Did You Really Think The TSA Would Just Be An Airport Thang?
They're going to be feeling your titties and pawing through your car and your possessions in all sorts of areas of our lives. Adam Ghassemi writes for Tennessee's NewsChannel5:
PORTLAND, Tenn. - You're probably used to seeing TSA's signature blue uniforms at the airport, but now agents are hitting the interstates to fight terrorism with Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR)."Where is a terrorist more apt to be found? Not these days on an airplane more likely on the interstate," said Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons.
Tuesday Tennessee was first to deploy VIPR simultaneously at five weigh stations and two bus stations across the state.
Agents are recruiting truck drivers, like Rudy Gonzales, into the First Observer Highway Security Program to say something if they see something.
"Not only truck drivers, but cars, everybody should be aware of what's going on, on the road," said Gonzales.
It's all meant to urge every driver to call authorities if they see something suspicious.
"Somebody sees something somewhere and we want them to be responsible citizens, report that and let us work it through our processes to abet the concern that they had when they saw something suspicious," said Paul Armes, TSA Federal Security Director for Nashville International Airport.
"Something suspicious"? "Something" suspicious? Unless it's a trailer truckload of fertilizer on fire, what the hell would that be?
And this article reflects the problem with all the people who go quietly at the airport -- going quietly is a tacit acceptance of the TSA's violation of our Fourth Amendment rights (and those vague free speech-chilling signs they put up telling you that "verbal abuse" will "not be tolerated").
Oh, and if any of you have a legal background and can comment on our right to move freely, please do. Here's a little something. Also, don't forget the Ninth Amendment, protecting rights not enumerated in the Constitution.
And what are they most likely doing on the interstate? Driving and avoiding doing anything unusual.
What are they going to do before that someone might notice? At the rest stop casually ask, "If you were hauling a van full of fertilizer on a hot day like today would you be worried about it going before you reached your target...er, destination?" or maybe drive under the speed limit and stay in their lane thinking that way the cops won't pull them over?
The Former Banker at October 20, 2011 11:53 PM
Maybe I'm mistaken, but I thought I already pay taxes for officials (a.k.a. State Highway Department) to watch for suspicious behavior on the highway. Huh, I thought they normally do a pretty good job of destroying my personal rights.
Cat at October 21, 2011 2:02 AM
It is happening in other areas. I went to my son's school yesterday for a meeting with his guidance counselor. I was not allowed in the door without showing my driver's license. They then, without my permission, put my license through some kind of scanner. I asked what it was scanning and she told me, "it's scanning your license," as if I couldn't see that. She then handed me a sticker printout of my id minus my address and driver's number.
Are we really at that point that a parent cannot have a meeting with school personnel without getting scanned? And I'm still wondering if it just copied my picture of if it was saving information or even running information. I will be at the next School Board meeting for sure.
Kristen at October 21, 2011 4:08 AM
What's the next step? Having a checkpoint to get on the interstate? A GPS in every vehicle?
What happens when they stop the individual vehicles for just being on the interstate?
Law enforcement does not have the right to stop and search you or your vehicle without reasonable suspicion. Your refusal to be searched is not reasonable suspicion.
That they are using unarmed, poorly trained, security guards is even more to resist this.
Jim P. at October 21, 2011 6:08 AM
I don't travel, but it seems to me that the TSA is playing directly into the hands of the terrorists. That's what terrorists do. They instill *terror*. At this point, they don't actually have to do anything. They have the American government wound so tightly that it's violating western society for them, while draining the taxpayers bankroll sending more boys over there that they get to blow up. Hell, they don't even have to go anywhere!
It's up here too. For the first time in my life I got searched this summer. What did I do you ask? I attempted to gain entry to the Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill! "Happy Canada Day M'aam, hands against the wall and spread em please...." The reason? Their Royal Highness's were in attendance. We all know, after all, what an obvious threat a couple with two small children are.
I can hear Ali Baba laughing now....
Angel at October 21, 2011 6:34 AM
All I can say it that this pattern resembles the "mission creep" I have been seeing for years in both federal and state agencies.
Real crime has been going down for years in this country and the police and the TSA are always looking for a new "mission" to justify their existence; and a reason for the growing bureaucracy to keep growing.
This is why you see enormous resources devoted to put a police officer in every school courtesy of the "DARE" program.
A lot of this shit may be coming to a screeching halt when the borrowed money runs out. It can't happen soon enough.
