"Enhanced" Screening?
The Transportation Security Administration is announcing the implementation of "enhanced screening" for personnel coming in from nations that have been designated as terrorist havens. I wonder if "enhanced interrogation" comes with the package? Could they have picked a worse term?
Because effective aviation security must begin beyond our borders, and as a result of extraordinary cooperation from our global aviation partners, TSA is mandating that every individual flying into the U.S. from anywhere in the world traveling from or through nations that are state sponsors of terrorism or other countries of interest will be required to go through enhanced screening. The directive also increases the use of enhanced screening technologies and mandates threat-based and random screening for passengers on U.S. bound international flights.
File this under "things that would not have stopped Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab from flying from Nigeria through Amsterdam to the United States." Nor would it have stopped the feared "liquid bombers" from the United Kingdom. And it won't stop al Qaeda cells operating in Germany. So exactly how is this security theater meant to protect us? Short answer, it won't. It's just movie drama theater. It will, however, piss off a lot of normal travelers who will decide that flying to America just isn't worth it anymore. It will also cost the airports a great deal of money and slow down security checks even further. So overall, yeah, great news, TSA.
The NY Times has a list of countries who will be affected by this directive.
Citizens of Cuba, Iran, Sudan and Syria, countries that are considered “state sponsors of terrorism,” as well as those of “countries of interest” — including Afghanistan, Algeria, Lebanon, Libya, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia and Yemen — will face the special scrutiny, officials said.
But it still won't stop "non-state actors" from flying to America if and when they want.
they just arrest and torture anyone who doesn't fit this profile:
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/3927500...
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... that they MUST have passports from nations like Cuba, Iran, Sudan, Syria, Afghanistan, Algeria, Lebanon, Libya, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, and Yemen, so that we can properly identify them and catch them (literally) with their pants down.
Thunkitsed screaming.
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
(Than 'enhanced screening.')
Short answer; NO.
"In theory theory and practice are alike. In practice they are very different."
...that all this airport security isn't to protect travelers, it's to belittle and humiliate and make them afraid. It's one the principal ways in which the federal government interacts directly with the citizenry (or subjectry?). It's the federal government's best opportunity to create fear and humiliation, one on one. Anything to advance the totalitarian police state....
More to the point, I believe that it's all part of a greater 'learned helplessness' program designed to turn people into something even more ovine (sheepish) than they already are now.
-- Aldous Huxley -- (from a letter to George Orwell congratulating him on the publication of Nineteen Eighty-Four, which Huxley described as being profoundly important.)
Orwell and Huxley were both visionaries; Huxley's Brave New World and Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four complementary dystopian pictures of the future. One thing they had in common was that both could be interpreted as UTOPIAN, if the point of view of the overclass was taken.
The overclass in America wouldn't lose any sleep if they created a nightmare for everybody else - just so long as the expensive wine keeps flowing in the gated communities. And it makes no difference to them if you love your servitude or just accept it meekly.
"In theory theory and practice are alike. In practice they are very different."
If the people running the government only act to meet the expectations of the people, and if the people have been taught to be afraid and demand illogical measures that seem based on security instead of logical steps that would actually make things better, is it any wonder that they consistently thumb their noses at progressive ideas while steadfastly embracing the looniest of right-wing notions?
If you think you might lose votes by "seeming weak on terrorism", but don't expect to lose any votes at all by violating American principles in the name of "Keeping Us Safe"... which would YOU do? Never mind, don't answer. You aren't a 21st-century politician.
Please subject United States citizens to the same scrutiny they subject citizens of your country with regard to "enhanced screening" security measures. Everyone wants to be safe, right?
.. anything that would make Americans see the less of the rest of the world is not a good thing.
There should be free airfare to all Americans ...once a year ... to anywhere ...especially where English is not the first language.
Only ever going to another country to kill people is not a good policy long-term.
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I agree with you. This is the point I was trying to make but did a poor job in doing so. I said the other day on another post about profiling...
Far too few Americans never step foot outside the borders which is another topic of discussion for another day. Americans should be prepared to be treated with the same scrutiny as American policymakers are willing to scrutinze people from around the world when visiting the United States. If every U.S. citizen was required to fly to at least two foreign countries (preferably countries on another continent) and stay a minimum of a week, the country and the world would be better because of it.
I figured thats what you meant, sad thing is, Americans have basically STOPPED travelling outside the US since the events of you know when, a lot of tourism operations and small businesses have given up on that once booming market.
