A SOLDIER'S PERSPECTIVE
THE WEB'S LEADING MILITARY BLOG SINCE 2004
Okay, I can’t hold my tongue any longer. I’m fed up with the manner in which our government is “protecting” us. I mean, come on – lipstick is banned at airports!?
I’m tired of the government’s knee jerk reactions to these events. I understand the threat of terrorism, but it doesn’t come in the form of a water bottle or toothpaste tube. It comes in the form of a militant, radical Muslims. Let’s face it, when was the last time a white, male, Christian tried to blow up a plane? There comes a point where we need to stop targeting objects and start targeting people. What are they going to do about the bottles of water people can buy past the checkpoints?
What happened to good, old-fashioned intelligence and analysis? What’s so wrong with profiling? If something seems out of place, it probably is out of place. And if it isn’t, then apologize for the inconvenience and hone your skills. People that travel between continents will now be required to sit next to people who didn’t bathe before but now can’t even brush their teeth before getting on a plane.
On my last trip, I decided I’d had it. Whenever I travel, I use my military ID card as proof of who I am. This should be an indicator that I’m one of the GOOD guys. Yet, I’m still required to remove my shoes before passing through a screener. All because ONE guy tried to (unsuccessfully, thankfully) light his shoe bomb.
When I walked up to the x-ray machine, I was “highly encouraged” to remove my shoes. I had already missed my flight because I was 25 minutes early (instead of the required 30) to the ticket counter (because I was originally told to go to the wrong counter where I waited for 30 minutes before getting sent back to the right counter that I was “late” to). I told them I’d rather keep my shoes on.
“Then, you’ll have to be searched,” she told me.
“Go ahead, I’m not afraid,” I responded. “I’m an AMERICAN soldier, not a terrorist. I kill the people responsible for making me have to waste my time taking off shoes (the terrorists).”
So, I had to sit down and get the full-body treatment. Some full of himself TSA employee feeling me up with the back of his hand. But, I had two hours to kill before my next flight and I never had to take off my shoes. Amazingly enough, I really was an innocent man.
The TSA needs to have security that will do their job. They need to be walking around the airport watching people. I mean really watching people. Are they darting their eyes to see who’s watching them? Are they oddly trying to AVOID eye contact. Do they dart to dark corners to avoid detection? Do they shuffle things in their bags just before screening? There are ways of catching criminals and terrorists without taking away their skin cream that fights exema or their contact lense solution. But, it requires security that gives a damn and takes their work seriously. The only time the TSA takes their work seriously is when they’re bullying grandma into secondary screening when the alarm goes off at the metal detector because she’s got a metal kneecap or something.
We need to stop pandering to the morons who think that our privacy is being invaded at the airport because “big brother is watching”. If you don’t like it, drive or swim to your destination. I’m already pissed that my favorite pair of fingernail clippers (the kind that catch the fingernails as they’re trimmed) was “confiscated” by the employee who will give them to his wife as a gift when I leave.
I mean really, if the DHS and TSA are so afraid of our “liquid agents”, why are they pouring them out in huge buckets IN THE MIDDLE OF A CROWDED AIRPORT. Don’t you think that a bunch of “explosives disguised as drinks and other common products” are going to be far more dangerous when combined in a huge trash bin?!?! Pull your heads out of your fifth points of contact DHS!! Am I the only one that finds that absurd?
It’s about time we stopped with the over-reaction and started instituting some real investigative and screening techniques. And give me back my fingernail clippers and Dasani water bottle you thieves!!
(24) Readers Comments
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Platoon Mom Terri
I do agree that our airports need to be more vigilant about watching certain types of people and people acting in certain ways in airports. We have to remember, until 9-11 airport security in the US was virtually non-existant and thus the TSA is still in it’s infant stages. Perhaps TSA should send their new employees to Europe to learn security methods from them, where they’ve been doing this for years.
SNAFU
I agree, every time I have flown with a military unit to Kuwait we fly on a commercial aircraft. Every passenger on the aircraft is a U.S. Soldier. We have gotten searched giving up toenail clippers knives and such. Taking our boots off to go through the security checkpoint. We are allowed to carry our M16 rifles and M249 machine guns, but you better not have toenail clippers? What kind of sorry security is that? I feel we are lucky that they caught these guys in an airport in the UK because I don’t think security in the U.S. would have caught them should they have decided to board here. In Germany they have Police with German Shepard’s and UZI sub machine guns patrolling and looking for suspicious activities
Miss Ladybug
Of the 24 people arrested, 2 were recent converts (and I think white), and two were women, one of whom was very pregnant. We can’t just be looking for Middle Eastern looking men anymore…..
