Dumbing Down the Nation’s Airways

June 30, 2002

by Christopher G. Adamo

In only the past few weeks, it was reported that Al Gore had been detained at an airport security gate and then subjected to a thorough search requiring, among other things, that he remove his shoes. Now it must be conceded that the former vice president is capable of uttering extreme absurdities in great profusion. Furthermore, were he to engage in his left-of-Berkeley diatribe at forty thousand feet, the nauseating rhetoric could well result in a widespread outbreak of airsickness among any unfortunate passengers and crew who might be within earshot. Nevertheless, this simply does not constitute the manner of terrorist threat which the massive (and expensive) "airport security" measures were ostensibly designed to prevent in the wake of 9-11.

For his own part, Mr. Gore claimed to be happy about the comprehensiveness of his search. It is anybody’s guess as to why he considered the ridiculous action to be a good thing. Possibly he might simply have sought to respond graciously to the sort of invasive probing that so many average citizens have had to endure. Considering his political background, it is far more likely that he saw the situation as an opportunity to promote the abject stupidity of "political correctness," display his “sensitivity,” prove that he “feels our pain,” or some other such nonsense.

Regardless of anybody’s intentions, the net result of the incident was that an individual of almost universal name and face recognition was examined to a wholly unnecessary degree by people whose stated purpose is to prevent malicious hijackers from destroying aircraft and murdering hundreds (or maybe thousands...) of innocent Americans. Neither the search of the former vice president, nor his subsequent reaction to it, contributed in any way towards that goal.

Worse yet, high level individuals responsible for safe air travel have indicated their absolute unwillingness to do that which is necessary to abate the terrorist threat. Commending themselves for their multicultural “sensitivity” virtually everyone in authority in the FAA, along with the majority of airport management throughout the country, refuse to participate in what they disparage as “profiling,” which is really only the logical use of evidence and knowledge of any previous patterns of terrorist actions. This despite the fact that noteworthy patterns, easily recognizable even among law enforcement novices, clearly exist.

It was established in the days immediately following last September’s horrific events, that any sort of "finger pointing" constituted an unforgivable "wrong." Not surprisingly, those who were most emphatic in this assertion were also among the most likely to have been culpable for the nation’s vulnerability. Still, the notion exists to this day. Therefore, it is necessary at the present time, prior to another occurrence, to emphatically warn of those things related to airport security which have not been fixed, and which therefore constitute a lingering danger to all Americans.

Aside from the unilateral rejection of passivity towards terrorists by passengers, little else of any real significance has changed within official circles that might thwart another attack. If it happens again, those decision makers at the FAA, the airports, and in the upper echelons of the airline industry will bear responsibility.

The American people are not ignorant of these events, but are engaging in what amounts to a quiet and subtle "boycott" of the airline industry. Though typically reluctant to deny themselves any commodity or convenience, even in service to some social cause, the government, the airports, and the airline industry are doing their level best to make air-travel such a repugnant experience that despite their great urging, Americans are finding it increasingly attractive to seek alternative modes of transportation.

It is true that the major air carriers were in financial trouble prior to last September. However, since that time, the situation has worsened considerably. But while some prospective passengers are staying on the ground because they are fearful of attacks from Middle Eastern fanatics, many others are feeling heightened apprehensions about the much greater possibility of a traumatic encounter with "airport security" professionals. As time goes on and horror stories at the check-in gate continue to multiply, American disdain for air-travel will only increase, and no amount of pleading by the government can change things. Another hijacking incident would not only solidify the presumption that the airways are unsafe, it would also serve to validate widespread suspicions that recently implemented measures are inadequate, if not totally irrelevant.

If the airlines want their business to rebound, and if the government has any true desire for airline related sectors of the economy to flourish, they had better pack all of the "political correctness" out to the trash heap of failed ideologies, and focus once again on that which is truly important to the well-being of the American people.

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Christopher G. Adamo is a freelance writer who lives in southeastern Wyoming with his wife and sons. He has been involved in grassroots political activity for many years. Chris was the editor of the Wyoming Christian from 1994 to 1996, and his columns can also been seen at CheyenneNetwork.com.

Send the author an E mail at Adamo@ConservativeTruth.org.

For more of Christopher's articles, visit his archives.