In reference to Cheri DelBrocco's piece in The Memphis Flyer I say this, and I don't get pissed off much about anything these days but I'm on a rant now.....
Good timing for the TSA as so many travel during this holiday season to see those distant family members! Not me, I've been radiated and groped by enough doctors that there is ...NO way in hell I will submit to this. Gene, we're not in high school anymore, honey. The steel clips that marked the cancerous tumors in my body remain, and will certainly require a strip search of me as the bells signal "terrorist alert, terrorist alert!" If I CHOOSE to be strip searched it will be in the privacy of my home, not in the airport security area by a TSA agent who, sadly, has been directed to do this. Oh, I forgot! My oft required cane poses a threat as well, and let's not forget the chemotherapy that might be infused if I'm having a bad month. Do I drink it in front of security if I'm to board the plane? Or should I plug it into my vein regardless of dose timing to prove it won't explode? And x-rayed? I think not. I can already illuminate my home without using the lights. Do I need more? Nope. So many questions! I will follow George Carlin's advice, may he rest in peace, and not get IN a plane. In the days to come, should we keep this obscene invasion of our privacy, we will read of failure upon failure of the already lagging airline industry as air traffic diminishes, for only those who need to travel will do so. And the trickle down effect will begin. Our economy, already teetering on newborn feet, will once again plummet due to these new regulations. I have a passport, I am a US citizen, I have been background checked endlessly by the US government to insure that I am not a threat, and I love my country. I've only been called a terrorist by my teenager and with good reason as have many parents. Until we contain as many real terrorists as we can (where in the hell are you, Osama and friends?), we are not safe, but to contain us with these measures is ignorant, foolish and a waste of money. I guess these new tactics look pretty scary to those who'd blow themselves up in a heartbeat. Not. When do we get smart? This is perhaps the most non-partisan backlash the US government will ever see, and it is time for all of us, Democratic, Republican, Independent, whatever you may be, to JUST SAY NO. Both current and past administration share blame for this Draconian measure, and most of us, at least those who've, sorry to keep referring to you, Old Gene, left the high school years behind us are mad, and we're not gonna take it anymore. Speak up Americans, our rights have been violated, first, by these cowardly and heinous terrorists who have neither religion nor moral compass, now by our own government, past and present. Keep your money in your pockets, don't fly for recreation, and send your frequent flier points and award tickets to Janet. I am. Hoping she enjoys....
