I’m flying on Veterans Day, and this day ‘ when we remember and honor our veterans for their profound sacrifice for our nation ‘ has my mind spinning. I always find working my way through airport security lines thought-provoking, and doing so on November 11 is even more so.
I take a guzzle, toss my half-empty water bottle at the garbage can the next lane over, and miss. It rolls over to a guard, who picks it up and sinks it for this lousy basketball player. The can is filled with plastic bottles. That pile of petroleum products, along with the plastic slippers and Ziploc bags provided to help people get through security, remind me of oil ‘ and have me pondering why we have to stand in these lines.
Going through security at airports, with all the uniformed security agents, I recall that many travelers joke that TSA stands for “thousands standing around.” In small airports, there are often more security agents than travelers. In this airport, they have “Team SFO” printed across their shoulders. I wonder what’s in the minds of the legions of Americans who get up before sunrise and put on those TSA uniforms. What’s their relationship with their senior officers? Do the pep talks really pep them up?
With each pass, I wonder if all my little packing transgressions will trigger a more extensive search. I’m impressed as the system evolves over time…we rhythmically take off and put on our shoes, and the plastic bins are cycled around more efficiently all the time.
Veterans Day was originally Armistice Day, established in 1919 to celebrate the end of the war that was promoted as “the war to end all wars.” Our government declared that Armistice Day would celebrate “the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed.” Then, in 1954, Armistice Day (which celebrated peace) was changed to Veterans Day (which celebrates our soldiers for their sacrifice and patriotic valor). Even though our veterans are statistically far more homeless, suicidal, and prone to depression and psychological disorders than our society as a whole, at least this is a day when we remember their contributions. Thankfully, whether they support our current wars or not, Americans take this day to appreciate and honor those who have served in our military.
It’s so easy to clap for veterans once a year. But what if it’s actually a day to soothe the conscience of the society that sends these people into war? As a society, it’s healthy to look honestly at our situation. Exactly who’s fighting? And who are they fighting for? I believe that the relatively small number of deaths in our latest wars masks the huge number of suicides and broken people our military adventures leave us with. On any given night in our country, at least 100,000 veterans are homeless. Over 600,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have been patients in the VA system. About half of those have been mental-health patients, and a more than quarter have been treated for PTSD (nervous-system and stress disorders related to their service).
The big topic among travelers seems to be whether or not you’ll submit to the full-body scanners that are being purchased en masse to be sure we have nothing dangerous in our body cavities. Or will we refuse and go through the punitive, intensive, old-fashioned body search? While nearly all walks of life in America will be subjected to austerity budget cuts in the coming years, we’ll continue ramping up the money we spend for things like multi-million dollar banks of scanners.
Waiting my turn, I observe “Team SFO.” Some TSA ID-checkers make cheery small talk. Others plod through their work. I can’t imagine an eight-hour shift of this. What do they really think about their work? How do they keep it interesting? Or do they even try? What kind of people end up in this TSA program? What’s the camaraderie like? Imagine wearing rubber gloves for eight hours straight. I wish someone would write a TSA tell-all.
For some reason I never get frisked, while much safer-looking people before and after me do. Sitting on the bench and putting my shoes back on, I observe two small boys watching while their dad puts his feet on the footprints on the rubber mat and the man in the uniform pats him down as if painting every inch of his body. What is everybody really thinking? Nice job. Get me outta here. I’m helping my country. This is a sham. Thank God for our first defenders. I’m tired of being polite to the public. I want to scream. God bless America. This is a drag, but if we save one life from a terrorist, it’s a small price to pay.
It’s poignant to mix thoughts of security and veterans on November 11.
Excellent post Rick. I was hoping that with your extensive travels, you could compare it to other international airports around the world. My experience is limited, but the whole experience in & out of US airports is worse (TSA + customs) than any other.
Posted by: Frank – Nov 11, 2010 9:35 PM
TSA searches now are gutting the search and seizure clause of the 4th Amendment. After 911 and the declaration of the war on terror, I understood the need to tighter security. However, what is happening now is that the Dept of Homeland Security has [INVALID]d airports, and 100 miles from any border or coastline in the United States to be “Constitution-Free Zones”, which means constitutional protections under the 4th Amendment are suspended. Ironic isn’t it, that the current administration, while removing the word “terror” from it’s policy pronouncements, proposes “security measures” that go way beyond what is necessary. Discarding common sense in randomly searching those who fit the profile of past terrorists now means everybody has to be searched, even little old granny. Considering the fact that 2/3 of Americans lives within those 100 miles from our coasts and borders, I guess those living in blue states are witnessing firsthand how easy it is for a government to suspend their rights under the Constitution. Think about that next time you are waiting in line for your nude scanning at an airport as you await your trip to Europe.
