Monday, November 22, 2010

Patted Down or Felt Up?

First came the "Shoe Bomber," so the Transportation Security Administration forced all airline passengers to remove their footwear. Then, the "Underwear Bomber" led to full body scans and invasive, personal searches. I shudder to think of the TSA's response when someone invents the exploding suppository, and they will. Then, perhaps when MeeMaw gets anally probed before her turkey-day flight by a guy that, only last week, worked at the post office, this nation will get serious about rapid rail transit. If the additional charges for baggage and the insipid rules concerning carry-on luggage were not infuriating enough, these new "pat down" procedures have already sparked a citizen's revolt, begun by the passenger who threatened a TSA agent with arrest if, "(you) touch my junk." The viral effect has been similar to the "Don't taze me, Bro" protester's anthem for police restraint.

Already, the TSA has responded to the public push-back by modifying some of their more grotesque practices. Thanks to a Memphis-based pilot who filed a lawsuit, the agency has halted the practice of molesting uniformed pilots before a flight, instead referring to them as "trusted partners." I guess if a pilot can be trusted to fly the plane, he can also be trusted to land it at the scheduled destination. Scanning a pilot for explosives or a nail file seems redundant if he intends to put it down in a shopping mall. Passengers are not so fortunate.  The New York Times editorialized, "There are far too many reports of TSA agents groping passengers, using male agents to search female passengers, mocking passengers and disdaining complaints." While women who "opted-out" of the full naked body scanning complained of near sexual assault by zealous civil servants, right-wing religious leaders have raised the alarm about gay agents administering the enhanced frisking. I heard a rumor that if you declare a gender preference at the rubdown checkpoint, you may be given a masseuse consistent with your sexual leanings, i.e., a female agent would be assigned to pat-down a gay man. So, what would I have to lose by claiming to be homosexual?  If somebody's going to squeeze my lemon, I would prefer it be by a woman. When she's done, I could ask for a "happy landing."

We have been reassured that the new porno scanners are designed to delete images as soon as they are examined, yet hundreds of  leaked body scans have already been circulated on the internet. Women have reason to be squeamish ever since embattled TSA head John S. Pistole told The New York Times that the scanners can detect tampons and sanitary napkins, which may cause the need for further, personal interaction with agents. Another recent complainant was a women who, after undergoing a mastectomy, had her prosthetic breast squeezed and manipulated by a clueless examiner. News footage of the aggressive handling of a sobbing, three-year-old girl whose teddy bear triggered an alarm helped to solidify public opinion that this entire TSA operation is a mindless, time-wasting, charade designed to give the illusion of security while trampling constitutional protections, including that one about "unreasonable searches and seizures." There is nothing in the "enhanced" version of airport security any more effective than the old metal detector, wand,  and baggage exam, which served as deterrents instead of a choking and degrading spectacle. What's needed are computerized file sharing techniques between competing airlines for the "No-fly lists," and "Watch lists." Had these been in place, the Underpants Bomber would never have made it onto a plane to begin with and we wouldn't be dealing with strange men gliding their hands up our inner thighs. At least the TSA is consistent. They are always prepared to respond to yesterday's threat.

It's not like there aren't other experts to consult. I once flew El Al Airlines from New York to Israel and was subjected to their thorough but non-intrusive security examination. All passengers were required to be in a sequestered airline waiting room several hours in advance where their luggage was screened and checked. Each passenger was then required to sit across the table from an airline security specialist that looked like an ex-Mossad agent and answer questions. When the agent asked why I was travelling to Israel, my inner imp wanted to say, "Because the Lord has called me back to the Holy Land to redeem my people," but he looked like someone who didn't appreciate airport levity. Although merely a tourist with nothing to hide, my inquisitor's pointed questions and piercing gaze were so unnerving, by the end of the interview I was ready to confess to masterminding the Entebbe hijacking. The Israeli government has found that a direct look in the eye is better than a ham-handed body search. To those who say, "Israel is a tiny country with only one airline," I suggest each domestic carrier hire one trained profiler for each of the TSA rent-a-cops that will become unnecessary.

