After reading the about the actions of the federal government against Dave Ridley, and hearing an idea from Mark Edge about the TSA, I decided to combine the two into an act of civil disobedience. I created a 1 page document with a petition for redress of grievances on the front, and a story about the TSA failing 90% of internal tests on the other side.
A friend of mine who is an artist got a hold of it, and turned it into a tri-fold brochure. The rough draft is attached. It's going to have the TSA story on the inside, with the world's smallest political quiz on the inside Right section. On the other side is the cover and the petition. I could use some help. I need to condense my thoughts and reduce the text of the petition. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. The petition contains some of the most effective arguments I have discovered while talking to the TSA as I went through selectee screening. The other thing I need is a title, right now the best I have is "What You Should Know About the TSA"
Thanks to a bogus implausible liquid bomb plot, I have to check my bags every flight (+50 times/year) this adds about 30 minutes to my time at the airport each flight. I plan to give a speech at baggage claim, and offer the brochures to anyone that requests one. I've done similar activities at the voting booth after an election official told me to stop telling people in line about paper ballots because they were going to run out, and she thought I was going to start a riot! :) I'm also planning to give this to TSA agents. Believe it or not, some of them are very receptive to the questions I ask them. They are after all people, no different than you or I.
Anyway, I'm looking for ideas suggestions, whatever you have! Here's the raw text:
Petition for a Redress of Grievances
Given that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) exercises a government mandated monopoly on security screening at government owned airports in North America, and has grown government beyond constitutional boundaries in creating the aforementioned TSA, I hereby petition the government for redress of grievances.
Given that government mandated monopolies like the TSA are completely disconnected from market signals, they suffer from the following problems:
Higher cost of service
No profit motive
Lack of consequences from displeased customers
Lack of consequences from providing poor service
Providing a service people want to voluntarily pay for is not a concern
Failure typically results in additional Funding or resources compounding the problems enumerated above
A lack of competition, which usually exerts pressure to innovate, perform efficiently, and lower prices
Given that showing ID alone is a search, and refusing to show ID requires travelers to undergo additional screening, searches, and pat downs in order to assemble peacefully as defined by the first amendment, the TSA's actions are unconstitutional, given that the TSA fails to obtain an oath or affirmation as defined by the fourth amendment listed here:
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
TSA agents may, at will, fine any traveler forced to utilize their service. The unlucky traveler's only recourse is to call and negotiate a lower fine with the TSA. The 6th amendment in the Bill of Rights reads as follows:
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
In direct violation of the 6th amendment, travelers receiving a fine are allowed none of the provisions outlined above, thus making the TSA's actions unconstitutional.
Given the TSA's performance on internal tests, repeated inability to provide anything other than the allusion of security, the TSA's unconstitutional nature, and the recent 17% drop in international travel, I hereby petition the government to eliminate the TSA, and restore airport security to the private sector which suffers from none of the aforementioned constitutional violations outlined in this petition.
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Cool :)
You should have seen their excuses for failing the Red Team tests at Albany (http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2007/07/19/tsa-seizes-water-lets-bombs-through/) last month.
Your graphic designer friend did a totally kickass job -- please, tell me both of you will be in New Hampshire soon!
By the way, have you seen the Bill of Rights 'Security Edition' (http://www.securityedition.com/)?
Looks right up your alley.
I'll be there next year. She might come, but it's way to early to tell. If she does, the FSP is going to have some kick ass signs! She does everything from body painting, to children's books, to portraits, to illustrations for medical journals. She's very talented.
Comments on the content of the text anyone?
sam if practical i'm hoping you'll do this in New Hampshire
Also put them in the airline magazines on the planes.
You may find FSP bookmarks there. >:D
Dave, when I get up there, we are going to plan some great CD for Manchester. :) I'll probably be flying out a lot for a while.
Inspiration has struck! I'll have them cut in the middle, and use it as my ticket sleeve! Then I'll hand it to the TSA agent with my boarding pass tucked away in the petition!! It's perfect! :) Half the time they keep my ticket through the entire screening process.
As a TSA agent, would you read a ticket sleeve titled: "What You Should Know About the TSA" ? I think I would be intrigued. HEHE
Quote from: SamIam on July 25, 2007, 11:21 PM NHFT
As a TSA agent, would you read a ticket sleeve titled: "What You Should Know About the TSA" ? I think I would be intrigued.
