Here's the next step:
Yes, indeed. It appears that the TSA is expanding those searches:
Terrorizing innocent travelers at airports is simply not enough for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The agency recently tested a new program known as VIPER (Visual Intermodal Protection and Response) which involved placing Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials at Greyhound bus stations in Tampa to pat down and grope ground travelers....More at the above link.
The Obama administration has forced America into crisis management mode, all in the name of national security:
Crisis management has become a defining feature of contemporary governance.What we now have with the TSA is the following, advocated by Rahm Emanuel quite a while back:
Jonah Golberg on the Obama administration back in March 2009:
...Recall that not long ago, the first item on the bill of indictment against the Bush administration was that it was "exploiting" 9/11 to enact its agenda....The Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration are not making us any safer, and the measures cost billions of dollars (A must-read essay!). So what are the DHS and the TSA accomplishing? They are conditioning us to intrusive searches.
[...]
When a liberal administration does it [exploits a crisis, i.e., the threat of Islamic terrorism], it's taking advantage of a historic opportunity....
And Americans, thus far, are willing to trade their rights for convenience, that is, the ability to travel via public carriers.
What next? Enhanced security, electronic and hands-on, at the toll plazas? At the ramps to interstate highways? At our large shoppings malls? Where else?
Al Qaeda has won: "Death by a thousand cuts" in so many ways.
Blogger is acting the fool right now.
ReplyDeleteIf you're having trouble getting all of this post to display, click on the title of the post and, if necessary, refresh the page.
Where are all of the howls from the left on the invasion of privacy. Bush said we could look at library records of suspected terrorists and the left was rending their clothing (though they had no evidence of it actually happening). Now there is silence...
ReplyDeleteThe howling stopped when the EVIL Bush administration left office. Now that the NICE, LOVING, CARING PROGRESSIVE (socialist/communist) OBAMA, PELOSI, and REID are in. Everything is WONDERFUL. Personally, I'd rather have so called evil Bush as my leader although I didn't agree with everything he did. Merry Christmas G.W. Bush.... I'm scared to say that to the Progressives for fear of being fined,arrested, or worst.
ReplyDeleteWhen you are liberal/leftist/radicals everything is always evil, bad and unconstitutional until your guys are in power. Then they ramp up the very thing they condemned. Always.
ReplyDeleteAnd once again, it will get harder and harder for average Americans to get around their own country while illegals from Latin America and the Middle East can come in freely, inconvenienced only by the fact that they may have to sprint a few hundred yards once they are over the border.
I just hope the Repubs will have some principle and show backbone to put the hammer down on some of this nonsense.
Alligator said:
ReplyDeleteI just hope the Repubs will have some principle and show backbone to put the hammer down on some of this nonsense.
I haven't seen much sign of the GOP doing any such thing. Maybe I missed it?
I do find the GOP pr machine lacking right now: the votes about extending unemployment benefits and extending the Bush-era tax cuts.
ReplyDeleteThe GOP needs to get out in front on these issues. The mainstream media and the Dems are demonizing the GOP quite effectively. Just because the GOP is making the rounds on the Sunday "press" shows doesn't mean that the GOP is countering very well.
I do commend the GOP for staying stalwart in the Senate with regards to renewing all the Bush tax cuts. I just wish they'd stop hammering away at banning earmarks and other trivial things that--when all is said and done--few people really care about.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Always. The GOP needs much better PR. Because all I here now from the media is that unemployment benefits grow the economy.
MJB,
ReplyDeleteYou might find this editorial of interest.
Death by a thousand gropes is like it.
ReplyDeleteShould have read "Death by a thousand gropes is more like it."
ReplyDeleteStill getting used to the iPod touch keyboard...
It wouldn't be so bad if they would give us our choice of gropers.
ReplyDeleteWell, let's see:
ReplyDelete- First, TSA is forcing Americans to consider not flying at all. I won't.
- Then, it's obviously time to hit the poorer segment of society by slowing down and obstructing buses. I don't travel on buses anyway unless it's a tour bus: too much human grunge on buses.
- Next will be passenger trains. You can just about wave bye-bye to Amtrak if that occurs.
- Then, if you want to shut down the entire northeast corridor, apply TSA liberally to daily commuter trains.
What's next, ladies and gentlemen?
Why, the obvious -- if people insist of using cars instead of the above transport systems:
Checkpoints in population centers and at state crossings for vehicles.
Hello, here's your brand new Police State, America, courtesy of your friendly, neighborhood Leftists.
BZ
Of course, there won't be ANY of that shit on our SOUTHERN BORDER. That would be RACIST.
ReplyDeleteBZ
After all his security measures are in place, Obama will be able to declare martial law and lock the country down. This is all very, very worrisome.
ReplyDeleteBZ said: Of course, there won't be ANY of that shit [enhanced security] be RACIST.
ReplyDeleteI say: Yep.
I do think that we're edging ever closer to being a police state. Sound impossible? Well, so many "impossible" things are already happening.
Tom,
ReplyDeleteYou have one of those new keyboards? I've seen them but haven't given them a test drive.
Pagan Temple,
ReplyDeleteIt wouldn't be so bad if they would give us our choice of gropers.
LOL!
I believe that we the groped CAN insist that the gropers change gloves.
Warren Crocker Herrick,
ReplyDeleteAfter all his security measures are in place, Obama will be able to declare martial law and lock the country down.
I would hope that Americans wouldn't allow for such a thing.
I read a lot on the web about an armed rebellion if BHO oversteps. But I do have my doubts that Americans would really unite in such a way.
Now, one would think that after a drubbing at the ballot box, the party that got drubbed would not advocate the TSA screenings and gropings -- for fear of losing the next election.
So, what's going on? The Dems aren't worried about the next election? Clearly, some on Capitol Hill are showing signs of such concern. However, at the executive level, we don't see those signs. BHO isn't concerned that he might not get elected in 2012 if he angers Americans too much? Strange -- because all most politicians really care about is getting re-elected.
( if I needed another reason NOT to board a Greyhound; the Cinci station is beyond foul! Rape by customer or by TSA. Hmmm....)
ReplyDeleteThis is unreal! More and more, I wake up, see then news and can't help but think I've fallen into theMirror Universe.
What other explanation can there be for this insanity?!?
Doesn't the administration realize that they are causing global warming by their actions?
ReplyDeleteAs millions of Americans start driving their SUVs to their destinations instead of being groped on public transportation ... our carbon footprint will go through the roof!
But then again ... The Dems don't really believe in global warming either.
AOW - It's not a new keyboard, it's a handheld device with a small keyboard. Fat fingers & small display do not make for rational responses. (no comments from the peanut gallery, please!)
ReplyDelete"When a liberal administration does it [exploits a crisis, i.e., the threat of Islamic terrorism], it's taking advantage of a historic opportunity."
ReplyDeleteThat's liberal hypocrisy for you.
"Al Qaeda has won: "Death by a thousand cuts" in so many ways."
And what's worse, we insist on not targeting those closest to al qaeda. It's like we've gone mad.