Click Here to Read John Whitehead's Commentary
Dear Rutherford Institute,
Thank you very much for taking an active stance and helping us helpless citizen masses who oppose TSA's UnConstitutional Procedures. As a citizen I feel so helpless. I don't feel that my elected government representatives are responding at all, while those appointed at the TSA and Homeland are exceeding their power. As an American citizen, this is the first time I ever felt government oppression personally.
Also, I do not see any mentioned anywhere how these horrendous procedures are affecting someone like me. I see discussions and articles about how the TSA pat-downs can be traumatic for sexual assault victims. The truth is, the scanners and the pat downs are traumatic for any victim of physical abuse. I was not a sexual assault victim, but was a victim of child abuse and violence. While it is my own personal matter to overcome any related issues as an adult now, the idea that another person can randomly exercise authority over my body, whether by the scanner or pat down, without being justified by probable cause, is personally threatening beyond words. Just the thought of it makes me feel ill and sick to my stomach. I cannot imagine that I'm the only victim of violence who feels this way. Just the knowledge and thought of what the TSA would do to me if I pass through airport security, brings back memories and familiar feelings of being subject to physical abuse; the feeling is that another person doesn't treat you as anything with worth, that you are nothing but a piece of garbage, and they can lay a hand on you anytime or expose you as something less than human by taking away your basic human dignity (such as making you stand with your arms up like a monkey in the scanner, while someone can view every part of your body).
I am an expat living overseas. I had originally planned to return to the US to spend X'mas and New Year with friends and family back home. I have since changed my travel plans after the TSA adopted these new rules. Janet Napolitano says there are other transportation options. But for international travel, there is no real option other than to fly into Canada and drive in to the US, and drive back to Canada to fly out. With the current situation, I do not think I can return to the US at all until I repatriate when I don't need to board a plane in the US. (Right now I will need to return to my job and family in my foreign country of residence.) I feel exiled by the TSA.
I travel globally and have been through many airports. Travelling is a big part of an expat's life. I am not an un-concerned or ignorant person when it comes to airport or flight security. I do not see how the scanners or the enhanced pat down will do anything. A terrorist can just as well blow himself up inside the scanner or at the pat down. There are other more effective measures than these.
So thank you for taking a stand on behalf of us.
Sincerely,
Alexa C.
Your article in the Monroe Evening News this Sunday (11-28) was great. I never use to read the paper or care much to hear about the news but I've been getting into it and noticing how horrible our government has become. Your absolutely right when you say "we have to recognize that we are ruled by an elite class of individuals who are completely out of touch with the travails of the average American".. Our government could careless about our health or maybe even our safety at that..the only thing they care about is being powerful over us, the people.. You should talk about the government in future articles in the newspaper... Maybe people will start to wake up and actually start to worry about what's going on in our country and stop worrying about the wrong things such as what's going on, on the Jesey Shore or what the new fashion trend is this month...
Good work keep it up
Sincerely,
Missy
Don’t forget that we are not only being irradiated at the airports. These mutation machines are mobile.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGAIJVk1028
http://www.as-e.com/products_solutions/z_backscatter.asp
Alex Z.
Sir
Good points, well made; especially the parts about the ruling elite being exempt. But where's the problem?
Is it the scanners themselves, the mindset that creates the 'need' for them, the sheep-like passive acceptance of them, or the reliable tolerance of your huddling masses towards ever-increasing impositions?
What happens if we project trends? (Brrr, let's not go there ... )
Is there an answer?
Yes. But it isn't in democracy American style, it's in Democracy. Huge difference, and yes, we in New Zealand are no more democratic than you in "the Land of the Free".
Think about it, in a democracy* how long would you have to put up with this stuff? And if you feel like this about the TSA, was the survey quoted recently in Casey stating to the effect that 'eighty percent of Americans think the Aviation Security measures are a great idea' in error, or a falsehood? Why should you object when so many think it's wonderful?
I offer that some people may gripe a bit about it but in the end they will accept it. If their choice is take all their clothes off in public and cavort across a stage before entering the aircraft in the nude — or not fly — most will strip off and cavort. It may even come to that ...
I don't have any answers. None beyond getting rid of your systems as they are now and bringing in Democracy—which until people can think qua Think wouldn't be a good thing.
In New Zealand I'm putting together some thoughts on a revolutionary idea which would involve the banning of ALL political parties in the first instance and having democratically elected representatives; who can only implement decisions made by their electorates via democratic processes.
Sir, I perceive your nation as a truly noble social experiment gone horribly wrong, hijacked and perverted by the self-serving and very clever. I wish you the best of luck.
Regards
John H. (New Zealand)
* a la Lincoln: the old "Government of, by, and for, the people" (v. the ubiquitous "Government of the people, by the party, for the party").
How would anyone know if they "turned up" the scanners during an alert? They do that quite often with the metal detectors, but everyone can tell. Possibly the scanners are designed to also see internally to detect implanted explosives as well if they feel it is "necessary".
Dave
Good going John!
But now that they have backed down on screening pilots, how about broadening your lawsuit into a class action to defend all citizens whose dignity and constitutional rights have been violated. Actually, I don't know if a class could be certified against the US government. But if we don't stop these unreasonable searches and violations now, they will be indiscriminately checking body cavities next.
Perry T.
Sir:
I have instituted my own “opt-out” policy regarding airport security. I won’t be flying at all until this lunacy is halted.
It is interesting however, that this was started just before the heavy travel holiday season. John Pistole and Janet Napolitano will continue to push this madness until the traveling public pushes back. I hope that we push back very hard.
Charles B.
Here’s what the American College of Radiology says. Would appreciate your comment. Thanks.
Rich B.
ACR Statement on Airport Full-body Scanners and Radiation
(Originally Posted January 2010) - Amid concerns regarding terrorists targeting airliners using weapons less detectable by traditional means, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is ramping up deployment of whole body scanners at security checkpoints in U.S. airports. These systems produce anatomically accurate images of the body and can detect objects and substances concealed by clothing.
To date, TSA has deployed two types of scanning systems:
Millimeter wave technology uses low-level radio waves in the millimeter wave spectrum. Two rotating antennae cover the passenger from head to toe with low-level RF energy.
Backscatter technology uses extremely weak X-rays delivering less than 10 microRem of radiation per scan ─ the radiation equivalent one receives inside an aircraft flying for two minutes at 30,000 feet.
An airline passenger flying cross-country is exposed to more radiation from the flight than from screening by one of these devices. The National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurement (NCRP) has reported that a traveler would need to experience 100 backscatter scans per year to reach what they classify as a Negligible Individual Dose. The American College of Radiology (ACR) agrees with this conclusion. By these measurements, a traveler would require more than 1,000 such scans in a year to reach the effective dose equal to one standard chest x-ray.