Posted by: janet – Nov 12, 2010 5:26 AM
I kind of enjoy the security checkpoints when I fly in and out of Europe. The rhythmic dance of the plastic bins, punctuated by the zing of the rolling metal tracks that they scoot around on. Sneaking peaks at Xray images of my belongings. Trying to gather everything back up before the bin shoots back around the starting gate. It’s fun. I mean, what else am I going to do besides sit around bored for an hour or two before the boarding call? And if the TSA offered personalized printouts of my “nude” scan, I wouldn’t hesitate to buy one. What a great souvenir! It must stink to be one of these righty tighty self-screwing nuts, to live with a mind so inflexible and archaic that it would rather see exploding airplanes on the news than consider balancing a minor cost with a major gain. Thanks for the post Rick! Definitely thought-provoking.
Posted by: Brian – Nov 12, 2010 5:59 AM
Great post! Once on a train, I overheard a creepy guy talking about his job to his friend. He said he had the best job one could ever imagine because he was sitting at the airport looking at pictures of naked girls every single day… However, my first impression when coming to the US, and my last when leaving is usually being met by guns in the passport-control. I keep thinking that these people checking my passport are violent, and that they are eager to use their gun. If I should happen to look at them the wrong way, having almost too much carry-on luggage, or that if they should happen not to like me for some other reason, then they will point their gun at me instantly. Wouldn’t the reason why they’re carrying guns be to use them? Or?
Posted by: Anne – Nov 12, 2010 6:50 AM
this post made me think of this quote by Benjamin Franklin: “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” how far do we go?
Posted by: Matthew – Nov 12, 2010 8:28 AM
Check this out: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20101020/ap_tr_ge/us_travel_brief_security_screener_theft
Posted by: Amy – Nov 12, 2010 8:42 AM
Following #3 as listed in the guidelines I do have a constructive criticism for Rick. I hope, in the future, Rick gives as much thought to the price earlier generations paid so he could enjoy his freedom as he did on veterans day. When in Europe the thousands of lost American lives and why did not even appear on the top ten.
Posted by: Jim – Nov 12, 2010 11:23 AM
Great entry! It’s not the most comfortable experience going through airport security. Having my shoes ex-rayed is not so bad, but if they start ex-raying people I’ll be thinking in terms of get me out of here. It’s all changed so much, and takes time for people to get used to. The airport security people have a tough job to keep things safe for us, and have my support and respect. Happy Veteran’s Day! Happy travels!
Posted by: Donna – Nov 12, 2010 1:13 PM
Some posts above are incorrect. The USA has no exit controls nor exit passport controls, thus you are NOT met with “guns” upon leaving. In fact, entering Germany, and many other European countries, not only are the officers armed, but there are machine gun carrying members all over the terminals. Get the facts straight.
Posted by: Tony – Nov 12, 2010 1:52 PM
Someone must have bumped the hickory tree because the nuts are certainly falling down around us. Would anyone really board an airliner if there was no security? Is Anne a real poster? Does anyone really think Rick gives a rat’s backside for veterans or is he just paying lip service? Rick’s history concerning military members would suggest he, as does one of his favorite presidents, loathes the military. Some amongst us think that a person destroying a poster they disagree with is what endows and protects our free speech, I believe it is only the fact we have soldiers that do so.
Posted by: E Gibbons – Nov 12, 2010 3:27 PM
Just because someone is a pacifist doen’t mean they don’t support military veterans. The waste of lives in misguided adventures is just stupid. Much more support should be given to our returning troops. A “Veteran”.
Posted by: Kathleen – Nov 12, 2010 3:38 PM
It must stink to be one of those lefty loony nuts, whose minds are so devoid of common sense and rational thought that they cannot even comprehend that searching those who actually fit the profile of a radical Muslim terrorist is a small price to pay. Seems to me that Rick was the one who seems inconvenienced about the airport searches in this post as well.
Posted by: janet – Nov 12, 2010 5:20 PM
Would someone please explain what a radical Muslim terrorist looks like? The would be shoe bomber was British and others did not fit any of the stereotypes used by some politicians and the media. Don’t you think the terrorists would change their tactics and use people who look like Europeans if the TSA only searched people who fit Middle Eastern stereotypes?
Posted by: Ari – Nov 12, 2010 8:47 PM
Let’s see. I voted for Obama, I have done Military Service, and I do think the book “Johnny Got His Gun” is one of the best books ever written. What kind of label should I wear according to posters like E.Gibbons? Where do I fit in? Am I a leftist loony nut? I doubt that Rick nor our president “loathe” the military. That is quite a statement. I have no problem going through security, but I do find security in Europe to be more efficient, more professional and faster than in the US. The use of dogs is increasing everywhere and this is a huge plus. They are far more accurate than any machine.
Posted by: Jo – Nov 12, 2010 11:54 PM
During the past 10 years we the people have spent nearly 6,000 lives and 110 Billion dollars each year fighting two wars predicated on oil which in turn created the need for TSA. Our oil consumption has made us our own worst enemy.
Posted by: b. – Nov 13, 2010 5:41 AM
That’s why we need to drill here in the States to decrease our dependence on foreign oil.
