In past columns, I have lamented how our government has not only stripped away core civil liberties from citizens, but that citizens have become increasing passive and accepting of the loss of such freedoms. A new poll conducted by Harris Interactive offers a particularly chilling measure of just how passive and accepting citizens have become to the new realities of our internal security system. The poll found almost one third of American adults would accept a “TSA body cavity search” in order to fly. Moreover a majority believes that it is reasonable to criminalize the act of disobeying any TSA agent.
The survey was conducted online by Harris Interactive on behalf of Infowars from November 5-7 among 2059 American adults. People were asked: “Given the recent reports concerning the threat posed by terrorists who plan to implant bombs within their own bodies, how willing, if at all, would you be to undergo a TSA body cavity search in order to fly?” Thirty percent said yes.
Notably, the Supreme Court recently gave prisons and jails virtually carte blanche to conduct strip searches on anyone who have been arrested and jailed in Florence v. Board of Chosen Freeholders, 566 U.S. ___ (2012). In a 5-4 decision, Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote that officials may strip-search individuals who have been arrested for any crime before they are simply put in a cell, even minor offenses. The dissenting justices noted that a recent study conducted in New York under the supervision of federal courts found that out of 23,000 people searched, only one inmate had hidden contraband in his body in a way that would have avoided detection by x-ray and a pat-down. That did not matter to the majority which stripped away protections for citizens, even those arrested for the most minor offenses.
Decisions like Florence are part of a broader erosion of expectations in our society. Citizens are becoming used to government intrusions and searches.
Citizens now treat security officials as naturally posing unchecked authority over their lives. Almost 60 percent found that a law allowing for the arrest of citizens would be appropriate if they disobey any order by a TSA agent.
The fact is that there has always been a sizable group of Americans who accept and even relish a dominance by authority. There are some who simply favor more authoritarian measures and readily embrace the loss of freedoms. However, if accurate, this poll is a chilling measure of the erosion of the expectations of privacy and rights by average Americans in the expanding internal security state.
Source: Infowars
Idealist. my brainstimulator implant (for chronic pain), (battery looks like pacemaker) made me think the same. Right now I have to be wanded. i was surprised when at a courthouse a few eeks back that they were not concerned and let me go thru wihtout any security check. I guess they thght a short white girl who smiled could not be a threat (I’m not but you never know).
anonymously posted1, November 9, 2012 at 7:59 am
I didnt see a date so do not know when each oif these polls taken, the one cited in todays post and this one posted by I think Ay (?) from a previoous Turley post:
“Despite the fact that this policy is already underway in some instances, a full 65% of American adults found TSA workers touching genitals “completely” or “somewhat unacceptable”. A further 35% of American adults found this “completely” or “somewhat acceptable”. More Republicans than Democrats (12% to 9%) were likely to find this “completely acceptable”.
Asked how the TSA is performing in its screening duties at U.S. airports, 77% of American adults said the federal agency was doing an excellent, good or fair job. 23% of American adults thought the TSA was doing a not very good job or a bad job in its duties. Despite sustained negative media coverage of the agency’s activities, of that latter netcategory, only 9% in total thought the TSA was doing a “bad job”.
As to the first I am astounded at the number who say is ok. I do wonder as suggested by others here if those polled really understand what cavity search means.
As to the second you have to believe someone is protecting you, the facts to the contrary notwithstanding. Most want to know someone is watching out for those monsters under the bed.
(As for my brain implant, it is a computer chip, the technology has been here for a while to take this and turn it into something nefariius)
No surprise. One third of Americans believe in Big Foot.
Feemeister,
You scare the crap out of me, srsly. I was just talking to my niece last night and smoozing over the pleasure of visiting the family there.
And here you come withfive reasons NOT to dare go there.
The Swedes don’t speak to each other on buses, but not because they will be overheard. And if we had TSA on the streets here then folks would snap, and revolt.
Skit, Swedes don’t even tolerate commercials, etc. in our NPR, which is subscriber paid, not taxes, and has 9 channels.
Just a little tangent, a good one. Did you think reflecting on the differences between the Dem convent in
1976 which we saw with Barbara Jordan’s keynote speech snd the DNC convention this year.
