Teens and TSA

Mage of the Week: Graeme Taylor. You may have heard of this brave 14-year-old who gave a heartfelt and eloquent defense of a teacher who was suspended after ejecting two students from his class, ostensibly for expressing anti-gay sentiment. You can quibble as to whether McDowell, the teacher, violated free speech in so doing, but since when has school ever been a place where the law was enforced to the letter? All sorts of extra rules apply in public schools and I say, hey— why are we punishing an authority figure for nonviolently discouraging discrimination? Graeme's speech has really hit home with a lot of people, becoming a viral video. What a courageous act to admit to your own suicide attempt in order to spread awareness at such a young age and in such an intimidating environment. You go, Graeme— bring some magic back into the world.


Accountant of the Week: TSA Airport Security. Full-body scans that show your private parts? I don't know about you, but I feel uncomfortable just knowing I have private parts! I certainly don't need Joe Schmoe seeing my full body scan. And if you opt out, you get a thorough pat-down. Look up videos. Way too intimate for public spaces. Experts are saying this adds unnecessary humiliation, hassle, and fear to the travel atmosphere with hardly any extra security. I can't really picture this girl:

Image courtesy of worldmate.com

stopping a terrorist plot to take over a plane and destroy important buildings, or whatever terrorists normally try to do. Come on TSA and whoever is ultimately responsible for this added "security"— stop letting the terrorists win; if we fear travel, then they really are spreading terror! This is accountant behavior if I have ever seen it. Accountants will say, "If you don't create a 401K plan account monies, then you will be unable to afford food a year after you retire and will subsequently starve to death". Fear-mongers, begone!!