Bullying and TSA

And hey, those two topics even go together! ;)

First, this is a great article (in my opinion) written about "Bullying and the Cruelty Crisis". I've been having trouble with the link, so if it fails, click on the "My Psychology Today blog" link on THIS page. I seriously agree with the author, though she said it nicer and better; some of many reasons I can't stand the "reality" shows out there include things like cheering on public degradation, backstabbing, cruelty, and honoring disgusting behavior--the very things folks can't believe kids do. How many of the people yelling the loudest about those nasty bullies, wanting folks to wear purple and DO something about those mean kids are the same folks that tune in to "Desperate Housewives of Orange County" or "Jersey Shore" or "Perez Hilton" (or or or or...) to cheer those..."ladies and gentlemen"... on; or sit around and snark about everybody they come in contact with? So what are we parents showing our kids what we find to be funny, entertaining, or even normal? Tearing up somebody verbally, pulling hair, cheating, lying, stealing, having temper tantrums, punching out a woman, nasty backtalking about your neighbor one minute and smiling through your pointy little teeth at them the next? Hypocrisy Check on Aisle One?

This article and its follow-up article has some language in it that may not be appropriate for everyone, so please keep that in mind before following it. It is about the aviation bullies, the TSA. As I said before, there are now machines that scan your body, and basically give an agent in another room a view of you naked. If you don't think so, I'll be happy to show you links to actual scans that have been done, and you can decide for yourself. It's more naked than I need anyone in line at an airport to see ME. They have now also changed their pat-down rules, so that they will actually be groping people in line if they choose not to go through the scanner. As in, hands into a woman's bra and squeezing, hands traveling up in between the legs until they meet "resistance", etc. While that is disturbing enough on its own, the TSA agents giggling and laughing at making people choose between digital or physical degradation just tops it off for me. Don't think it happens? Read the article, or let me know and I'll be happy to link you to several places that discuss TSA actions at major airports all across the country. I very well may have flown on my last airliner. "He who would trade liberty for some temporary security deserves neither liberty nor security", to quote a wise man.