The ACR is not aware of any evidence that either of the scanning technologies that the TSA is considering would present significant biological effects for passengers screened.
The ACR encourages those interested in learning more regarding radiation associated with imaging and radiation oncology procedures as well as radiation naturally occurring in the Earth’s atmosphere to visit www.radiologyinfo.org.
Dear Mr. Whitehead,
Thank you for your editorial in today's LewRockwell.com- a wonderful site, is it not.
I think the word you meant in your last paragraph was "timidity," not "temerity."
Temerity means boldness, and certainly Americans have not been bold in
containing the state.
It seems to me that the body scanners have nothing whatsoever to do with
security. Their aim is simply and solely to humiliate and terrify the public.
I do not believe the government should be granted the dignity of being
taken seriously any longer.
Kind regards,
Caryl J.
You are so correct in your evaluation. The solution can be one simple word......PROFILE. We need to get over being politically correct, and see that the Israeli solution of profiling passengers at Ben Gurion airport is the most viable answer.
The day we stop worrying about being politically correct, we will have made a step in the right direction.
Respectfully,
Vladimir C.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
The Total Control Society Is Here: Iris Scanners
Click Here to Read John Whitehead's Commentary
Mr. Whitehead,
I read your article and found it very interesting. In response, all I can say is this: I am a Christian. I believe in the doctrine known as "the rapture." I have been praying for it to occur for a long, long time. Now I intend to redouble my prayers.
God bless you and yours, sir.
Henry C.
Scary stuff! They think they’re going to eradicate fraud? Yeah-Right! Didn’t they ever watch the move DEMOLITION MAN? Do they really think the Mexican drug cartels would hesitate for one moment to follow Wesley Snipes example in that move?
Technology isn't the problem its man can not handle the technology. In the same way that we need a well regulated banking system, a well regulated legal system, a well regulated rail system, a well regulated economic system, a well regulated population, we also need technology to be well regulated. It seems mankind can not handle regulation either and has cast regulation to the discard.
We have technology expanding exponentially, human morality diminishing exponentially, coupled to absolute power corrupting absolutely and idiots running around saying that in a hundred years we are all going to be cooked, mankind is screwed.
Regards,
John
we shall see....
body scanners is the benchmark and cause celebre. much could happen on that front. so i'm not particularly nervous about the scanners. other things are/will be happening before all that (or concurrent), like the crash of the economy, insurrection, tax revolts, who knows. in other words, many changes on many fronts. thanks for writing!
all the best,
JB
Hi John,
Some food for thought - I've long considered that easy identification of people is a good thing; the problem is that it's restricted to government.
For example, why is it only police, or their cronies, can determine whom a license plate belongs to?
If someone wants to date my daughter or sell me a car, why CAN'T I do a background check?
Freely (as in easily) available information about the people and entities we deal with could and should be a good thing, heck a great thing. My concern is that only "they" can access such information, thus forcing us into "needing" them for "security".
If people knew that anyone, not just police officers, could identify them by license plate, would driving behavior stay the same, get worse - or get better?
Why shouldn't shops be able to identify shop-lifters?
(and yes, at the tender age of 12 I got cautioned for shoplifting... )
I believe databases in themselves are not dangerous, indeed I believe they would be massively helpful in any libertarian society. The danger is that only our Lords and Masters can access them, leaving the rest of us stumbling around blindly.
What do you think?
Alan
Dear Mr. Whitehead:
Maybe the economic collapse and dismantling of the federal monster is a good thing - I pray for that every day. As a Christian I don't believe God will allow us to establish another Tower of Babel in the world.
God bless your efforts.
Jim H.
Dear Mr. Whitehead,
Thank you for your recent article, “Total Control..” I will be quoting your last few paragraphs referencing Orwell, along with Cronkite’s quote, as I wind up my own informational piece to conservative members in our mountain County here in Colorado. I intend to take a hiatus, but will leave people some educational material before I go, mostly on our Central Banking system.
I think this young man with his business degree from Harvard nails the big-picture view of our current state of affairs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6HuzhMUHGM&feature=related
I will be traveling through the Denver airport in a week or so. The now routine requirements that we remove shoes, travel with tiny bags filled with tiny bottles lest they be confiscated, etc is almost more than I can bear. I can assure you that I will refuse both Chertoff’s new naked scanner, and their “enhanced” pat down which involves frank touching/inspection of our private parts through our clothing. This goes well beyond a breach in the 4th amendment----illegal search.
Thank you,
Elena C.
John, what about it?
"it’s Congress that bears the brunt of the blame.." The citizens put them there, 95 percent incumbents returned, anti-citizen Biden, 6 terms, war monger Pelosi, forever. It is a democracy. Too stupid to do otherwise? Then it is here to stay, intrinsic.
The advantage of a "democracy" to the power, is that it is such a good control system. People claim it is TV control. Would it work on you?
Ken A
Mr. Whitehead,
I read your article and found it very interesting. In response, all I can say is this: I am a Christian. I believe in the doctrine known as "the rapture." I have been praying for it to occur for a long, long time. Now I intend to redouble my prayers.
God bless you and yours, sir.
Henry C.
Scary stuff! They think they’re going to eradicate fraud? Yeah-Right! Didn’t they ever watch the move DEMOLITION MAN? Do they really think the Mexican drug cartels would hesitate for one moment to follow Wesley Snipes example in that move?
Technology isn't the problem its man can not handle the technology. In the same way that we need a well regulated banking system, a well regulated legal system, a well regulated rail system, a well regulated economic system, a well regulated population, we also need technology to be well regulated. It seems mankind can not handle regulation either and has cast regulation to the discard.
We have technology expanding exponentially, human morality diminishing exponentially, coupled to absolute power corrupting absolutely and idiots running around saying that in a hundred years we are all going to be cooked, mankind is screwed.
Regards,
John
we shall see....
body scanners is the benchmark and cause celebre. much could happen on that front. so i'm not particularly nervous about the scanners. other things are/will be happening before all that (or concurrent), like the crash of the economy, insurrection, tax revolts, who knows. in other words, many changes on many fronts. thanks for writing!
all the best,
JB
Hi John,
Some food for thought - I've long considered that easy identification of people is a good thing; the problem is that it's restricted to government.
For example, why is it only police, or their cronies, can determine whom a license plate belongs to?
If someone wants to date my daughter or sell me a car, why CAN'T I do a background check?
Freely (as in easily) available information about the people and entities we deal with could and should be a good thing, heck a great thing. My concern is that only "they" can access such information, thus forcing us into "needing" them for "security".
