Homeland Security

[coletrain]

In the last couple years I've be intimidated by the security at U.S. airports. I always knew if the trend in airport security kept going that eventually all our rights would be taken away. Rules seem to change daily, confusing passengers, airport officials, and agents charged with enforcing them.

Some government idiots are bandying about the idea of forcing (as in, mandatory BY LAW) every person who wants to fly to wear a bracelet. The "Electronic ID Bracelet" would supposedly take the place of a ticket and boarding pass, contain all of your personal information, be able to monitor your location using GPS, and shock you on command, completely immobilizing you.

You can read the article here: http://www.washingtontimes.com/weblo...-your-peanuts/

As if that wasn't bad enough, it turns out that airport security has all sorts of ways of violating your rights before they get the ability to track your whereabouts and shock you on command.

A certain poor sap on a flight to Canada mistakenly dropped his iPod out of his pocket into the lavatory midflight and caused an awful uproar. He didn't realize his mistake until stewardesses were called in by another passenger to figure out what the 'strange object' in the toilet was. He figures it out, and tries to tell them it's his iPod, can he have it back? It turns out it's too late, a possible bomb threat has already been called in, and the whole thing spirals out of control from there.

Here is the article (GOOD READ): http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/th...sid=1&pageNo=1

All this tells me is that the terrorists are winning. By making a few attacks, and a few more threats, they are slowly getting our own governments to take away all the freedoms that make it worth living, fighting, and even dying for. What point is it to say "I live in America!" if America no longer stands for freedom, for liberty, or for justice? Why would anyone want to live in a country that can take away our rights in the name of protecting those rights? I say if it means I can carry a water bottle and wear shoes on my flight, then God dammit let these supposed safety measures die!





I recently got back from Paris and coming into the United States as a citizen I was extensively searched. When I got to customs outside the international arrivals, I walked up to a U.S. customs booth and gave the attendant my passport. He immediately told me to follow him and took me into an interogation room. For about 30 mins he tore apart my belongings, asked me questions like:

Q: Why are you traveling alone?

Q: Why did you take a connecting flight from Chicago and Frankfurt?
A: Because it was a cheaper to have a connected flight rather than direct...that's what expedia booked for me.

Q: Who did you meet in Chicago?
A: I didn't meet anyone, I didn't leave the airport, it was just a connecting flight.

Q: Who did you meet in Frankfurt?
A: (same response) in my head I was thinking...Are you fucking kidding me?

Q: Why did you buy souvenirs?
A: Because It was my first time in Paris...

After watching him go through my dirty clothes and ask me questions that I had legit answers to...he got kind of frustrated that he didn't find anything. He moved me from one room to the next, to the next, to the next. Finally without warning he chucks my bag out the door and says "ok your free to go". Like WTF?



Has this gone too far?

[accordaffair]

well, that bracelet thing won't happen, don't worry too much about that

and it sucks getting shaken down, I have a friend who gets shaken down every time. Probably doesn't help him that he looks like grizzly adams with his long scraggly beard and his smarmy attitude

I can say that people are incredibly fearful but thats a comfortable state of mind for mr and mrs americana, it's unfortunate but I don't know what I can say or do to change that.

[Gemini]

That ipod story seems very similar to that new Harold and kumar movie. I havent flown in awhile but I hope I dot go thru all that bs when i do again.

[Juice21]

me personally, ive gotten the "random security search" it is anoying, but u have to look at the bigger picture, all these steps are necessary, if someone in your family was to die from a terrorist attack, because security wasnt tight enough, im sure u would be pissed, so to me this minor inconvenience while flying is worth it.

[lokuputha]

the security ppl are merely doing what they are trained to do.

The best thing we can do is really fudge the answers and offer them more than they actually need. It really makes their job feel cheesy

[Ralphie]

Yea I agree. Its a pain but if it happens to catch one asshole and save 150 peoples lives I'm all for it.

The bracelet won't ever fly, we aren't cattle and we will never allow ourselves to be treated that way.

The Airlines depend on us flying, they make no money whatsoever if people don't fly.

The moment people feel uncomfortable flying and money starts disappearing is how quick stupid ideas like that will go away.

I have never had any trouble getting through checkpoints but I belueve that's because I use military I'd when checking in and passing thru security.

[sackingz123]

they just doing their job. stop the war in iraq!!!

[Pandemic]

The ipod thing sounds ... retarded. Who doesn't know what an Ipod looks like.

I'm all for the bracelets. Who cares. Don't be a dick on the plane and you'll be fine It better be comfortable though. Actually, I like the idea of getting on a plane, going to a small bed (stacks so you can fit everyone) and being drugged for the flight :P ... I think that was on the fifth element.

