Shame and Embarrassment In The Name Of Border Security
I hoped to see the outcry against the growing erosion to America’s fundamental rights of life liberty and property intensify. It did not. Submission and acceptance in the name of security is now our norm.
First, I am not comparing the Holocaust to TSA’s appalling actions or the belligerence of some Border Patrol agents along our northwest border. Recently, however, while watching a movie showing Jews and others being herded to their death, heads down, oppressed, and without objection, I wondered how they reached their point of surrender.
I thought of TSA’s body scans, hand pat-downs, looking into undergarments, the defeated acceptance on passenger faces. The fearful face of a little six-year-old girl, in ‘T-shirt and pants patted and rubbed by a TSA agent.
Has looking inside a little girl’s pants made America safer? Instead of shame and embarrassment:“Hey, if you don’t like it don’t fly.” “Hey, if you don’t like it don’t cross the border.” Words of American sycophants who condone government dehumanization.
I feel shame and embarrassment not only for America’s citizens forced to submitt to such humiliation, also for TSA agents participating. Shame for those elected officials, fearful of being blamed for any future attack, who avoid criticism of Home Land Security. Shame for the majority of Americans—when polled—willingly accepting government intrusion and negation of personal freedoms. Majority my make might, but not right.
I live six blocks off the U.S. Canadian border. A growing number on both sides are fearful to use their name when complaining about a border guard’s demeaning attitude. Some citizens, not wanting family nor themselves subjected to the belittling by a few guards with personality problems, no longer cross the border.
Home Land Security is needed, but at what expense? A terrorist attack might result in horrific loss of lives and financial well being, but not the end of our Republic. An ongoing failure to respect and uphold the individual’s right to live liberty and property and the increasing eroding of our national moral characteristics will.
Due to all the gun toting uniforms in my area one feels secure. And I want our children and grandchildren to look up to those in uniform as their helper and a good neighbor. There is a nagging concern, however, those same guns turning to enforce the growing power of the state.
Gitta Sereny's book, Into That Darkness, From Mercy Killing to Mass Murder, uncovers the step by step dehumanization of good family man Franz Stangl. Sereny traces Stangl's rise from minor police functionary in the early Nazi regime to Kommandant and building Treblinka into the largest extermination camp in Poland.
Can it happen here? Maybe not extermination camps. The dehumanization of our citizens is happening, slowly, step by step.
“Thou shalt not be a victim. Thou shalt not be a perpetrator. Above all, thou shalt not be a bystander.” ___ Holocaust Museum, Washington DC
It is not too late. Be Informed Be Involved ______ Michael E. Odell
Write your Senators and Representative in Washington, D.C. Tell them: No to government sanctioned envy, greed, and sexual immorality. No to political correctness. Yes to supporting self discipline and personal responsibility.
You may follow this format:
Senator Donna Arrogant
Senate Office Building,
Washington, D.C., 20510
Senator Arrogant,
Rep. Bill Spender
House Office Building,
Washington, D.C., 20515
Congressman Spender,
COMMENTS: Your thoughts and comments are welcome. E-mail:odellmike@comcast.net
I hoped to see the outcry against the growing erosion to America’s fundamental rights of life liberty and property intensify. It did not. Submission and acceptance in the name of security is now our norm.
First, I am not comparing the Holocaust to TSA’s appalling actions or the belligerence of some Border Patrol agents along our northwest border. Recently, however, while watching a movie showing Jews and others being herded to their death, heads down, oppressed, and without objection, I wondered how they reached their point of surrender.
I thought of TSA’s body scans, hand pat-downs, looking into undergarments, the defeated acceptance on passenger faces. The fearful face of a little six-year-old girl, in ‘T-shirt and pants patted and rubbed by a TSA agent.
Has looking inside a little girl’s pants made America safer? Instead of shame and embarrassment:“Hey, if you don’t like it don’t fly.” “Hey, if you don’t like it don’t cross the border.” Words of American sycophants who condone government dehumanization.
I feel shame and embarrassment not only for America’s citizens forced to submitt to such humiliation, also for TSA agents participating. Shame for those elected officials, fearful of being blamed for any future attack, who avoid criticism of Home Land Security. Shame for the majority of Americans—when polled—willingly accepting government intrusion and negation of personal freedoms. Majority my make might, but not right.
I live six blocks off the U.S. Canadian border. A growing number on both sides are fearful to use their name when complaining about a border guard’s demeaning attitude. Some citizens, not wanting family nor themselves subjected to the belittling by a few guards with personality problems, no longer cross the border.
Home Land Security is needed, but at what expense? A terrorist attack might result in horrific loss of lives and financial well being, but not the end of our Republic. An ongoing failure to respect and uphold the individual’s right to live liberty and property and the increasing eroding of our national moral characteristics will.
Due to all the gun toting uniforms in my area one feels secure. And I want our children and grandchildren to look up to those in uniform as their helper and a good neighbor. There is a nagging concern, however, those same guns turning to enforce the growing power of the state.
Gitta Sereny's book, Into That Darkness, From Mercy Killing to Mass Murder, uncovers the step by step dehumanization of good family man Franz Stangl. Sereny traces Stangl's rise from minor police functionary in the early Nazi regime to Kommandant and building Treblinka into the largest extermination camp in Poland.
Can it happen here? Maybe not extermination camps. The dehumanization of our citizens is happening, slowly, step by step.
“Thou shalt not be a victim. Thou shalt not be a perpetrator. Above all, thou shalt not be a bystander.” ___ Holocaust Museum, Washington DC
It is not too late. Be Informed Be Involved ______ Michael E. Odell
Write your Senators and Representative in Washington, D.C. Tell them: No to government sanctioned envy, greed, and sexual immorality. No to political correctness. Yes to supporting self discipline and personal responsibility.
You may follow this format:
Senator Donna Arrogant
Senate Office Building,
Washington, D.C., 20510
Senator Arrogant,
Rep. Bill Spender
House Office Building,
Washington, D.C., 20515
Congressman Spender,
COMMENTS: Your thoughts and comments are welcome. E-mail:odellmike@comcast.net