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I think the economy had a lot to do with the fall in tourism operations and small businesses. I have never liked to fly and if they get much stricter about what you can and cannot do, I'll make flying my transportation of last resort.
The last time I flew the TSA agent found my silver cuff bracelet in my bag and took it to his superior to see if it was considered a possible weapon. Then after my bracelet was cleared, the agent called me back to give me my Rolex watch. I told him it wasn't my watch and obviously belonged to someone else. He got a little snippy with me because I refused to take the watch that was not mine.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
Only about 20% of Americans have passports-- no?
Why go to Paris, when the "Eiffel Tower" is in Vegas?
I encountered some Americans in Paris disappointed none of the artists had any barn scenes for sale (with split rail fences, no less). Sadly they were paintings of Notre Dame and the Seine. (oh boy)
far left loon >.<
"Please subject United States citizens to the same scrutiny they subject citizens of your country with regard to "enhanced screening" security measures. "
I can't tell you how many times I've heard Americans abroad, not being treated like princes, princesses say, "But, I'm American."
One Brit guy said back, "How, nice for you."
far left loon >.<
Hearing way too many soundbites where travelers dislike the new procedures, but they want to be safe, so when the screeners tell them to take off their shoes, drop their pants, empty their bags, remove their belts, dance the funky chicken, etc. ... it's all good.
Not putting up with those indignities for the privilege of being stuffed into a flying sardine can with shitty service. I'll find other ways to get where I'm going.
don't take the plane? What if they just walk into the crowded airport and detonate their bomb?
... I came back to this page, and the new post window said:
ron, Paul
It's a sign! ;D
a good sign in my opinion.
.. they dont actually say "bomb"
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...from a number of countries on this list. One lovely woman from Beijing was so upset last year because she was pulled aside in a room and harrassed so much, that she missed her flight and had to wait a long time. "Why did they do that to me?" she asked. I had to tell her, "Because your last name is Muhammed." This is a doctoral candidate in English who had been in school her for a while. Our next discussion was about the type of people who go for a job like that... it was rather negative, I admit, but she understands that small, petty bureaucrats are just that: petty.
"Courtesy is owed. Respect is earned. Love is given." --Unknown author, found in Guide to Texas Etiquette by Kinky Friedman
... who has a completely innocuous, American name (like 'Robert Johnson'), but he's on the no-fly list for some reason. He has to prove he's not THE person the TSA considers a risk every single time he flies.
was also on the TSA no-fly list. This BS is NOT about airline security. It's about fascistic Police State control through intimidation. Their ultimate objective can only be the complete subservience sacrifice of civil liberties, and subservience to the Corporatist Police State.
In other words, the TSA is a major machination of the GWOT just like the DEA is a major machination of the GWOD, and both designed to subjugate the American people to the benefit of the Corporatist State.
"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."
-- John F. Kennedy
It's kind of hard to be confronted with that. What would a teabagger classmate say to her, "because you're evil"?
Basically they are profiling darkies, of all sorts, and non-Christians. I've visited Islamic and communist countries. Will I be subject to "enhanced interrogation", should I visit the USA, too?
far left loon >.<
I'd strongly advise against visiting the US.
I haven't and don't plan to. My only fear is I'll be on a flight home to Canada and we'll get diverted to an American airport for some reason.
far left loon >.<
that says if a minister of banking goes to the US and tells them his son is acting suspiciously, the tsa should put him on a no fly zone? or maybe take him aside and check him out?
and how does cuba fit with the others in the list?
It's all those radical (Muslim???) Cubans that want to provide us health care in the aftermath of Katrina!
Clearly these people are scary.
/sarcasm off
If there was any doubt the move was a political ploy, the addition of Cuba removes it. Of course, Cuba's offer I linked was also intended to be a political ploy, as if the US accepted or rejected it (and they rejected it), they had no way of looking good.
indeed, both were political ploys. of course, the american ploy was based on instilling fear, while the cuban ploy was to send doctors/health pros to help victims of the katrina disaster.
..look a gift ploy in the mouth, especially when there are lives at stake.
"In theory theory and practice are alike. In practice they are very different."
That list looks like a neocon "places we should bomb" wish-list.
