TSA: Traveling Sheep of America

If you needed any more proof that we have become a nation of sheep, just fly somewhere. Since 9/11, the usual chutes herding us from door to door are supplemented with the TSA, the “Transportation Security Administration” Grumbling about the inconvenience is checked by the awareness that any behavior judged even mildly individualistic might be punished. Complain too loudly and you will be detained and miss your flight. A little louder and you are subject to a body cavity search or arrest.

Independent tests have shown the ineffectiveness of the TSA. Knives have been inadvertently left on planes by cleaning and repair crews. Explosives can be smuggled as constituents. Even a cursory examination of the 'secure' areas suggests obvious holes, some as simple as running up a down escalator to the baggage claim. Liquids and gels are the latest scare. Since we are ourselves just an organized collection of liquids and gels, figuring out how to defeat these restrictions does not require much imagination.

The rules of hijacking were rewritten by 9/11 on 9/11. The tried-and-true response before was to negotiate while the hijacker was allowed to take the plane where they wanted. The rules changed the instant that it became clear that the 9/11 hijackers had no demands so there would be no negotiations. This change occurred instantly. United Flight 93, the one that crashed in Pennsylvania, did not reach its target because the passengers were aware of their stark choice: do nothing and certainly die or do something and maybe live. (Among sheep, their choice passes for heroism.) The official rules, which changed soon after, no longer allowed the hijacker into the cockpit. These simple, new rules instantly dropped the chance of a repeat to near zero.

We are not safer today than on 9/12/2001. Stop the madness. Stop the Totally Senseless Administration.