Charles Krauthammer is good today. He's good every day but today's piece really hits the mark. If I was one of those guys who do a "quote of the day" thing then this would certainly be in the running:
Don't touch my junk is the anthem of the modern man, the Tea Party patriot, the late-life libertarian, the midterm election voter. Don't touch my junk, Obamacare - get out of my doctor's examining room, I'm wearing a paper-thin gown slit down the back. Don't touch my junk, Google - Street View is cool, but get off my street. Don't touch my junk, you airport security goon - my package belongs to no one but me, and do you really think I'm a Nigerian nut job preparing for my 72-virgin orgy by blowing my johnson to kingdom come?
There's much more at the link, of course. As a s'matter of fact, the whole TSA scanner/feel-you-up thing is garnering more press than just about anything else these days, with good reason. Everyone and their Mom is weighing in on the subject, and Red Eye is having a field day with it. Yesterday Megan McCardle wrote a public Dear John letter to United, Delta, and American Airlines advising the companies she was "leaving them." And in so doing she mentioned the fact she had already left.
That would make two (or more) of us. You Gentle Readers know that I opted to drive out to South Carolina and Pennsylvania this past summer rather than fly. I believe I mentioned at the time my primary reason for doing so was my complete and total hatred for the TSA and the hassle our benevolent gub'mint has brought down on our heads just because we're presumptuous enough to want to fly somewhere.
This latest brouhaha only strengthens my resolve to never frickin' fly again. Ever. I have the luxury of choosing my mode of travel these days as I have much more time than money in retirement. I'm thankful I'm no longer part of the bid'niz travel community and my heart gives thanks for that happy circumstance, too. I'd be a member of the perpetually aggrieved class were I still in frequent flier mode and the resulting stress would NOT be good for my poor aged heart.
We'll close by quoting Dr. Krauthammer once again.
This time you have gone too far, Big Bro'. The sleeping giant awakes. Take my shoes, remove my belt, waste my time and try my patience. But don't touch my junk.What he said.
The 'Hammer' nails it yet again!
ReplyDeleteBang!
I've always been afraid to fly, even before all the terrorism. Since I was a kid it's been an experience filled with gut-clenching anxiety.
ReplyDeleteI've dealt with it because I saw it as a means to an end - a nice vacation.
Now? No can do bubba. My fave destination is Bermuda and I can't drive there; but I can take a cruise ship from NYC.
Like Anne Coulter says, if we weren't so frickin' PC and afraid of hurting some Muslim's self esteem we'd do our airports the way the Israelis do. Profile. Period.
ReplyDeleteBoth articles nail it. I fly only when dictated by my employer. This whole affair has gone beyond the absurd. And, despite the enormous outcry, Big Sis continues to insist that this is for "our own good". The TSA does not make us safer, it just makes us maddder.
ReplyDeleteLike Dan said, until we profile the way the Israeli's do, we aren't going to catch a single terrorist before he boards a plane.
"Home of the Brave" used to be more than just an old song. "Home of the Sheep" is more like it...
ReplyDeleteAnother great one from Charles!
ReplyDeleteWe aren't flying either - why hassle it?
Thanks to all of y'all for your input. I agree with everything y'all said, but most especially with Dan about profiling. I keep hoping we'll come to our senses one of these days. But I ain't holdin' my breath.
ReplyDeleteWanna hear the ultimate response to "modern" life?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.newstatesman.com/books/2010/11/interview-atheist-age-shit
With the obvious exception of computers, What He Said.
Well, THAT was interesting, Rob. I don't agree with even half of it, but to each his own.
ReplyDeleteLove me some Krauthammer.
ReplyDeleteI really used to enjoy flying, but now I think I'd prefer to spend a winter in Siberia. Without vodka.
Wow... I dunno if I'd go THAT far, Moogie. ;-)
ReplyDelete