Many have asked what they can do to help us resist the tyranny that crouches at our national doorstep. What really can be done? Above all there is one thing and, to be honest, you’re probably not going to like it. Very simply, concerning the TSA, we must all refuse to be part of the madness that is happening in our airports today. And by refuse I mean say “no” and don’t participate.
Even more specifically, protect your families and:
Do not allow federal security agents to see beneath your clothing. Your body belongs to you; it does not belong to them.
Do not allow federal security agents to put their hands on you. Your body belongs to you; it does not belong to them.
We have discovered in recent days that there are many people who need to be told these things. So please help others to recognize what’s happening in our country (and throughout the world) and what it means. Many travelers still show up to the airport without any clue as to what they are in for: strip searches and/or physical frisking as a matter of course in order to simply move about within our own borders by air.
Unconstitutional!
With the capable counsel of the people at the Rutherford Institute, I am filing suit against the federal government to restore our Fourth Amendment rights and liberty. The problem with suing the government, however, is that when I show up to court the defendant will be seated on the bench! That’s going to be problematic, to say the least.
But how can any judge possibly go against us? All anyone has to do is read the U.S. Constitution – this is as black and white as it gets, right? Well it’s a nice idea, anyway. But we need to be honest with ourselves about what’s really at stake and what we’re up against in this battle.
The Constitution is, in truth, a contract that sets forth the terms by which our government was established and by which the participating parties must abide. Those parties include, on the one hand, ‘We the People of the United States’ as the governing authority. On the other hand are our various elected representatives as well as the judges and other assorted employees of all kinds whom they appoint to occupy an ever-growing array of offices and posts throughout the land. Indeed, there are a lot more of them today than the founders ever likely envisioned in their own time. Even so, there are still more of us.
Like any other contract, the relevance and integrity of the Constitution depends entirely upon maintaining the rule of law within its jurisdiction. Without the rule of law the Constitution and all other contracts are just pieces of paper to be chewed up and swallowed by raiding bands of vicious marauders (some being graduates from places like Harvard or Yale), who have no personal interest in the undergirding principles of a free and virtuous society. Such individuals are naturally attracted to positions of power from which they can lord it over their fellows in the name of public service. It should come as no surprise, then, that our government is riddled with their corruption, yet still growing (thriving, in fact) to accommodate their relentless ambitions.
These are the people we will petition to defend our rights and preserve our freedom and heritage. Will they serve and protect our interests? Will the Constitution?
The Constitution is a piece of paper upon which are inscribed a wonderful set of ideas. It cannot defend us. It is we, the people, who must protect it.
Our duty
Understand that our nation is under assault. Simple greed and lust for power are trampling the rule of law in favor of policies and deals that boost the near term interests of a few while leaving the rest of us – as well as those who come after us – to suffer the effects of their bad decisions. While a handful of people stand to profit from the body scanners, the traveling public is being abused and, frankly, brainwashed. There’s almost no honor or integrity of character remaining in our culture. And this has resulted in a total failure of leadership at every level in every sector leaving us vulnerable to this kind of attack.
I believe we are quickly plummeting toward an authoritarian rule of the state. That seems to be humanity’s default condition absent the moral fortitude to strive for genuine virtue, even to the point of personal sacrifice. Such virtuous ideals, including liberty, require personal conviction, courage, and willingness to suffer in the lesser areas when necessary because of a belief in something larger than oneself and one’s own interests. Freedom has never existed or been able to endure without the shedding of blood. And it’s not like we’re even being asked to go to that extreme in putting the traitors behind the TSA in their place… yet.
But if we pass the burden off to our children, it is they who will incur the cost we ourselves are unwilling to pay – with interest. And we will still pay as well, having exchanged our freedom and dignity for personal convenience and the beguiling comfort of a false sense of security. How can we saddle our children with this shame, or even bear it ourselves?
We assume there is some line that evil will not cross. But evil doesn’t restrain itself. It must be restrained (see the many horrors of world history for evidence of this). Americans today are living in fear, unable to stand up and protect their families and themselves due to their own psychological and other internal mechanisms telling them it’s too risky; doing the right thing isn’t safe and the cost is too high. Besides, it’s just a hassle!
Wake up call
Friends, I’m pretty sure the folks behind all this TSA insanity are serious. Protesters in Europe have streaked their airports naked, railing against the scanners and invasive screening practices. Medical professionals have organized and spoken out. So have pilots, parents, and numerous other concerned interests. Someone has even suggested going through the security line in a sheep suit, opting out, and yelling “BAA!” as loudly as possible while being frisked. Now, while that might get a rise out of you or me, it’d just be another day on the job for the screeners in someplace like Newark or Los Angeles.
