The Trouble with a Democracy

I travel frequently for both business and to get my drink on. Thus, I've been following the bru-ha-ha over the newer TSA "get to know you" procedures with some interest.

I think one of the problems that the TSA needs to address is that their procedures, regardless of what tiny bit of "safety" they might provide, are dehumanizing.

If you see the pictures of the "full body scans" and you see the position that the people are required to stand in . . . it is one that reinforces the individual's vulnerability and is eerily similar to the position the cruel, military state in The Fifth Element required citizens to assume at the sounding of an alarm. And, there is surprising detail in the grey tone pictures. I'm sure whoever has to view them day in and day out is going to learn that humanity isn't all that attractive.

Another problem is that the pat-down procedures are, in fact, a sexual assault. It is more invasive that a police pat down. What enhances the abuse is that the person being required to submit to the assault must, again, assume a position of extreme vulnerability. Add into the mix that this abuse is forced on people in few view of others (although, that may be good in the terms of lawsuits later). Also, it appears that, from the many media sensation stories, that the people performing the pat downs haven't been particularly well trained in how to relate to their fellow humans in a way that defuses problems or in how to handle unusual situations that shouldn't be a surprise . . . like people with medical devices.

But, I think the biggest issue is that this is being rammed down our consciousness with a coldness, a "police state" sort of attitude, a dictatorship style that really doesn't sit well with Americans. We the people put a high premium on our rights. We the people don't cotton to being treated as if we are already convicted of a crime without the benefit of charges or jury. We've been led to believe that as Americans, we have the right to protest and be heard. Silly little constitution and 225 years of history.

I think the TSA needs to do a much better PR campaign, (telling people that they "don't have to fly" is a bad, bad answer: not everyone is flying for vacation; some are required to for their jobs and others may be flying to attend to their own or someone else's health or attend a funeral) they need to consider appropriate measures for handling humans as they come to the gate (this may be the reason you got out of bed this morning, but for travelers you are merely someone who is threatening to get in the way of reaching our destination), they need to create procedures that balance dignity and safety (really, if the safety of the planet rests in my crotch, you've got bigger problems than you know).