If people knew that anyone, not just police officers, could identify them by license plate, would driving behavior stay the same, get worse - or get better?
Why shouldn't shops be able to identify shop-lifters?
(and yes, at the tender age of 12 I got cautioned for shoplifting... )
I believe databases in themselves are not dangerous, indeed I believe they would be massively helpful in any libertarian society. The danger is that only our Lords and Masters can access them, leaving the rest of us stumbling around blindly.
What do you think?
Alan
Dear Mr. Whitehead:
Maybe the economic collapse and dismantling of the federal monster is a good thing - I pray for that every day. As a Christian I don't believe God will allow us to establish another Tower of Babel in the world.
God bless your efforts.
Jim H.
Dear Mr. Whitehead,
Thank you for your recent article, “Total Control..” I will be quoting your last few paragraphs referencing Orwell, along with Cronkite’s quote, as I wind up my own informational piece to conservative members in our mountain County here in Colorado. I intend to take a hiatus, but will leave people some educational material before I go, mostly on our Central Banking system.
I think this young man with his business degree from Harvard nails the big-picture view of our current state of affairs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6HuzhMUHGM&feature=related
I will be traveling through the Denver airport in a week or so. The now routine requirements that we remove shoes, travel with tiny bags filled with tiny bottles lest they be confiscated, etc is almost more than I can bear. I can assure you that I will refuse both Chertoff’s new naked scanner, and their “enhanced” pat down which involves frank touching/inspection of our private parts through our clothing. This goes well beyond a breach in the 4th amendment----illegal search.
Thank you,
Elena C.
John, what about it?
"it’s Congress that bears the brunt of the blame.." The citizens put them there, 95 percent incumbents returned, anti-citizen Biden, 6 terms, war monger Pelosi, forever. It is a democracy. Too stupid to do otherwise? Then it is here to stay, intrinsic.
The advantage of a "democracy" to the power, is that it is such a good control system. People claim it is TV control. Would it work on you?
Ken A
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Invasion of the Body Scanners: More Tales of Terror from the Unfriendly Skies
Click Here to Read John Whitehead's Commentary
As to the airport security we should use the Israeli system. Stop the politically correct balony. A terrorist before entering security check could have a large bomb in the carry on board luggage, take it to where the security checkpoint is located where a large gathering of people are waiting to go thru security (probably equivalent to 3 planes of passengers), blow it up. The whole airport would be shut down including airports all over the country. That is why intelligence and profiling are the best defence.
Jim H.
The government? Yes, but so is Costco!
Don't believe me?
Just try walking out without submitting to the search, and watch what happens. I *know*, because I DID.
By the time I was released I was almost in shock, I had no idea they could do that. But that was only the start. Even though I refused to ID myself, (and they eventually dropped the threat to call the polce, and finally allowed me to leave,) they somehow managed to ID me and called me at home the next day and interrogated me.
Yes, Costco.
Amazing, but true.
BTW, great website!
Dan S.
Good article. Keep writing about this subject. Freedom from das homeland security is critical. We have to loudly boycott these travesties of liberty. Stop flying to start, don't go into a court building, then don't allow them to start putting these abuses in train stations, bus stations, etc.
John E.
First, just so you know. I don't fly. My family is all within 3 days driving distance and anyway I hate to travel. In the current atmosphere, I would hesitate to fly anywhere, as I have a somewhat volatile temper, and 40 years training in martial arts. I fear I would clock some TSA pervert and end up in jail forever as a terrorist suspect. So, I'm as guilty of cowardice as the everyone else. Still.
I seem to remember that Nelson Mandela spent umteen years in jail for his opposition to apartheid; that our founders risked, quite literally their lives and fortunes in a similar disagreement with the powers that were. My greatest hero right now is the Amish guy who sells me raw dairy and who also risks, quite literally his freedom, his property and maybe even his life in so doing.
But on the TSA issue, I see all these articles on LR about the outrageous TSA transgressions. But I see no one, not one who is willing to do what I, female, age 64 with limited testosterone hesitate to do: Bring a knee to the groin of one of these goons, and take the consequence, which will, indeed be very unpleasant. Or perhaps start shouting at his fellow inmates to just overrun their assholenesses? Or maybe, for those who follow Ghandi (who I do admire), get a bunch of folks together with signs to picket the humiliation lines? Or start a complete boycott on flying.
There is none of the above!!!! Nada. Nicht. Nichevo. With the exception of that wonderful pilot who said FU to TSA and to his job, no one is standing up to these people.
My God, what have we become?
Keep writing. Maybe some kid will get inspired (revolutionaries are always young) and start unraveling this awful system we have spawned.
Best wishes,
Vilma O.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has worked with abused men and women for years. The use of the pat down and full body scanners is traumatic not only for people who have been previously sexually victimized but for all persons. We have spent years teaching people about personal space and how to say no to unsolicited sexual advances and now our government is saying that we have to give consent for ourselves and our children to be physically and sexually molested in order to fly? This makes no sense and is a terrible violation to the emotional health of every person in our country. It is even detrimental to the people who say they are fine with it because it gives them the opportunity to be fondled; it is encouraging their sexual fantasies and acting out.
I have children and there is no way that I will subject them to doses of radiation or to the physical and sexual molestation of the TSA perverts. When my youngest daughter was 10 a TSA agent in the PHX airport ordered her behind a screen where HE was going to do a physical patdown. When I protested he became threatening and I raised my voice telling him there was no way he was taking my daughter behind a screen without my being present. His female supervisor then came over and demanded of ME as to what was going on. When I told her, she became angry at him and said "you know better than that!" It could just as easily gone the other way with my daughter violated and me in handcuffs. This is wrong, wrong, wrong. Please help to get these searches eliminated.
Clair H.
Mr. Rutherford,
Thank you for publishing the letters from women who were abused by TSA agents at lewrockwell.com. It is important that these stories get out, and that these machines be removed and the patdowns cease.
You may be interested on what I've written on my blog on the matter here:
http://samablog.robsama.com/?tag=tsa
Keep up the good fight.
All the best,
-Rob S.
The bible says do not pass by evil hide from it. 36 years ago; to fly back home I was required to tear off the gift wrapping of a music coffee grinder to my son. I have never entered an airport since. I would not enter one now at the end of a gun
M.
Dear JohnW,
Thank you for your article on the TSA measures. Thank you for naming names of bad government officials. And, thank you for telling people's stories.
There is an excellent youtube with a woman saying that she had a panic attack thinking about the search.
http://www.youtube.com/user/snowbigdeal08#p/u/6/7Ra3ov1mEZE
(She is asking Jet Blue for help. The important thing to me is what she expressed.)
