This late afternoon I had the unexpected misfortune of viewing another of Fox’s "fair and balanced" hard news stories with commentary by Dianne Feinstein, that Senator from San Francisco and head of the Senate Intelligence Committee. She was commenting regarding a security breach with respect to al Qaeda operatives and another terrorism attack and threat to our country by this organization.
This time originating in the Arabian peninsula.
During her comments, she was asked if the threat of terrorism is still ever present in this country, and whether or not the TSA has made a difference in catching some of these criminals now using non-magnitized explosive devices.
She indicated that it seems that the TSA pat downs are catching more and somehow make the country safer, and reminded the American viewing audience of the British bomber (since the attack originated in Britain by a British citizen) who had an explosive non-magnetized device in his underwear.
The underwear bomber, as it were.
She represented that "most Americans see the need" for such measures by the TSA in the name of the "greater good" of the country, and that these pat downs are the only way to stop such activites by unfriendly enemies who somehow get into this country without being screened or stopped by our visa and immigration security requirements.
I guess she hasn’t been out of Washington much, or really hasn’t a clue or pretends not to.
Most Americans are not that thrilled with having to be subjected to pat downs by the TSA, along with all those body scanners and other measures that have, for the most part, enriched her state (California) beyond measure.
Which appears to me Ms. Feinstein just might have another agenda with her televised appearance.
I mean, just who stands to gain for all these continued "terrorism" threats and security measures which have progressively increased since 9-11? Which state, and which politicians?
While the travel and tourism industry, an industry in which I was involved until 9-11, has taken a beating in this country, with most Americans deciding to travel short distances for those summer vacations…or just stay home.
Seems to me the liberals are just as blinded to the Constitution, as those Republicans who continue to be on the war bandwagon.
And use just the same scare tactics to pump up their favored subjects, or personal and state coffers – regardless of how it affects the rest of the country or their civil rights.
How about securing America’s borders, Ms. Feinstein, and putting in place stiffer visa requirements for international "guests" to this country – which just might protect it even more?
Trading American’s freedom for the illusion of national security, yet leaving in place the immigration, refugee and visa provisions and even expanding and making them less stringent since 9-11 seems to be the real problem here.
At present, there are only 48 hour security checks for citizens applying for visas over the internet from over 40 countries due to those "free pass" visa waivers the Bush Administration instituted prior to his leaving his term of office.
How about speaking with Ms. Napolitano, maybe, about that rather than reassuring Americans that those pat downs are "for their own good?"