, order the TSA out the door and use their own measures to ensure the safety of its customers.

So then, why are we being told by Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Janet Napolitano that these screens and feel ups are necessary? She says the scanners are safe. She says the gropes are not that invasive. They are, but what I’m telling you is that isn’t even the point.

Even though this was always about the Benjamins (not safety) and is perverted, twisted and just plain weird, this is not my problem with TSA’s new measures. My big problem is that they – these unelected, non-peace-officer, federal workers have – without cause – changed travel from a right to a privilege.

When you purchase a plane ticket from an airline, your agreement is with them. Enter TSA who tells you that you must submit to their pokes and gropes before you can board that plane. You must prove your worthiness to accept a product that you’ve already paid for and the airline you dealt with has, seemingly, not a say in the world over it.

That restricts you. Whether you choose to go along with this farce or stay home, you’ve been restricted from freely traveling about. That’s the denial of a right. And that pisses me off.

The fact that someone with absolutely no law enforcement authority can tell me that I must qualify (by their standards) to move from one place to another is outrageous on every imaginable level. Keep in mind that I’m no felon and have no warrants for my arrest. I’m not permitted to do as I choose without someone jamming their filthy hands down my trousers or exposing me to radiation.

Those are the parameters TSA have put in place and they did it without your permission. Now, you must obtain their permission if you want to go anywhere.

This is what many folks lovingly refer to as tyranny. And, though I realize that’s a mighty strong word, I’ll stand by my use of it. Merriam Webster’s defines it as arbitrary or unrestrained exercise of power and despotic abuse of authority.

I’d say that fits the bill.

Yes, I’m hopping mad. But, I’ve taken some satisfaction in this debacle and that is the appearance that my fellow countrymen have finally decided they’ve had enough. People are mad as hornets and they are pushing back. Protests, boycotts and plenty of barbs tossed at their representatives are all excellent starting steps. But, it has to keep up. You, after all, are a human being. Not a head of cattle.

It’s high time we remind ourselves who the government works for. You and I. And, I would submit, there is no clearer illustration of the “give and inch and they’ll take a mile” doctrine than the methodology in which the government snatches away our rights. One inch at a time. When they’ve finally sucked down that mile, good luck getting back your inch.

I won’t be flying anywhere until this is sorted out. My husband and I had planned to visit Costa Rica again in January, but it may have to wait. We refuse to play the game and, if there’s no end to this foolishness and theater, our next plane ride will be both out of the country and one-way.