Posted by: sophie – Nov 13, 2010 6:18 AM
And when that oil runs out are you back to importing? How about thinking a little beyond today and next year? We need to support alternative energy sources now. The technology for these alternative energies is being developed outside the US because of insistence that oil will be with us forever. Also, I travel all the time and don’t resent TSA and I’m liberal. I also don’t hate the military. The vast assumptions that are made by posters to this blog are mind-boggling.
Posted by: Pam – Nov 13, 2010 9:01 AM
Domestic oil reserves will not be depleted in the foreseeable future. How soon depends to a great extent on demand. We will develop [INVALID]native energy sources when economics make it desirable to do so. Electic cars have been advocated since 1911. We have learned nothing from the failures during the Carter administration. At least we are not advised to wear sweaters and suffer the misery index. The department of energy was created to end our dependence on foreign oil Another failed government policy. Spain, on the cutting edge of [INVALID]native energy is admitting failure and is cutting back.
Posted by: Jim Galt – Nov 13, 2010 9:32 AM
Jo, according to E Gibbons you would be a bit left of the political center and admired for your military service. I too found Trumbo’s book fascinating. Not sure if I would consider it one of the best books ever written, but surely fertilizer for the mind. The nut I was referencing was the one worrying about being gunned down by the passport control people!?! Paranoid? Jo are you well read on Rick’s past confrontations with veterans and active military persons? Check it out. I am afraid they have not fared any better than the young folks who had an Adolph Obama poster. Rick’s tolerance for opposing thoughts and opinions is very limited. FYI the folks with the Obama poster were a LaRouche group, I think. Please let me know if I am woefully misinformed. If correct, wouldn’t they be considered a left wing group and not some right wing fringies as Rick has stated?
Posted by: E. Gibbons – Nov 13, 2010 12:18 PM
If SFO is the San Francisco Airport, I am never sure how much security is really there. We fly out of there all the time and it is always a pleasent big nothing experience. I am more worried about all the icky feet that go before me more than terrorists! I have also observed in all my years in this country how many things we change to save something, but never look at the new resorces that go into all the changes.
Posted by: Judy – Nov 13, 2010 1:14 PM
I flew through SFO on Monday (three days before Rick, apparently), coming in from Korea. They were using the nekkid xray machines, but not on everyone. They called my wife out of the line and told her to go through it. They just sent me through the old fashioned metal detector doorframe. I guess they thought she would make a better nude photo (can’t say I disagree, but am still somewhat offended). Actually, I think 99% of what the TSA and related agencies do are completely unnecessary, and I’d be more inclined to fly if we simply stopped with the endlessly escalating security theater. I’d be willing to take the slight extra risk (and I do think any additional risk would be very, very small).
Posted by: David – Nov 13, 2010 9:44 PM
A very worthwhile post. Unlike most people who run a business, Rick does not confer with PR people and create a “public image”, but speaks his mind, speaks from his heart. How rare, and how refreshing! Poignant indeed to compare the problems of the returning veterans (those who do return) with the 5-10 minutes we spend in the security line. Sure, it would be cool if we had more faith that everything the security gals and guys does makes sense. But it’s no time at all compared to that twelve hour flight across the Atlantic, and no no no time at all compared to a two year stint in purgatory. And I don’t get the concern about nude photos, so what? Who cares?
Posted by: Grace Clark – Nov 14, 2010 12:22 PM
The TSA stinks. Just went through it twice this week. Yawn. You know who is going to save lives? Passengers and flight crews. Not $10 an hour rent a cops.
Posted by: Fred in Atlanta – Nov 14, 2010 4:41 PM
When you give power to those inadequate to use it properly you are bound to have abuses. I had a TSA make me give him my wallet so he could take out all documents for his inspection. Many public figures speak their minds freely. Hitler wrote in detail of his plan for WWII when he wrote Mein Kampf. Privacy is a primary right under our constitution and should be defended no matter your political beliefs.
Posted by: Jim Galt – Nov 14, 2010 5:55 PM
Drill, Baby, Drill
Posted by: Erik – Nov 14, 2010 7:41 PM
Rick, Great and thought-provoking post. After reading the other comments, I am left wondering WHY do I read them when I know what you have written is going to bring out the worst in some people? My captcha is “wrists” as in reading some of the comments makes me want to slit mine…
Posted by: Nancy – Nov 15, 2010 9:13 AM
E. Gibbons, I’m not sure if you’re the same person who keeps bringing up Rick’s supposed “past confrontations with veterans and active military persons,” but I think it’s time to put that old chestnut to rest. I imagine you’re referring to a single incident that Rick recounted years ago, when we was aggressively confronted by a uniformed member of the Armed Forces, who demanded that Rick support the war. Rick did not insult or argue with the person, but chose to leave the situation quickly. He later admitted he wished he’d stopped to hear what the person had to say. The fact that Rick himself (and not some right-wing radio show) repeated this story shows that he’s a caring person who really wants to understand these issues, and regrets that his first reaction, as a peace-loving person, is to regard the military with suspicion. Any thinking person who reads this post would come away with the same impression. So many of us in this country support our troops without reservation, but have been mortified to see the way our government has used those troops over the last decade. This requires a sophistication of thought that perhaps escapes your black-and-white worldview. You can dearly love your country, and its troops and vets, even as you are desperately concerned about what they are doing in your name. To me, this blog demonstrates a long-term compassion for our vets that I wish more Americans (especially the war hawks) would share.
