TSA

I don't fly all that much (a couple times a year at most) but I think most of us would agree that the TSA folks have made the airport experience a bit annoying since 9/11.

Now, Bruce Schneier of the excellent "Schneier on Security" blog points out just how out of whack their priorities are with regard to their "Secure Flight" program. You should read his post about it, and the report he links to, but basically it's yet another big government database of all of our personal information that the TSA will use in some way or another (that they don't specify) to make us all "safe."

Combine that with the public's mostly-negative view of the airport experience, and we get to my point: if I were an up-and-coming Democrat House Member I'd make harping on the TSA's failures, lack of transparency, threat to our freedom, etc., my pet project as the 2006 elections approach. Just think of this as my free tip to any of those Democrats...

The Clusterfuck

I've been reading a lot about the huge, tragic, clusterfuck going on along the Gulf Coast over the last week. One thing that strikes me from reading both right- and left-wing blogs is just how brainwashed the right seems to be.

Let me explain. During Clinton's tenure, it was fairly common for liberal folks to bash Clinton. Sure we didn't think a blowjob was worth getting impeached over, but we did think it was a stupid thing for him to do, and thought it was even more stupid to lie about it. And we said that, loudly, and often. Oh, sure, there were the standard paid DLC apologists that spun the whole thing, but for the most part I remember actual liberal people saying things like "Yeah, that sure was stupid" and "I can't believe this adminstration is going to be remembered for this and nothing else" and such like that.

Now, during what is probably the most complete and utter failure of government in American history, the vast majority of the right is in full cheerleading mode. Nobody can even begin to think that Bush or his cronies has done the slightest thing wrong. "Clap louder" is the theme of the week.

If Clinton were in charge and the same fuckups had happened, I guarantee that 90% of the liberals in the country would be asking for his head. And the right would've already started the impeachment proceedings.

I guess that's the difference. Being "liberal" means you don't trust anybody in government explicitly, they must constantly prove themselves. Being "conservative" means that you think that conservative leaders can never do anything wrong, and they must personally shit in your shoe, at least twice, before you'll even consider that they might not have your best interests at heart.

Or something.

Oh, and why again did we come up with the "Department of Homeland Security"? I'm sure feeling secure about our ability to survive another attack or disaster right about now, how 'bout you?

Friday Subie Blogging, Noon on Saturday Edition

The race in Medford last weekend was a hoot:

I posted more video stills and both in-and-out-of-car video up at my site.