The state and other moneyed interests understand the public sentiment perfectly well, yet are willing to persist with millions of sheep bleating at the top of their lungs in protest. Complain all you want – they’ll still fleece you all the way down to the bare skin betting that, after all the kicking and screaming, your final answer will be, “Yessir, yessir, three bags full.” So far, they’ve been right.
The front-line goons in Memphis didn’t even take me seriously when I first told them no. They were sure I was bluffing and there was no way I was going to walk away from my job if they held their ground. So they tried to leverage that assumption, terrorizing me with the fear of potentially ruining my career. That’s powerful stuff for a regional airline first officer with six kids and a wife who stays home to provide them a quality education.
Then there’s the airlines’ complicity with the state’s thuggery. So far, the ones I’m aware of have basically been saying, “Fine, if you don’t want to come to work, go ahead and starve your family.” Haven’t you wondered why they aren’t speaking to the public? Because they’re quietly busy behind the scenes putting the screws to their employees – including the pilots who have already sacrificed more than most people can fathom just to get where they are in their careers. I’m not saying all that isn’t scary as hell, but rest assured, there is absolutely no substance to it – certainly not when compared with the TRUTH.
My point is the state is counting on our unwillingness to put our jobs on the line as well as the general public’s unwillingness to give up air travel for a time in order to put up what is really the only authentic and effective resistance we can (to say nothing about simply protecting ourselves from being abused). They’ve done the math and are prepared to incur a few weeks of bad press and words without action. Money talks, not words. When the airlines feel the pressure financially, flights cancel, and other businesses and our national infrastructure are affected, our voices will be heard. Otherwise, it’s business as usual and the political elite in Washington are simply going to see our present whining as a minor, temporary annoyance. I can’t see any other way within our control that even stands a chance of getting results.
It is still we, the people, who govern this land. We must govern better – according to better principles – than those who seek to usurp our authority and destroy our basic rights, freedom, and the rule of law.
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← “But flying is not a right…”, The airline is not asking you, This isn’t a contract between you and the airlines, This is the federal Government using tax payer dollars to deny you your rights. Grow a pair
jimmy, that was the correct response, IMO. Just to be clear, though, “But flying is not a right…” is a link to another article – not a user comment. In that article, I basically used a few more words than you to make the same point: Grow a pair! Click here and check it out for yourself.
I am so thankful that people all over the globe are protesting this very gross invasion of personal privacy. What they are doing is actually against laws. It is assault. Myself, I will not fly if I have to go through this invasion and abuse to do so. I have not flown for years now. My son moved to the other coast and he so far has endured the scanners. I have a pacemaker so I would have to be groped. No way!!
God bless you for standing up to this drop-by-drop tyranny. We need more citizens like you.
Michael I think you guys will like this article; we have featured you prominently and linked to this website:
http://dailyteaparty.com/2010/11/12/grassroots-win-tsa-tyrannical-practices-forced-to-the-forefront-by-your-emails-napolitano-to-meet-travel-industry/
Grassroots WIN! TSA Tyrannical Practices forced to the Forefront by Your Emails! Napolitano to meet Travel Industry! Our boycott is working!
That’s awesome. Who needs mainstream media anymore? We the people have all we need to manage our own affairs – even our own, beautifully unorganized, unregulated press. Let’s keep it that way!
The meeting with Napolitano is good press; I just hope the outcome doesn’t add to or strengthen the existing bureaucracy somehow. Frankly, I’m a little nervous now that the unions have decided to show up (rather, now that they’ve been forced to).
Excellent!
But there’s much work still to be done: http://fedupflyers.org/2010/11/napolitano-go-ahead-we-dare-you/
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Guess who will be absent from the the table when Secretary Napolitano meets with representatives of the travel industry?
The traveller!
The traveling public will not be represented.
I am not optimistic about the outcome of this meeting.
This is the way decisions are made in Washington. Each interest group gets its pound of flesh, but ordinary people are not even at the table.
Michael, please continue to speak for us.
Please continue to speak for the ordinary person.
K Smith
Being a very ordinary person myself, I most certainly will. You’re absolutely right – the meeting with Napolitano is wonderful in that it brings much needed press to the issue – but it won’t resolve the matter. It does prove, however, that we cannot be ignored when ordinary, unorganized, un-politicized individuals wake up and protect themselves and their liberty.