A passenger uprising has already begun with internet pages ranging from horror stories in the grope line to the laments of TSA agents who don't wish to spend every day feeling the butt-cheeks of disgruntled, same-sex airline patrons. One activist group declared Nov. 24 as "Opt-Out Day," where participants refuse the naked scan in order to overwhelm the touchy-feely committee. Other air passengers plan a post-Thanksgiving, silent protest. With security agents at waist-level pawing at private parts, bloated travellers will seek revenge by unleashing a massive, low-lying fog of residual green beans and candied yams. It will be sort of like Saddam and the Kurds. With all concerned equally revulsed, it can truly be a Black Friday for everybody, and we can try to bring some reason back into the process. Everyone wants to be assured of their safety, but these absurd intrusions only show that nine years after the attacks on the Twin Towers, we are still being held hostage by the 9/11 hijackers. On the other hand, given the history of the pilgrims, what could be more American than to have a smiling stranger say, "Happy Thanksgiving. Now assume the position."

26 comments:

Tigerlil said...

I'm mad and I'm not gonna take it anymore
In reference to Cheri DelBrocco's piece in The Memphis Flyer I say this, and I don't get pissed off much about anything these days but I'm on a rant now.....
Good timing for the TSA as so many travel during this holiday season to see those distant family members! Not me, I've been radiated and groped by enough doctors that there is ...NO way in hell I will submit to this. Gene, we're not in high school anymore, honey. The steel clips that marked the cancerous tumors in my body remain, and will certainly require a strip search of me as the bells signal "terrorist alert, terrorist alert!" If I CHOOSE to be strip searched it will be in the privacy of my home, not in the airport security area by a TSA agent who, sadly, has been directed to do this. Oh, I forgot! My oft required cane poses a threat as well, and let's not forget the chemotherapy that might be infused if I'm having a bad month. Do I drink it in front of security if I'm to board the plane? Or should I plug it into my vein regardless of dose timing to prove it won't explode? And x-rayed? I think not. I can already illuminate my home without using the lights. Do I need more? Nope. So many questions! I will follow George Carlin's advice, may he rest in peace, and not get IN a plane. In the days to come, should we keep this obscene invasion of our privacy, we will read of failure upon failure of the already lagging airline industry as air traffic diminishes, for only those who need to travel will do so. And the trickle down effect will begin. Our economy, already teetering on newborn feet, will once again plummet due to these new regulations. I have a passport, I am a US citizen, I have been background checked endlessly by the US government to insure that I am not a threat, and I love my country. I've only been called a terrorist by my teenager and with good reason as have many parents. Until we contain as many real terrorists as we can (where in the hell are you, Osama and friends?), we are not safe, but to contain us with these measures is ignorant, foolish and a waste of money. I guess these new tactics look pretty scary to those who'd blow themselves up in a heartbeat. Not. When do we get smart? This is perhaps the most non-partisan backlash the US government will ever see, and it is time for all of us, Democratic, Republican, Independent, whatever you may be, to JUST SAY NO. Both current and past administration share blame for this Draconian measure, and most of us, at least those who've, sorry to keep referring to you, Old Gene, left the high school years behind us are mad, and we're not gonna take it anymore. Speak up Americans, our rights have been violated, first, by these cowardly and heinous terrorists who have neither religion nor moral compass, now by our own government, past and present. Keep your money in your pockets, don't fly for recreation, and send your frequent flier points and award tickets to Janet. I am. Hoping she enjoys....
Posted by Tigerlil at 9:44 PM 0 comments

Anonymous said...

I hate to say it, but I'd rather go in the naked machine doing the Charlie's Angel's pose any day than sit for hours in a room being questioned. Not only that, the machine will make me feel better knowing that nobody on my plane has a bomb up their a-hole.

Cousin Cliff said...

Great short article about Israeli security measures by Michael Totten in the New York Post last week: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/forget_the_porn_machines_NQAJ5DOzf187gdRQnLURlO

Michael is an independent, reader-supported journalist covering the Middle East.

The President needs to give Napolitano and Pistole a "heck of a job, Brownie" and bring in someone competent.

Cousin Cliff said...

Can't get Blogger to show the full link. Sorry.

Anonymous said...

Yeah I'd like to have rapid rail too but you miss the point. The only way to stop someone who is willing to die is by profiling. The body is the weapon. Not the box cutter or the gun. Screw the people who don't like it. We are at war with a bunch of cowards who certainly don't have any qualms about how they pull the United States down. What kills me is we are willing to help them like this recent trail in New York.

Anonymous said...

