The TSA decided to send a commercial airline pilot through a full "body scanner" at the Memphis International Airport (the full story is extremely interesting and can be read here http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig11/roberts-m1.1.1.html ). Mr. Michael Roberts flies (as long as he still has a job) for Express Jet Airlines. He declined being virtually strip searched by a full body scanner and to be looked at by an unseen TSA agent. He was informed that he would be physically "patted down" for "opt-out" screening, a search that would include an agent touching Mr. Roberts in places that should make most uncomfortable. After declining a groping from TSA, he was informed that he would not be allowed to proceed to his aircraft.
Two thoughts come to mind: One, he is the PILOT! A virtual strip search does nothing to remove Mr. Roberts from the controls of an airliner, should he be a terrorist. Additionally, Mr. Roberts has gone through extensive background checks, and security screening to ensure that he isn't interested in pursuing terrorism. In fact, as many as 12,000 US airline pilots currently carry handguns with them under the Federal Flight Deck Officer Program, and are supported on many flights by the Federal Air Marshal Program. Imagine how 9/11 would have unfolded with armed pilots and law enforcement on board. Box cutters vs. handguns? Two, this reminds me of Rep. Helen Chenoweth-Hage's (R-ID) stand against the TSA in 2004 ( http://articles.cnn.com/2004-12-23/travel/tsa.pat.downs_1_pat-downs-metal-detector-screeners?_s=PM:TRAVEL ). After females destroyed airlines with explosives in mid-air over Russia in 2004, the TSA secretly modified their screening procedures, and wouldn't reveal their authority to touch people in such an inappropriate fashion. After the story was picked up by the Wall Street Journal, the TSA changed their policy, and reversed course.
As a member of the aviation community, I realize that security is crucial. We have seen graphic demonstrations of the incredible destruction and devastation that an airliner can have when controlled by a terrorist. But, we cannot lose our basic freedoms, that are enumerated, but not bestowed by American law. TSA must be charged to secure our airports and airliners with common sense screening that does not include touching passenger's and flight crew's breasts and genitals, or conducting virtual strip searches.
Its a dangerous time to be a Democrat Member of Congress or Senator. With the Republican Party eyeing big wins in the November election, Democrats appear to be on their heels, at best. Scott Brown's victory was a slap in the President's face, especially after Obama's last-minute trip to campaign for Martha Coakley. The President soon after attempted to save face with a absolutely stupefying analysis: "The same thing that swept Scott Brown into office swept me into office. People are angry, and they're frustrated. Not just because of what's happened in the last year or two years, but what's happened over the last eight years." Simply stunning. To say that Democrat Martha Coakley was defeated by a Republican in Massachusetts because people are still upset about W's policies is absurd! It becomes more and more clear that Obama is turning into Carter faster than Carter did. It is this kind of stunning ignorance combined with incredible arrogance on the Left, that heavy victories for the Republicans are to be expected in November.
That said, I find myself fearing a Republican victory in November. Rather, to set this country on track again, a Conservative victory is needed. In these times, when Congressional approval ratings are riding lower than the Lusitania, and the President's approval rating headed that direction, its increasingly popular to be seen as a conservative. Fox News has more viewers than ever, Rush and the rest of the talk radio guys are doing well, even John McCain and Lindsey Graham try to assume the Conservative mantle. They certainly will throw off that mantle when it is "safe" to appear more liberal, as they have done in the past.
The American people want to place their faith, and their votes, into Members and Senators who will return this government to one that is fiscally disciplined (FY 2010 $1.75 trillion DEFICIT), non-intrusive (Let's Move Program, oh, and an extra $10 billion for that), and facilitate a real recovery (Four million jobs lost last year, and no end in sight). The caution here is this: if Republicans win in huge numbers, but don't act on traditional conservative values and do what the American people pay them to do, we will see another episode of "Throw the Bums Out, Episode 2012", only it will be the Elephant that gets tossed out on his big ear. This is a tremendous opportunity that is in many ways similar to the late 1970s. It is clear that the United States is in very perilous positions on many fronts (war, unfunded entitlement liability, recession), and it will take strong, intelligent, Conservative leadership on many levels to ensure continued American prosperity.
Two thoughts come to mind: One, he is the PILOT! A virtual strip search does nothing to remove Mr. Roberts from the controls of an airliner, should he be a terrorist. Additionally, Mr. Roberts has gone through extensive background checks, and security screening to ensure that he isn't interested in pursuing terrorism. In fact, as many as 12,000 US airline pilots currently carry handguns with them under the Federal Flight Deck Officer Program, and are supported on many flights by the Federal Air Marshal Program. Imagine how 9/11 would have unfolded with armed pilots and law enforcement on board. Box cutters vs. handguns? Two, this reminds me of Rep. Helen Chenoweth-Hage's (R-ID) stand against the TSA in 2004 ( http://articles.cnn.com/2004-12-23/travel/tsa.pat.downs_1_pat-downs-metal-detector-screeners?_s=PM:TRAVEL ). After females destroyed airlines with explosives in mid-air over Russia in 2004, the TSA secretly modified their screening procedures, and wouldn't reveal their authority to touch people in such an inappropriate fashion. After the story was picked up by the Wall Street Journal, the TSA changed their policy, and reversed course. 
As a member of the aviation community, I realize that security is crucial. We have seen graphic demonstrations of the incredible destruction and devastation that an airliner can have when controlled by a terrorist. But, we cannot lose our basic freedoms, that are enumerated, but not bestowed by American law. TSA must be charged to secure our airports and airliners with common sense screening that does not include touching passenger's and flight crew's breasts and genitals, or conducting virtual strip searches.
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