[PS notice they are all countries the USA has somehow pissed off--> Blowback.]
far left loon >.<
with designated compartments. If your item will not fit in its designated compartment, it won't go with you on your flight. If you are packing anything in your suitcase besides clothes, shoes, wearable accessories,only authorized toiletries, you must declare your items and have all of your luggage upacked, searched, and re-pack it upon boarding your flight once you are past security check within the terminal. Those needing assistance to re-pack their luggage due to time constraints or disabilities, the airports wil offer a service of $25.00 to re-pack your luggage. *re-packing luggage will be done the way the service provider chooses not at the discretion of the passenger due to time saving measures.
...have been required in some schools for several years now.
"Courtesy is owed. Respect is earned. Love is given." --Unknown author, found in Guide to Texas Etiquette by Kinky Friedman
yep. That is what came to mind when I posted.
that all commercial airline travelers within, into, and out of the USA will be required to wear hospital-style paper slippers and open-backed gowns within 2 to 3 years -- that, and "Invisible Fence" type shock collars for all passengers.
It is bound to happen, if only to carry this "security exercise" toward it's totally illogical but obvious conclusion.
The GWOT (Global War OF (USA) Terror) is a beast that must be fed the fears of the American sheeple, and it has an insatiable appetite. Be afraid, citizens, be very afraid, and willing to submit ALL your rights to our Police State.
I am glad I don't fly.
"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."
-- John F. Kennedy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68xSoecsoq0
Now ... ?
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...to make gun owners look absurd.
"Courtesy is owed. Respect is earned. Love is given." --Unknown author, found in Guide to Texas Etiquette by Kinky Friedman
no amount of security, nor aggressive military/covert action, will completely protect america from terrorist acts. until the country is ready to ask themselves why america is so hated, despised, and singled-out amongst countries to strike we will never win this "war"
this is simply political cover. as our 'security' forces, once again, race to protect the country from the last tactic employed, always playing catch-up.
No one in the MSM will ever try to connect the dots to connect the USA's foreign policies and imperialistic military adventurism to terrorism directed at the USA, also known as BLOWBACK.
The GWOT is just another tool for use by our increasingly fascistic Police State. The TSA is merely one small piece in Corporatist Police State jigsaw puzzle. As far as I am concerned, GWOT stands for Global War OF Terror, and implemented by THE Numero Uno terrorist state in the whole wide world, the USA.
"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."
-- John F. Kennedy
the cold war, the drug war and now the war on terrorism are all cut from the same cloth: they have been the excuses for american military imperialism, dismantling of democracies worldwide, propping up "US"-friendly strongmen and providing cover for economic neocolonialism and the corporatocracy.
3 hours of a documtary by BBC on the ideology of the neocons and the terrorists. Both have their opinions of what should be done to make the world a better place and both are wrong.
http://www.archive.org/details/ThePowerOfNigh...
.
have to watch the whole thing.
that very same thing that we fought World War II over -- war-time Japan's "Economic Co-Prosperity Sphere" combined with Nazi Germany's internal police state. It is almost as if the PtB in this country looked at the Axis Powers' economic model and said "We can do that, but we can do it better" -- you know, American Exceptionalism. In fact, if you look at some of the primary players and not so ancient history, you can draw similar conclusions -- Prescott Bush & his cronies during the War, principals of the OSS that became the leadership of the CIA and NSA in 1947, the people involved in the Bay of Pigs Invasion (George HW Bush), etcetera.
The once secret "Secret Government" isn't so secret anymore, since the ONLY growth industry in the USA anymore is the M.I.C.C., exporting mayhem and bombs all over the globe.
"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."
-- John F. Kennedy
especially if you have read about the Family, and the power circles that it controls...
..if you read about Operation Paperclip.
"In theory theory and practice are alike. In practice they are very different."
This is why I get tired of this Godwin's law BS. I say never forget: analogies are useful.
The Nazis started as a fringe group (see: the Family) and were largely ignored. They preyed on the German citizenry's phobias, then targeted Jews, homosexuals, Gypsies (Roma), etc., and used them for propaganda and power grabs, and used thuggish behaviour. Now the USA is doing the same thing: Terrorists, Muslims, Mexicans, gays.
To PtB totalitarianism is a wonderful thing.
far left loon >.<
call bullshit on false equivalencies to Nazism...?
Thus to keep it from being minimized ...
"that mall cop is being like, such a total Nazi .."
Dont think it was ever intended to 'forget' the complete horror that Hitler brought.
OT:
BTW! Your 'snowstorm' made it on "As It Happens" (CBC Radio1) tonite ...
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I hear ya.
