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Draconian and Repressive Airline Security Measures

Draconian and Repressive Airline Security Measures

Old Jan 8th, 2004, 08:10 AM
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Degas
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Draconian and Repressive Airline Security Measures

I just completed a harrowing flight to Europe and I'm just totally disgusted with the incredible security measures that THIS ADMINISTRATION is enforcing on the defenseless traveling public.

First, I had to stand in a long line with common people of all races, nationalities, religions and income levels. Lord to God, what putrid smells and annoying nasal tones my ears were assaulted with! And if this wasn't bad enough, a filthy dog sniffed my expensive "real leather" luggage. I swear the foul mongrel was about to urinate on it until I gave it an angry Howard Dean look. You know the kind, like when Howard says something crazy and he gets called on it by one of the other 25 Democratic presidential contenders.

Well, then I was made uncomfortable by the presence of gun-toting police. Why, it made my sensitive little stomach turn to see dangerous, people-killing guns in a place of public transport. They walked around like they owned the place and without even a smile to acknowledge my fine attire and $200 haircut!. What a nightmare this insane security process was turning out to be.

Well, after what seemed ages, where I was not even allowed to get out of line for my usual large chocolate Valencia orange mint latte with no-fat milk and a swirl of nutmeg, cinnamon, and a sugar substitute coupled with a lightly toasted multi-grain onion bagel with strawberry cream cheese and a sprinkle of almonds and diced Bolivian figs, a very brisk airline person demanded that I show picture ID and confirm my address and phone number. Good lord, it was if THEY thought I might actually be a criminal or something. Where is my right to privacy? Why must I reveal this sacred information to just any Tom, Dick or Glenda that has a passing interest?

I took a mental note to inform my local chapter of the ACLU, but reluctantly complied after rolling my eyes, sighing in a loud, disgusted tone and muttering under my breathe about Karl Rove and John Ashcroft ruining my life! I told my friends in SF that we were doomed when GWB was elected, but they refused to see the horror that lay before us!

Then I was asked by a curt security person who smelled of cheap cologne to step out of the line because THIS ADMINISTRATION's expensive metal detector was not calibrated right and kept going off as I attempted to pass.
Do you know how many little doowoo frogs we could save in New Mexico with the money we waste on bomb detection gear? Anyway, I digress.

But the unmidagated gall and nerve of them blaming it on ME, an honest taxpaying citizen! Then, to add insult to injury, I had to empty my pockets, in full view of a herd of strangers, of my keys, coins, pens, nail files, Swiss army knife, and assorted kitchen gadgets (I'm strictly self-catering in London) I'd recently bought off the home shopping channel!

Don't get me started about not being able to board with my javelin, machete, and matched pair of throwing knives! Needless to say, the all-wise and all-powerful TSA left me defenseless in London!
 
Old Jan 8th, 2004, 08:26 AM
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ira
 
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How awful for you, Degas.
I bet it ruined your whole trip.
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Old Jan 8th, 2004, 08:34 AM
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=D>
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Old Jan 8th, 2004, 08:39 AM
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Degas - instead of bitching you should be thankful you weren't stripped of your dollar-store tee shirt and fake gold jewelry! That would have been the ultimate insult.
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Old Jan 8th, 2004, 08:41 AM
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Instead of fantasy rants, why not read about real experiences?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/3368839.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/3353811.stm

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Old Jan 8th, 2004, 08:41 AM
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I started reading the original post and said omigod who is this opinionated so and so and then I looked and saw it was Degas..Maybe you should cancel all future trips until all the "bad guys" are rounded up and you won't have to be subjected to such horrible, demeaning treatment!
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Old Jan 8th, 2004, 08:53 AM
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Divinely, divinely sarcastic. I love it!
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Old Jan 8th, 2004, 08:58 AM
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Degas
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And I failed to even mention the horrid, germ-infested cesspool THEY call a bathroom!

My outhouse at the cabin looks better than what THIS ADMINISTRATION subjects hard working, struggling to make ends meet economy-class passengers with on a routine basis!
 
Old Jan 8th, 2004, 09:00 AM
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Stop it! I'm dying over here.
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Old Jan 8th, 2004, 09:17 AM
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degas, did your secret, double creme-filled Twinkie stash get allowed on board?

I bet you pitched a real Hillary Clinton-style hissy fit when they scraped the paint off your
expensive macho-man "gold" chains.
 
Old Jan 8th, 2004, 09:50 AM
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Degas- Did you remember to pack your matching gold lame' swim trunks to match all that glorious gold? I sure hope so.

