Friday, February 18, 2011

TSA, unions, and security theater.

I heard today that republicans want to block TSOs from unionizing because it would be a threat to national security. That's so many shades of stupid that it gave me an instant headache. We can just go ahead and dismiss that one. First of all, the TSA doesn't keep us safe. It's a farce. Secondly, national security has nothing to do with why the Republicans don't want a TSO union. Why lie so blatantly, especially with such an absurd comment?

Now, I'll admit that I'm not really familiar with the politics of unions, never having been in one or worked with one. That said, I'm going to have to go ahead and say I'm against the TSA unionizing. That's not because I'm against unions; like I said, I don't know enough to come to such a broad conclusion. No, I'm loath to the idea because the TSA is a farce, and, as far as I understand, it would be more likely to stick around if it was legitimized by organized labor. Union fighting for the rights of workers that do more harm than good doesn't strike me as ideal. I'd rather the TSA just go away altogether.

Sort of related, but not directly: I opt out of the x-ray scanners. Why unnecessarily expose myself to radiation (and to whomever is looking at me through the screen) that might be harmful if I don't have to? I'm not saying those machines will kill me, but I'd rather have some nervous TSO feel me up than roll the dice on something that has absolutely no benefit for me or anybody else.

Um, they're all suckers?

3 comments:

  1. I suppose the TSA has some use, although in my opinion they tend to overreact..

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  2. I don't like the idea of the X-ray scanners, theyre meant to be very dangerous to your skin due to the low energy nature of them.

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