Amen, BAH! If people had only listened to Ralph Nader's campaign for lockable cockpit doors back in the 70s, 9/11 would never have happened. But the airlines fought it as too expensive.

El Al does an amazing job, but then, they take security seriously. What we have is window dressing that is completely backward looking. I am confident that even I could out fox TSA if I cared to. Just saying.

Anonymous said...

I was one of the original federal officers hired to train the newly formed TSA screeners. I found, for the most part, the new hires to be idiots, and power crazy idiots at that.

While teaching them to use the carry-on x-ray scanner, one "screener" in Denver happily screamed that she saw bullets in a bag. Tiny bullets, gathered at the bottom of a bag. Yep...good find, except that she missed the 9mm handgun right next to the bullets. Another swore a ceramic teapot (yep, full-sized) was a crack pipe.
While training the brain-i-acs on the walk-through metal detector, they let a "plant" passenger go through with a gun openly displayed in his waistband.
I have seen diapers removed from babies and checked. Passengers forced AGAINST REGULATIONS to drink fluids from their cups.
And on and on.....

TSA was a knee-jerk response to 9/11 and a typical big government reaction to a problem. Throw lots of money, add a bunch of fools and give those fools power.


Do I mind being screened...no.
Do I mind being screened by these idiots...yes.

Anonymous said...

Here's an idea for passengers wishing to rebel. Exercise daily and don't bath for about a week before your flight. Wear the same clothes all week and you will be ripe enough that dogs will roll in the grass when you get near them. You won't be very popular among other passengers, but maybe it will keep the roving hands of a TSA away from your nether regions.

performs said...

Anon 11:18, you were nearly onto something with “TSA was a knee-jerk response to 9/11 and a typical big government reaction to a problem. Throw lots of money, add a bunch of fools and give those fools power.” My perspective differs in that I see the Homeland Security ramp-up as another opportunity for......listen for it....can you hear that low sucking sound? That is the echo of the billions of dollars of pooled taxes from our treasury being sucked into the bulging pockets of all the contractors who got in on these government programs, including the latest TSA security procedures.
I feel pretty certain about one thing, that is that none of these contractors give a rat’s ass what side ends up winning the debate regarding the usefullness or legality of these procdures. For all they care, all the scanners can end up in the dump, and all the money spent on research and training can go for naught. Why, because they made their dough, their lobbyists got their cut, and as you say Anon they convinced their legislators to throw lots of money at it. So, now on to the next scam.
And you can bet they love it when the whole nation gets sidetracked into some legal/moral dispute, because then we are not paying any attention to the ripoff. Okay, boys everyone say “thank you” to the nice corporate media for helping you to suck freely at the treasury-teat.

performs said...

on theme from the SF Chronicle today:

Go ahead: Search me
Regarding the air travel pat-down controversy, I'd rather be felt up than blown up.
Edwin Glaser, Napa

Anonymous said...

The bad guys won the war on 9/11.
They now hold us hostage.

Father Farken said...

Tiz the season to remember to be Thankful in all things but as our brother Randolph has pointed out... that can be very difficult...especially when you are on your way to the airport. First of all I was NYC bound for a Celtic Spirituality Retreat so I am wearing me plaid Kilt of Many Colors... but before I know it... this TSA of a prick is grabbing hold of what use to be me privates as if he has dicovered a pipe bomb or something...which causes quite a stir since he tells me that because there is a hard object under me kilt that I have to go through a more advansed search. I tell him that there was nothing hard down there till he started fiddling! Anywho before I know it The Inspector is playing me arse for a Puppet..so I do the honorable thing & cold cock 'em & I spend the night in lock down as if I'm Daniel Berrigen or something! The Peace of The Lord! FFF

Shecky Kierkegaard McGirk said...

Let me clue you in. Some of them TSA agents are Pervs! They pull aside all the men with huge feet! You should've seen Fergus standing there in his clown shoes ...hiking up his kilt with one hand while covering his nether-regions with a fig leaf with the other.It was not his best look! The agent be singing-Yank The Doodle It's a Dandy! The whole thing is just wrong!

Anonymous said...

