the 'weak' in review

"(People) take the side of those in authority, which is not the same as having authority. Obedience is a way of reconciling oneself to a lack of authority or a lack of choice. But it is not the only way." slightly paraphrased from a story by John Haskell

Never believe we are the weak ones in this struggle.

The TSA and our fight against their policies remains a fluid engagement. I think ultimately states are going to be the ones to stop this and to do that some of us must start bringing lawsuits and assault charges against the TSA (there are a few suits started and most state governments will not entertain motions, I suppose, until the new year when new things can be added to the congressional rolls). I've also been wondering lately if, in our phone call blitzes, we need to start calling our local DA offices and asking them if they will bring assault charges against TSA employees (as some DAs in California and Georgia have said they will consider), and if not then why.

We are still too nascent a group of domestic extremists to see what is going to work yet, but we are learning. I feel everyone needs to try their ideas, keep attacking it from all sides and we can begin to see a way through it. There has been successful countering of 'well don't fly then' commenters, press comments are now full of people on our side questioning, and often we are asking the questions the media does not seem willing to ask. Now some are starting to get credit card companies to get money back from airlines. If that works then it is something many more can try.

Some actions you can take this week:

Wewontfly.com is sponsoring a billboard campaign to place a billboard near a major airport and will then extend it to other airports if successful.

Someone else I know is working on a video project called "We the People" where you can send him 15-30 seconds of you speaking out on why the TSA policies need to be rescinded. (And for more info please feel free to email me for details.) We would like to have 100 people speaking out before the end of the year for this project.

Things giving me some hope this week:

Some media sources are beginning to wake up in their limited/controlled way and finally asking some better questions. Others are starting to print opinions in their editorial sections.

Some politicians are doing the same.

People are starting to bring lawsuits against these TSA policies which I hope can set some precedents.

Good people are speaking out more and more.


Things that tell me it will continue to be a very long fight:

You may be searched in Philadelphia for putting your hands in your coat pocket.

WalMart agrees with Homeland Security on some new Orwellian language. Here is one answer to that. (One brief admission - I've never set foot in a WalMart much less given them any of my money. Their decision this week will keep me from even driving anywhere near one).


If you'd like to call every airline and tell them you will not fly any longer and why you have made that decision, here is a fairly complete list of phone numbers.

Lastly, if you are curious about who in Congress recently voted, and how they voted, for an amendment to prevent the TSA from using their scanners as a primary means of security, look here, then consider asking which of them receives money in one form or another from the scanner companies.

This post will end with one further quote from John Haskell on a story about Joan of Arc, who died for believing in something.

"And the men who were doing the burning thought turning her into the devil would allow them to keep their authority - and their abuse of authority - hidden. The only problem was this girl who opened her eyes. They did what they could to prevent it, but as Joan stood there, tied to the stake, she saw that she did have a choice, and before she died she decided."


Addendum

stories circulating today:

A female diplomat from India was gropeharassed by the TSA, and India would like an apology.

More scientists are speaking out that the TSA backscatter machines are not only health risks but useless.

And the ACLU has a post listing what you may expect when the TSA illegally searches you.