How amateurish! But were the speechs less inspirinig and noble then. Not at all, because the reality and the aspirations were there.
What Sling said.
The only ‘ray of light’ here is that the number of sheepole is only one thinrd, which means, logically, that TWO thirds reamin opposed.
It’s up to “we, the people” now.
“Obama 2.0”
by Amy Goodman
“In Obama’s second term, hope for change rests with us, the people”
“A re-elected President Obama is a new chance to realise a better America, but it’s up to the citizens to make it happen”
by Amy Goodman
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/nov/08/obama-second-term-hope-change
“Reportedly, FDR listened intently, then replied:
I agree with everything you have said. Now, make me do it.
That was the message Obama repeated.
There you have it. Make him do it. You’ve got an invitation from the president himself.”
Kay and our lawyers here,
I was among the first and am still one who welcomes your posts here. There are some that in their eyes would negligate your complaints because compared to others, and you mentioned a few today, they are negligible. I disagree.
The point, other than your suffering, is the potential abuse which such legal manovers can cause ALL of us.
Secondly, I have previously derided the lawyers here for their silence. But now I think I can see their dilemma.
If JT’s becomes a place where litigants can seek pro bono help or sympathy, then the site would rapidly become overwhelmed of seekers and become a legal Lourdes—not a blawg as it is now. This may be what you already know, so regard it as a mea culpa from me to the lawyers here.
However I have just today in correspondence suggested that if a system is not available in Virginia, that it should be established there as a trial. Namely a system whereby a lawyer list including specialty should be established with the requirement that some 25 –100 be up for assignment each month to, after specialty sorting, be blindly assigned to pro bono seekers.
Why this you say, well for the same reason that some feel that those who receive the greatest benefits of the system should contribute the greatest taxes.
After xx months the assigned lawyer would risk being reassigned for duty with an addditional litigant. Justice must be swiftor it is not justice, so should lawyers too.
Malisha,
Brain-washed couch potatoes are a distinctly different form of existential and actual threat to society although the effect does impact how many people think terrorism is a much greater threat than it actually is. Almost as much effect as it has on what detergent you use and your Cheetos and Coke consumption. 😉
How about two lines at the airport. They form after a sign that reads “If you would like a free body cavity search go to the left. If not, go to your right.”
That way those who were ignorant as to what a body cavity search encompases can be properly educated. Those who desire a body cavity search can have an additional benefit to airline travel. Gung-ho TSA agents with wild hairs and little man syndrome can have a purpose. And normal people can move along normally.
I’m not sure who I trust less: the TSA or “Source: Infowars”. i mean, really now, the source is a known batshit insane conspiracy site?
Furniture?
Why are we only tabulating actual deaths? There are other injuries to consider. I have heard that many couch potatoes are brain-washed.
I am so glad to see this posted here. I had read it yesterday and was just appalled.
So these people think it’s not so good the way they are TOUCHED during a search, but it’s okay for a CAVITY SEARCH??? (And it’s worse for us girls, because we have TWO cavities!)
What was even worse to that to me, was that the people think the TSA has the right to order them around, just because they are in a certain building. This whole thing is just unthinkable to me! The ”freeze” thing is just insane. These people are trying to get on a plane; they haven’t been caught in a bank robbery!
And for those of you who won’t fly now (like me), it won’t matter. They’ve already started on busses and trains, and are supposed to start in malls and football games and streets anytime. The airports were just the beginning. They’ve done such a bangup job, they’re to be everywhere now! Baltimore is starting to install microphones on their busses, so they can hear everything being said; but no cavity searches yet with that.
This is no longer our country. The Fascist States of Amerika have been born (FSA, goes well with TSA doesn’t it). Actually, I think we don’t even need states in there anymore, because they obviously have no more power. The Fascist Union of Amerika? Why are there so few of us who care?
When preppers and Ron Paul supporters and people who are ”patriotic” or who love liberty became terrorists (call your local Homeland Security if you see them, or if anyone pays for coffee with cash, God forbid) this new country was born.