Isabel1130 at October 21, 2011 8:33 AM
I guess they won't be happy until we are all locked in our homes. This is getting so out of control I feel like I am living in the twilight zone. I DO NOT CONSENT NOR AGREE with this BS. I won't go quietly either.
Melody at October 21, 2011 9:40 AM
I was the 2nd World Series game in St. Louis last night (Go Cards!). Several times during the game between innings, the display boards flashed a sign asking baseball fans to report suspicious activity with the TM'd tagline, "If you SEE something, SAY something." I don't remember who sponsored it, but it doesn't matter.
It bothers me that we are moving into the whole Big Brother way of life. I agree with you, Amy, what the hell constitutes suspicious? A man with a gun. Hell, yes, I'll report that! Thousands of baseball fans in red and blue cheering their teams on? Should I have reported the Ranger fans for being in the Cardinals stadium? This has got to stop!
Kima at October 21, 2011 11:18 AM
Careful Melody, you could be reported to attackwatch for not consenting to government fondlings.
Sio at October 21, 2011 11:21 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2011/10/21/did_you_really.html#comment-2682017">comment from KimaMy dad's a man with a gun -- has been for maybe 35-40 years -- and has yet to fire it at another human being. Amazing, huh?
Amy Alkon at October 21, 2011 11:29 AM
My boss is a man with a (permitted) gun, on his way to Dallas to watch the Rangers beat the Cardinals right now...
ahw at October 21, 2011 12:07 PM
Well, of course, a bunch of us here predicted this. They claim that they will only implement this at weigh stations, and only for commercial trucks, but just wait. A year ago a bunch of people were scoffing at the idea that the TSA would ever have anything to do with highway vehicles.
And have no doubt about this: they don't give a damn about looking for terrorists. It's drug enforcement. Pure and simple.
"They then, without my permission, put my license through some kind of scanner. "
Get this: Two weeks ago I went to Target for a few groceries. While I was in there, I swung through the beer aisle and picked up a six-pack. When I got to the checkout, the checkout gal scanned and bagged everything, while I got out a $20 to pay for it. I handed the money to her, and then she said she needed to see my ID. Well, okay, it's not like I'm not 50-something frickin years old or anything, but whatever. The way they hassle cashiers about it, I figured she was just trying to CYA. So I unfold the flap on my wallet to show it to her. Local address and everything.
She wants me to take it out of my wallet. Jeez, what a hardass, but I pull it out and hand it to her. Next thing I know, she's whipped it through the scanner! I ask her what the hell she did that for. "I have to." Why? "It's a federal law." Bullshit, but I didn't say that to her. I just grabbed my stuff and left. I noticed that when she scanned my license, the scanner beeped to acknowledge it, but the register displayed nothing. And there was no notation about it on the receipt.
Conclusion: Target is keeping records on customers who purchase alcoholic beverages. As a result, I will never buy alcoholic beverages at Target again. Further, from now on, whenever I buy alcohol, I will pay cash, and if any cashier wants to handle my license, I will refuse the transaction and leave. I wonder how long it will be before all stores start doing this.
Cousin Dave at October 21, 2011 3:34 PM
Again, a way to understand just how useless this theater is, is to look at what is actually shipped daily in the USA.
By the megaton.
Radwaste at October 21, 2011 4:29 PM
Well the Wal-Marts around my are have taken to carding pretty much everyone.
The also do it at United Dairy Farmer's store with the scanners. What I do with mine ID is find a degausser (big electromagnet) and put it on there for about 30 seconds. After that the strip is blank. :-D
Jim P. at October 21, 2011 6:51 PM
Something suspicious on the highway? I see that pretty regularly. There are these black and white cars that are parked in semi-secluded spots where you'd generally not expect to see a car parked. What's up with *that*?
Do you suppose the TSA will check them out, and grope- waitaminute... perform their enhanced screening techniques- yeah, that's what I meant to say... on the occupants?
Not Sure at October 21, 2011 7:30 PM
Cousin Dave, I never go in to Target. They don't sell ammo.
And here in Wyoming, they don't sell beer either. Kind of a waste of time because everything Target does have, is cheaper at Walmart, and two blocks closer to my house.
Isabel1130 at October 21, 2011 9:34 PM
Mark my words, the TSA gangstaz will eventually be hitting the highway rest stops, molesting truckers as they come out of the restrooms.
mpetrie98 at October 22, 2011 8:56 AM
The Transportation Security Administration
Our Motto:
Better Police,
For a Better Police State
IgotBupkis, President, United Anarchist Society at October 22, 2011 5:49 PM
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