Ron Paul: "Enough is Enough!" Congressman condemns TSA scanners, patdowns.

I like Ron Paul a lot, actually, but I disagree with him on this. Throughout history-- the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, etc.-- Americans have made many more sacrifices than this. As a New Yorker, I believe in protecting this country and my city and therefore I support X-rays and pat-downs. Who knows if it will make any difference at all? But if there is a chance, I support it. Also, I don't think that the country wants us to forfeit our rights, without somewhat legitimate reasoning regarding security. You don't have to agree with me, but in my mind, if driving without a seatbelt gets is illegal and gets you a fine and is not considered a violation of rights, then neither should this. You're participating in a mode of transportation and are expected to follow the law so as to protect yourself and others. Though I will speak out against abuse against people at the airports, as I would against cops who abuse people, a pat-down is not abuse just like how a police force is not an abuse; it's protection. If a cop pulls you over and asks you to walk in a straight line to prove you're not drunk, is that abuse? Likewise, an airport security man who asks you to be scanned is not abusing you. Maybe I'm not as Puritan as other people, but touch my junk all you want; I really don't care. So long as you don't hurt me, why would I care?

While I think the TSA is a dictatorial organization and has no place being authorized by Government, The solution to this is simple...let's all agree to stop flying. If we all stopped for even ONE day, we would have our demands met. It really IS that simple.

(minor edits for poor grammar and better clarity)
I see a lot people talk about logic, and how it is -not logical- to --not do everything in our power to, for instance, stop terrorism, to protect the citizens, at any cost.
Including sacrificing others and their way of life.. sacrificing the citizens and their liberties.
Of how the sacrifice is small compared to the security the people gain.
Of how seemingly logical arguments are made for supporting just about anything anyone comes up with (scanners, shocking bracelets, implants, full hands on body searches, aggressive treatment of citizens young and old, intimidation to compel compliance with proposed instruments for your security, ...you name it).

I think its a pity that so many fail to understand how, when it comes to human social issues - including security of the 'community', logic is sacrificed when the community totally disassociates it from what we cherish in our humanity.

Seems to me there can be no logical 'security for what we cherish' when sacrificing what we cherish (to abolishment) in order to save it.

I would rather take the risk of being blown up than subject my children, our children and brothers and sisters, to an example (thru my willing compliance to absolute authority of government) that validates the idea that we should let fear and hate guide our thinking and treatment of ourselves and our situation, we should be submissive to and accepting of absolute authority of government (gives 'by the people a whole new twist)....

-something like-
...be fearful my children. Seek sanctuary at any cost, even if it means selling out your loved ones (liberties), allowing yourself to be abused by authority for your own safety, allowing your children to be groped for their own well-being otherwise, turning a blind eye to severe abuses of the few for the sake of so-called security of the majority. Implicitly trust absolute authority presumed over you by your government.

No thank you.

There does not exist, and never will, achievement of "absolute safety and security". As many things as can be thought up as threats can only lead to more restraints on the citizenry (as we have been witnessing for years), so by what sound logic would I choose that "myth" along with the sacrifice of all that I am, over integrity, sanctity, of my humanity?
At what logical point does a person benefit from foresaking their liberty and humanity?

While I cannot say I support Ron Paul, or the partisanism of the US republic in general, I felt his words here supported my sense and feelings about this issue, and I think those kinds of words and sentiments need to fall off the lips, and onto the ears, of the so-called leaders, as well as the people, more often, no matter where its coming from (pretty much).

This is Huge!

Take away immunity -- amazingly simple -- and strip such actors/contractors of their "color of law" facade.

Comparable to piercing "Corp veil".

More especially where Contractors (easily, we might add) present as "playing" the system.

i'm still not gonna vote for this freeper.

Ron for Pres! 2012

dead on as usual.

Yes please, protect us from being protected from the dangers of modern society.

I hate Ron Paul, but I agree with him on this.

Gee, he supports popular opinion on an issue that he knows he is powerless to actually change.

Politics as usual, folks.

fuck the tsa.... the war on terror is all a ploy to control the public.... they scare you into giving up your rights

i'll start giving a damn about things he says as soon as he deems it fit to address why he voted against the american public learning who donates to him. untill then anything he does is nothing but a political ploy to regain his "libertarian" cred.

TSA scanners etc. are really getting to the point of ridiculous. Somewhere along the line one senses there is a big money scam going on here.

Is there anything not completely awesome about Ron Paul?!?!?!!

Ron paul is one of the only politicians that stands up for the people and he has been demonized by the media for this.

Please show me (Ron paul haters) where he introduces a bill to abolish social programs or government regulations ( because that's why you hate him)
He HASN'T. He has spoke out against the social programs, warning of the dangers a growing welfare state has but he hasn't set out to abolish them.He also speaks about Corporations being able to regulate small-businesses out of their own market.

So how exactly do they want to stop terrorists? So if something happens it's Obama fault and if they scan people well it's Obomas fault............thus what ever happens it's either the governments or obamas fault.

I'm priey sure the corporations that owned the planes that were highjacked in 911 being accused or taking reposiblity for what happened............because corporations will never protect the right of the people over their profit margins.

Basically what I here in this argument by Ron Paul is to stop all government regulations and just blindly have faith in corporations because the will do the right thing..............when in fact the corporations have never done the right thing for the people but they have done everything they can to make more money.

.....it's like Ron will complain if things are done or it things are not done to prevent "terrorism".

Also screw Ron Paul because he believes in corporate anarchy. Blind faith in corporations leads to fascism.

You can take food through the TSA checkpoints, they just can't be liquid.

Good to know that there is at least ONE sane person in congress!

Nov 24 dont just opt out of TSA but flying as well, everyone should opt out of the whole messed up U.S. for at least one day.

I think we should pass the bill, so we can find out what's in it.

wooooo!!!!!

In Austin it was discoverd that 4 out of 10 TSA employee's had rap sheets and felony records. 2 of 10 were illegal immigrants. I refuse to fly anylonger. If I can't drive there I won't be going there unless it was a matter of life and death. I have had it with Airlines ripping customers new ass holes by charging for luggage and minor crap to feed their greedy coffers. TSA is a criminal enterprise and all States should opt out.

Sue the TSA!

We are American citizens, not terrorists! We will NOT be treated like slaves to the government and it's ridiculous, completely arbitrary, security policies.

My security in my liberties has been put in jeopardy, and who among our leaders will stand with Dr. Paul and say that "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!"?

We should not and will not stand for this degrading treatment by an unelected, authoritarian, governmental agency.

Well said, Ron!