Thank you Michael for putting your foot down on Oct. 15th and for filing a lawsuit against the federal govt. It takes real courage to stand up to our out of control government. It’s time for all of us(pilots, flight attendants and passengers) to take back our 4th Amendment rights.
The groping by the TSA, if done by a private citizen to another would be clear grounds for criminal prosecution. So why is it acceptable for them to do this?
It isn’t. Please protect yourself and your loved ones! And thanks for the encouragement.
Your article sets it out. What will really get the attention of those that make decisions is money, or lack thereof. Until passengers (and crew) follow your lead and outright refuse to submit these gross violations of our rights, it will continue. Money talks, and the TSA causing the airline to lose many millions or more in revenue due to passengers refusing to submit will change policy. In my pipe dream, I wish that people would educate themselves and stand up. I fear that the common sheeple will reluctantly submit, however, which will make the next step up in gov’t abuse easier to impose, and so on. Should this not stop now, it sets a bad precedent for our future.
Thanks Michael, for having the balls to stand up and bring attention to this issue, and for not letting it rest. I have made my decision, myself nor my family will fly if it requires submission to the current procedures.
“Should this not stop now, it sets a bad precedent for our future.”
I agree. This is already a national nightmare. And the camel’s nose is in the tent, so to speak. If we don’t run it off now I fear we’ll be facing civil disaster on a historical scale in the years ahead. What if this is our last big chance to decide our national fate?
Or am I over-dramatizing?
The fact is the TSA are using the threat and reality of RAPE to force people to choose to be irradiated and exposed to cancer causing rays so the TSA rapists can enjoy lots of porno they can masturbate to – or strangers whose gonads they can fondle.
FACT: they dig doing this to women while their husbands are watching. The helpless rage of the husband makes them feel powerful, a real drug for the TSA people, most all of which are subhuman grotesques unemployable in any other context.
FACT: it is rape.
The choice the TSA subhumans hold out is the same as the choice between being shot or sodomized at gun point.
All TSA agents must be indicted for RAPE or for aiding and abetting a rapist.
You know what these guys at TSA do when they’re done sexually assaulting women they feel up?
They keep the gloves they use and trade them for each other to sniff, catching scent from the women whose crotches they fondle. Yeah, they ARE that sick and twisted.
They stand around during breaks, sniffing them and laughing. Don’t ask how I know but it is NOT heresay. This is FACT.
Congressmen have to know this WILL happen to their wives! Their daughters! Their granddaughters. The TSA monsters are psychopathic sexual sadists.
On the day of the protest against TOTAL SEXUAL ASSAULT on Nov 24, go through the pat down with a full bladder and bowels and let them both go the very second that the TSA maggot touches your gonads. By the 20th time this happens, they’ll get the message.
If you can’t defecate and urinate on command, you can at least shriek, ‘RAPE! I AM BEING RAPED BY MY GOVERNMENT! RAPE!’ over and over again until you psss out when the TSA rapist touches you.
I’m moments away from heading to TPA for a flight to Hartford. I have my recorder primed, and am ready to pull a Roberts. Any pointers would be appreciated!
Terminal C (Southwest) has FIVE(!!) L3 scanners. Fortunately only two were being used, and I was able to pick a line that was only using standard MDs.
That’s good. So did they frisk you? Sorry I didn’t reply before now. But the only pointers I have to offer are the things I’ve said here in the article. Very simply, I’m not flying if it requires me to abrogate my Fourth Amendment rights and freedom and subject myself to this abuse and humiliation. And I’m imploring others to do the same. Beyond that, I just don’t have another answer – wish I did.
No frisking at all. But a colleague who went through the same terminal earlier this morning picked a lane with a functioning scanner. He opted out and the did the pat down. The text message exchange was as follows:
JP: You’ll be so proud, I opted out of the scanning machine. They just gave me a quick patdown.
Me: Did they grope you?
JP: No. The guy was very polite and told me about and how he was going to do everything. I think the news is exaggerating things a bit…
Me: Or the media pressure is causing the back off a little bit. Pilots are willing to lose their job over this. It must be pretty serious.
JP: At least it wasn’t a fiasco.
Me: I’m going to warn the f###er that if he touches my balls I’m going to kick his ass.
JP: They didn’t do anything inappropriate this morning. He didn’t grab my junk or anything. I think you’ll find if you’re non-confrontational about things they’ll be the same way.