Bob the Liberal
Did you know that there is no law saying that you have to show ID to get on a plane?
Whenever I fly, I don’t show ID, and I don’t take off my shoes. When they pull me out for the extra search, I smile and say “Sure, I’ve got nothing to hide.”
I usually get through security faster that way too.
DHS can say whatever they want to about screening and whatnot. But its what the LAW says that counts. The only time I do show ID is if some manager says I can’t get on the plane without it. Then I get the manager’s name and title, show the ID, and then file a complaint with the airline, DHS, and the FAA.
CJ
Bob, you’ve given me motivation for my next flight.
Miss Ladybug, you are right. The point is, I think, that we need to be watching PEOPLE in general. It doesn’t take much to open the bottle, sniff it or have the person drink it, to figure out its just water or apple juice.
White, Christians have their terrorists as well (PETA, Tim McVeigh, Code Pink to name a few – did I say Code Pink. Slip of the tongue). But when our Christian, white people commit these acts EVERYONE bands together to condemn their attacks (and we execute them). The Muslim community does not do this. They need to stand up and PUBLICLY condemn these terrorist acts.
Anthony
TSA needs to allow passengers some dignity. I’m sick of seeing people on TV saying “I don’t mind getting here 3 hours early and throwing away all of my liquids, I just want to be safe.” TSA needs to staff up with enough screeners so that it does not take 3 hours to go through security, and they need to spend whatever money it takes to screen water, lip balm, contact lens solution, etc from liquid explosives. Congress can start by taking money away from their rediculous pork-barrel earmark programs and give the money to TSA so that they can train and equip the agents to do their jobs properly and allow the passengers some dignity.
One shoe-bomber tried his stunt, so now we’re all asked to remove our shoes. What is someone attempts to board a plane with plastic explosives taped around his or her leg under baggy pants? I guess we’d all have to remove our pants to get through security, because the government won’t install the machines that blow air over a person to detect explosives.
I called my congressman’s office to discuss it with his staff, and the call taker said that she does not care what she has to go through and how early she has to be at the airport, she just wants to be safe. (Geez, here we go again.) Well, you know what, walking across the street is not safe, driving a car is not safe, we all take risks in life. We need to mitigate those risks within reason, but we can’t do away with them completly.
We’ve got all sorts of goofy gadets that can store songs, retrieve and send e-mail, send pictures and messages all over the world, play mindless games, and anything else we want for fun and convenience, so I can’t believe we cannot develop some technology that can adequately screen passengers and their belongings without making them undress and throw away their possessions. We just need to put pressure on the federal government, particulary DHS, to implement better technology and give the passengers back their dignity.
dyzgoneby
A few weeks ago my Marine was coming home from Iraq. He had the privliage of being one of the guardian angels all the way home.
When it came to security at the airport, he had to give up his lighter. He could carry his M-16, 9-mm and bullets to boot, but had to give up his “lighter?” We laughed about it afterwards, but damn why would they care about a lighter at this point. If he was a “terrorist” he had his weapon and bullets. What difference would his lighter make?
Miriam
Actually TSA should have the Israelies train their people. They are good a profiling passenger lists. Personally, I have decided I’m grounded for a while.
Lauren
Not to be the one who doesnt agree with this BUT how can someone want to complain about a person who IS doing thier job?
Like someone said Terrorists are not only Middle Eastern men anymore. We have traitors in this country who believe in what the Terrorists are doing and even have become one. There is no way to distiguish who is and who isnt so everyone gets checked. It is very easy for terrorists (who have proved on 9-11) that they can be taught in this country to fly planes to use against us. Why can’t they get their hands on uniforms and pass themselves off as mechanics or luggage loasders or anything else.
We in this country have been extremely lucky. We know of so many other countries who have had to live under tight security for as long as I can remember. Unfortunately we now have to. It isnt fun and it isnt pleasant but I have no problem showing my ID or throwing away a bottle of water or anything else for that matter. If doing that secures my safety a little further and brings me home to family then so be it!!
CJ
Lauren, as someone who works in security I’d like to address your points.
We are the only country doing this liquid restrictions rule, as far as I can see. If someone IS doing their job, then I should be able to bring my Diet Coke and Colgate toothpaste onboard my plane. The DHS and TSA have scrimped on security for so long that they have been trying to play catch-up since they were created.