Posted by: In Defense of Rick – Nov 15, 2010 10:07 AM
Some people who see nothing wrong with the TSA groping everybody, were probably the first yelling and screaming about Bush eavesdropping on conversations or what books were checked out of libraries. These same people who see nothing wrong with nude scans for everybody would probably object to Muslims being held to the same standard. If we want security, let’s follow the lead of the Israelis and El Al. Thirty years with no terrorism all because they DO DISCRIMINATE and profile. Remember, it is not illegal in this country to discriminate in profiling — it was upheld by the Courts as long as it is warranted. Also, the first line of defense should be outside the airport with sniffing dogs. And remember that Janet Napolitano, that lovely head of Homeland Security, thought that the “system worked” in catching the Christmas bomber in Detroit! She forgot to mention that if it were not for the Dutch passenger tackling the perpetrator, he would not have been caught. So much for the thorough screening of passengers beforehand. If they would not concentrate so much on what 3 oz of fluid you are carrying but PROFILED passengers, say oneone who looks like a Yemeni male between the ages of 15-45, maybe the rest of us innocents would not have to have OUR rights discriminated against.
Posted by: janet – Nov 15, 2010 11:25 AM
I am with you Nancy! I write my response to Rick before I read any of the others. Then I go back and read!
Posted by: Judy – Nov 15, 2010 12:41 PM
To In Defense of Rick I read the same story you did and I remember nothing about the soldier being aggressive. He had waited a long time for him to get there and approached Rick politely. Rick never said the person was aggressive. He did not demand that Rick support the war but asked him a question. I remember that whole incident very well and it was a turning point for me in how I felt about Rick. I still love his books and tours but I was very upset how he treated that young man as well as the young people that he just tore up their posters. Anyone with a different opinion of him he treats like crap. Having read the blog for 3 years faithfully I do not see him having any love of vets or the military. This blog came out of no where and I don’t believe it is sincere.
Posted by: Wanda – Nov 15, 2010 4:26 PM
Let’s not forget that many people exposed to TSA do so by choice. You are not forced to fly, you choose to do so. Eavesdropping on phone conversations does not seem to have any criteria, and they capture so many conversations they can not act on any information gathered in a timely manner. Correct me if I am wrong. To echo Ari, what does a raducal Muslim terrorist look like? Is it like the famous line about porn, “I can’t describe it, but I know what it is when I see it.”
Posted by: Max – Nov 15, 2010 8:25 PM
FYI, if you look at any of the pics of the suicide bombers, they all look like radical, not raducal, Muslims. If you cannot tell the physical difference between them and an elderly male or female or a four-year-old child (although suicide bombers ARE known to laden children with explosives) then I have no need to educate you on radical Islam.
Posted by: janet – Nov 16, 2010 3:32 AM
I am so tired of hearing about the war being about oil. Like lemmings hear one thing and run with it. Stop listening to the media, all of them: FOX, MSNBC, and CNN. The major importers of oil to the US? Canada, Mexico, and Saudi Arabi in that order. http://www.eia.doe.gov/pub/oil_gas/petroleum/data_publications/company_level_imports/current/import.html Iraq number 10. Then lets ask another question are we taking oil from Iraq? No i believe we pay for it. If Iraq didn’t export oil what other major exports would it have? Iraq is starting to show in an increase in grain production which once was a major export but devastated by the Iran-Iraq war. Maybe we are going to war over grain, since we keep losing farms to urban sprawl.
Posted by: Sam – Nov 16, 2010 6:42 AM
I agree. The invasion of Iraq was not about oil, regardless of what libs want to believe. It was a principled invasion which occurred because Iraq violated a number of UN resolutions and everybody from the intellilgence community, to President, to many bi-partisan members of Congress believed that Iraq was harboring weapons of mass destruction.
Posted by: sophie – Nov 16, 2010 7:29 AM
Rick, I respect your expertise as a travel guide, but for someone so well-versed in history I’m a little surprised. I opposed the Vietnam war on moral grounds and was prepared to make whatever sacrifices necessary to resist the draft if it came to that. Two successive liberal Democrat presidents (Johnson was in fact a liberal…southern Dem who championed civil rights and environmental issues) escalated that immoral conflict, causing the pointless death and maiming of tens of thousands of Americans. It took a conservative Republican, the most reviled in history (prior to GWB), to finally get us out. Go figure. Rick, I began travelling in Europe even before you did, hitchhiking around with a backpack full of used Levis I sold along the way to finance my trip. Although I didn’t have the gumption to make myself famous and wealthy with an empire like yours Rick, I’ve probably spent as much time overseas as you have. European citizens do not as a whole blame American citizens for what our government does. They know we have as little control over our government as they do over theirs. The terrorists however, could care less about the lives of innocent civilians, not only Americans, but Europeans too. If tomorrow America called back all its troops and embarked on a plan of total isolationism, radical Islamic terrorists would not cease to seek the death of all westerners. That is a concept Rick, that I am shocked you do not seem to comprehend.