Me: I just picked a lane w/o a working scanner. No issues. But these f###ers have five WBI scanners just for SWA!
Me: Non-confrontational? You mean spineless. No thanks.
JP: I wasn’t spineless. I just didn’t try to start s##t w/ the TSA unless it was necessary. You can stand your ground without starting a fight.
Me: Well, after he has your balls in his hands, it’s too late.
JP: He didn’t fondle my balls.
Me: But by the time you figured that out, it was too late. If he slapped your nuts, it’s too late to protest.
JP: I’d a punched him in the face!
Me: And ended up in jail… Just record every thing.
JP: You know I will…
Check out the video I took in Ft. Lauderdale this AM:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tu1Hjd19gk
Thank you for that. Folks, spread this one around – people need to see it for themselves. Keep in mind this is an ordinary, law abiding citizen just like your dad or grandfather being humiliated in public. It grieves me that he did not protect himself against this indignity, but I believe the rest of us still have an obligation to stand up for him and everyone else.
No, the media are not exaggerating. But TSA is very inconsistent in the way they apply their rules – they always have been and honestly I don’t think all the agents even know their own rules very well. Anyway, glad it went well for you.
Already, I don’t travel. What is another way to assist in the protest? I haven’t been on a plane since pre-9/11, not out of protest to be honest, but because I haven’t had a need.
Of course, I haven’t gone out of my way to travel either. But I think these breaches of our freedom are disgusting. I wouldn’t take this invasion of privacy from any law enforcement officer on the street without some kind of articuable suspicion or probable cause (depending on the gross invasion of privacy we’re talking about).
That said, I want to help.
That’s exactly what this is really about, too – not just what’s going on in our airports, but what is happening to our country! I would be sure to let the airlines know why you’re not flying (no need to mention that you haven’t been flying anyway!). That’s really one of the most powerful ways to go in my opinion.
I guess you could always go hold a sign at the airport or launch an email campaign to various representatives or something – I’m really not sure what all is being done out there, but I do know there are many different ways people are approaching it right now.
We’re suing to restore the Fourth Amendment (the complaint was just filed today – read about it here). But the most important thing of all is making others aware of what’s happening and helping them understand what’s really at stake. Please share this site with anyone who might be interested.
Heads up everyone! They are replaying video tapes of the 9-11 ‘terrorists’ passing through security all over the news! Obviously using scare tactics to make us back down.
The woman, Alice Hoagland, who called into a Fox Show said “I would walk around stark naked if it kept me safe”
Nothing more needs to be said regarding the level of insanity being played out here.
May God help us all
I’m a little late to the comments here, Michael, but I implore you not to give up either. I am heartened in many ways that many polls are showing that the majority of people will just not fly (if the alternative is to be groped), another pool showing the largest concern is with the Fourth Amendment violations (so no flying from that group as well), and yet another poll showing that from among 17,000+ people who voted, over 10,000+ voted to abolish the TSA. I wish that many, many other brave pilots like yourself would also stop flying, to the detriment of the flying public and the airlines for whom the pilots work.
Take this comment as you wish but please never forget that there are also “agent provacateurs” who will and have attacked the rest of us for standing up for our inalienable rights. Those who comment in favor of scanning saying things such as “shut up and get a life”, or what’s the big deal” or “don’t get in my line at the airport” are the real fools and idiots of this fight that is being played out. And yes, it is a fight for our very souls and the inalienable rights that made this country the beacon of hope to humanity. I realize I’m preaching to the choir so my apologies.
I really wanted to say, although I cannot speak for everyone, that I’m sure that there are many who would be willing to help you and your family financially through this difficult time, should it be necessary.
We MUST stand together on this issue and not allow ourselves to be divided and pitted one against the other. If our Founding Fathers had fallen prey to that game, there wouldn’t even be a United States, a Constitution, or a Bill of Rights to discuss. . . Courage and fortitude in knowing that this is the right course of action.
Godspeed and strength in the days ahead ~
Mary
Check out the next thing in line for all of us!
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=21927
Just made this.
http://digg.com/news/politics/the_touchy_feely_uncle_flickr_photo_sharing
Awesome. Sharing it, and I’ll find a place to use it here.
What we must do or what we can do? Instead of paying expensive airfares and get TSA harassment we all should stop flying let’s say first for a period of 4 weeks and than we should watch whether it has an impact. If not stop flying for 3 month!
I’m sure that after this boycott TSA and all the harassment will be gone.
Come on lets do it.