+1 brilliant!
This guy might be fun to discuss this topic with:
http://wiki.freetalklive.com/TSA_Jorge
TSA Jorge is a FSP member and is planning to move to Manchester.
Great petition if I was ever going to fly again I would take a few copies to hand out in line while waiting for the screening.
+1 karma 4 u
I love that guy. The best call was when he told everyone one way to safely smuggle cannabis through security. :) That was a funny call. Still looking for thoughts on the petition wording and content. Anyone?
Eh, the easiest way to get cannabis through security is to disguise it as a bomb.
Ok I read through the whole trifold.... in general I like it...
It says that TSA is in North America... we aren't running the Mexicon airports yet are we? (NAU?)
the bullet points could be 'tightened up'
On the right side it mentions 'peaceful assembly' but is that what people are doing?
Quote from: Dreepa on July 27, 2007, 07:57 PM NHFTOn the right side it mentions 'peaceful assembly' but is that what people are doing?
If you say yes, apparently you've never been through DFW. >.< But, seriously! I really like it! Next time I fly I'll take some with me. Which maybe a while, so I'll wait for the final version.
Quote from: error on July 27, 2007, 12:28 AM NHFT
Eh, the easiest way to get cannabis through security is to disguise it as a bomb.
Just so long as it is not an enlargement device. >:D ;D
brownies, and cookies, the easiest way...
would you like a cookie Mr TSA dude???
I like it!
I wish I could write that well.
Quote from: SamIam on July 25, 2007, 05:04 PM NHFTthe allusion of security,
allusion =/= illusion :)
Quote from: Dreepa on July 27, 2007, 07:57 PM NHFT
Ok I read through the whole trifold.... in general I like it...
It says that TSA is in North America... we aren't running the Mexicon airports yet are we? (NAU?)
the bullet points could be 'tightened up'
On the right side it mentions 'peaceful assembly' but is that what people are doing?
I said North America as opposed to the United States, which acknowledges and lends legitimacy to tyrants. I'm not thrilled with North America, but anyone have another suggestion considering my original concern?
We should have an updated version out soon for everyone.
I tightened up the bullets, good points, thanks for taking the time to read it. I changed the wording on peaceful assembly as well.
If anyone has graphics ideas for the cover, let me know. The artist was asking me what i wanted.
It's Complete . . .
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My friend did an incredible job, they look spectacular! (thank you!) I'm using them tomorrow, and we might video me going through security with it. :) We wanted to do a few more things, but I wanted to use them so we finished it and I printed 100. I'm amazed at how they came out. I can't wait to place it into the hands of a TSA agent tomorrow! :)
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Very 8)
wow they look unreal!
Great!
Awesome Sam! Very professional looking.
Just heard the story from last night's FTL.
Kickass job, Sam!
Yeah, Sam stood up to the TSA and DHS time after time, then was betrayed by the American Airlines clerk.
Brilliant. :D
Don't ever fly American again. And tell them why.
Inspired by SamIAm, I attempted to fly without showing any state-issued ID today. Ugh... :(
Let's just say it was rather depressing. This combined with Lauren getting arrested left me with a sick feeling in my stomach the whole flight about the direction of our country.
I was very calm and simply said I didn't have any state-issued ID to show. I was already checked in online so I showed that printout and offered my credit card that I used to buy the ticket. She said I couldn't fly without it so I finally asked if she was going to refund my ticket since she wasn't going to allow me to fly and she said it was non-refundable. When I said I was willing to fly as a designated selectee, she said I needed to talk to another clerk who came over and said the same things. They said safety was not the issue without ever saying what the issue was other than "it's Delta policy". I had become determined to get my money back for the ticket if they didn't let me fly. Finally a supervisor came over while I was on the phone with VISA and the VISA person said she'd wait on the line while I talked to Delta. I stated several times that it was against Federal Law to require state-issued ID for travel within the United States. It finally seemed like they might take my student ID which is actually several years old and has no date on it anyway. Another clerk was there and they discussed it with each other. So I told the VISA person that it was being resolved and let her hang up. Then the lady called someone to find out if USC was a state school! It's not and I knew that but she didn't ask me and I didn't say anything. Someone on the phone confirmed it was not a state school and we were back to square one.