I was in complete agreement with you in regard to this commentary til the last sentence...'given the history of the pilgrims, what could be more American than to have a smiling stranger say, "Happy Thanksgiving. Now asssume the position". I read about America-haters, but you are as close as I have come to an actual case of one. You disdain the 'pursuit of happiness thing', the Founding Fathers, and the Constitution. I am sure that there are lots of other things that you detest about America. Why don't you do a commentary entitled, 'All of the Things That I Hate About America'? I suppose that you won't because it would take a book. It makes me wonder how many other participants in this blog are virulent America haters.

The Watcher said...

Anon Nov.23, 11:18 am, I wanted to cheer when you said,"TSA was a knee-jerk response to 9/11 and a typical big government reaction to a problem. Throw lots of money, add a bunch of fools and give those fools power". That is one of the best and most succinct statements in regard to the way that government works that I have ever heard. Just think of all the slack-jawed government bureaucrats that you have had to deal with throughout your life. And just think, the progressives want more and more government to 'solve' our problems. Progressives want the government to replace the private sector, because they have so much confidence in its ability to deliver intelligent, cost-effective solutions to our problems. So much for the IQ of the progressives. Everything that the government touches turns into shit. The evidence is over-whelming. Watch the news. Just ask Sputnik's parents. They had the good sense to take him out of the government schools and put him in one that works...a PRIVATE school. If he had gone to public schools he probably wouldn't be able to form a coherent sentence. But the government thinks that their school system is just fine and that everyone should attend them. Like you said, throw money at the problem, then hire a bunch of fools and empower them to fix it. The American government has morphed into our biggest threat. It is not the private sector that is destroying us. It is the mindless, power hungry politicians who don't give a shit about anything but their own advancement. I am surprised that they didn't write a regulation that would allow them to opt out of the TSA procedures. They make special arrangements for themselves in regard to everything else, like health care.

performs said...

Ah, Watcher, you have such a way with Republican-issued talking points. Just be careful about believing everything you think--most are not thoughts your loving heart has authorized. For instance, “Progressives want the government to replace the private sector, because they have so much confidence in its ability to deliver intelligent, cost-effective solutions to our problems.” I would accept the label of progressive, but not the description you offer. I would like to see some things run by a competent, uncorrupted government, local, state, or national. while other areas remaining private should be closely watched (an excellent job for yourself) and regulated by a government serving we the people, our fellow non-human beings, and our precious environment.
The notion that “everything the government touches turns to shit” is an ignorant, emotionally charged talking point. One can easily tell by the way it is supported: “The evidence is overwhelming. Watch the news.” Thanks for nothing.
“The American government has morphed into our biggest threat. It is not the private sector that is destroying us.” I agree that much of our government’s workers and leaders may actually be more corrupt and incompetent than ever, but from where does this arise? What is the motive behind this destructive thinking and behavior? It is not the wonderful principles upon which our government was based. It is not in pursuit of the common needs of we the people that is the cause. It is the pursuit of robbing the coffers of money for one’s self-interest and ego aggrandizement. Those who pursue this and think this is “the way” are to be found throughout government and commercial arenas. Everyone has membership in both the government and private sectors, and all must discern what is their duty to one another.

The Watcher said...

Performs, first of all I am NOT a Republican. They are as much of the problem as the Democrats are. In fact, I am beginning to suspect collusion between the two parties. Together they constitute the elites who bleed the common man and reduce his freedom. They remind me of something that I learned in biology. There is a species of ant that enslaves a species of aphid that secretes a fluid that nourishes the ants. The aphids are afforded protection by the ants while the aphids provide nutrition for the ants. That is a good picture of the relationship between the elites and the common man. Unbridled government is raw force and has always sucked the blood out of the common man, ripping him off and ultimately enslaving him. The strong prey upon the weak. This is world history 101. As our government trashes the Constitution, which is (was) our only protection from the excesses of government, we will be increasingly ripped off and oppressed. Both parties have contributed to this state of affairs. Your hope for an uncorrupted government is a pipe dream. That has never existed and never will. The tendency for the strong to dominate the weak seems to be written into our DNA. The Constitution was a futile attempt to change this state of affairs. The strong are not only powerful, they are crafty. No document will change this state of affairs. There is no truth outside the gates of Eden. You don't believe that everything that the government touches turns to shit. This just means that you have never worked for the government. I have for nearly four decades and have seen the beast up close and personal. The beast turns things into shit. You seem to think that our corruption problem is somehow related to our founding principles. I submit that as our culture has become more corrupt, so has our government. Our founding principles had nothing to do with this. Government in a free society (formerly free, actually) merely reflects the state of the populace. You also seem to imply that our problems come from not pursuing the needs of the common man. Are you kidding? Our government has been doing this at least since FDR. In fact, the government's attempts to serve the common man are bankrupting the country. We would have done better to pursue the strenghening of the individual. When the individuals of a society are disciplined, responsible, and hard-working the society becomes strong. Collectivism tends to weaken the individual and the society. Are you familiar with the 'tragedy of the commons'? Collectivism tends to make individuals dependent which is exactly what the elites want. Remember what I said about the ants and the aphids? Wait! My liberal, collectivist neighbor is shouting something out of his bathroom window. He is shouting, 'Obama, come wipe me!' He is a good, dependent aphid. That is exactly what the government wants...slavishly dependent and weak aphids that they can corral and milk for labor and taxes. Strong, responsible individuals who can care for themselves represent a threat to their agenda. Finally, you seem to blame our ills on the corporate world. That is half correct. Are you not aware of the growing collusion between big business and big governmet? Open your eyes a little wider.

