Are You Feeling Safer Yet?

I'm really glad that the TSA is protecting me when I fly around the country. The level of security is unheard of. Just last month when dropping my mom off at Newark airport one of the head guys talked down to her like she was 2 yr old when she wanted to know which way to go the ticketing office. Then he proceeded to flirt with one of the young women working there and within seconds was acting with condescension towards another traveler.

When I heard that Walter Murphy was placed on the no-fly list, it was apparent that safety for American flyers was job number one. Why you ask? Is Mr. Murphy a terrorist? Sponsor terrorism around the world that is aimed at American interests? What could possibly be the reason for a Princeton Professor Emeritus to be banned from flying? Well, he was speaking out against King George and his 'benevolent' government that cares so much about our citizens and those around the globe.

From Balkinization:

"On 1 March 07, I was scheduled to fly on American Airlines to Newark, NJ, to attend an academic conference at Princeton University, designed to focus on my latest scholarly book, Constitutional Democracy, published by Johns Hopkins University Press this past Thanksgiving."

"When I tried to use the curb-side check in at the Sunport, I was denied a boarding pass because I was on the Terrorist Watch list. I was instructed to go inside and talk to a clerk. At this point, I should note that I am not only the McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence (emeritus) but also a retired Marine colonel. I fought in the Korean War as a young lieutenant, was wounded, and decorated for heroism. I remained a professional soldier for more than five years and then accepted a commission as a reserve office, serving for an additional 19 years."

"I presented my credentials from the Marine Corps to a very polite clerk for American Airlines. One of the two people to whom I talked asked a question and offered a frightening comment: "Have you been in any peace marches? We ban a lot of people from flying because of that." I explained that I had not so marched but had, in September, 2006, given a lecture at Princeton, televised and put on the Web, highly critical of George Bush for his many violations of the Constitution. "That'll do it," the man said. "

"After carefully examining my credentials, the clerk asked if he could take them to TSA officials. I agreed. He returned about ten minutes later and said I could have a boarding pass, but added: "I must warn you, they=re going to ransack your luggage." On my return flight, I had no problem with obtaining a boarding pass, but my luggage was "lost." Airlines do lose a lot of luggage and this "loss" could have been a mere coincidence. In light of previous events, however, I'm a tad skeptical."

I would be a tad skeptical as well. All kidding aside, this is just another story that highlights the disgraceful TSA and the Bush Administration that tries to silence dissent at any cost. I personally despise the TSA, their 'security' is nothing more than smoke and mirrors that only humiliates people into taking off their shoes, belts and whatever else the men with the gold-plates badges ask of you.