-Kimberly W.
Hi John
you need a live web site where people can report anyone who works for the TSA and were they live so their neighbours can find out about them.
If I had a child porn freak living next door I would want to do something about it.
get people to report everything.
shine the light on them.
Kevin D.
HAHAHAHAHA! These people are getting what they deserve for being asleep their entire lives. Now they are pissed off but still do not know what the real problem is or what to do about it. The real problem is a government they let get too big. In this particular instance it's an aviation biz that's been sucking on the government tit for as long as it could get something. Airline companies and the public at large sold their souls for government airports, air traffic controllers and all that goes with it a long time ago. Now they are getting the jackboot that always goes with anything federal. Serves 'em right! It is unfortuante that they are so goddam dumb they won't learn a thing from this.
I would like to protest this invasion of privacy, but how?
I have fallen and I can't get up.
What are my rights? Do I even have any?
No! Gone a long time ago because you and your ilk weren't paying attention. It took someone with his hand in your crotch to finally wake your sorry ass up and now you're so stupid you don't know what to do.
W.
Dear Mr. Whitehead,
Bruce Schneier, a genuine security expert, has written several times about the war on terrorism morphing into a war on different.
There's a new front in that war - naked body scanners. The TSA trains their screeners to look for "anomalies." Not weapons, or bomb parts, but anything different. So now you can be questioned, groped, assaulted, harassed, even arrested, not because you did anything different, but because under your clothes you look different.
See
http://www.backwoodshome.com/blogs/ClaireWolfe/2010/11/05/tsa-porno-scanners-what-theyre-really-looking-for/
Best regards,
Steve
Dear Sir,
I would like to know why people continue to fly? If they would just refuse to fly, wouldn't the airlines then be forced to make some changes? There are a couple of trips my wife and I have quietly decided not to take because of the invasive, ridiculous scans or pat downs, but apparently I am in the minute minority. Your thoughts?
Gary H.
John: It would be interesting to do a little research on TSA hiring procedures. From watching videos of people being molested by TSA employees, it seems that most of them are uneducated, fat, black, white, Hispanic men and women. Give a person with limited education and in the lower class of the working group and you will have a group of people that will do anything that you want because they do not want to lose their jobs. I’s work for the TSA an u gonna do as I sae or I’s gonna arrest u. The TSA employees are NOT middle class Americans. They are the lower class of the working group that do not want to lose their jobs, so they will abuse their power and make life miserable for the rest of us.
tom
Mr. Whitehead, I would bet the farm that somewhere within the hollowed hall of America's security state there is an ever enlarging collection of images of notable people and celebrities as well as that of the underachieving masses who possess interesting physical attributes. And of course for the TSA foot soldiers who are so inclined, there would be images of the underaged. America's decent is proving to be rapid, the impact will be very unpleasant.
Regards,
Dennis C.
Hi,
I would like to share the following comments with you (and others who may visit your web site), but please share the following ANONYMOUSLY if you elect to post it on your website or otherwise reshare my remarks.
Enhanced Screening and How We Finally Lost the War on Terror
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Law enforcement can only succeed with the help of the public, whether we're talking about arresting violent street criminals or preventing terrorism. Law enforcement just can't do it on their own, and I am *highly* supportive of law enforcement. However, given what I'm hearing reported about the new "enhanced" screening at airports, I think we've finally LOST the war on terror.
What Bin Laden couldn't do to us, we're now doing to ourselves.
The purpose of terrorism is to terrorize, but what many may not know is that most terror actually has specific objectives: terrorist acts are meant to challenge the perception that the authorities are in control, and to _provoke_official_overreaction_. Terrorists actions, in almost every case, really aren't very significant from a big picture point of view, even if they can be terribly tragic if they happen to directly involve you or to a loved one.
For terrorists to really succeed, they need the amplification and pressure that the media provides, AND they need to convince the authorities to impose increasingly draconian and ultimately unconscienable "countermeasures" in an effort to "control" or respond to the attacks that may be taking place.
Once terrorists succeed in getting the authorities to completely overreact, the terrorists have won.
You've leveraged the virtually limitless power of the state to oppress and intimidate its own population, destroying what you are theoretically striving to protect.
I think we've passed that point when it comes to screenings at our airports.
If you're like many and regularly read the NY Times, don't miss:
"Opt Out of a Body Scan? Then Brace Yourself,"
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/02/business/02road.html
However, I'd suggest instead that you see the video "TSA Fondles Women and Children Refusing Airport Naked Body Scanners" at http://www.infowars.com/tsa-fondles-women-and-children-refusing-airport-naked-body-scanners/
Truly, I urge you, take a minute to view the video linked from that site.
Five key points:
1) ENHANCED SCREENING SHOULD ALWAYS BE DONE BY A PERSON OF THE SAME GENDER, IN PRIVATE, WITH THE TRAVELER HAVING THE OPTION OF HAVING A SUPERVISOR OF THE SAME GENDER PRESENT OR A VIDEO RECORD OF THE SCREENING THEY'VE RECEIVED.
There should NEVER be TSA agents of the opposite gender doing hands-on physical screenings -- what idiot decided to allow male screeners to grab the breasts and genitals of females and children? I see a sudden uptick in sex offenders all competing for these jobs ("Hey Charlie, guess what? Now they PAY ME to grope women and children all day long. Is this sweet or what, huh?")
These screenings should be done in private, and the person being screened should have the option to request that a TSA supervisor be present, or the option of having a private video record of the screening that they received so that if a screener *does* engage in inappropriate contact there will be a documented record of that fact.
2) CLEAR AND CONSPICUOUS NOTICE OF RIGHT TO OPT-OUT IS MISSING.
Travellers should be notified that they have the right to opt-out of being irradiated. Currently that right is not clearly explained to travellers. I know we're being told that this irradiation is safe, but do you remember when we were also told that fluoroscopic foot shoe measuring devices were also "safe"? In truth, we really just don't know, and empirically won't know for years. We do know that highly respected university professors have expressed serious concerns about the safety and health consequeneces of the "enhanced screening" devices -- see, for example:
http://www.npr.org/assets/news/2010/05/17/concern.pdf
It is unconscienable that TSA is not providing clear and conspicuous notice of flyers right to opt out.
If we can be given painstaking instructions on how to load our tiny travel size bottles of shampoo and mouthwash into zip lock bags, surely TSA can also let us know something as fundamental as "you have a right to request alternative screening procedures."
3) EXERCISING THE RIGHT TO OPT-OUT IS NOT JUSTIFICATION FOR HUMILATING OR INTIMIDATING A TRAVELER.
