You Will Feel A Minor Zap
Changes in society always happens at the margins. I don’t know where I was first exposed to this maxim, but I think the notion has proved valid in my experience. This guy Michael Roberts, a pilot no less, has somehow drawn attention to the overreaching tactics at airports for screening passengers. As time goes on, this guy could be the hero to the populace if he starts some changes to the system. It’s a wonder that the travelling public still submits to the invasive and unproductive screening techniques practiced at all airports. In the real world outside of airports, any and all unwanted contact of any kind is viewed as infringements on one’s personal space. We all know that teachers are prohibited to even hug small children at school for fear of triggering lawsuits and risking dismissal. We are made aware of strict protocols in the office working environment as far as touching or remarks made.
If you think about it, it’s the government of the people treating mostly their own citizens as potential terrorists. In other words, if like this guy Roberts, we don’t complain about the way we are treated by clerks, we are tacitly supporting such treatment.
TSA 1: Hey have you seen the new security gizmo we’re getting for the airport?
TSA 2: No, what is it this time? Another X-ray machine?
TSA1: Nope, even better and more effective.
TSA2: Do tell
TSA1: Well you know how all we get is bitch, bitch, bitch about our strip and feel procedures, we’re too invasive, you can’t touch me there without buying me dinner first etc etc? Well now they have a new device which is perfect for detecting metal on passengers. The best part is, we don’t have to feel up fat people any more. It’s a plate upon which people have to stand which then sends 5000 volts through them for about a second. If they have any metal parts on their body, the electricity will close a loop and zap them into unconsciousness.
TSA2: Yikes! Isn’t that dangerous?
TSA1: Well it’s still in the experimental stages but I guess we’ll see how many fatalities we get on the first run here. But it will speed up the process so people can’t complain about how long the lines are.
TSA2: Hmm, sounds iffy. What if some human rights guy complains?
TSA1: Wake up man, we are the Transportation Safety Authority! We can do what we want. National Security and all that stuff. They wouldn’t dare complain. Has anyone complained up to now besides that troublesome pilot? We’ll show him. No, people will do what we tell them to do. Besides, where else are they going to go?
TSA2: Is it really necessary to zap kids and old people?
TSA1: Of course, we can’t be seen to be discriminatory. Everyone’s a possible perp. Why it would be just like those diabolical terrorists to pack some weapons on a 2 year old just because he looks innocent. Cunning, very cunning. Nobody is above scrutiny.
TSA2: Uh, what about people with metal prostheses or skull plates? Won’t they be hurt or at least object?
TSA1: Maybe, but you know the old saying, can’t make omelettes without breaking eggs. Besides they can get notes from their doctors or something and we’ll feel them up the old fashioned way.
TSA2: Ok. Well when do we get training on the new gizmo?
TSA1: Training?! Haha, you are a card.