– while not having to prosecute thse who tortured and/or dreamt up text to make it un-torture, he could at least make it clear that torture is at the very least extremely naughty. -SlingT
Since “torture” was mentioned, here’s an article that may be of interest:
Anti-Torture Psychologists Respond to Attack from APA Division Chief
By: Jeff Kaye Wednesday November 7, 2012 1:47 pm
http://my.firedoglake.com/valtin/2012/11/07/anti-torture-psychologists-respond-to-attack-from-apa-division-chief/
“In June 2005, the APA published their report on Psychological Ethics and National Security (the PENS report). APA, stung by criticism that psychologists had been involved in torture at Guantanamo and elsewhere, nevertheless stacked the panel hastily assembled that Spring with over fifty percent military and/or military connected members.
These were not just any military individuals, but included the former Chief of Psychology at Guantanamo, a SERE psychologist who supported use of SERE techniques in interrogations, and a Special Forces top psychologist who, according to an investigation by the Senate Armed Services Committee, had actually trained interrogators in use of SERE torture techniques in interrogations.” …continues…
I’ve got a cavity search coming up @ my annual physical next month. I take a little comfort my doc is a woman. The doc I had previously had hands the size of canned hams!
“None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free” Johann Wolfgang Von Goerthe (sic) A typo, I presume, “Today’s Special”
Bears repeating.
I don’t know if you heard, but the guy in charge for the next four years is the same guy that was in charge for the past four years – during which most of this has been ramping up. 😉 -Sling
No, of course I hadn’t heard… 😉
…the things to which I’m referring were ramped up long before Obama took office.
The alternative to “Yes, he can” is “No, he can’t”, and I’m not willing to give up just yet. To give up is to roll over and die… and I’m not ready for that just yet. 😉
Today’s Special,
Excellent quote. Well played.
@ Gene
You wrote “with the exception of in-processing prisoners who have been rightfully arrested, tried and/or sentenced or with the appropriate warrant”.
Believe me I was not sympathetic to prisoners. As I stated before, I don’t have a criminal record. When I went to jail I identified with the guards and I was scared of the prisoners. And I only knew women prisoners so my observations don’t extend to men. But I got curious about them and what I observed that a lot of them were held without what seemed to be probable cause that they committed a crime or at least a serious crime. As examples:
1) A woman held for 2 weeks because she didn’t renew her car registration because she didn’t have funds because her daughter had cancer.
2) A teacher and a medical office manager who were both held for first time DUI’s on the basis of having two margaritas in a bar in Vail after skiing. They had to check in for jail every weekend and were strip searched every time. (Bars in Colorado aren’t required to post the alcohol content of their drinks) They said the police were stopping everyone leaving the bar and that it had nothing to do with how they were driving.
3) A woman who was held for driving with her husband because before they got back together three years ago and had another child he got a restraining order against her
4) A woman who was held for 6 months before trial because her ex accused her of theft with no evidence that there really was a theft
5) A woman who was held for 6 months before trial with no prior record because she didn’t report her son for dealing
6) A woman held for 2 weeks because she didn’t appear in court after a summons was mailed to a 2 year old address and she didn’t get it. She lost her job and her apartment.
7) A woman who was held because she hit a woman she walked in on giving oral sex to her husband
8) A woman who was held after the police in pursuit of her daughter’s boyfriend found an unregistered gun in a locked safe in her dead mother’s stuff in her garage. She had no priors.
9) A woman held for 3 months for selling a very small amount of pot to a 17 year old. She said she didn’t realize he was only 17.
10) A woman held for 6 months for not showing up at a probation meeting after she slapped her boyfriend’s face. She said she couldn’t explain to her boss that she was on probation and that there weren’t any options to go during non work hours.
11) A woman held for months because the police found drugs in someone else’s knapsack left outside of her house
12) A woman held for 6 months and deported for first time DUI because she had come to this country illegally when she was 4 years old. (DUI levels these days are very low).
13) Three nuns held for 18 months because they demonstrated at a nuclear missile site (they were at my facility before I got there)
BREAKING:
The TSA “All about finding ma cavity” training video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFPKbg_dKyg
The cavity sounds like a very dangerious thing. Just as well that the TSA will be looking in to it.