Posted by: Frank – Nov 16, 2010 7:49 AM
It’s a fickle world. Two years ago it looked like America had taken a hard left turn, but the recent elections prove that a lot of people who voted for Mr. Obama are unhappy with their choice. I guess Rick probably has enough millions stashed away that he feels he can afford to get on a pulpit and preach his personal politics without regard to alienating a segment of his market and the impact it might have to his company’s bottom line. I have to wonder if all the people who earn their families’ living from Rick’s enterprises feel the same.
Posted by: Sherry L – Nov 16, 2010 8:47 AM
The problem with trying to understand Rick or any liberal as it relates to security, is that they do not believe that radical Muslim terrorists even exist, let alone are a problem. They just want to all get along, even though those Muslim extremists have no interest in co-existing or respecting the liberties of the western world. Progressives refuse to acknowledge that there is even a war on terror. They like to think that the invasion of Iraq was all about oil or that 9-1-1 was a government conspiracy. No fact or truth will ever stand in their way of how they want to perceive the world. I find it shocking that somebody who studied European history as a major and is as well-traveled in Europe as Rick is, would consistently fail to acknowledge the dangers that radical Islam poses to western civilization. Where did your education fail you, Rick?
Posted by: tina – Nov 16, 2010 9:09 AM
Not looking forward to be x-rayed at the airport, maybe it will not be so bad. X-rays who a person’s skeleton, and shadow images of internal things. I don’t think an airport x-ray would show a person in the flesh. Adjusting…I hope…maybe…
Posted by: X-ray Worry Wart – Nov 16, 2010 11:24 AM
We don’t need liberals or conservatives or republicans or democrats or libertarians in government. Labels just lock people into ideological beliefs to the extent that they refuse to learn anything new. We just need people who will tell the American people the truth. OPEC estimates that of the roughly 1.3 trillion barrels of proven petroleum reserves in the world, its 22 members have 900 billion barrels or more than two thirds. Most of the reserves are in the Middle East, with Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq accounting for 56 percent of the OPEC total. These are the countries with extensive reserves that the world will tap as shallower reserves run dry. If depending on Islamic oil makes the American public as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a roomful of rocking chairs, it is likely to get more nervous yet. (from Engaging The Muslim World by Juan Cole.)
Posted by: b. – Nov 16, 2010 12:45 PM
“that [liberals] do not believe that radical Muslim terrorists even exist, let alone are a problem” – nonsense. I am proud to be a liberal (in American terms I’m more left than that) and I certainly believe that Muslim terrorists exist and are dangerous. I also think that the current US wars (we can add aggression and civilian deaths – isn’t that terrorism? – in Pakistan and Yemen to Iraq and Afghanistan) are busily creating more. However, I also think that the TSA procedures are nothing but crude, ineffective theater. If you want real security you need to emulate El Al and it will cost a lot more and take a lot longer to board flights. The best recourse against another terrorist incident is good intelligence, not making people take their shoes off in airports. But the idea that you can do away with risk altogether is a chimera. Life is a risk. You’re in more danger in your bathroom than on a plane. Once, US citizens were innocent until proved guilty, now they can be groped by strangers like felons. Once, Americans thought liberty was more valuable than death. Now, apparently they think that “terrorism” started on 9-11 and is only directed at them, and are willing to give up any remaining privacy in the illusory hope of complete safety. Grow up.
Posted by: Kathy_C – Nov 17, 2010 4:13 AM
A note about El Al: one reason they have been able to eliminate terrorism on their flights is due to their size. They are a small airline, with limited routes, and a small clientele who understand the level of security to expect. They also have agreements with other airlines to take on any passengers they deem even a slight threat. I recall reading an article by an British female reporter who was flying El Al out of Israel, and based on her answers to a few questions from the airport screener, she was immediately shifted to a Lufthansa flight without her permission. I don’t know that this can be done with the flying public at large.
Posted by: BP – Nov 17, 2010 7:39 AM
Oops, that should have been “liberty more valuable than life”, not “death”.
Posted by: Kathy_C – Nov 17, 2010 7:58 AM
If you think it’s nonsense that “that [liberals] do not believe that radical Muslim terrorists even exist, let alone are a problem”, then why won’t liberals, aka progressives, aka leftists, confront that aspect of Islam that is radical? The current administration removed the word terror from its lexicon, so please don’t tell me that they consider radical Muslims a threat, because their actions prove otherwise. To me, some people are more offended by a perceived insult to a Muslim, than they are concerned about saving lives, let alone preserving liberties.