I think the Nazis laid a blueprint, and there are lots (neocon types) eager to use and improve upon it, that's all. I see it happening in many countries in the world now, subtly or overtly.
If you'll notice, country after country seems to be electing more conservative governments this last decade, even against their own interests. That proves, to me, the propaganda is filtering through to a scared public.
The Nazis are never irrelevant!!!
far left loon >.<
The "snow storm" was great, but they're just not used to it here, and don't have much removal equipment. As a Canadian, it was more like a dusting of snow.
far left loon >.<
so much of NA is freezing ... must be horrible for people not able to deal with it ...
anyway +3/-2C here all week so we are getting off lucky.
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The deep freeze is coming today. This is the coldest, snowiest, winter since I've been here and it's early January. Usually it's more mild, even rainy, and I'm usually in Thailand. (Still hoping to get down there yet.)
far left loon >.<
Really... thats crazy!
'and I'm usually in Thailand. (Still hoping to get down there yet.)'
yeah yeah yeah ... just what I need to hear ... :)
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If they begin using the scanners that can see through our clothes will they put kids and babies in them too?
This morning on Morning Joe, Mika was saying we need to be using this particular scanner and I had to wonder how she would feel about her two little daughters going through one of these things.
I'm so old that I remember the only people we ever saw getting patted down were people who had just been arrested.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
I thought of that too. If so, the pedo's will be fleeing the churches and heading right for TSA.
So what do they do about domestic terraists?
The US secret government is the foremost sponsor of State Terrorism in the world.
Dismantle them.
statusquObama, change you can only pretend in
On fox they were talking about the two men shot and killed in Vegas today. The reporter said the suspect was said to be a black man but as yet there was no reason to believe he had anything to do with Muslim extremist.
Jesus, what has come of this country?
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
curious to find out if the man is even black
With Fox you can never be too sure about all the danger in the world. I mean as soon as I heard the gun used was a shotgun, I immediately thought Muslim extremist! /snark off
I mean seriously must they attempt to connect everything thing awful that happens to Muslims. Gee, I wonder why so many Muslims do not like us? Could it be because everything we cannot blame on the President we try to blame on them?
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
money in the Military Industrial Complex.
1.6 billion Muslims is an MIC enemy come true.
War monger Utopia
Muslim extremist is the replacement for red Communist.
Always have to have a common enemy. If there isn't one, the Congressional-Military Industrial Complex has a huge incentive to create one.
Yip
plugging terror and war?
Hmmmm, change we can believe in huh?
I don't believe the President has any control over what the shit heads in the media say.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
his bosses handle that.
And his bosses could ruin him over night if he doesn't "stick with the program".
Trilateral Commision?
The chicken-hawks and war-mongers of the M.I.C.C. are beating the Drums of War again, preparing "we the sheeple" for 2 more wars, one in Yemen and the second in Iran. All the familiar signs are there ...
Short of USA's (or Israel's) first use of nuclear weapons, I don't see how we expect to invade and conquer Iran -- they have a population of 75 Million who are far more used to the ravages and deprivation of war (Iran / Iraq). The MSM continue to bleat about the "grassroots democracy movement" in Iran, without any mention even in passing about the effect of the 400 Million USD$ the USA Congress voted in 2008 to destabilize the sovereign democratic government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. They have democracy already, but just not the American (corrupt Corporatist) democracy ...
And the Iranians have yet to acknowledge the USA's primacy, or the fact that We rightfully own the Oil and Natural Gas reserves under their country's soil -- cheeky bastards, how dare they!
"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."
-- John F. Kennedy
So I guess we can kiss any future Olympics goodbye then, I'm sure the issue of making it really inconvenient for tourists will come up again.
And what's this about alkeeda, there's no such thing. Can we please stop pretending there is this global James Bond villain type organisation trying to eat our babies.
The underwear bomber went to Yemen to swing across monkey bars in a dark suit with a mask and earned his Al Queda training certificate. Pure B.S.
"I want my babyback, babyback, babyback..."
"GET IN MY BELLY!"
If that's the enemy, we're doomed.
"When are we going to stop trying to tell elected officials what to do. Our job is to spend the taxpayers' money the best way we can." -- Tommy Watkins, Justice of the Peace, Crawford County, Arkansas
morning that WestJet and Air Canada will not be allowed ANY carry on items on flights to the US....for the next while...
Guess I will have to pack the laptop...
I assume that means purses too. Otherwise, I don't see how they enforce this since a laptop can be carried in a sleeve no larger than a purse and has less places to conceal anything than a purse.