I was talking to my cousin-in-law about firearms the other day and apparently it's not difficult (if you're a cop) to go through some red tape and courses/training to carry on a flight. At the same time, however, if shit hits the fan it could be worse that way.

The Spetsnaz used weaponized Fentanyl in the Moscow theater siege. They used too much and killed some people. But I think it's a good idea for a defensive measure on a plane. If shit hits the fan... like... hard core, spray it everywhere except the cockpit.

I'd rather have to wait in line at security for a few hours than have some terrorist prick carry out a successful attack. On that note, I usually have no problems. The only time I had to be searched (twice) was in Toronto coming home from Europe. I slept in the terminal and when I woke up my eyes were way blood shot. Welp, I was randomly selected twice in row

Other than that, no problems. Dress for the flight if you want to go through it speedy. Haircut, shave, relatively good clothes, and being polite go a long way.

[Shadow1]

random security searches are BS. do a random one if they want to. guess what? the person they grab for this "random search" could be standing in front of the terrorist that plans to blow up the airport with the 20 packs of C4 on his chest and bag.



i hate the way this country has gone. i dont even claim the US.


as far as those wrist bands? i kinda agree with it and i kinda dont. if your going into a country that is known for terrorist coming out of on a daily basis then yeah, you need one. no one knows who your going to see, meet, or spend the night with. but i DONT agree with having one on 24/7. if your not going on a plane then you dont need one.

[Pandemic]

random security searches are BS. do a random one if they want to. guess what? the person they grab for this "random search" could be standing in front of the terrorist that plans to blow up the airport with the 20 packs of C4 on his chest and bag.



i hate the way this country has gone. i dont even claim the US.


as far as those wrist bands? i kinda agree with it and i kinda dont. if your going into a country that is known for terrorist coming out of on a daily basis then yeah, you need one. no one knows who your going to see, meet, or spend the night with. but i DONT agree with having one on 24/7. if your not going on a plane then you dont need one.

Nah, I think these will only be used on a plane. Could you imagine walking around with one in normal life?! LOL no. Might as well use a collar with C4 in it.


Random security checks... there are NO random check. It's all profiling based on various things (race, look, age, etc). As they should be. I've heard of someone searching an old lady who was in a wheel chair... that's... overboard. She could have an Uzi somewhere and still not be able to take over the plane... SHE'S IN A WHEEL CHAIR! :P Profiling Good. Sorry.

On the up side, there are tons of advancements in security. One x-ray machine can look in your bag and find the components of a pistol, put them all together (in it's mind) and throw a flag. It can detect vapors, densities, etc. Crazy good... and expensive :P

[coletrain]

I think random searches are extremely stupid, especially who they pick out. I was in line to get on the plane and they escorted an elderly woman out of line and searched the fuck out of her. That's uncalled for.

I hate how the punishment for every action is to ruin it for "everyone". When one person in an airport tries something stupid...everyone in the United States is punished for it by stricter security...it's bullshit. I understand why,...but it's bullshit. It's like high school "johnny didn't do this right, so now the whole class gets fucked for it"

I also feel like the United States has brought this upon itself. It's obvious that we're the world's premier super power, but we definitely poke our noses in everyone else's business. We have our value's and rules, as do other countries. We may not agree with their "way of life" but it doesn't give us the right to try and change them. I believe ever since the United States started playing baby sitter, lots of people have been pissed at us. It's not like we're just a target for no apparent reason, we bring his upon ourselves.

I like the United States for many reasons, but most of the time I'm disgusted with our policies and the way we handle situations. I still feel like we as a country have soo much to learn. In time with responsible and honest leadership, we'll be pointed in the right direction.

[accordaffair]

The ipod thing sounds ... retarded. Who doesn't know what an Ipod looks like.

I'm all for the bracelets. Who cares. Don't be a dick on the plane and you'll be fine It better be comfortable though. Actually, I like the idea of getting on a plane, going to a small bed (stacks so you can fit everyone) and being drugged for the flight :P ... I think that was on the fifth element.

I was talking to my cousin-in-law about firearms the other day and apparently it's not difficult (if you're a cop) to go through some red tape and courses/training to carry on a flight. At the same time, however, if shit hits the fan it could be worse that way.

The Spetsnaz used weaponized Fentanyl in the Moscow theater siege. They used too much and killed some people. But I think it's a good idea for a defensive measure on a plane. If shit hits the fan... like... hard core, spray it everywhere except the cockpit.

I'd rather have to wait in line at security for a few hours than have some terrorist prick carry out a successful attack. On that note, I usually have no problems. The only time I had to be searched (twice) was in Toronto coming home from Europe. I slept in the terminal and when I woke up my eyes were way blood shot. Welp, I was randomly selected twice in row

Other than that, no problems. Dress for the flight if you want to go through it speedy. Haircut, shave, relatively good clothes, and being polite go a long way.