Posted by: tina – Nov 17, 2010 9:58 AM
What on earth makes you think the Obama administration is leftist, or progressive, or even particularly liberal? It took hardly any time at all before Obama was co-opted by the corporate elites. And why do you imagine that all leftists etc. are in agreement with the administration’s actions? I’m certainly not.
Posted by: Kathy_C – Nov 17, 2010 10:17 AM
Where have we gone astray? Rick’s original posting was thought-provoking, but not really provocative. I can’t believe the intensity of people’s angry, name-calling reactions to this blog (and to other commenters). It’s sad that everyone in this country seems so primed to hate each other right now… the Left is angry about losing the election (and that Obama hasn’t done enough), the Tea Partiers are angry that Obama is still president (and has done too much), air travelers are angry about invasion of privacy and dangerous X-rays, and the moderates who make up the vast majority of the population are angry that they have to put up with such tension all the time. Agree or disagree with Jon Stewart’s politics, the message from his rally a few weeks back really resonates: Folks, can’t we just calmly agree to disagree, without all the hate and vitriol? So many of the responses here are barely toeing the line of “reasonable” and “constructive.” Let’s get back to sane, rational discourse, please. Thank you.
Posted by: Can’t We All Just Get Along? – Nov 17, 2010 11:33 AM
@Can’t We All Just Get Along – Bravo! My thoughts exactly. The hateful nature of some of these posts is truly upsetting. It seems the majority of people have forgotten common courtesy and compassion towards their fellow man.
Posted by: JL – Nov 17, 2010 3:48 PM
How am I supposed to “get along” with someone who doesn’t “believe” in evolution, who doesn’t “believe” in global warming, who thinks contraception is morally wrong, who “believes” Obama is not a US citizen, who thinks that health care is a privilege not a right, etc. etc. I could “get along” with them if they didn’t want to enact laws and implement policies THAT AFFECT ME based on those ideas, but that’s not the case.
Posted by: Kathy_C – Nov 17, 2010 9:47 PM
Ben Franklin warned “those who can give up essentially liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety”. As a traveler, I do not think it is necessary to give up any of my essential liberties for the promise of safety. The TSA has totally failed to protect air travelers but continues to subject us to increasing harassment. Travelers don’t feel safe, don’t appreciate intrusions and do not think that the TSA or Napolitano is competent. Like I stated earlier, to keep terrorists away, follow the successful Israeli model of state-of-the-art-technology, excellent training, and COMMON SENSE in profiling. I also question how I can “get along” with people who are so devoid of common sense. All I can do is continually debate them and point out their fallacies.
Posted by: janet – Nov 18, 2010 5:35 AM
Whoa, so anybody who questions the security illusions of the TSA are all deniers of evolution, contraception, healthcare, global warming? And you want people to find your opinions credible? Maybe you’ve seen Obama’s original birth certificate or college transcripts, because nobody else has, and you obviously are not steeped in scientific thought or theory for you would know that the “science” behind the global warming as advocated by the left was confirmed to be junk science. Sheesh.
Posted by: anne – Nov 18, 2010 5:53 AM
I think the idea of getting along is not believing that everyone has to believe and think the way you do. Why should any political party insist that we believe or not believe in anything. Abortion Religion ect. That is what I am very tired of. We are all labelled and when our politicians are out there they are essentially telling us what to believe. They need to tell us what they are going to do if we give them the job. Our country is made up of many types of people, we don’t need to fix everyones belief system, what we need to start doing is looking at our own life and business and respecting everyone else. Quit telling me what I bellieve if I am a Democrat, Republican, Tea Party or Nothing.
Posted by: Judy – Nov 18, 2010 6:55 AM
And I’d like to know why Janet Napolitano is considering exempting all Muslim women who wear their gowns from head to toe from the body searches. I know she thinks the only threat comes from homegrown terrorists in the mold of gun rights activists, but does anyone who thinks the nude scans and groping searches are no big deal want to explain this latest outrage to me? And are exemptions going to be made as well for all members of Congress, their aides, union people [INVALID] and all the other politically favored classes who usually are granted exemptions from government policies proposed by the current administration?
Posted by: janet – Nov 18, 2010 11:25 AM
I was “chosen” for the new scanner on Tuesday. It saw my money belt, which meant I had to so a “behind closed doors” pat down – even though they could see it was a money belt around my waist and I could show it to them. If these scanners are so good they can identify it as something around the waist, they should be able to check that area and not do a full body pat down. A friend got the whole treatment for one nickel in her pocket. This seems a bit overdone. I was told that it would be best to take off my money belt, send it through the X-ray, then put it back on – however, we have had stuff quickly disappear between the time we put it into the scanner and the time we walked through to the other side – the safety of traveling with a money belt just disappeared – can you imagine having a lot of cash (you can take $10,000) in a belt and putting it in the bucket to be X-rayed?
