TSA Second Thoughts

Quick trip to Detroit yesterday and back this morning. At DIA, they had both the scanners and the metal detectors in use. I opted for the detector line. Using my bumbling “just fell off the turnip truck” persona (Yeah, friends and family; not hard for me to do, yada, yada, yada) was able to engage three TSA Screeners in conversation. They rather enjoyed educating my dumb ass. Two things I picked up were, one; they believe they are keeping everyone safe and, two; the heat is on about the pat downs and they expect something to “come down from up above”. Attitude was about what I remember from MPs circa 1960’s. Didn’t see anyone being frisked.

At DTW this morning, the security check point I went through had both types of scanners. The full body type were turned off and the TSA people were using them for leaning posts.

My youngest is on his way home from Afghanistan this morning for two week R&R. This has provoked some contrarian thinking on my part. (or just being contrary; take your pick)

We have our troops out in shit holes around the world keeping the fanatics pushed back from our shores and too off balanced to do us major harm. Their daily lives make the few minutes of discomfort going through security trivial. I can hear my old First Sergeant saying, “You have all been drafted into the War on Terror. Quit your bitching”!

This isn’t as defense of TSA. That organization should be terminated and replaced with something else. Maybe contract it out to El Al. They seem to know what they are doing.

TSA Searches and Groping

The blogsphere is buzzing with opinions about security procedures, enhanced body pat downs, etc.

The TSA flaks are at full throttle defending their agency.

We haven’t heard from the rank and file TSAers, the ones who will actually do the searches. Anyone have links to their blogs? Can’t imagine there aren’t a few. I suspect the TSA people aren’t thrilled by all this .

All of us travelers need to remember these are people doing a job, probably need that job, and must be keenly aware many of their fellow citizens thinks less than highly of them and their work. (Myself among them)

Lets remember who the asshats really are. GS-8 and above?

One job perk is scenery. Doing the local circuits, instead of the marathon road trips, means spending time is some very scenic places. After all these years I'm still not jaded.

My favorite time of year. The tourists and mosquito's are gone, and the skiers are just showing up.

Fools

Driving over an 11,000 foot mountain pass, on snow pack, with a doughnut spare. The direction of travel was AWAY from a possible tire repair and/or tire store.

Yes, the driver was female, and blond.

Thank You, Weston Missouri

Westboro Scum Sucking Church gets the boot!

http://claycounty.fox4kc.com/content/supporters-block-funeral-protest-weston

Wipeout

Reflecting on the recent elections, at the state and local level, we blue dog democrats sat this one out. In my district, the liberal democrat was reelected. Two points stand out. He had far fewer campaign volunteers than two years ago. Tons of outside money was spent on advertising.

The Senate race was bought by outside money paying for advertising. Again, the blue dogs didn’t work as volunteers.

The Governor’s race was a farce. I doubt the state GOP is organized enough to procure a pet license. So we have a liberal Denver mayor replacing a Denver District Attorney as Governor. Another four years of the Front Range against the rest of the State. Not a blueprint for progress.

Sitting down with some political friends, we all agreed that there was little enthusiasm for any candidate.

All the candidates I supported got beat so I may be expressing sour grapes. I’ll still fight the fight but right now it is hard to find motivation.

And the Judges? All retained.

New Places

Missed (thankfully) all the election hoopla by working. Always like seeing new places and finding new routes. Took a few personal minutes to view the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers and to admire the older bridges spanning them.