Why is the Netherlands not on this list?!?!
The Panty Bomber flew from there!
Vote GOP and move forward to the 18th Century.
We did it is post WWII japan when the occupying U.S. Forces forced the Emperor of Japan to admit that he was lying when he claimed to be divine, and ordered all public schools to inform children that there was no evidence to support religious claims. That effectively ended the bullsh-t of religion in Japan. Today, only 4% of Japanese believe in any god despite the constant efforts of Christian and other cult missionaries to destroy Japan's rich culture. Most japanese correctly consider believers to be mentally ill.
The time has come to end religious fraud in the United states and we can do it constitutionally right NOW. Employing existing truth in advertising laws, we must prosecute for criminal fraud all those who raise funds via claims that cannot be substantiated by documented, empirical scientific evidence. We must also require all religious leaders to inform their flocks that here is no rational evidence-based reason to believe their claims about the existence of god or gods, heaven, hell, angels, devils and demons and that the evidence strongly suggests that Abraham, Moses, The Exodus, Jesus and Muhammad never actually existed and the core of all religion is based on empty myth and the invented fantasies of ignorant, primitive people.
Religious leaders must additionally inform their followers that religion has long been used by the ruling classes to manipulate the ignorant masses, and that parasites such as Rick Warren feed on this ignorance, the emotionally needy and delusional people who fear the realities of life and adult responsibility. Public schools must reinforce this message from Kindergarten through High School.
All this can be accomplished under existing law without violating the United States Constitution. Fat chance of getting even one of our gutless elected representatives to start the ball rolling.
http://www.jesusneverexisted.com
http://www.charlesbelser.com
http:www.larrythepenguin.com
How do we protect ourselves from BVDs? (Bloomers of Vast Destruction)
Vote GOP and move forward to the 18th Century.
It is likely inevitable but they gotta do what they can or would you prefer three hundred or more people being blown out of the sky and the resulting chaos because they didn't want to "offend" anyone ?
Insanity , it is what it is , there is no understanding it .
So you welcome the police state to "keep you safe"?
far left loon >.<
Iraq? Wouldn't Iraqis arrive with armfuls of flowers to great their liberators?
far left loon >.<
Only those that still have arms.
Vote GOP and move forward to the 18th Century.
lol (yet sad)
far left loon >.<
Oh, sure that makes sense. Al Qaeda is really big in Cuba. You have Cuban suicide bombers just flooding our shores and it's time someone put a stop to it, right? If you listen closely you can hear the Cuban terror bomb ticking... "chicka-bom, chicka-bom chicka-bom".
-ep
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoQNj2tlZhg&fe...
Evil old terrists ...with Gringo enablers riding in their sidecars! ...
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I liked it so much, I listened to it twice!
If you can find the DVD (at a library or wherever) its FANTASTIC!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0186508/
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Sounds interesting. Latin jazz music is a fave of mine!
such sweethearts ... really touching stories.
And immensely talented.
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Cuba?
Mmm...considering the fact that a well-known terrorist widely believed responsible for bringing down a Cuban airliner is living in the US protected by authorities, maybe Americans visiting Havana should have their wazoos probed for bombs.
not like he was a friend of the Ex-Pres/Former head of the CIA or anything ...
http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB153...
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should be the poster-child for the USA's GW OF Terror.
It has been far too easy for the MSM here to deride the recent complaints coming from Cuba, Bolivia, Honduras, and Venezuela (ed. Did I miss any?) regarding USA interference in the internal domestic affairs of these sovereign nations. I mean it isn't as if the USA doesn't already have a rather long history of meddling or worse in all of Latin America and beyond.
Between the CIA, NSA, DoD SOG, School of the Americas, Blackwater/Xe, etcetera the case could be made in the International Criminal Court that the USA Is The Primary Agent of Global Terrorism in the WORLD. Factor in the long history of American Intelligence support of drug lords across the Globe and it wouldn't be too hard to make a case for USA criminality at the ICC as well.
Is it a case of American Exceptionalism to justify the USA's malfeasance in international relations, or merely good trade-craft to ascribe to other Nations or Liberal Movements actions which we ourselves are guilty of?
The Double Speak / New Speak message is deafening. It drowns out nearly all semblance of critical dialog in favor of some radically liberal change in this regard. The USA's fascistic Corporate State fairly reeks of hubris and hypocrisy ...
"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."
-- John F. Kennedy
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