TSA: A Slight Glimmer of Hope

She said, "Yes, as long as you were born in 1937 or earlier."
"I'm not there yet," I said.

My five-year old was randomly selected for additional security screening this weekend. They patted her down, swabbed her hands, shoes and stuffed animal, and searched her luggage.

You can go ahead and put that glimmer right out.

It is nice to hear a little story of some humanity. Stories like this always make me smile and are a subtle reminder that we are all people.

There's no one more willing to lay down their lives for a fanatical cause than those about to lay down their lives for a natural cause.

Am I too close to the airport to make that joke?

Are you sure that the passenger was not part of the TSA Pre-Check program?

"Eligible participants use dedicated screening lanes for screening benefits which include leaving on shoes, light outerwear and belts, as well as leaving laptops and 3-1-1 compliant liquids in carry-on bags."

All TSA lines now have a sign that says if you were born before this date in 1937, you can keep your shoes and light jacket on.

Sorry to be so cheerful about this, but it is nice when the thugs show some kindness to the hostages. Makes it so much easier for the Stockholm Syndrome to blossom.

[and for the record, I've had plenty of warm fuzzy moments with TSA workers. That doesn't change the vileness of the organization or the sort of person it attracts.]

@Mr. Econotarian,
Are you sure that the passenger was not part of the TSA Pre-Check program?
Yes, and if you read my post carefully, you'll figure out why.
@Methinks,
Sorry to be so cheerful about this, but it is nice when the thugs show some kindness to the hostages.
It wasn't mainly kindness. He was undercutting his own organization. So if you want to make it analogous to the Stockholm Syndrome, it would be the kidnappers who start questioning what they're doing.
@Trespassers W,
My five-year old was randomly selected for additional security screening this weekend. They patted her down, swabbed her hands, shoes and stuffed animal, and searched her luggage.
That sucks, and if you look at my past posts on TSA, you know I think it sucks.
You can go ahead and put that glimmer right out.
No, I won't.

Some overseers were likely more kind to slaves under their dominion than were other overseers, and some may in fact, while they flayed one in thrall for an infraction, have mused philosophic about the justice of the entire system.

Of course, I am glad David found a TSA agent who had a rueful appreciation of the institutional absurdities under which he works, and if David thinks that's worthy of a glimmer of hope, I won't disagree, but simply note that Professor Henderson's penchant for optimism is well known.

Myself, I'll withhold the glimmer until I see a few TSA agents loudly quitting in disgust, unwilling to any longer torment and dominate their fellow citizens solely to create an illusion of safety, or to steal from their luggage, or to obtain a government paycheck.

David,

I get it, I get it. Before posting, I deleted part of my comment that said something about how I joke around with them when I travel and sometimes even the agents can't believe the **** they have to put people through. But, the foot soldiers don't make the rules and the people the TSA attracts are mostly not so filled with common sense, basic humanity and a sense of humour.

I'm not letting your little ray of sunshine penetrate my dark cloud [insert appropriate emoticon here].

Miami?

Any chance you're giving a talk open to the public?

I feel it appropriate for this...

'And there was much rejoicing... yaaaay.'

Seriously, however, every little bit helps!

I don't think it offers any hope at all. To me a tiny glimmer of hope would be the outright elimination of the TSA. There is such a large foundation for tyranny built in our system over the last couple of decades that nothing short of a total elimination of a government organization such as the TSA would offer any hope for me at all. I think the US is doomed. I'm can't be certain exactly what we are doomed for but we are doomed. This is why militias are becoming popular again, guns are flying off shelves, and there is a whole community of people who are storing food, fuel, and bullets for a coming collapse of rule of law or other scenario were order and commerce breaks down. Luger's sales are up 86% in recent years.