You are right, we have been lucky. We’ve been lucky because our government has been unwilling to pay for the right security measures to be installed in our airports. Instead, our politicians are more concerned with spending $33 million to pump sand onto the private beaches of Miami hotels, $10 million for an access ramp in a privately owned stadium in Milwaukee, $13 million to repair a privately owned dam in South Carolina, $11 million for a private pleasure boat harbor in Cleveland, $3 million for the Animal Waste Management Research Laboratory, $2.3 million for the International Fertilizer Development Center, and I could keep going.
The bottom line that is that no matter what we do, we can’t protect everything. Security is about risk management. Americans, and the world, cannot just give up our lives blindly because the TSA or DHS says it’s in our best interests. With all the money (and more) that I just profiled, we could have funded much better sniffing technology that can identify the very chemicals they’re trying to prevent from flying. Instead of taking off my shoes and throwing out my water, I’d be able to walk from the counter to the gate safely AND with everything I’d normally take with me on a trip.
When we start telling the government that giving up freedoms is more important than real security is the day we sign away our lives.
I know this sounds weird coming from a soldier, but I’m also a realist. I’m offended that all the money is wasted on stupid PRIVATE projects, while the public at large foots the bill. We don’t get anything back from these projects. They don’t reimburse the taxpayer. They don’t give us lower room rates or discounted tickets. Instead, we fly thirsty, stinking like a contestant on Survivor.
Upinsmoke
Thank you for your service. You are blaming the Government for protecting you. I agree that it seems silly that little old women or US Marines are searched along with everyone else. However if we start saying, dont search little old men or women, then the terrorists will just start recruiting little old men or women and send them on board with bottles of explosives. The terrorists are very smart and your response is not. Your inconvienience is not the Governments fault. It is the terroirsts that would try to murder you while you sit peacefully in your seat going home to your loved ones. How many planes need to be blown up before people like Bob the Liberal will stop flashing his political badge demanding to be an exception to the rule. I am A 100 percent disabled veteran. I suffered severe injuries on the battlefield and I do not have a blog bashing my countries policies that has given me refuge and sactuary and care and thanks for my sacrifice. I have given up the best part of my life and my soul for the defense of this country like you. That does NOT make me special. It makes me just one of the tens of millions throughout our 400 year history who have served and made a difference. Flash your Military ID like this makes you someone special. Some of the biggest traitors in our history have been Soldiers, Sailors, Airman and Marines. You are not special. Your service to your country IS special but YOU are not. At least in the grand scheme of things. You are I’m sure special to your friends and families but were talking grand scheme here. You are one of the masses and using the Soldiers perspective is just a way to beg attention. Keep up your good work as a soldier and I do respect and thank you for your service.
Lauren
CJ,
I understand your point 100%. I have a lot of ill will towards the Government and some of the things they pay for (really taxpayers pay for) but I also feel that its all a “No WIN” situation. When and if that one group of terrorists get past security and a plane gets blown up and everyone gets killed dont tell me for a second everyones family who was on board isn’t going to be sueing and issues of lack of security will the first issue.
We can go back and forth with all of it but if someone wants to fly thats the way its going to be. I have always worked for the Stock Market before 9/11 all buildings had Security Guards who were supposed to be checking company ID’s. It was all a joke. It was the same guys everyday they never really checked. After 9/11 those security guards were gone and replaced with retired NYPD cops, we had to walk through metal detectors, put our pocketbooks on belts to be x-rayed and still where our ID’s.
If someone refused to do they were not permitted to go into the building. SOme people fought it and they were told to go by their companies. It was 100% legal.
Tony
When Richard Reid Flew on an Israeli airline…Unbeknownst to him the person sitting next to him was an undercover security officer. They profiled him and he was treated accordingly. When he flew on an American airline (luckily) the flight attendant saw him lighting matches and he was subdued by passengers. This is because the majority of our politicians/lawmakers are idiots out of touch and not representing the will of the people. America is a great and successful country not because of our politicians but IN SPITE of them!
Miss Ladybug
CJ ~
The Brits are banning liquids, and a whole lot more. The day the story broke, passengers were allowed to but essential travel documents in clear plastic bags – bascially, passports and other ID and money. No cell phones, I-pods, laptops, nothing. After seeing a segment on how these liquid explosives would be assembled, I understand the restrictions.
