Day: February 7, 2008
The TSA Is Blogging — Ineptly, Of Course
The Transportation Security Administration has come under a lot of criticism since it was formed following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. And now it’s in for some more. The TSA has started a weblog, and in today’s post, promptly misspelled “blogoshpere” in the headline. Much as I detest that term, seeing it misspelled in a head on a blog does not bode well for the site’s content or the competence of its posters.
The blog is called “Evolution of Security,” and has a catchy tagline: “Terrorists Evolve. Threats Evolve. Security Must Stay Ahead. You Play A Part.” Short. Choppy. Sentences. Sounds like “Dragnet” dialog.
The hot topics are entertaining, too:
- Shoes: Comments about the possibility of picking up a foot fungus at the checkpoint.
- Liquids: “TSA took my hair product away!”
- Inconsistencies: In Columbus the clear makeup bag was acceptable, but in Portsmouth it was confiscated because it wasn’t a “baggie.”
- Lighters, Nail Clippers and Lithium Batteries: “What is a tool using human supposed to do?”
- Gripes & Grins: “I’m a 63 yr old woman, and I do NOT appreciate the TSA woman in West Palm Beach who felt it necessary to reach down inside the front of my slacks. How embarrassing!”
It’s easy — maybe too easy — to make fun of the TSA for its bumbling attempt to create a blog. But the impetus behind it — giving airline passengers a chance to sound off and make suggestions — should be lauded, I suppose. Of course, the comments are moderated, but it appears the TSA is being pretty fair in allowing constructive negative criticisms.
It is interesting to note that a majority of commenters, knowing that they are posting to a gubmint site, choose to post as “anonymous,” thinking their identity is protected. Nice try. And good luck at the airport!
Two Videos: Obama Pledges Allegiance, Hand over Heart – Which Rightwing Says He Refuses To Do
The latest GOP disinformation campaign against Sen. Barack Obama is that he refuses to put his hand over his heart as he says the Pledge of Allegiance.
Above are two videos, one from June 21, 2007, and another from Feb. 1, 2007, in which he says the pledge with hand over heart.
Below is the rightwing disinformation video. It shows Obama in Iowa in September 2007, standing at attention while the National Anthem is being sung. He stands at attention (which was what I was taught to do growing up in the South) but does not place his hand over his heart, even though the other candidates on the stage do:
