Update: The War Against Terror
BoingBoing covers the new book review from, of all places, The American Spectator, a right-wing nutrag experiencing, it seems, a moment of clarity.
It just proves that many of the "Conservatives" out there are also sick of an administration and business culture that's getting rich on keeping people frightened all the time.
BoingBoing writer Mark Frauenfelder says:
I, for one, would be willing to roll back to airport security to pre-9/11 levels. I would abolish Homeland Security and get rid of the TSA, saving us billions of dollars a year. The real question is whether we'd prefer to continue spending billions on pointless security theatre or devote more of that kind of money toward education and science, which might actually make our country a better place to live, now and in the future.All I can say is "Amen, Mark".
Once the hysteria and the hype (and as a result, BushCo, because without fear he's nothing) are gone, perhaps America will come off this five-year bender of hypertension, violence, bigotry, cherished ignorance, and suspicion.
The hangover oughta be something to see.
One sticking point: The TSA and the Fatherland Insanity Department should be disbanded as soon as possible--tomorrow won't be soon enough. All they are is paranoia production machines.
However, I don't think getting rid of them will lead to greater investment in education and science on the part of George Bush the Lesser. No, not at all. It's a point of pride with him that he managed to be appointed president knowing absolutely nothing.
posted by Metro @ 9:31 am
4 Comments:
I quite like The American Conservative, particularly Taki. As you say they do have some good articles from time to time but have to disagree with your position here; I think border security a very good thing but the way things are at the moment, all our government seems to be doing is 24hr tracking of innocent people and ignoring the criminals who can come and go as they please. There's no effective security.
Border security and international airline security were not what failed on September 11th 2001.
What failed was domestic airline security, an area that it was known in at least 2000 needed work. Which fact has in no way stopped the growth of the paranoia and fear industries so vital to the Republican support base and voter-and-profit margins.
The other thing that failed was intelligence, so we are told. It wasn't that George Bush ignored the Bin Laden threat, he was just never notified of it. Otherwise he would surely have acted
Root and branch, the TSA and Fatherland Insanity branches should be shredded to provide fertilizer to fields of more useful industry.
Likewise the current administration. But sooner.
Domestic airlines have security??
Seriously though folks, the most powerful body in the land (UK) used to be Customs and Excise; there was no where they couldn't go, nothing they couldn't do, and they did it, well. Blair changed all that. Now they're about as effective as a chocolate fireguard.
Or a date to Anna N.S. - actually I was surprised and quite shocked she snuffed it. Is this proof positive that hedonism and sin will kill you? Or the same truth in superstition that walking under a ladder is not good because the man gawping down your blouse will drop his bucket on your head.
Our customs officers used to be friendly types who wanted to know if you were bringing ciggies back. Now they want to carry guns and our current govt seems willing to let them.
Why? Half the time they do SFA anyway.
On the US side of the line, the Fatherland Insanity guards are flabby, mean little tubs of ego with enormous guns and badges, and neither balls nor brains. The customs types are quite decent by comparison.
On our side we either get Homeland Insanity redux ( a steely squint that means "If I had a gun I'd sure ask you some questions, I would!") or the type I've had on my last two trips, who prop their feet on the windowsill and wave you through without even looking at your paperwork.
Loada shite and a waste of money. But of course it isn't us they're trying to impress--it's the neighbours.
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