Posted by: kahtrav – Nov 18, 2010 2:38 PM
Isn’t it amazing that they can’t come up with a system to keep people’s belongings with them, to prevent theft AT THE SECURITY STATION. And we’re supposed to feel good about trusting TSA with our safety. I have loved Rick for almost 20 years. But, as for his post about TSA and veterans, it looks like a wishy washy attempt to avoid offending his customers, since whichever side he took, half his clients would be bound to disagree with him. I’ve worked in PR, and it is fairly obvious. It also doesn’t add to its credibility that he didn’t go in for the new and intrusive patdown before writing about the topic. After he and his entire family experience that at JFK or Dulles or some other less friendly airport than SFO, I’d like to hear his description, with updated comments about the right to privacy. Serving our country in the Middle East
Posted by: Serving in the Middle East – Nov 18, 2010 4:44 PM
Principled? No, Sophie, it absolutely wasn’t. It was based on a flat-out lie, and they knew it was a lie because nothing thay had in the way of evidence could credibly valdate their assertion. Colin Powell has forever lost my respect for perpetuating that lie in front of the U.N. because he knew better. What exactly is principled about destroying a country that never threatened to attack us? Really? You can look at the human cess-pool Iraq has become and say that with a straight face? Please…
Posted by: Alfran – Nov 19, 2010 7:15 PM
Alfran, Halabja poison gas attack, torture rooms, mass executions all while Sadam and his sons were in power. And now its a human cess-pool? Its easy to point fingers when it suits you, but you turn a blind eye when it doesn’t support your argument. No no forget about all the torture, killings, and chemical warfare; but they never found weapons of mass destruction that’s whats important. If Iraq is worried about their country becoming a cess-pool they are more than welcome to unite, march in the streets, and take the fight to their government. But they won’t, for years they have been brainwashed by extremists and kept in dark ages confined by fear and segregation. People without a voice are much easier to control. So through all of Americas faults, and we have many,( no one is perfect) we do have good intentions. And when we see problems Americans gather to express our dissatisfaction and demand change without fear of retribution.
Posted by: Sam – Nov 20, 2010 8:12 AM
Bravo, Sam America may make some mistakes along the way but nobody should question their noble intentions. They helped get rid of a murderous dictator who ruled Iraq with fear and terror. Where was the outrage against the genocide of Kurds, or the killings of any opponent of Saddam’s regime? I am so tired of leftist Americans who save their scorn for only America, yet remain mute on the real murderous dictators in the world.
Posted by: cecille – Nov 20, 2010 5:53 PM
No one, but no one said that Saddam was a good guy. All of that is completely beside my point, if you actually read and understood my point. The point was that we invaded Iraq on false pretenses, further destabilizing that region of the world. By that rationale, Sam/Cecille, we should invade N. Korea as well, right? Anyone who thinks the War in Iraq was about ‘good intentions’ are either naive or delusional. And there is nothing noble about the money grab that ensued by contractors while our servicepeople were inadequately equipped to deal with IED’s and everything else, being maimed and murdered in an unjust war. And Cecille, it’s not leftist, it’s common sense, and I love America enough to speak out where I think she’s in error. Don’t ever question my patriotism.
Posted by: Alfran – Nov 21, 2010 1:39 PM
Like many here, I regret the digressions into other political issues. For me, the issue is about invasion of privacy when one must choose between naked xrays (that DO show flesh, not bones) or a groping pat down. For myself, I will choose the pat down because I am a consenting adult. But my stomach turns at the thought of how my young teens will be treated. (Everyone over age 12 is subject to the new rules.) They are going to grope 13 year olds?? Really? We have travelled extensively around the world with our children, believing that it is important to make them citizens of the world. I have posted many “travel with kids” tips on Rick’s site. But sadly, these new measures may keep us home. In good conscience as a parent, I can justify neither naked pics nor groping pat downs of my minor children. Surely good old American ingenuity can come up with a better solution!!
Posted by: Angela – Nov 21, 2010 6:51 PM
The “invasion” further destabilized the region? If the insurgents spent more time building schools and community centers, instead of IEDS, Iraq may be more stabilized. So because you believe I don’t understand your point that makes us naive or delusional. So attacking us because we don’t agree with your ideals, is different than America invading Iraq? Speaking of attacking people on false pretenses, when did we ever question your patriotism?
Posted by: Sam – Nov 21, 2010 8:49 PM
Sorry some of us are so ‘righty tighty’ that we are in an uproar over the custody search [INVALID] yes, the new enhanced patdowns are what police call custody search. And for those us of who have been molested or sexually assaulted, having to take a gamble as to whether or not we’ll be singled out for a feel up is too much to take. I’ve always been a big fan of yours, Rick. In Travel as a Political Act, you don’t mince words. But here….it’s quite ironical that these very veterans we salute would turn over in their grave at the loss of our 4th Amendent rights…..Another irony: since 9/11, more than 340,000 Americans have died on American soil in highway deaths and yet all of our priorities and money are reacting to the loss of 3,000 lives 10 years ago.
