It Is Definitely Fascism When it Happens to You
May 15th, 2008Via: Common Dreams:
In Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff’s world of an “Israelized” America, the terms SPOT (Screening Passengers by Observation Technique) and BDO (Behavior Detection Officer) are the new acronyms of Stasi-like control of the American citizenry by a government that treats anyone as a suspicious person in the same manner that Israel mistreats its own Arab citizens and Palestinians.
Sunday, this editor and his colleague faced the Chertoffian menace at Washington’s Reagan National Airport while heading to the gate to board a flight to Houston.
It is now clear from a review of the events that unfolded that I was pre-selected for an intensive search and battery of questions even before arriving in line for the security screening. A Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screener was overheard saying, “the guy with the beard.” Since I was the only person in line who also had a beard, it was evident that a red flag had earlier been raised.
What followed, was worse than anything I had previously encountered while leaving Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, itself a revolting display of ingratitude to citizens of the country that bankrolls Israel, or the Israeli-run screening process at Amsterdam’s Schipol Airport.
First, I was instructed to enter a glass isolation chamber and point out my belongings that were exiting the X-ray machine. Anyone with claustrophobia would really enjoy being placed in such a chamber and have to speak to the screener through small holes in the glass.
I was then led to an area where all my carry-on bags were emptied. I was also forced to empty my pockets of everything. A bevy of screeners then proceeded to go through my wallet examining everything: cash, credit cards, VA medical benefits card, National Press Club card, voter’s registration card, and driver’s license. Then came an examination of my press credentials and related IDs: Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) card, Society of Professional Journalists card, National Archives research card, Library of Congress card, three press credentials, and membership card in Association for Intelligence Officers (AFIO).
In a blatant violation of the First and Fourth Amendments, my reporter’s notebooks, containing names of contacts in Houston and around the world were paged through by the screeners. Another screener asked if I minded being probed in “certain private areas.” He then asked if I’d like the examination to be conducted in private. I replied, “No, let everyone see this.” He then proceeded to examine my groin area.
Then came the battery of questions.
…
One other note. This editor visited the USSR and draconian nations such as Paul Kagame’s Rwanda, Yoweri Museveni’s Uganda, Hun Sen’s Cambodia, the former military junta’s Thailand, surveillance society Singapore, and Muslim monarchy Brunei Darussalam. Nothing compares to what occurred at Washington National Airport. It is yet another sign of the fact that the United States has entered a phase of fascist control. There’s only one question that remains: Is the slide reversible?
Americans need to take the offensive. Refuse to talk with police, Federal Gestapo or other American Nazi officials. Never give permission to search. Teach your children to remain silent. Don’t give any of the Nazis any reason to think that you accept this garbage. Let them know that you, as a free American, consider their actions an abomination of freedom. Remember that the burden of proof is upon them to prove that you are doing something wrong. You do not have the burden of proof. They do. Ask for names of officials who harass you. Ask for the names of their superiors. When able, take photographs of the Nazis. They hate that, but, in most cases, it is perfectly legal in a public area. Do nothing to help them. Get involved in the Informed Jury Movement. Then, if you are called to serve as a juror you will be able to “hang” a jury and take the wind out of their sails. Be polite but let them know that you are not going to roll over and play dead. This garbage has been a long time coming and will take a long time to stop. But the Nazis, if nothing else, are human and will eventually yield if enough people shun them and their families.
Sorry Larry. Please collect your consolation prize on the way out the back door. Thanks for playing. Come again.
In principle, the principled stand is a good and noble thing. The moral and ethical thing to do, I must agree 100%; but to do so under inappropriate circumstances is to invite MUCH more contact with the authorities than your privacy, pocketbook or cavities would likely prefer. Time spent in a cell, separated from those children you speak of — who are also now being messed with — that could be better spent putting significant distance between you and the fascist rent-a-cop who only wants to fondle your dirty underwear.
Children deserve an honest explanation of the full picture and a range of intellectual weapons at their disposal. Not just blind disobedience. That’s the sort of thing that might just get you tasered today, bro. Or worse, before much longer, with privateers like Blackwater and DynCorp coming soon to a disaster area near you.
Does “live to fight another day” ring any bells?
Sorry Mr. Glick, but your suggestions would only land a personal freedom-lover in the slammer (where he could be raped or beaten – that wouldn’t help one’s sense of personal liberty, would it?)
No this is going to require political change from the top. The U.S. public needs to wake the F- up and figure out that it is the Democratic and Republican parties that are leading us down the road to tyranny. They can start by voting for Ralph Nader, or the Libertarian or Constitution Party candidates, somebody, ANYBODY, other than the establishment candidates this fall.
If staunch supporters of the Constituion started taking votes and elections from Democans/Republicrats, this creeping fascism might start to reverse.
I admire Mr. Madsen, I am one his fans who has read his website for several years. While I’ve been subject to the same type of scrutiny in the tit area, I dont’ know whether I could control myself if some chick TSA screener went for my crotch!
While travel for my work is less than it used to be (thank the goddess!), I once had a plastic container of fresh strawberries in my carry on bag that the TSA screener actually opened and picked through. I was tempted to say “why don’t you try one? (you bitch).” But of course, I didn’t. It was the same situation. Everything I carried with me was taken behind a screen and poured over like I was “an enemy.”
I’ve since learned to NOT wear an underwire bra when going through airport screening. I wouldn’t even consider taking my personal PC anywhere on travel. NOPE. Pencil and paper will suffice.
My only sorry re this article is that Mr. Madsen did not reveal that he is most likely now a target of the TSA through Chertoff, Cheney and the rest of his gang due to his statements about the D.C. Madam “suicide.
“http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/may2008/050508_conspiracy_connection.htm
I’m also right now very uh, confused. I sent Kevin and about ten other people these two articles together in a post, and its “snot” in my sent mail! Jeepers!
Ha. Is Google screening my email just like TSA is “screening” our tits and balls?
Sheez. I wondered why NO ONE WROTE BACK!
Please understand, I do not advocate breaking the law. Refusal to talk with Feds or local and state police is NOT a violation of law. Giving them false information is. I do agree that all interactions should be polite and non-threatening. When these 300,000 or so US troops who have served in Iraq eventually come home, many of them are going to get jobs as cops or private security. With the PTSD and lingering “shoot it if it moves” mentality, we are ALL going to have to be very careful about sudden moves, loud noises, or anything that might antagonize them. Welcome to the world of BushReich! You can limit your expression of distaste to voting for Ralph Nader or Ron Paul but on Wednesday morning after the 2008 election and you are left with “same old, same old,” you are going to be even more frustrated than you are today.
I have interacted with the paramilitary, in this country and others. Like all bullies, they are cowards. The simply best, most effective solution is an empowered citizenry. No army fears an unarmed populace and I seem to remember this bit in the constitution about enemies, foreign and domestic. Do your part. Become proficient. Teach others. Time to prepare for what is coming is almost gone … we are one major melt-down on wall street, one alt-a 2nd mortgage implosion, one false flag event away from some serious stuff.
cybele