If a traveller does ask to opt out of being irradiated, he or she still deserves to be treated with respect. At a minimum, that means NOT screaming "WE'VE GOT AN OPT-OUT" as if exercising that option is kin to asking to be publicly humiliated. (I believe that sort of shouted announcement is being done in an effort to discourage others from also opting out)
4) WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT ULTIMATELY THIS NEW MEASURE WILL BE INEFFECTIVE.
What's the plan when terrorists go from what they've already tried to secreting explosives in their body cavities? What's the plan then, eh?
Will TSA then whip out vaginal speculums and anal probes? Or what if a terrorist opts to have explosives implanted below their skin? (Imagine terrorist liposuction: suck a kilo of fat from a tubby terrorist, and replace that mising fat with a kilo of plastic explosive instead).
Or let's reason about this just a little more. If someone's a terrorist, they can *tell* what airports have the "enhanced scanners" and which ones don't. These things are NOT small.
They're readily visible.
So assuming the terrorist has at least the IQ of a turnip, and they wanted to avoid having a concealed IED detected, don't you think that they just *might* go to one of the OTHER airports that DOESN'T have these scanners deployed?
5) THERE ARE LESS INTRUSIVE AND MORE EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVES WHICH COULD BE USED INSTEAD.
If the worry is that people will conceal explosives on their person, there is non-invasive technology to detect
that: air "puffer" machines that can sample air from the person being screened, using that non-invasive method to detect traces of explosives. This is a well proven and accepted method that's been around for a long time. THAT'S what SHOULD be getting deployed if the worry is that people will smuggle on "underwear bombs," not the use of radiation devices or intrusive/punitive searches.
Heck, if it comes right down to it, let people opt to strip naked for visual inspection by a screener of the same gender, rather than having the Hobson's choice of being irradiated or physically molested.
6) TSA SHOULD MAKE IT EASY FOR FLIERS TO FILE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE ENHANCED SCREENING, AND THEY SHOULD POST PUBLIC QUARTERLY SUMMARIES OF THOSE COMPLAINTS BROKEN DOWN BY AIRPORT AND GENDER
The public deserves to know if there are problems with the enhanced screening procedures, particularly at particular airports, or for particular genders. Requiring quarterly reporting would accomplish that goal.
Let me also mention that I believe that this new policy disproportionately impacts three particularly vulnerable groups:
1) Children
For those of you who are parents, I look forward to hearing how you plan to explain to your children, including pre-kindergarten age children, why its okay for random strangers to grab their genitals
*sometimes,* but not the rest of the time. Anywhere except at our airports, this sort of conduct would be grounds for arresting the perpetrator for criminal sexual molestation. (And the alternative, allowing unseen parties to take naked pictures of your children via the radiation screening devices, would amount to tolerating the creation of child pornography in any other
circumstance)
Some things are objectively wrong regardless of who's doing them, or why they're being done. This is an example of that.
2) Victims of prior sexual abuse
I would also ask you for just one small moment to put yourself in the shoes of travellers who are victims of previous sexual assaults. The process that's now being rolled out amounts to revictimizing those who have already suffered tremendously, and this is going to accomplish *nothing* except to discourage Americans from flying (and boy, now THERE'S something that will help our already struggling transportation industry).
3) Those who've had disfiguring surgery
I would also suggest that people consider those who may have had radical mastectomies or other disfiguring surgeries. In many cases that sort of thing leaves long term emotional scars. You're now asking those victims to set aside their right to privacy, their basic right to human dignity, to be intrusively screened. I can just imagine how breast cancer survivor gel implants will end up getting scrutinized, for example.
Bottom line:
I think that law enforcement risks destroying the popular support that they rely on by rolling out measures that go way too far. The "Total Information Awareness"
program was one example of that
sort of thing, and it is clear to me that this is another.
The time has come for ALL of us to say, "You know what? Enough is enough." We've entered a very dark period for our country, and this is the sort of thing that's going to end up CREATING new domestic radicals rather than preventing international terrorism. I think that's a very perilous course for our country to steer, and I urge the administration to rescind this policy or to deploy non-invasive "puffer" machines if they have an ongoing concern about passenger safety as a result of new emerging threats.
Thank you for considering these thoughts, and best of luck working to roll back this unconscienable abuse of our constitutional rights.
As to the airport security we should use the Israeli system. Stop the politically correct balony. A terrorist before entering security check could have a large bomb in the carry on board luggage, take it to where the security checkpoint is located where a large gathering of people are waiting to go thru security (probably equivalent to 3 planes of passengers), blow it up. The whole airport would be shut down including airports all over the country. That is why intelligence and profiling are the best defence.
Jim H.
The government? Yes, but so is Costco!
Don't believe me?
Just try walking out without submitting to the search, and watch what happens. I *know*, because I DID.
By the time I was released I was almost in shock, I had no idea they could do that. But that was only the start. Even though I refused to ID myself, (and they eventually dropped the threat to call the polce, and finally allowed me to leave,) they somehow managed to ID me and called me at home the next day and interrogated me.
Yes, Costco.
Amazing, but true.
BTW, great website!
Dan S.
Good article. Keep writing about this subject. Freedom from das homeland security is critical. We have to loudly boycott these travesties of liberty. Stop flying to start, don't go into a court building, then don't allow them to start putting these abuses in train stations, bus stations, etc.
John E.
First, just so you know. I don't fly. My family is all within 3 days driving distance and anyway I hate to travel. In the current atmosphere, I would hesitate to fly anywhere, as I have a somewhat volatile temper, and 40 years training in martial arts. I fear I would clock some TSA pervert and end up in jail forever as a terrorist suspect. So, I'm as guilty of cowardice as the everyone else. Still.
I seem to remember that Nelson Mandela spent umteen years in jail for his opposition to apartheid; that our founders risked, quite literally their lives and fortunes in a similar disagreement with the powers that were. My greatest hero right now is the Amish guy who sells me raw dairy and who also risks, quite literally his freedom, his property and maybe even his life in so doing.
But on the TSA issue, I see all these articles on LR about the outrageous TSA transgressions. But I see no one, not one who is willing to do what I, female, age 64 with limited testosterone hesitate to do: Bring a knee to the groin of one of these goons, and take the consequence, which will, indeed be very unpleasant. Or perhaps start shouting at his fellow inmates to just overrun their assholenesses? Or maybe, for those who follow Ghandi (who I do admire), get a bunch of folks together with signs to picket the humiliation lines? Or start a complete boycott on flying.
There is none of the above!!!! Nada. Nicht. Nichevo. With the exception of that wonderful pilot who said FU to TSA and to his job, no one is standing up to these people.
My God, what have we become?