I agree with your assessment as to what the likely outcome would be. But we MUST do this – not primarily in protest, or to bring the system down – but to protect ourselves and our children and preserve our civil rights, freedom, and dignity. Even if this madness continues forever, it’s wrong and harmful and it is my very strong belief that no one ought to ever consent. Our freedom to make that choice is the last freedom we have in this situation. We’re blessed to have it, and if we are irresponsible with it, we will find ourselves having to make similar choices everywhere else we go (grocery store, sporting events, places of worship – anywhere people gather and where someone might do something evil that would justify such measures for our “protection”).
I applaud your courage and sacrifice, Michael. As Benjamin Franklin said, “Those who are willing to give up a little liberty for a little security will deserve neither and lose both.” It is not easy to stand up for what is right. As a fellow American I remember what I was taught as a child about how our forefather’s fought for our freedom. It was not given to them. Our Fourth Amendment rights are being violated by the government. Each of us has to decide how we are going to deal with this. I think it would be wonderful if November 24, 2010 the airports in our nation were completely empty of people there to be passengers on an aircraft. I know it won’t happen. But if it did, I think it would be a proud moment and perhaps those who see us as unthinking sheep would realize their mistake.
I want you all to remember this one simple fact about these Gestapo wannabes. They really wanted to be cops, but they couldn’t pass the psych test.
If power corrupts, the a little bit of authority will corrupt those with few smarts.
How did this happen?? Was it Bush and his cronies? We now find ourselves trapped in someone’s paranoid delusion.
The issue isn’t private versus public because a private firm can harass you and hide the data! The real issue is they need to focus resources on the few, and use beagles and have statistical audits with passengers. Finally, they need to use verbal question like the do in Israel.
By the way, is it try that Chertoff is on the board of the private company that makes those intrusive scanners? Also, is it owned by India IT as well?
Bye,
Tom
Chertoff is a consultant for Rapiscan, one of the manufacturers. There are a number of other potential conflicts of interest with the people involved in the program as well. Don’t know about India IT.
The difference with a privatized system would be the difficulty a private firm would have if they were to attempt to violate the laws of the land the same way TSA has done here. When the state infringes upon our constitutional rights and freedom, it’s not like we can call the police and have the perpetrators arrested (some have tried, but since the gov’t has given itself authorization to exploit and abuse us in this way, it’s unlikely that they will also protect us against their own criminal behavior). But if some Wackenhut security guard stuck his/her hand up a woman’s dress in the screening line, few would question the illegality of such an act. For some reason, it’s difficult for some to recognize a crime when the perpetrator works for the federal government and is “just following orders”.
What’s even more important is having real professionals at the upper levels of the decision making process as opposed to politicians and bureaucrats. That’s why I personally favor ejecting the state from the picture altogether. They add nothing of value to the air transportation security system and have turned it into a national embarrassment as well as a tyrannical nightmare.
Thanks, Tom, for your efforts. This is an issue that should unite left and right. The only things in the middle of the road are yellow stripes and roadkill.
Here’s a fighting-fire-with-fire suggestion for Nov. 24 and beyond. Bold young women, you can go one better than the guys with kilts. Show up for your flight in a skirt, with no underwear and no tampon. Refuse the scanner, and make them feel you up. A few reports of this circulate, and let’s see how many TSA gropers quit THEIR jobs!
Last trip of my career this week. TPA to PIT and returning on Thursday (16th). Just cleared security. 5 lanes, all 5 had the L3 WBI scanner. Only 3 lines open. Only one had a working scanner.
In retrospect, I think the concern that we might have no choice might be overblown. Given the inefficiency of government, and their low-bid contractor stuff, chances are 50% of all scanners will be broken down at any given time.
Hi everybody!
Today was WE WON’T FLY day and at LAX a couple of guys put on some “security theatre” that bordered on pantomime. My review is posted here at our LAX WWF meetup:
http://www.meetup.com/WeWontFlyLA/messages/boards/thread/10205748/
Bottom line: While the “performers” were doing their thing, people got interested and were more receptive to taking flyers we handed them. We didn’t pass out many, but next time I may attach a piece of individually wrapped chocolate to each and every flyer. (Just think of “bread and circuses.”)
There are also some photos posted and you can find WWF also on facebook.com/wontfly.
Thanks, Susan. Like you said in the review, people’s minds are a million miles away when they come to the airport. That’s always been true, but I think it must be even more so among those who are still flying. Thanks for being willing to reach out to such a tough crowd!