On The Media is produced by:
Frustrated with the liquid ban while flying? Too bad. Wondering why the Transportation Security Administration can strip search you? Good luck with that. That is, until now. The TSA has started a blog and security expert and TSA critic Bruce Schneier thinks it may usher in a new era of understanding between the government and the jet set.
This week I rented the DVD “10 Questions for the Dalai Lama,” by Rick Ray in 2006. In it he demonstrates that Google capitulated to the Chinese government’s demand to allow only negative [and false] reports to appear when searching the term “Dalai Lama” on the Chinese Web.
Sunday, February 17, 2008, I was looking online at a diet plan, and began cross-referencing terms in it. It is the “Fat Loss 4 Idiots” plan, costing $39 for downloading, and advocating food be varied enough to misdirect the body’s metabolism and allow weight loss.
In searching with Google the term “fat burning foods” used in the ad, I came across a link: http://www.reviewfatloss.com. When I clicked it, a big red asterisk appeared by it, and NO TEXT – just a blank screen.
I know times are tightening economically, and Google’s feeling the pressure, but, really, this is a shocking development for American Internet users. I don’t know if you’ve addressed this matter, but feel it is of wide interest to your listeners.
Thank you for your work.
Blog, schmog. The TSA is out of control; self-perpetuating and accountable to nobody. This is what happens, maybe, when you give a lot of power to a bureaucracy with no real purpose.
Bruce Schneier is maybe the smartest security guru out there, but he took it easier on Hawley than he should have.
Here are some of my own published pieces about TSA, some of which Bruce was kind enough to lend quotes to:
The continuing failure of airport security
http://www.salon.com/tech/col/smith/2007/10/12/askthepilot249/
Mashed potatoes, tomato sauce, and national security:
http://www.salon.com/tech/col/smith/2006/11/22/askthepilot210/
How Ziploc bags help keep America safe:
http://www.salon.com/tech/col/smith/2006/10/27/askthepilot206/
The London liquid bombers: imminent threat or a trumped-up ruse?
http://www.salon.com/tech/col/smith/2006/09/15/askthepilot201/
As the new security rules become permanent, where’s the outrage?
http://www.salon.com/tech/col/smith/2006/09/08/askthepilot200/
Security special: the London terror plot
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2006/08/10/bomb/
Airports and photography
http://www.salon.com/tech/col/smith/2006/02/10/askthepilot173/
Airport security's dirty little secret
http://www.salon.com/tech/col/smith/2005/06/10/askthepilot140/index.html
Maybe someone ought to tell the bozos at SFO that you don't have to take out EVERY electronic item in your bags. At the end of January they were making people take out all things that can use electricity: the power cord to your phone, the ethernet cable for your laptop, your digital camera, your ipod, your spare batteries, your cellphone, blackberry, laptop, electric toothbrush. Oh and take off your sweater, your shoes, and don't complain.
I asked someone else in line what was next taking off all our clothes and the TSA bozo tried to intimidate to stop complaining. I had to remind the bozo that for now, we still have a 1st amendment and it protects me from bozos like him when I want to say they're a bunch of bozos.
Please keep your comments relevant to this entry. Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. All comments on On the Media are moderated. On the Media reserves the right to edit any comments posted on this site. Please read the onthemedia.org Comment Guidelines before posting.
Back to Episode
