just as we're all about to fly...

nadine · Post by **nadine** » August 10th, 2006, 9:03 am

http://www.cnn.com/2006/TRAVEL/08/10/te ... index.html

I don't know how long the ban of liquids is lasting though.

Brian Boyko · Post by **Brian Boyko** » August 10th, 2006, 9:08 am

nadine · Post by **nadine** » August 10th, 2006, 9:11 am

The nytimes was far more helpful.. linking to

http://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/threat-change.shtm

"NO LIQUIDS OR GELS OF ANY KIND WILL BE PERMITTED IN CARRY-ON BAGGAGE. ITEMS MUST BE IN CHECKED BAGGAGE. This includes all beverages, shampoo, suntan lotion, creams, tooth paste, hair gel, and other items of similar consistency."

kbadr · Post by **kbadr** » August 10th, 2006, 10:00 am

Shit!
Looks like Kareem might be fro'd out for the whole SF trip. sheeee-it.

Jules · Post by **Jules** » August 10th, 2006, 10:08 am

The mile high club is going to chafe now. I suppose lube is also off the list.

erikamay · Post by **erikamay** » August 11th, 2006, 11:23 am

i dont want to call the bluff here, but i flew out of Washington National Aeropuerto yesterday at 4pm.

it took me 15 min to get through security, and there was only a small container with liquid based items in it that had to be disposed of. there were no dogs or armed men. i did see some cops riding bikes.

make sure you keep all the airline hoopla in perspective with the political climate - the folks in power have a vested interest in making you afraid.

back to typing my manifesto,
erika "chomsky" may

Jules · Post by **Jules** » August 11th, 2006, 11:27 am

Word. We are how far away from the general elections?????? Methinks a plot is afoot. But can it be a conspiracy when everyone knows about it?

arclight · Post by **arclight** » August 12th, 2006, 1:42 am

Remember that the guy that planned the first WTC bombing also tested liquid explosives on a flight over the Pacific that killed one man and nearly brought the plane down. A larger plot was foiled by US intelligence during the Clinton years. It's not like this is a new threat; it's just another that was ignored by the Bush Administration until it was politically opportune to do so.

Frankly, I detest flying anymore. Once I worried about personal safety and planes crashing, but having worked under similar Federal regulations and learning a bit about the risks, I don't worry about it anymore. Microbursts, wind shear, and maintenance issues are much better understood and dealt with now than 20 years ago and any competent risk analyst can point out that you're more likely to die in your car or your bathtub than on an airplane. I'm in more danger of choking on my vitamins.

What we are seeing is security theater, a big stupid play to make it look like The Officials Are Doing Something To Protect Us that, in fact, is another useless, dehumanizing ploy that does little or nothing to improve security. It gets people used to being patted down and showing their ID and travel papers in the course of routine life though...

I'd bet ten bucks that world air travel would be safer if instead of seizing water bottles and toothpaste, the US would take a hard line with Israel to get the fuck out of Lebanon and stop bombing civil infrastructure there else we cut off military support. It wouldn't necessarily make Osama and his ilk like the US any more but it might make him hate us less, and redirect his efforts elsewhere. Understanding why people engage in terrorism, and killing the roots of that sort of violent dissent is difficult; it requires apolitical, creative, dynamic thinking, freedom of action, and a balance of force and diplomacy, all of which the current administration completely lacks.

Security is not an easy problem and it's not black-and-white. It's clear to me that Bush has done a great job of eroding liberty, crushing dissent, and capitalizing on terrorist attacks (real and imagined) while dropping the ball on national security, specifically 9/11. Argue whether it was predictable or stoppable - the fact is it occurred on his watch. Others have stripped us of our rights and our dignity and we have nothing to show for it - security theater and political theater, but no real security, no lasting peace, no justice.

Thank you; I'll be appearing next at Club Uzbek in the Battery Charger Connected To Your Testicles Room as part of my secret CIA prison tour. Enjoy the veal, and please tip your waitstaff...