I think Chertoff said that once they “reverse engineer” the devices, they will be able to make better restrictions about what can and cannot be taken as carry-on here in the US. I used to be a frequent business traveller for about 8 and a half years, until December 2004 when I changed jobs. I’m glad I don’t have to travel all the time anymore – it’s just getting to be more and more of a pain. Not saying I won’t ever fly again, but right now I’m glad I don’t need to.
Strobes
As someone who flies fairly often, I will admit that I was a bit annoyed to learn the new security procedures. Gone, it appears, are the days of being able to avoid the mess of retreiving my luggage by carrying everything on the plane. Not to mention the fact that I wont be able to bring my trusty Nalgeen bottle (or any water bottle for that matter) along with me. While initially this seemed to be a little bit of overkill on the part of the government, further consideration has forced me to look at the situation a little differently.
Forcing people to take a drink of any beverage they wish to carry on board seems like an easy solution to the problem at hand; however, there is one problem with this. Any terrorist that is attempting to carry liquid explosives onto a plane is not going to think twice about taking a sip of the liquid in order to get through security knowing that they are planning to kill themselves in a few hours anyway. The short term effects of these liquids in such a small dose are likely not severe enough to cause any complications that would prevent the completion of the goal that these individuals wish to obtain.
Because of this and the fact that we do not currently posses any systems to detect liquid explosives I feel that there is little other options when it comes to our current security protocol. This does not mean we should except this as the new “norm” and not direct funding towards establishing better security systems that would allow these current policies to become obsolete. The funding should be alloted immediately and research should be done so that some day we can once again carry our own water with us. But even if we start today it will take time and the current precautions cannot be avoided.
CJ
Miss Ladybug, I stand corrected. Thanks for setting me straight.
Good and valid points by all sides. As Lauren said, it really is a “no win” situation. The terrorists are getting exactly what they want.
CJ
Forgot to respond to Upinsmoke. For the record, David Sneakers is my alter ego. Brother, if you catch ME bashing my country’s policy, I think there’s a very good reason for it. I’m 99% behind my country, even when we may be wrong. And even though I don’t agree with the knee-jerk reactions of incompetent leaders in the DHS, that doesn’t mean I don’t support them. If I didn’t question my government from time to time on important matters that I disagree with (immigration, ahem), then I’m taking my freedoms for granted.
I know I’m not special. I don’t even think the service I render to this nation as a soldier is special. There was nothing special about my fighting in Iraq either. It’s a job. Someone has to do it and I get to be a someone. When I flash an ID, I’m identifying myself. When I flash a military ID, I’m identifying myself as a defender. I know that our greatest traitors have been the guys we were supposed to trust the most. I don’t need or want attention. That’s why most of what I write is about OTHER people.
If I were begging for attention, I wouldn’t be turning down all these interviews with CNN, Fox News, Washington Post, and other media outlets wanting to talk to me about this blog. Read back a couple of years and you’ll see why I write this.
Don’t take any of this the wrong way. I fully respect you AND your opinion. You paved the way for guys like me to serve. I wouldn’t be here without you. But, as a veteran (and an injured veteran), you should know we’re not perfect. We should always strive to make our country perfect. It’s not attainable, but it’s worth trying.
Upinsmoke
When someone is wrong. I will respond. As a LT. Colonel in the US ARmy during Vietnam I was fully aware of the consequences of making mistakes. If a private makes a mistake it was serious. If I made a mistake it was Disasterous. Therefore I accepted NO mistakes. Zero Tolerance in a combat zone.
You have a huge responsibility here. If you choose to be a leader of a blog that is read widely then its your responsibilty to carefully think the repercussions of your words and actions.
Blaming the US Govt. for your inconvience is not thinking things out. In the field if the Vietminh are planting bungee sticks in our paths I will walk a different path. I will not keep walking the same path and tell my guys to keep their eyes open. If the terrorists are using liquids to blow up airplanes then Im going to outlaw liquids. This is not knee jerk…….this is prudence. If you tell your guards to keep their eyes out then (what does this mean?) keep their eyes out for what? What if they miss one bottle? Just one mistake can kill hundreds. Is this acceptable? I propose Zero Tolerance. I submit to you that in Iraq your commanders had zero tolerance as well. Or perhaps the military has changed since I was forced to leave due to my injuries.
I understand your importance here. It is that importance that makes what you say even more important. I question not your courage, your service or your dedication to your nation. I only question your rant against a knee jerk reaction to save lives. Zero tolerance is the only acceptable alternative until details of a rational response can be worked out. This should have crossed your mind before you spoke out. That is all I am saying.
