Doing Unto Others
Oh, this is rich. Yes, I know that we are admonished in the Good Book to do unto others as we would have them do unto us, and to turn the other cheek as well. But when both cheeks are bloody, sometimes the “others” get their comeupance. Usually it's the kid who has had it with being picked on and finally fights back that gets caught by the teacher, but every now and then, it's the school yard bully that gets done unto.
Looks like a TSA agent has experienced grope and change, first-hand, as it were. A 61 year-old lady in Phoenix has admitted to grabbing a TSA agent's breast. Yes, I know that two wrongs don't make a right, and that there are distinctions to be made between insuring flying safety and taking a cheap shot. But on a basic level, I find it amusing when government officials essentially say "Don't treat me the way I treat you because it isn't very nice." And to the TSA, on this sunny Saturday morning, I find myself saying, “Don't much like it, do ya? Neither to do we.”
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Jun '10
Re: Doing Unto Others
Abolish the TSA. Make each individual airport responsible for its own security. Let the industry deal with it even if it means different standards for different airports. I'll accept the additional confusion if it guarantees my liberty.
May '10
Re: Doing Unto Others
I know how that woman felt. On my way to DC, I not only got the scatter x-ray treatment. Apparently, I failed that one (WTF[lip])?!). So, I got treated to a full body groping. And they sprung the x-ray onto me so fast that I didn't have time to protest that I have thyroid cancer. I don't, but I'd like to have gotten that out.
At least my personal groper (a chick) was quite taken with my toe-nail polish which led to a discussion of the best nail polish technology. However, I still have that lingering, uncomfortable, feeling that I was done wrong. Not only do they have a nudie shot of me, they're probably still talking about my toe-nail polish...
Re: Doing Unto Others
Intriguing....
Jun '11
Re: Doing Unto Others
The airport that got the reputation for the highest level of security could charge a premium for this service.
If passengers wanted to go to the airport that groped them, they could do so.
Since this all began, I have passed through several airport checkpoints and must admit to feeling left out. No one offered to grope me at all. I thought to myself, "What? Am I chopped liver?"
Next time, I'll try a different toe nail polish.
Dec '10
Re: Doing Unto Others
I read about this this morning and immediately thought of my pastor [no, not that way ya' pervs]. He's enlisting lawyers in the parish to educate us on civil disobedience so we know exactly when, where and how we can push back, in this case, in expressions of our faith.
Seems to me we have a few good lawyers around here who might be able to help us get through TSA checkpoints while expressing our displeasure, but without getting arrested. /searching.. Let me see now... where did we put them?
Jun '10
Re: Doing Unto Others
Dave Carter
Intriguing.... · Jul 16 at 6:32am
And logical. Never accept a government solution when a free-market alternative is possible. Consider the benefits of going private:
A. Consumer choice: airports will be forced to compete. The less intrusive and more efficient model gets the business.
B. Consumers pay the cost of security up front. No costly government bureaucracy.
C. We might actually get security for our buck instead of a system that annoys people. I can imagine on flights from Albuquerque to Pocatello citizens with a C.C. permit might be allowed to pack heat. Robert Heinlein would approve.
Edited on Jul 16, 2011 at 7:31amDec '10
Re: Doing Unto Others
~Paules
A. Consumer choice: airports will be forced to compete. The less intrusive and more efficient model gets the business.
If we all lived in big metropolitan areas with multiple airports, sure. I guess the grope will be reserved for us rubes who can only afford a measly single international airport in a 300 mile radius.
Re: Doing Unto Others
Last month on my way to NYC via the SFO airport, I refused to go through the backscatter machine and so was subjected to a full, humiliating pat down. I didn't realize how violating it would feel, and I started sobbing right there in the security checkpoint area. The TSA agent who did the pat down had not an ounce of sympathy, and instead chided me for avoiding the x-ray machine.
Dec '10
Re: Doing Unto Others
I assume that agents of like gender are used for the pat downs to avoid even the hint of sexual misconduct, but how does this affect the gay population? Are homosexual TSA agents not allowed to do the full grope because it might be an issue for them or the heterosexuals they would be touching? If it is argued that homosexual agents can remain professional during an invasive inspection of someone they might otherwise be sexually aroused by then why can't heterosexuals do the same with people of their preferred gender?
Nov '10
Re: Doing Unto Others
I went back and forth for a while about posting what I really think of TSA agents, but I don't want to end up on a no-fly list. Suffice it to say that this agent gets no sympathy from me.
Jun '11
Re: Doing Unto Others
You bring to mind a truly compelling aspect of this issue - how should cross dressers be treated? Never mind the eunuchs. Or, heaven forbid, the metrosexuals.
I feel the urge to draft a 1000 pages of meaningless legislation and get it through the committees.
Jun '11
Re: Doing Unto Others
While sobbing in public can often be a sign of some disorder, your reaction was entirely appropriate.
The agent's reaction? Not so much.
Would your reaction have been different had the "agent" been capable of some understanding or sympathy?
May '10
Re: Doing Unto Others
I'd like to yell " OH YEAH, BABY, YEAH, THATS IT, UH HUH, YES, DADDY LIKE!!!! " as I get my groping. Kind of the Meg Ryan responce....
Jul '10
Re: Doing Unto Others
The pat down can make you feel like Chevy Chase in the Moon River scene from Fletch. Why do we tolerate this? Has the entire populace lost their concept of personal liberty?
Jul '10
Re: Doing Unto Others
The TSA agents don't do patdowns for their own personal amusement, they do it because it's policy. Stupid, unnecessary security-theater policy, but policy nonetheless.
And stuff like this will never get that policy changed.
Jun '10
Re: Doing Unto Others
The news report stated "There's no word why she touched the agent."
Really?
Re: Doing Unto Others
It is very depressing to think (and see) that there are tens of thousands of Americans willing to grope their fellow citizens under the pretence of safety.
I like to think that I would rather starve than commit indignities like the one described below.
Jun '10
Re: Doing Unto Others
I may be demonstrating my low-brow-ness, but I consider that one of the great scenes in the history of cinema. Moon River will never be the same.
May '10
Re: Doing Unto Others
Wylee Coyote
And stuff like this will never get that policy changed.
I'm not so sure.
Politicians need to know that they do not have the power (not authority — power) to legislate anything they want. Our modern government is so complex that politicians realize voters may be distracted from one injustice by another. I'm not convinced there's much real pressure on them to respond to this or any number of other systemic injustices.
It's certainly clear that no change will occur unless Republicans do well in the next elections; if even then.
In the meantime, people need inspiration to remain angry about this. Human beings are inclined to be apathetic (Que sera sera) about any injustice as it becomes normal. The first time you're frisked, it's outrageous. The third time, it's disturbing. The tenth or twentieth time, "That's life."
Even the smallest, silliest acts of rebellion can remind people that there are alternatives to unqualified obedience.
May '10
Re: Doing Unto Others
I did ask my Personal Groper if I was going to need a cigarette after the "pat down." She rolled her eyes and said, "I hope not."