Ultimately I caved. I'm embarrassed. :-[ I pretended to search through my bag and finally pulled my NH DL out. She seemed really annoyed that I had a DL. After I checked my bag, she told me to keep my DL out for security and I looked her in the eye as I was putting it away and said "I know Federal Law". I actually expected security to ultimately allow me through without showing it again.
There was another scene at security as the lady FUCKING FOLLOWED me there and told the guy "He's got the ID in his pocket!" At least I made it clear that this was a matter of principle to me and when she was asking what the point was, I explained that the point was my right to travel within the US without permission from the state was being violated. She argued that state permission wasn't required and I said "Requiring a state ID IS requiring permission from the state!" I was livid at this point and making a scene.
At one point at the counter, I actually tried to call Sam to see if he had any legal advice, like whether I was correct about the law, and realized I didn't have his number. I ended up calling Neal Conner thinking he may know or might have Sam's number if not. BTW, it's his birthday. Haha. What a coinky-dinky. So I wished him a happy birthday. He now has permission from the man to put alcoholic substances into his body so buy him a drink next time you see him. 8)
Neal pointed out that Federal Law is going to change in a year TO REQUIRE STATE-ISSUED ID TO FLY!!! :o This B.S. is out of control! We need to stage a massive protest before that happens and film it for YouTube.
My motto: pick your battles.
Pick battles that you have a decent shot at winning, and that will result in a tangible difference in the way you and others live your lives.
Flying without ID is an entertainment option and a public education strategy.
Great when it works; in my opinion, not worth making sacrifices for.
Feds. Fuckin', fuckin' feds.
QuoteFeds. Fuckin', fuckin' feds.
That about sums it up.
Quote from: dalebert on October 03, 2007, 04:46 PM NHFT
Inspired by SamIAm, I attempted to fly without showing any state-issued ID today. Ugh... :(
Nice job trying this. Thinking about this, trying to do this at Logan Airport was probably the worst choice of airports, since this is where the September 11 bombers flew from. Logan got reamed in the news after 09-11 for lax security procedures; if there's any airport that's going to be massively anal about this stuff, it's them.
By the way, did you try to buy the bus ticket to Boston without showing ID?
Quote from: J'raxis 270145 on October 04, 2007, 09:12 AM NHFT
By the way, did you try to buy the bus ticket to Boston without showing ID?
I showed my very old USC student ID and she didn't say anything. Remember that USC is a private school and the Delta agent even called someone to find out. If the ID had come from a state school, it would have been trustworthy. ::)
Wow, Dale! Good job for trying!
Dale,
Great job, Delta is a tough airline to fly without ID. They have a private business rule in which, Delta requires Government ID in order to fly. It's their business, and their rules. It made sense to me when I was in Atlanta (Delta HQ), and the troops coming back from Iraq were lined up, and marched into the courtyard to applause they started. Delta is so in bed with the government, it's sickening. I have managed to fly on Delta without ID one time (from Atlanta, btw), and it was only on the way back (thanks in part to my experience, acting skills, and charm :) )
I flew on AirTran once, and the old lady at the ticket counter, shocked by my actions, followed me over to security. She shouted from the ropes, "SEARCH HIM! SEARCH HIM! HE DOESN'T HAVE ID!!!" I interpreted it differently than you choose to Dale. My intention is always to learn and educate others. Had I yelled something like, "EVERYONE! YOU DON"T HAVE TO SHOW ID!!!" They would have arrested me for something. However, my simple questions challenged this lady's beliefs in such a way, that she was willing to educate all the people standing in line for me!
Think about this, the best advocates for ending the drug war are LEAP members. A ticketing agent getting angry like that probably means you are challenging her beliefs (or being an ass, it's a fine line). It took some practice to let go of the anger, but now I really have fun with it. Hold the intention of learning, teaching, and having fun!
I have the audio from the first time I used the TSA petition, and I turned it into a podcast. I need to do the final editing, so you guys can hear how it went. It's pretty interesting.
SamIam
Thanx for the moral support everyone, especially Sam. You're my inspiration.
For what it's worth, I didn't ever really raise my voice much, but I did speak very strongly to the lady about my rights being violated.