CJ
Smoke, I work in counter-terrorism. I’ve been trained in it for over 11 years. For the record, though it’s not important, I’m a MSG, no young pup spouting off without experience or knowledge. According to your logic, we should ban anything the terrorists have tried to use to kill us. So, the next time they use body cavities, are we going to have to submit to body cavity searches because of a zero tolerance policy? If they use watches to hide minute small elements of radioactive material, will we be required to leave our watches at home? Terrorists are using planes to kill us. Should we just ban air travel?
As a LTC, you should know quite well what risk management is. If our commanders in Iraq used the same knee-jerk logic that the DHS is using, we’d stay in our camps and never leave. Air travel is dangerous. What needs to happen is for DHS to spend the money it has to get the equipment it needs. It’s out there. I’ve read about it many times in magazines like Popular Mechanics and Popular Science and even National Geographic.
Instead of doing the right thing, they are taking the easy way out. If I had the choice, I’d just never fly because I think the lengths they go to ensuring my “safety” do nothing of the sort. Zero tolerance is a flawed policy. It doesn’t take into account the individual. That’s why Human Intelligence is so important and yet it’s rarely used.
Prudence is opening the bottle, sniffing it (or running it through a sniffer), and taking appropriate follow-on actions.
Believe me, I realize that such a public and respected blog like this requires clear thinking and research. My goal here to be as blunt and factual as possible in my posts. When I am speaking my opinion, I make it clear that what I write is opinion, not fact. My post was well thought out and planned.
Again, I’m glad that this topic has induced healthy debate. I hope that we can continue to disagree in a civilized manner. I’m sure that 9 times out of 10, we’d completely agree on most things. I also recognize that I’m probably in a majority with respect to this issue. However, I also have a specialized insight into this matter by virtue of my profession. I honestly appreciate you input, sir and hope I’m not pushing you away with my disagreement. I don’t want nor expect everyone to agree with me on every issue. I love my country and don’t want to see another person senselessly killed. I just happen to think it doesn’t need to involve more discomfort. The onus of responsibility falls upon our government.
Upinsmoke
I am not taking this personal at all. Its a disagreement with policy. Ive read most of the blogs here and find you guys have your heads screwed on right. I am just disagreeing with your policy and you disagree with the Governments and mine I guess.
You know as well as I the public will adapt. They will leave their jels, liquids and pastes at home in the coming days and weeks. The lines will move quicker and the smoother.
I propose to you right now that the governement still has not sorted this all out and the only prudent thing to do it what they are doing.
Risk management does not cut it when you are dealing with the publics safety. (Once this is sorted out then yes, you are right, but you are premature to jump in with your risk management ideas when we still dont even have all the facts.)
Thats my story and Im sticking too it.
CJ
Smoke, thanks. With that, I’m giving you the last word. Good debate.
Miss Ladybug
To butt in on this discussion, I don’t think there is enough money in this country to eliminate the need for risk management when it comes to terrorism. We can’t take the entire federal budget and apply it only to DHS and the military – that is just not a practical alternative in my opinion. Yes, maybe there are better ways to spend the money already allocated. But even if that was done, I don’t think we can eliminate every weak spot that a terrorist could exploit. The terrorists only have to get it right once to pull off a successful attack. We have to get it right every single time to prevent one. Zero tolerance is a nice thing to say, but in this situation, impossible to achieve. Just look at things like the shooting at the Jewish center in Seattle, and the “student” who tried to run people over at that university in North Carolina. The threats we face come not only from cells with connections to Al Qaeda, but also from single individuals with no official connections to terrorist organizations.
Upinsmoke
CJ and Ladybug are 100 percent correct. Just premature. My entire thesis is not that for the rest of our life we are to forbid liquids etc. I was making the point that given we are still learning what all is involved in this plot that to do anything besides Zero Tolerance would be totally irresponsible and get a whole lot of people fired including GWB.
I totally agree that once the situation is understood then risk management will have to be the norm. But until the facts are IN what are we risk management against? No one at this point is even sure yet.
Im just saying your wanting to jump right in like nothing happened is irresponsible and would right now be met with furor from the press and most Americans. And that is my last word. Keep up the good work. This is a good blog and a good source for perspective.
CJ
Ladybug, and that’s why the TSA and DHS should ban cars. After all, they’re being used by terrorists now.