My uncle said this to me a couple months ago....spray the cabin of the plane, and I mentioned russia, said it could very well kill people...he had nothing to retort...

Bad ideas in small quantities aren't good ideas, we don't have to be irrationally fearful. It seems like we enjoy finding minute ways we could get injured or sick and then find rediculous ways to shield ourselves from that possibility. What's the new big fear thing today? Sars, west nile, bird flu, hijackings? Exposed electrical sockets? Tainted tomatos? A gas leak combined with a shag carpet combined with brass doorknob equals your house will blow up?
Fuck fear
Turn off the TV

[owequitit]

Random security checks... there are NO random check. It's all profiling based on various things (race, look, age, etc). As they should be. I've heard of someone searching an old lady who was in a wheel chair... that's... overboard. She could have an Uzi somewhere and still not be able to take over the plane... SHE'S IN A WHEEL CHAIR! :P Profiling Good. Sorry.

On the up side, there are tons of advancements in security. One x-ray machine can look in your bag and find the components of a pistol, put them all together (in it's mind) and throw a flag. It can detect vapors, densities, etc. Crazy good... and expensive :P

How do you know she actually needed the wheel chair? Are you sure? You don't think terrorists have mothers or couldn't be recruited if they had lost a loved one at the "hand of the US?"

Give yourself a break...

[Shadow1]

Nah, I think these will only be used on a plane. Could you imagine walking around with one in normal life?! LOL no. Might as well use a collar with C4 in it.


Random security checks... there are NO random check. It's all profiling based on various things (race, look, age, etc). As they should be. I've heard of someone searching an old lady who was in a wheel chair... that's... overboard. She could have an Uzi somewhere and still not be able to take over the plane... SHE'S IN A WHEEL CHAIR! :P Profiling Good. Sorry.

On the up side, there are tons of advancements in security. One x-ray machine can look in your bag and find the components of a pistol, put them all together (in it's mind) and throw a flag. It can detect vapors, densities, etc. Crazy good... and expensive :P

lmao. granny trying to take over a plane. lol



but as far as the components to gun thing? what if it mistakes something else as a component of a gun? they tackle that guy/woman for no reason and they get sued. they had better be sure that the computer is failsafe to the point where the parts to a gun CANNOT be mixed up with anything else.

but if people cared so much about this country like they say they do then money shouldnt be an object. they shouldnt be able to put a price on the nations security. if they can, they're far from being american.

[owequitit]

I think random searches are extremely stupid, especially who they pick out. I was in line to get on the plane and they escorted an elderly woman out of line and searched the fuck out of her. That's uncalled for.

I hate how the punishment for every action is to ruin it for "everyone". When one person in an airport tries something stupid...everyone in the United States is punished for it by stricter security...it's bullshit. I understand why,...but it's bullshit. It's like high school "johnny didn't do this right, so now the whole class gets fucked for it"

I also feel like the United States has brought this upon itself. It's obvious that we're the world's premier super power, but we definitely poke our noses in everyone else's business. We have our value's and rules, as do other countries. We may not agree with their "way of life" but it doesn't give us the right to try and change them. I believe ever since the United States started playing baby sitter, lots of people have been pissed at us. It's not like we're just a target for no apparent reason, we bring his upon ourselves.

I like the United States for many reasons, but most of the time I'm disgusted with our policies and the way we handle situations. I still feel like we as a country have soo much to learn. In time with responsible and honest leadership, we'll be pointed in the right direction.

1) Random searches are not "random" you are right. However, you point is also moot, because more than anything, "random searches" are a deterrent, not a prevention. You can argue it all you want, the fact is that people who are intending on doing wrong, are less likely to try and go through the security, if they know there is a greater chance that they will be searched.

Might not deter everyone, but realistically, if you deter some, that is better than not deterring any.

The REAL full screening comes in when you pass through the machines. They check every body, bag and suitcase that goes through. There are more machines on the airside baggage system that does the same for your checked luggage.

Truthfully, they were doing it to international luggage long before Sept 11th, but our wonderful reactionary government didn't want to put up the cash to buy the machines for every bag, because the people would have complained about it. The airports and the people responsible for such things knew it was a risk long before it happened. It was a wonderful hole in our facade of safety. We APPEAR to be safe, so we must be, right? It is called a false sense of security, and it is nothing new in the US. Now with all the focus on airplanes, do you suppose we are just as secure with highways, rail lines and ships? I know what my guess would be.

2) "Ruin if for everyone." That is the outcome of a reactionary response. It is just like high school because in many social constructs, the real world is just like High School. Someone does something they should have and to prevent it from occuring again, they prohibit it for everyone else. Do you have a better solution?