So I am off to the airport for another volunteer midnight to 6am shift (that's 0600 where I am going) with an organization that supports our troops. I have almost recovered from the last one...not the time, but a moment of absurdity. While a young marine and I waited for either airport police or someone with an escort badge to get him through security, we were allowed to watch an episode of the theater of the absurd. A woman (?) wearing a burka, showing only her eyes appeared at the security checkpoint, flashed a drivers license and was let in.
I guess the TSA recognized her eyes? Her distinctive black burka? My husband the Constitutional law practicing landscaper, often quotes the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution to government auditors, licensing bureau, innocent bystanders. Here I was wanting to do the same. I have been patted down for wearing a full skirt...how does this lady (?)...I mean really how would you know? get through security without a second, or for that matter, a first look?
My marine was very good natured about having to empty his pockets, have his ID checked multiple times, but he did make the best quote ever. When asked by me how in the world could they recognize her as the lady on the license. He smilingly said, "you want to throw a flag on that play?"
Yes I did. And for my husband I say,"I want equal protection against being searched or for that matter recognized."
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ReplyDeleteThank you for the lesson, though it is truly irrelevant to the posting unless one of the two options is transparent. You may note that I did not mention the nationality of the woman (?). She was neither Arab nor Afghan. The picture was added only to illustrate the absurdity of trying to verify identity without being able to see the entire face.
ReplyDeleteIn order to access the privileges of our society, every citizen and guest should have to submit to the same standards as all other citizens in our society. In this case, the privilege one wished to access is commercial air travel, yet she (?) was not willing to submit to the same scrutiny. Flying commercially is a privilege not a right, and in this case it should have been denied for our safety.
Id be curious what TSA would say if you asked them about why they did what they did.
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