Keep writing. Maybe some kid will get inspired (revolutionaries are always young) and start unraveling this awful system we have spawned.
Best wishes,
Vilma O.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has worked with abused men and women for years. The use of the pat down and full body scanners is traumatic not only for people who have been previously sexually victimized but for all persons. We have spent years teaching people about personal space and how to say no to unsolicited sexual advances and now our government is saying that we have to give consent for ourselves and our children to be physically and sexually molested in order to fly? This makes no sense and is a terrible violation to the emotional health of every person in our country. It is even detrimental to the people who say they are fine with it because it gives them the opportunity to be fondled; it is encouraging their sexual fantasies and acting out.
I have children and there is no way that I will subject them to doses of radiation or to the physical and sexual molestation of the TSA perverts. When my youngest daughter was 10 a TSA agent in the PHX airport ordered her behind a screen where HE was going to do a physical patdown. When I protested he became threatening and I raised my voice telling him there was no way he was taking my daughter behind a screen without my being present. His female supervisor then came over and demanded of ME as to what was going on. When I told her, she became angry at him and said "you know better than that!" It could just as easily gone the other way with my daughter violated and me in handcuffs. This is wrong, wrong, wrong. Please help to get these searches eliminated.
Clair H.
Mr. Rutherford,
Thank you for publishing the letters from women who were abused by TSA agents at lewrockwell.com. It is important that these stories get out, and that these machines be removed and the patdowns cease.
You may be interested on what I've written on my blog on the matter here:
http://samablog.robsama.com/?tag=tsa
Keep up the good fight.
All the best,
-Rob S.
The bible says do not pass by evil hide from it. 36 years ago; to fly back home I was required to tear off the gift wrapping of a music coffee grinder to my son. I have never entered an airport since. I would not enter one now at the end of a gun
M.
Dear JohnW,
Thank you for your article on the TSA measures. Thank you for naming names of bad government officials. And, thank you for telling people's stories.
There is an excellent youtube with a woman saying that she had a panic attack thinking about the search.
http://www.youtube.com/user/snowbigdeal08#p/u/6/7Ra3ov1mEZE
(She is asking Jet Blue for help. The important thing to me is what she expressed.)
-Kimberly W.
Hi John
you need a live web site where people can report anyone who works for the TSA and were they live so their neighbours can find out about them.
If I had a child porn freak living next door I would want to do something about it.
get people to report everything.
shine the light on them.
Kevin D.
HAHAHAHAHA! These people are getting what they deserve for being asleep their entire lives. Now they are pissed off but still do not know what the real problem is or what to do about it. The real problem is a government they let get too big. In this particular instance it's an aviation biz that's been sucking on the government tit for as long as it could get something. Airline companies and the public at large sold their souls for government airports, air traffic controllers and all that goes with it a long time ago. Now they are getting the jackboot that always goes with anything federal. Serves 'em right! It is unfortuante that they are so goddam dumb they won't learn a thing from this.
I would like to protest this invasion of privacy, but how?
I have fallen and I can't get up.
What are my rights? Do I even have any?
No! Gone a long time ago because you and your ilk weren't paying attention. It took someone with his hand in your crotch to finally wake your sorry ass up and now you're so stupid you don't know what to do.
W.
Dear Mr. Whitehead,
Bruce Schneier, a genuine security expert, has written several times about the war on terrorism morphing into a war on different.
There's a new front in that war - naked body scanners. The TSA trains their screeners to look for "anomalies." Not weapons, or bomb parts, but anything different. So now you can be questioned, groped, assaulted, harassed, even arrested, not because you did anything different, but because under your clothes you look different.
See
http://www.backwoodshome.com/blogs/ClaireWolfe/2010/11/05/tsa-porno-scanners-what-theyre-really-looking-for/
Best regards,
Steve
Dear Sir,
I would like to know why people continue to fly? If they would just refuse to fly, wouldn't the airlines then be forced to make some changes? There are a couple of trips my wife and I have quietly decided not to take because of the invasive, ridiculous scans or pat downs, but apparently I am in the minute minority. Your thoughts?
Gary H.
John: It would be interesting to do a little research on TSA hiring procedures. From watching videos of people being molested by TSA employees, it seems that most of them are uneducated, fat, black, white, Hispanic men and women. Give a person with limited education and in the lower class of the working group and you will have a group of people that will do anything that you want because they do not want to lose their jobs. I’s work for the TSA an u gonna do as I sae or I’s gonna arrest u. The TSA employees are NOT middle class Americans. They are the lower class of the working group that do not want to lose their jobs, so they will abuse their power and make life miserable for the rest of us.
tom
Mr. Whitehead, I would bet the farm that somewhere within the hollowed hall of America's security state there is an ever enlarging collection of images of notable people and celebrities as well as that of the underachieving masses who possess interesting physical attributes. And of course for the TSA foot soldiers who are so inclined, there would be images of the underaged. America's decent is proving to be rapid, the impact will be very unpleasant.
Regards,
Dennis C.
Hi,
I would like to share the following comments with you (and others who may visit your web site), but please share the following ANONYMOUSLY if you elect to post it on your website or otherwise reshare my remarks.
Enhanced Screening and How We Finally Lost the War on Terror
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Law enforcement can only succeed with the help of the public, whether we're talking about arresting violent street criminals or preventing terrorism. Law enforcement just can't do it on their own, and I am *highly* supportive of law enforcement. However, given what I'm hearing reported about the new "enhanced" screening at airports, I think we've finally LOST the war on terror.
What Bin Laden couldn't do to us, we're now doing to ourselves.
The purpose of terrorism is to terrorize, but what many may not know is that most terror actually has specific objectives: terrorist acts are meant to challenge the perception that the authorities are in control, and to _provoke_official_overreaction_. Terrorists actions, in almost every case, really aren't very significant from a big picture point of view, even if they can be terribly tragic if they happen to directly involve you or to a loved one.
For terrorists to really succeed, they need the amplification and pressure that the media provides, AND they need to convince the authorities to impose increasingly draconian and ultimately unconscienable "countermeasures" in an effort to "control" or respond to the attacks that may be taking place.
Once terrorists succeed in getting the authorities to completely overreact, the terrorists have won.
You've leveraged the virtually limitless power of the state to oppress and intimidate its own population, destroying what you are theoretically striving to protect.
I think we've passed that point when it comes to screenings at our airports.
If you're like many and regularly read the NY Times, don't miss:
"Opt Out of a Body Scan? Then Brace Yourself,"
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/02/business/02road.html
However, I'd suggest instead that you see the video "TSA Fondles Women and Children Refusing Airport Naked Body Scanners" at http://www.infowars.com/tsa-fondles-women-and-children-refusing-airport-naked-body-scanners/
Truly, I urge you, take a minute to view the video linked from that site.