The Watcher said...

Performs, first of all I am NOT a Republican. They are as much of the problem as the Democrats are. In fact, I am beginning to suspect collusion between the two parties. Together they constitute the elites who bleed the common man and reduce his freedom. They remind me of something that I learned in biology. There is a species of ant that enslaves a species of aphid that secretes a fluid that nourishes the ants. The aphids are afforded protection by the ants while the aphids provide nutrition for the ants. That is a good picture of the relationship between the elites and the common man. Unbridled government is raw force and has always sucked the blood out of the common man, ripping him off and ultimately enslaving him. The strong prey upon the weak. This is world history 101. As our government trashes the Constitution, which is (was) our only protection from the excesses of government, we will be increasingly ripped off and oppressed. Both parties have contributed to this state of affairs. Your hope for an uncorrupted government is a pipe dream. That has never existed and never will. The tendency for the strong to dominate the weak seems to be written into our DNA. The Constitution was a futile attempt to change this state of affairs. The strong are not only powerful, they are crafty. No document will change this state of affairs. There is no truth outside the gates of Eden. You don't believe that everything that the government touches turns to shit. This just means that you have never worked for the government. I have for nearly four decades and have seen the beast up close and personal. The beast turns things into shit. You seem to think that our corruption problem is somehow related to our founding principles. I submit that as our culture has become more corrupt, so has our government. Our founding principles had nothing to do with this. Government in a free society (formerly free, actually) merely reflects the state of the populace. You also seem to imply that our problems come from not pursuing the needs of the common man. Are you kidding? Our government has been doing this at least since FDR. In fact, the government's attempts to serve the common man are bankrupting the country. We would have done better to pursue the strenghening of the individual. When the individuals of a society are disciplined, responsible, and hard-working the society becomes strong. Collectivism tends to weaken the individual and the society. Are you familiar with the 'tragedy of the commons'? Collectivism tends to make individuals dependent which is exactly what the elites want. Remember what I said about the ants and the aphids? Wait! My liberal, collectivist neighbor is shouting something out of his bathroom window. He is shouting, 'Obama, come wipe me!' He is a good, dependent aphid. That is exactly what the government wants...slavishly dependent and weak aphids that they can corral and milk for labor and taxes. Strong, responsible individuals who can care for themselves represent a threat to their agenda. Finally, you seem to blame our ills on the corporate world. That is half correct. Are you not aware of the growing collusion between big business and big governmet? Open your eyes a little wider.

The Watcher said...

