It's Not Trivial

[paft.livejournal.com]

The other day someone asked me, after I’d made some passing comment about the whole TSA get-photographed-naked/be groped issue, why anyone would bother with this when there are so many other more important issues, like world poverty. “Why waste your time talking about something so trivial?” I was asked.

After thinking about it, I decided it’s not a minor issue.

This latest hamhanded policy – and its timing -- amounts to a referendum on how much intrusion officials can inflict on Americans. It’s no accident that this came up not long before the holiday rush. They’re counting on most of us being too preoccupied with getting from point A to point B to complain. After a few weeks, they hope, we’ll get used to it and accept it as the norm.



That’s really what it’s about.

So what’s next? Because rest assured, the envelope will be pushed a little further once they’ve established that we will put up with either being effectively photographed nude or strangers groping our genitals. It always is. Every time such authorities make an incursion into our privacy, it’s with solemn assurances that it will not be abused and – honest to God! – this is as far as they’ll go. Really! Cross their hearts and hope to die!

Don’t for one minute assume that wealthy and influential travelers are going to be subjected to this policy. Once it becomes established, opting out of it will become just one more cozy perk enjoyed by high end business fliers, one more little chip at the dignity of the rest of us.

No, it’s not on quite the same scale as world poverty, the nuclear arms race, unemployment, or torture. But it’s still important. It impacts us all. It forces us to confront how much of our personal privacy we’re willing to relinquish in the name of security.

At what point do we draw the line?

Crossposted from Thoughtcrimes

Comments

[qnetter]

I don't know that there is going to be an opt-out. If there's not, I'll gladly submit to imaging or full search the twice-a-week or so that I fly.

[paft.livejournal.com]

But if there is an opt-out, you'll take it.

This is not a matter of frequent first-class travelers having enhanced trust. It's a matter frequent first-class travelers having enhanced cash.

[qnetter]

You're wrong. Many do not.

[paft.livejournal.com]

A first class ticket is not more expensive than coach?

[qnetter]

I've bought first-class tickets about 1% of the time I've flown in first class. Nearly every time it's been a free upgrade.

[paft.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry, but this response is meaningless. Yeah, I've gotten free upgrades too. That does not make me a regular flyer in first class. I'm not a regular first class flyer because I cannot afford to be.

[qnetter]

You don't know what you're talking about. I'm upgraded for free about 70% of my flights.

[paft.livejournal.com]

You're a frequent flyer. Most of us aren't.

[qnetter]

Right. And it's that frequent flight that could establish trust. That's the point.

[spaz-own-joo.livejournal.com]

And you don't see a connection between money and frequent flying?

[qnetter]

Not as direct a one as you think. Certainly a decent-paying professional job is involved, but I certainly know some $40k/year techs who travel much more.

[light-over-me.livejournal.com]

And if there is an opt out list, and a terrorist really wants to, they'll find a way on it. Heck, when a terrorist is already flagged on watch lists and reported by his own father, and we STILL ignore it, what else will we ignore? As long as someone has the cash or proper connections, they will get on that opt out list.... and it isn't necessarily going to be just Paris Hilton.

[torpidai.livejournal.com]

And if there is an opt out list, and a terrorist really wants to, they'll find a way on it.</>

What's with all this fear-mongering on here of all places? Yes, I'll agree that for a while now people are fretting a plane will land a tad quicker than originaly designed, "They" would have you believe there's a terrorist around every corner and if there's a corner not taken by a terrorist then it's been taken by a paedophile!

Don't fret, it's just a control thing, see those nice, clean well educated well dressed people tend to toe the line, the great unwashed however.....

Remind me, when Yemen has been invaded, how many other countries have large quantities of Oil and or gas and will this be the next place a bomb is found on a plane from?