Five key points:
1) ENHANCED SCREENING SHOULD ALWAYS BE DONE BY A PERSON OF THE SAME GENDER, IN PRIVATE, WITH THE TRAVELER HAVING THE OPTION OF HAVING A SUPERVISOR OF THE SAME GENDER PRESENT OR A VIDEO RECORD OF THE SCREENING THEY'VE RECEIVED.
There should NEVER be TSA agents of the opposite gender doing hands-on physical screenings -- what idiot decided to allow male screeners to grab the breasts and genitals of females and children? I see a sudden uptick in sex offenders all competing for these jobs ("Hey Charlie, guess what? Now they PAY ME to grope women and children all day long. Is this sweet or what, huh?")
These screenings should be done in private, and the person being screened should have the option to request that a TSA supervisor be present, or the option of having a private video record of the screening that they received so that if a screener *does* engage in inappropriate contact there will be a documented record of that fact.
2) CLEAR AND CONSPICUOUS NOTICE OF RIGHT TO OPT-OUT IS MISSING.
Travellers should be notified that they have the right to opt-out of being irradiated. Currently that right is not clearly explained to travellers. I know we're being told that this irradiation is safe, but do you remember when we were also told that fluoroscopic foot shoe measuring devices were also "safe"? In truth, we really just don't know, and empirically won't know for years. We do know that highly respected university professors have expressed serious concerns about the safety and health consequeneces of the "enhanced screening" devices -- see, for example:
http://www.npr.org/assets/news/2010/05/17/concern.pdf
It is unconscienable that TSA is not providing clear and conspicuous notice of flyers right to opt out.
If we can be given painstaking instructions on how to load our tiny travel size bottles of shampoo and mouthwash into zip lock bags, surely TSA can also let us know something as fundamental as "you have a right to request alternative screening procedures."
3) EXERCISING THE RIGHT TO OPT-OUT IS NOT JUSTIFICATION FOR HUMILATING OR INTIMIDATING A TRAVELER.
If a traveller does ask to opt out of being irradiated, he or she still deserves to be treated with respect. At a minimum, that means NOT screaming "WE'VE GOT AN OPT-OUT" as if exercising that option is kin to asking to be publicly humiliated. (I believe that sort of shouted announcement is being done in an effort to discourage others from also opting out)
4) WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT ULTIMATELY THIS NEW MEASURE WILL BE INEFFECTIVE.
What's the plan when terrorists go from what they've already tried to secreting explosives in their body cavities? What's the plan then, eh?
Will TSA then whip out vaginal speculums and anal probes? Or what if a terrorist opts to have explosives implanted below their skin? (Imagine terrorist liposuction: suck a kilo of fat from a tubby terrorist, and replace that mising fat with a kilo of plastic explosive instead).
Or let's reason about this just a little more. If someone's a terrorist, they can *tell* what airports have the "enhanced scanners" and which ones don't. These things are NOT small.
They're readily visible.
So assuming the terrorist has at least the IQ of a turnip, and they wanted to avoid having a concealed IED detected, don't you think that they just *might* go to one of the OTHER airports that DOESN'T have these scanners deployed?
5) THERE ARE LESS INTRUSIVE AND MORE EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVES WHICH COULD BE USED INSTEAD.
If the worry is that people will conceal explosives on their person, there is non-invasive technology to detect
that: air "puffer" machines that can sample air from the person being screened, using that non-invasive method to detect traces of explosives. This is a well proven and accepted method that's been around for a long time. THAT'S what SHOULD be getting deployed if the worry is that people will smuggle on "underwear bombs," not the use of radiation devices or intrusive/punitive searches.
Heck, if it comes right down to it, let people opt to strip naked for visual inspection by a screener of the same gender, rather than having the Hobson's choice of being irradiated or physically molested.
6) TSA SHOULD MAKE IT EASY FOR FLIERS TO FILE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE ENHANCED SCREENING, AND THEY SHOULD POST PUBLIC QUARTERLY SUMMARIES OF THOSE COMPLAINTS BROKEN DOWN BY AIRPORT AND GENDER
The public deserves to know if there are problems with the enhanced screening procedures, particularly at particular airports, or for particular genders. Requiring quarterly reporting would accomplish that goal.
Let me also mention that I believe that this new policy disproportionately impacts three particularly vulnerable groups:
1) Children
For those of you who are parents, I look forward to hearing how you plan to explain to your children, including pre-kindergarten age children, why its okay for random strangers to grab their genitals
*sometimes,* but not the rest of the time. Anywhere except at our airports, this sort of conduct would be grounds for arresting the perpetrator for criminal sexual molestation. (And the alternative, allowing unseen parties to take naked pictures of your children via the radiation screening devices, would amount to tolerating the creation of child pornography in any other
circumstance)
Some things are objectively wrong regardless of who's doing them, or why they're being done. This is an example of that.
2) Victims of prior sexual abuse
I would also ask you for just one small moment to put yourself in the shoes of travellers who are victims of previous sexual assaults. The process that's now being rolled out amounts to revictimizing those who have already suffered tremendously, and this is going to accomplish *nothing* except to discourage Americans from flying (and boy, now THERE'S something that will help our already struggling transportation industry).
3) Those who've had disfiguring surgery
I would also suggest that people consider those who may have had radical mastectomies or other disfiguring surgeries. In many cases that sort of thing leaves long term emotional scars. You're now asking those victims to set aside their right to privacy, their basic right to human dignity, to be intrusively screened. I can just imagine how breast cancer survivor gel implants will end up getting scrutinized, for example.
Bottom line:
I think that law enforcement risks destroying the popular support that they rely on by rolling out measures that go way too far. The "Total Information Awareness"
program was one example of that
sort of thing, and it is clear to me that this is another.
The time has come for ALL of us to say, "You know what? Enough is enough." We've entered a very dark period for our country, and this is the sort of thing that's going to end up CREATING new domestic radicals rather than preventing international terrorism. I think that's a very perilous course for our country to steer, and I urge the administration to rescind this policy or to deploy non-invasive "puffer" machines if they have an ongoing concern about passenger safety as a result of new emerging threats.