Posted by: Trishia Jacbos – Nov 22, 2010 7:29 AM
While I would rather focus my comments to the theme of this blog, namely, the outrageous conduct of the TSA in conducting unnecessary and needless sexual gropings, I must address the inaccuracies posted by Alfran. The US invasion of Iraq was NOT under false pretenses. It was based on Public Law 107-243, which was an overwhelmingly bipartisan LAW. Nothing illegal here. If you actually read the 23 “whereas” clauses, you will find that nowhere was WMD stockpiles considered current. It was noted that they HAD WMD. The only stockpiles mentioned were chemicla. Nuclear and biological referenced programs, not stockpiles. The authorization for invasion never indicated that Iraq had WMD in 2002. What is disingenous is the media stating that the only justification for invasion was if large stockpiles of WMD were found, but that is not what the law stated. What was actually found in Iraq was large stockpiles of chemical weapons, and at one time Saddam DID have nuclear and biological programs. It is also a fact that Saddam concealed many of these programs, looted known WMD sites, and the inspectors, who only inspected 1/4 of one percent of the 10,000 weapons caches could not say that those weapons were not transported out of Iraq prior to the invasion. That Iraq had connections to terrorism is not disputed. Pre and post war intelligence validated the US invasion of Iraq. The legal case was solid and based upon national defense, validated intelligence, legalities and morality, the US invasion of Iraq was the most justified invasion in our history. As for your patriotism, I don’t need to challenge it. Your own statements do that for you.
Posted by: cecile – Nov 22, 2010 5:34 PM
The sexual humiliation of detainees at Abu Ghraib is not so very different then the sexual humiliation being heaped on American air travelers at airports. Why is TSA torturing us to protect us? The body scanners don’t work as advertised: the company CEO is pals with Obama, and a certain ex-homland security chief is a lobbyist for said company. All this is about money, not protection. We should just copy Isreali security procedures. I do hope this cuts down on air travel. I’m shocked at the carbon footprint Rick Steves and his merry band of jet setters leaves behind.
Posted by: jeff – Nov 25, 2010 11:16 AM
Rick, if you were flying with Team SFO, you were not inspected by the TSA. San Francisco has privately hired security. The invasive “pat downs” are indeed an inappropriate practice, designed to make travelers (whose only crime is typically an underwire bra, or a past surgery) more willing to submit to the xray scanners. After having an agent wipe her gloved hands up and down my thighs, sweep across my groin (her words, not mine), across and under my breasts, and inside the waistband of my pants and underwear, yes, I’d prefer to have the agents see me naked. At least no one is wiping their hands all over me. Without my consent and with no recourse. Who among is can afford to end up on the no fly list? What’s become of this country, when the notion that subjecting millions of Americans and travelers to unlawful rub downs is making anyone safer?
Posted by: Diana – Nov 26, 2010 9:17 PM
My gripe about airport security and TSA personnel is that some of the staff seem a little ‘power mad’ and that some of them seem like minimum wage ‘flunkies’ who, frankly, flunked everything else in life. Getting pushed around by some of them is a real ‘downer.’ On our flight to join your tour this summer, I had carefully organized my tickets and passport and supporting ID in a thin leather neck folder. After going through a metal detector which did not detect any metal, just such a ‘salt of the earth’ staffer said I had to take it off and return through the scanner to send just this piece through the larger scanner because she ‘couldn’t see through something that thick. (Less than 1/4 inch deep, filled only with tickets, passport and driver’s license. This item of ‘luggage’ was sold as a way of expediting a trip through security. I felt like I had met a perfect candidate for membership in a fascist party organization: no education, no imagination; limited intelligence. This was my first line of defence for a secure flight?
Posted by: Jim Ellsworth – Nov 28, 2010 11:14 AM
This month, when flying to Munich out of Dulles airport, I was instructed to remove my around-the -neck-silk pouch which contained only paper currency and put it into one of those little dishes and send it, all by itself, through the scanner. This was done by the screener at the metal detection spot, where I passed through without setting anything off. And can anyone tell me why we must take our shoes off here in the U.S., but we don’t have to do that when returning to the U.S. from German airports? Just curious.
Posted by: louisa – Nov 28, 2010 12:23 PM
I think Rick made a great point about veterans that got buried in the article about going through security checks. It does seem that having Veterans Day makes it easy to merely ponder for a short time the sacrifices paid by our veterans and not really consider the conditions that vets are dealing with. The increasing number of suicides, the homelessness, drug use, crime, etc., is being ignored by the majority of us. This side effect of combat duty is not put into the equation by those who seem so anxious for a military solution for whatever the international problem. Those who are against going to war are not anti soldier, supporting our troops would be keeping them out of harms way. It seems that those who started our most recent wars were never actively involved in any military action, in fact, they did all they could to avoid any combat experience.
Posted by: Ponchik – Dec 06, 2010 6:25 PM
I have traveled for many years…I have learned a great deal from Rick’s travel experiences. I believe Rick is sincere in his beliefs as I am in mine…but I use his knowlege for travel only..we all come at life through different eyes.
Posted by: Scott – Dec 22, 2010 3:02 PM