Originally Posted by RichieLion

I believe there is a hidden agenda here that has nothing to do with security, but everything to do with acclimating the American people to give up their sense of individual rights and freedom, starting with this limited incursion at out airports, in order to give the idea time to percolate in this limited theatre.

After we all calm down with the governmental control of our belongings and property and especially our sense of personal privacy at our airports and eventual subsequent additional venues, such as transportation hubs, large public arenas, government complexes and other areas of congregation, we can all then acquiesce and accept escalated governmental intrusion and eventual control of our actions, property, and movement.

All in the name of "Security".

Far fetched?; Maybe, but try to tell me it hasn't happened just like this in human history.

I couldn't agree with you any more. Also, of interest, IMHO. All of this happening at the same time. Hhmmmm :

http://www.federaltimes.com/article/...51/PERSONNEL03

Originally Posted by djplong

...and neither of those 'bombs' would have shown up on the full-body scanners - the ones built by the company with ties to the ehad of the DHS><snip>

DJP
this is one of many stories that have appeared in both the mainstream (often referred to as 'corporate' by the alternative and so-called 'public' media) and the progressive, alternative sources alike.
http://www.13wmaz.com/news/local/sto...storyid=100758

We just returned from another series of flights and motoring across foreign borders and eluded the scans ands massages. While we and the kids are not fans of scanners and getting gloved, we're by no means phobic, but our real beef is the cost in time, labor, and hassle.
Billions of not trillions in personnel, downtime, missed flights, and more.

Gotta be a better way.
At least we don't have to worry about being asked if anyone might have put anything in our bag without our knowledge

L and L

Originally Posted by bkcunningham1

I couldn't agree with you any more. Also, of interest, IMHO. All of this happening at the same time. Hhmmmm :

http://www.federaltimes.com/article/...51/PERSONNEL03

This is the opening act to the formation of a protected, unionized, federally controlled private security force who already have the power of search and seizure over private citizens who are not charged with any crime, unlike any law enforcement body in this country. This power is on limited display at our nations airports at the moment, but this power will grow. I've never known power not to. This federally run private security force is already 50,000+ strong and will grow as the "need" for more security "presents" itself at more areas of "public concern".

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
George Santayana

Do not attribute to malice what can adequately be explained by ignorance or stupidity.

I don't think there's a Vast Conspiracy to trample our rights. This would require a government that is far more capable of keeping secrets than the one we have, which can't keep so much as a third-rate burglary or botched land deal quiet.

What we DO have are people in positions of power who want to make their jobs easier.

Consider the bahavior on a smaller scale and I think you'll see parallels. Like the school administrator who institutes Zero Tolerance policies so he doesn't have to think or justify his decisions to irate parents when a kid gets caught handing an aspirin to a friend. He can fall back on "It's Official Policy" instead of actually having to use his long-forgotten brain.

I find the same behavior in government.

of the safety and welfare of we the people have other more self serving interests as priorities.
Using the old saying of connect the dots it would be interesting to see the content of the contracts for the manufacture of the body scanners and the contracts for the hundreds of thousands of massage agents. I can't help but think of the poster boy for for graft and favoritism, Charlie Rangle...and wonder about the intent of the awarding of the contracts.

Is it not an interesting dilema to be not allowed to carry certain liquids, devices, et al while in the cargo area of the plane you are traveling with unlimited quantities of the same!!!

The terrorists have successfully swayed the narrow thinking minded in Washington, to focus on a given area while they work and plan other opportunities.

Perhaps it is safer to fly as a result (maybe). But there certainly is no reason to think for one minute anyone is safer in their every day environment...because we are not....my opinion. With the current politicians we certainly are not. They are purely responsive...not preventative minded in thinking.

btk