On a more serious note, I flew within the US for Christmans, and I could definitely see the difference in security since we went to 'orange alert'. Did it take a little longer to get through the lines? Yes- big deal. BTW-my husband gave me a beautiful merino knit poncho for Christmas- wonderful to travel in. I will admit that I was just a teeny bit embarrassed though when the TSA agent asked me, "Ma'am, please remove your poncho." to go through the metal detector!
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Old Jan 8th, 2004, 10:05 AM
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Finally, a REAL complaint! Just imagine, SOME people only have to be fingerprinted and photographed, while poor Degas had to go without his wonderful pseudo-coffee! No, honestly Degas, I loved it! People complain over the slightest little inconvenience without even contemplating what these measures could be preventing.
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Old Jan 8th, 2004, 10:28 AM
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Degas
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I just gots to have my hot java in the morning or I'm cranky all day!

Thank heavens I found a cozy and very authentic Starbucks in London! I swear the bench seats were made of real wood, mostly likely from the hull of an old sailing ship.

London is filled to the brim with history - you just need to know where to find it!
 
Old Jan 8th, 2004, 10:41 AM
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Degas,
I really needed that. My sides hurt but thanks anyway.

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Old Jan 8th, 2004, 12:28 PM
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Gee, I was going to pick on everybody, not just the people who hate Bush. I also want to pick on the people who hate the people who hate Bush who hate the people who hate Clinton (Hillary or otherwise). Unfortunately, the poeple at Fodors deleted the thread for which this was intended so I don't know who they hate, but here it is. It should piss off everyone!!!

hmmmmm, I'm willing to bet if there were a liberal president in the White House instead of a conservative president and he were doing EXACTLY the same things that Bush is doing (and he probably would be because let's face it, you can't get elected until you move to the center), the people bitching about the security would be the conservatives and the people telling them they are stupid would be the liberals. Oh, nobody here will admit, but we all know it's true.

I'm not a Dean supporter by the way, but really tries2packlite, are you really taking at face value the word of some woman sitting across the aisle from you on a plane? Do you think the news media wasn't present for this Town Hall meeting? Are you silly enough to think that none of the media wouldn't have reported this? Would you have believed it if she said Bush said that to her? Of course not. I certainly wouldn?t have.

It all goes back to the notion that you will believe good things about people you like and bad things about people you don't.

What's my point? Hell I don't know, but like Patrick, I had to get it off my chest. Oh, and I don't have any solutions to what the right thing is to do about security, but that certainly doesn't deny me the right to wonder if what they are doing is right, regardless of the administration. Just because they are professionals doesn't mean they are doing it right. Just look at the Arizona Cardinals. They're all professional football players, but they clearly aren't doing it right.

I'm just pissed at all the shoe manufacturers for putting all that steel in my souls (hmmmm, multiple souls) and causing us all the inconvenience of taking them off before I walk through the security sensors. Whew, the guy in front of me in Denver in November needed some odor eaters!!! Hey this should be a topic for a new thread! I?m tired of these inconveniences and attacks on my delicate senses. Impeach the President!!!! Whoever he is!!! Oh yeah, and what about free drinks on transatlantic flights. That?s Bush?s fault too. No, it was a residual effect of bad Clinton policies. No, if we had elected Gore, the drinks would still be free. Perhaps though if we re-elect Bush they will be free again. No that couldn?t be because our dependence on foreign alcohol is directly related to our dependence on foreign oil ?. Oh, if there were just more grapes in the States

But I digress......
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Old Jan 8th, 2004, 12:39 PM
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Soooo funny, Degas. Keep it up! ><
I almost didn't swallow the sip of water I had taken right before I began reading your post. I would have held you personally responsible had I choked on it.
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Old Jan 8th, 2004, 12:46 PM
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ira
 
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Right on, wojaz
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Old Jan 8th, 2004, 12:55 PM
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Degas: Too funny!
Btilke: Tried to respond to your question on the frozen thread. In short, I wrote (but it wouldn't post) that I have my leanings, as we all do, but if you are familiar with my posts I often note that one person (i.e. Bush or Clinton) or Administration usually cannot be blamed for the woes of a nation. I try to be an equal opportunity fan and critic, though I objectively think Bush has done a good job under difficult circumstances. I am unequivocally and unapologetically partisan when it comes to the safety of my family. I am concerned that the vocal minority, which includes whiners and partisans, may derail security efforts, just like they have done with common sense.
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Old Jan 8th, 2004, 12:56 PM
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Degas,
superb ... a work of art, if you will.

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Old Jan 8th, 2004, 01:04 PM
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Degas
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I was just wondering about this new fingerprinting procedure, not that I have anything to hide or anything, but does anybody know how long those FBI records go back?

I mean, let's say you had a "good friend" that might have forgot to appear in court on some crazy, framed up moonshine charge by an over aggressive, wants to be mayor DA who
doesn't drink?

Just curious!
 

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