Hacker News Reader

Comment by startupsam77 | Hacker News Reader

This is a very serious issue. I agree it can become redundant by constantly showing up in HN feeds, but this just shows how hot the topic is and how upset people are. Even before the new radiation xray scanners and invasive procedures, the TSA was inept and acted ridiculous. They ha poorly trained (or not trained at all) individuals who barked at people. They made flying a horrible experience. I remember coming back from oversees and being yelled at on several occasions. I was actually embarrassed for the United States o America.

Anyone who spoke bad about the TSA was shot down as a terrorist. Ridiculous. Now, this is the first time that it is politically and socially ok to complain about the TSA, and people have come out with all their pent up frustration in full force.

Reality is this. Something needs to change. They are an angry and ineffective bunch.

View on HN

> This is a very serious issue.

The world is full of Very Serious Issues, to which there are massive amounts of bytes of writing dedicated on the internet. Once this one has blown over, it will be something else - tasers, a war, health care, the deficit, etc... etc... If you really think about it, a few inconvenienced/embarassed/violated people in the US are pretty small potatoes compared to a much larger lack of freedom in a much larger country (China), hunger in parts of the developing world, and things like that.

Once you cave in and accept this "crap" (star) , it starts to consume you.

(*) (I actually agree with some of it, but I just don't think this is the proper forum)

People can make all kinds of noise, but unless people put their money where their mouth is and begin to put real economic pressure on the airlines, who would in turn pressure Washington to do something about the TSA, I don't want to hear it.

On the internet, no one can hear you scream.

FWIW, I've converted away from flying in all reasonably possible cases (e.g. short hauls) and instead rely on trains whenever feasible.

The only time you'll ever catch me on a flight is I'm crossing this continent (or getting off of it).

One form of economic pressure would be each person's civil disobedience and recognition of their rights. In the history of the world, it's these small incremental changes, and abolition of rights, that lead to complete and total change for the worse. Nazi Germany didn't happen over night.

My question is this:

Where do you draw the line?

When they make you strip completely naked in a private room and it takes 4 hours to get everyone through security?

When you are not allowed to carry ANY items on?

The full body radiation scanners does a little radiation but radiation damage to the DNA is cumulative.

If more and more people refused, this would be pressure for change.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com