Thank you for considering these thoughts, and best of luck working to roll back this unconscienable abuse of our constitutional rights.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
The 2010 Elections: Full of Sound and Fury, Signifying Nothing
Click Here to Read John Whitehead's Commentary
Great article. I am reminded of one of Schaeffers books on Western Civ. He wrote of the two supreme values of personal peace and affluence. And how the left and right would simply be roads to the same end. This outburst today is generated from fear of losing our two supreme values. We are much like Eli sons in the Bible...we have all the symbols and conontation-words that point to our original values. But our hearts are not spurred on by those values. We let the original system slip away from us. Fight a 10 year war without feel ing the impact? The government doesn't have to consult us on the matter as long as they cut our taxes and cut us some checks? (bread and circuses). Whether the wars are right or wrong...the process is clearly wrong. Then the constitution...they all trample it. Why not? The values that once supported it have all but crumbled. How to get through? How, when every other guy is busy showing his buddy 'the new awesome app' he just downloaded to his iphone. I used to listen to the old guys when I was a kid. They were cranky old men comparing us to Rome all the time. They had NO IDEA how close they were to seeing it. I am 43 and now made prematurily cranky.
Mark G.
Mr Whitehead,
I think you are so right--however, I am refusing to quit hoping for God's merciful spiritual awakening of our nation. It is true that without apathy and seeking after the things of the world to the point of being ignorant of freedoms being lost, our nation would not be in this state. Though I've been as involved as possible (and more than ever) in politics (though the tea party movement), I've done relatively little. I've only so much energy and time. My husband tells me that had I spent the time praying that I spent working with tea party etc that I would have accomplished more. Could be, but only prayer could be a cop out, too. Hard to find the balance. I've learned more about govt than I think I've ever known. I'll continue to work with our local tea party to work for changes at the state and national level. The tea party is not going away--though many will leave most of the work to a few. Had I been in charge it would have died before it started!! The hours invested! But if the Lord fails to send a revival to the church all the work in the world will not save our nation. Indeed, only Our God can save us. Thanks for your thoughts. But pray and continue to help us win back our nation. We must not give up 'till Jesus comes.
Blessings
Lynne S.
Thanks for allowing me to learn so much about what's going on in Washington. However, I would like to offer some constructive criticism.
While your newsletters are extremely informing, I find that (as a friend I forwarded the newsletter to said) that "it's good, but everything is doom and gloom". Please continue to inform, but remember that God is really in charge, not us. We should be praying for our country and our leaders every day and I sometimes fail to remember this.
I realize that being so involved in the political scene would bring most anyone down; but while I wish to be informed, I do not wish to be left with such a negative outlook. Please remember (and remind us) that there is always hope. Help us see positive changes which have taken place. Our vote can and does make some difference.
Sincerely,
Charlotte B.
I often feel to old and unimpowered to do anything about the theft of our country but Mr. Whitehead's column in the Pearland journal give me hope that someone out there is listening.
I donate to the Heritage Society, Ron Paul, and Hillman.
I am solicited by CAWG and others but feel that what little I can give does nothing.
We mus end the welfare state somehow but it looks hopeless. The ACLU has taken God out of our government. I cry for my grandchildren and greatgrand children, try to instill our Constitution as written by our founding fathers.
But we are hung with a congress that is power mad and have no interest in restoring our constitutional laws and will not challange the President. I had hopes for Newt Gingrich in '94 but that congress out spent the Democrats.
I will follow your website for awhile and see if you have anything going.
Robert B.
Great article. I am reminded of one of Schaeffers books on Western Civ. He wrote of the two supreme values of personal peace and affluence. And how the left and right would simply be roads to the same end. This outburst today is generated from fear of losing our two supreme values. We are much like Eli sons in the Bible...we have all the symbols and conontation-words that point to our original values. But our hearts are not spurred on by those values. We let the original system slip away from us. Fight a 10 year war without feel ing the impact? The government doesn't have to consult us on the matter as long as they cut our taxes and cut us some checks? (bread and circuses). Whether the wars are right or wrong...the process is clearly wrong. Then the constitution...they all trample it. Why not? The values that once supported it have all but crumbled. How to get through? How, when every other guy is busy showing his buddy 'the new awesome app' he just downloaded to his iphone. I used to listen to the old guys when I was a kid. They were cranky old men comparing us to Rome all the time. They had NO IDEA how close they were to seeing it. I am 43 and now made prematurily cranky.
Mark G.
Mr Whitehead,
I think you are so right--however, I am refusing to quit hoping for God's merciful spiritual awakening of our nation. It is true that without apathy and seeking after the things of the world to the point of being ignorant of freedoms being lost, our nation would not be in this state. Though I've been as involved as possible (and more than ever) in politics (though the tea party movement), I've done relatively little. I've only so much energy and time. My husband tells me that had I spent the time praying that I spent working with tea party etc that I would have accomplished more. Could be, but only prayer could be a cop out, too. Hard to find the balance. I've learned more about govt than I think I've ever known. I'll continue to work with our local tea party to work for changes at the state and national level. The tea party is not going away--though many will leave most of the work to a few. Had I been in charge it would have died before it started!! The hours invested! But if the Lord fails to send a revival to the church all the work in the world will not save our nation. Indeed, only Our God can save us. Thanks for your thoughts. But pray and continue to help us win back our nation. We must not give up 'till Jesus comes.
Blessings
Lynne S.
Thanks for allowing me to learn so much about what's going on in Washington. However, I would like to offer some constructive criticism.
While your newsletters are extremely informing, I find that (as a friend I forwarded the newsletter to said) that "it's good, but everything is doom and gloom". Please continue to inform, but remember that God is really in charge, not us. We should be praying for our country and our leaders every day and I sometimes fail to remember this.
I realize that being so involved in the political scene would bring most anyone down; but while I wish to be informed, I do not wish to be left with such a negative outlook. Please remember (and remind us) that there is always hope. Help us see positive changes which have taken place. Our vote can and does make some difference.
Sincerely,
Charlotte B.
I often feel to old and unimpowered to do anything about the theft of our country but Mr. Whitehead's column in the Pearland journal give me hope that someone out there is listening.
I donate to the Heritage Society, Ron Paul, and Hillman.
I am solicited by CAWG and others but feel that what little I can give does nothing.
We mus end the welfare state somehow but it looks hopeless. The ACLU has taken God out of our government. I cry for my grandchildren and greatgrand children, try to instill our Constitution as written by our founding fathers.
But we are hung with a congress that is power mad and have no interest in restoring our constitutional laws and will not challange the President. I had hopes for Newt Gingrich in '94 but that congress out spent the Democrats.
I will follow your website for awhile and see if you have anything going.
Robert B.
Monday, November 1, 2010
The Shadows of Our Subconscious: Ten Frightening Movies
Click Here to Read John Whitehead's Commentary
i agree with most of your choices about scary movies, but THE SHINING, please, FATAL ATTRACTION was much more frightening.
chris p.
i agree with most of your choices about scary movies, but THE SHINING, please, FATAL ATTRACTION was much more frightening.
chris p.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)