Performs, first of all I am NOT a Republican. They are as much of the problem as the Democrats are. In fact, I am beginning to suspect collusion between the two parties. Together they constitute the elites who bleed the common man and reduce his freedom. They remind me of something that I learned in biology. There is a species of ant that enslaves a species of aphid that secretes a fluid that nourishes the ants. The aphids are afforded protection by the ants while the aphids provide nutrition for the ants. That is a good picture of the relationship between the elites and the common man. Unbridled government is raw force and has always sucked the blood out of the common man, ripping him off and ultimately enslaving him. The strong prey upon the weak. This is world history 101. As our government trashes the Constitution, which is (was) our only protection from the excesses of government, we will be increasingly ripped off and oppressed. Both parties have contributed to this state of affairs. Your hope for an uncorrupted government is a pipe dream. That has never existed and never will. The tendency for the strong to dominate the weak seems to be written into our DNA. The Constitution was a futile attempt to change this state of affairs. The strong are not only powerful, they are crafty. No document will change this state of affairs. There is no truth outside the gates of Eden. You don't believe that everything that the government touches turns to shit. This just means that you have never worked for the government. I have for nearly four decades and have seen the beast up close and personal. The beast turns things into shit. You seem to think that our corruption problem is somehow related to our founding principles. I submit that as our culture has become more corrupt, so has our government. Our founding principles had nothing to do with this. Government in a free society (formerly free, actually) merely reflects the state of the populace. You also seem to imply that our problems come from not pursuing the needs of the common man. Are you kidding? Our government has been doing this at least since FDR. In fact, the government's attempts to serve the common man are bankrupting the country. We would have done better to pursue the strenghening of the individual. When the individuals of a society are disciplined, responsible, and hard-working the society becomes strong. Collectivism tends to weaken the individual and the society. Are you familiar with the 'tragedy of the commons'? Collectivism tends to make individuals dependent which is exactly what the elites want. Remember what I said about the ants and the aphids? Wait! My liberal, collectivist neighbor is shouting something out of his bathroom window. He is shouting, 'Obama, come wipe me!' He is a good, dependent aphid. That is exactly what the government wants...slavishly dependent and weak aphids that they can corral and milk for labor and taxes. Strong, responsible individuals who can care for themselves represent a threat to their agenda. Finally, you seem to blame our ills on the corporate world. That is half correct. Are you not aware of the growing collusion between big business and big governmet? Open your eyes a little wider.

Anonymous said...

I would to make a proposal to the liberal establishment. This will tell if they have a spine. Every time that they do something to desecrate Jesus, they must also do something to desecrate Mohammed. And then give the finger to Islam the same way that they give the finger to Christians. Of course this will never happen. I never met a liberal that wasn't a chicken shit at heart.

Anonymous said...

I saw a great bumper sticker today. It said, "Should we trust the government? Ask an Indian". That says it all.

Anonymous said...

Watcher I like your ant/aphid parody. Obviously the ants would be the government while the aphids would be the American tax slaves. The tax slaves constitute only about 55% of the citizenry, but must pay the bills for everyone. All the ants do is to milk the tax slave aphids and then buy votes from the dependent aphids that depend upon them for security. The anthill is just a device to legally take from some and give to others. But this has nothing to do with compassion as the ants feign. It is just a means for them to stay in power and to continue their scams upon the tax slave aphids. Brilliant crooks those ants are!

performs said...

Anon, it seems clear that your answer to the bumper sticker is “no, we should not trust the government.” Other questions then arise: 1) Shall we fix and clean up the government? 2) Shall we abandon government and experiment with a state of anarchy? 3) Shall we do nothing so as to be able to continue to blame government for everything?
Personally, I am not one who identifies with rugged individualism--an independent player in the dog-eat-dog world, where the golden rule is “he who has the gold rules.” I am in favor of a society that can pool and share its resources, cooperatively establishing systems and rules based upon kindness and fairness. Oh Heavens, I must be a socialist!
As regards the ants and aphids analogy, I have always heard that the relationship is likened to man and his dairy cows, not other people. On the other hand, one of world’s great problems has long been the dehumanizing of our brothers and sitsers.
“The anthill is just a device to legally take from some and give to others.” This sounds like an important facet of your philosophy, not wanting to support others in need, less fortunate, or lazy, good-for-nothing loafers who resort to scamming the system. The reaction seems to close the heart to these folks by cutting programs that can, but not always, help them. But what if you stood in their shoes? I suppose if you held to your attitude, you would be too proud to accept help of this kind. Or you would abandon your attitude and be grateful for the kindness of brothers and sisters willing and able to help.

Anonymous said...

