The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. - Fourth Amendment, U.S. Constitution
My heart goes out to anyone traveling by air these days. But these present government "solutions" not need be the final word. We Americans need to get a grip on ourselves and come up with a proactive, instead of a reactive solution.
I watched Rep. Ron Paul [R, TX] take on the T.S.A., Homeland Security, and the Administration on C-SPAN. His points were spot on. His summing up remarks were perfect. He made the point that we are being conditioned to accept security measures at the expense of our rights to person, dignity and property. Ron Paul has introduced legislation to stop the "X-ray screenings" and the intrusive "pat downs." Enough is enough.
In contrast, I read some contrasting remarks by Emmett Tyrrell, Jr., Editor in Chief of "The American Spectator," in [url=http://www.townhall.com]http://www.townhall.com[/url] today which shocked me. Tyrrell does not see this as an outrageous breach of the 4th Amendment, but as a necessary, reasonable security measure! Ridiculous, especially from a Conservative. How can this be? And how about all those Liberals and their precious "Right to Privacy" when it comes to their causes ... where are they to be found on this issue?
Why do we go along with this? Ron Paul is correct. We Americans have grown soft and have become passive about defending our freedoms. We must demand a solution that makes things hard on would-be terrorists, not on law-abiding Americans.
Remember flying way back when? It used to be "Welcome Aboard!" It really was not so long ago, it just seems that way now. Then the Muslim terrorist regimes against the airlines began:
At first, we were asked perfunctory questions and showed Identification.
Then began the cattle lines to go through metal detectors.
Then, it was emptying pockets and removing jewelry.
Then it was taking off belts and shoes.
Then it was searching our carry-on bags for shampoo/shaving-cream bombs.
Then it was pat downs for random selectees.
Now it is "Smile: You're on Candid X-Ray."
Or, you can opt for the "love-pat masseuse."
OK. What's next Big Sis? How about free proctology exams and enema booths for the recalcitrant or the hesitant. That would really shape us up. You could do colonoscopies too and call it Obamacare!
This is conditioning folks, pure and simple! We are being treated like sheep and cowards. Americans are not cowards. Protect our rights, guard our borders. Stop bad guys, not us. We'll take care of our own bodies, thank you.
I want Israeli-style, armed guards and professional profiling with bomb sniffing dogs and all the trimmings
I want Israeli-style, armed guards and professional profiling with bomb sniffing dogs and all the trimmings. You can train a dog to sniff almost anything. We need better security outside of terminals and in baggage handling areas. Stop the insanity. Hire security folks with real police training who know what they are doing and do it well. There are a lot of Patriotic Veterans looking for work.
Frankly, Scarlet, I don't give a darn, if our enemies, or their misguided enablers and protectors, scream like a stuck pigs over profiling. If it is true, as our adversaries say that, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend." Then I might want to examine and adapt Israel's successful methods at thwarting terrorist attacks.
Conversely, I might offer a conclusion regarding protests against profiling by the usual apologist organizations? Who do these protests help? Is the friend of my enemy is my enemy? I would hope it does not come to making that choice. But, it is time to choose outcomes America: Essential Liberty or Temporary Safety.
Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. - Benjamin Franklin, Historical Review of Pennsylvania, 1759
William R. Mann, is a retired Lt. Colonel, US Army. He is a now a political observer, analyst, activist and writer for Conservative causes. He was educated at West Point [Bachelor of Science, 1971 ]and the Naval Postgraduate School [Masters, National Security Affairs, 1982].