Performs, you are manifestly a socialist and more than that...extremely naive. I wouldn't subscribe to any of your alternatives in regard to what to do about the government. My solution would be to go back to Constitutionally based government and that is all. The states formed the federal government to do one main thing and that is to protect the inalienable rights granted by the Creator to the individuals that make up the country. In order to accomplish this and other needful government activities, the Constitution was written which gave the federal government certain specifically enumerated powers which the government was not supposed to extend itself beyond. The Constitution also provided for a system of checks and balances to prevent the government from becoming tyrannical. Progressives for the past 100 years have progressively undermined the Constitution. They have allowed the government to grow way beyond the powers legally granted to the government and to trash the balance of power. The Executive branch has apporopriated to itself almost dictatorial power. Obama is now circumventing Congress when it thwarts his will by fulfilling his mandates through executive bureacrasies like the EPA (Cap & Trade) and the FCC (Internet Neutrality). Like Pelosi said, if we can do it one way, we will polevault, parachute, etc. to get our agenda done, the Constitution be damned. And, they are about to put this trashing of the Constitution into turbo-drive. All most of the federal government wants to do with the Constitution these days is to wipe thir butts with it. This is why Nancy Pelosi laughed a reporter to scorn when he asked her about the constitutionality of Obamacare. She was amused that anyone would take the Constitition seriously. The fact that he who has the gold makes rules will hold true even under world socialism or communism. That is true regardless of the form of government. I wonder if you think your way through these things. You depict individualism in a rather coarse way. The general meaning of individualism is to allow individuals freedom and private property. Freedom and private property are the bases of free market capitalism which allows individuals to 'be all that they can be' to borrow a slogan from the Army. It has nothing to do with being a knuckle-dragging, selfish barbarian. You do know that conservatives always out give liberals, don't you? I was only a school teacher, but have given more than $250,000 to charitable purposes while I was employed. One year that I gave around $12,000 to charity, Al Gore (liberal multi-millionaire) gave $600. This is typical of liberals with the exception of philanthropists. Regarding helping the less fortunate, no one would refuse help to the truly needy. Loafers, yes, but the truly needy, no. You say, "I am in favor of a society that can pool and share it's resources, cooperatively establishing systems and rules based upon kindness and fairness". You are extremely naive in regard to human nature, but dream on. If there were enough non-hypocritical liberals they could form something like this on a limited basis. All they would have to do is establish a foundation in which liberals could pool all of their excess money and give it to the whomever. This will never happen, because liberals by definition want to do their acts of compassion with other people's money. Ask Al Gore if this is not so.

Zarathustra said...

The federal government working in cahoots with Wall St. constitutes a gargantuan form of Crime, Inc. Most politicians are lawyers. They use the law to worm their way into people's pocketbooks and to exercise control over their lives. Wall St. is a consortium of thieves and con artists as well. Those who are drawn to wealth and power generally are amoral and irreligious. This type of person makes up 90% of the politicians and the Wall St. crowd. Our government and much of the corporate culture are hopelessly corrupt. They feign compassion for the common man, but secretly loathe him. They suck the blood and life from the common man. I'll bet that it is hard sometimes for them to keep a straight face. Some of you think that our government is wonderful. You are frightfully deceived. You rightfully blame Wall St., but are woefully ignorant of the scam that is our government. Sputnik worships the ground that the Democrats walk on. And he seems to be fairly intelligent. Go figure. You will lose your freedom and your property in time. And then you will wonder how all of this came to be. The totalitarians throughout history are probably laughing their asses off at us from hell. They see us walking into the same type of trap that they used through history to enslave the common man. But, that seems to be the cycle of history. I don't think that freedom can be re-established once the bad boys consolidate their power on a global basis. Eventually, Earth will morph into Prison Planet and there will be no escape. Someday children of the future will wistfully listen to tales of a time when men were free. It will be very hard for them to imagine that.

performs said...

I agree with much of the worldview of Brother Z. with a couple of important exceptions. This is a guess but I do not believe that “Sputnik worships the ground that the Democrats walk on.” He may, however, worship the ground that they ignore, spit on, and shit on. The ground being the principles upon which this country was founded, and which lie at the core of the teachings of the founders of the great religions, including Zarathustra’s: Good thoughts, good words, and good deeds.
A new gospel has caught on, not behind the scenes, but quite openly, and is being preached very slyly and unconsciously via our popular media. If one does not disern or examine the real messages going out, it will surely become one’s way of thinking, speaking and acting. It will also conflict with one’s conscience, intuition, and pure heart. This conflict is the cause of personal and collective chaos and confusion suffered by many.
The other exception is what appears to be a sense of complete hopelessness and helplessness for the destiny of humanity. Although I understand the reasoning, I do not ascribe to this attitude. Here is a song that does a splendid job at explaining why: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za5AH7qVlqE