A Public Service Announcement

Here is an editorial I wrote for my journalism class. Lemme know what y'all think!

  

         Apparently we still haven't learned our lesson. After a whole decade of being warned of 'suspicious packages' and unattended baggage, we've still got a ways to go.

    You all know what they are. Those damn public service announcements that sound off every ten minutes at every airport in the world. Whether you appreciate them, or find them entirely annoying, you still have to think about it. Why?

    How many suspicious packages have been reported to the TSA? How many bombs have security officials actually uncovered lying in some remote bathroom? Who knows the security statistics are, but tragically so, we've just kept piling it on in terms of 'security.'

    The TSA has ramped up another recent campaign of their at all security checkpoints at large airports around the globe. The newest measures for you less traveled folks involves the use of chemical detectors. You know, for bombs and stuff.

    The sparking of the introduction of the chemical detectors comes after the failed bombing aboard a jet coming in for landing at the Detroit airport. Now we are all required upon the passing through of security to go through these nuclear devices. Oh dear, did that say nuclear?

    These 'detectors' blast a persons body with about 200 units of nuclear radiation. Well at least that's what the TSA employee said. Anyway don't sweat it, the average 30,000 foot ride to the edge of space pumps about 2,000 units of radiation into the average person. It's gotta be good for you. Makes you taste like chicken or something.

    What're we going to do? Not fly? Not an option. Americans just like everyone else have got to do the hustle bustle when we want to go and explore something new. Or if our names are called to the list of some important business meeting. Well, I guess we’ll all continue with the radiation treatments then.

    Here's the real kicker folks, you can always 'opt' out of the full body screening. Yes, as cool as it sounds you don't have to go through them. To get out of the full scan, all you have to do is tell an employee you'd like a personal scan. Instead of being forced into the radiation chamber, you'll get pulled aside. A member of the TSA will glide their hands over you in public view of everyone watching. Nothing like a quick grope or two before flying out to Wichita. But again, this is only to make sure you don't have any chemical or biological weaponry attached to the lining of your underwear.

    But back to all the hullabaloo about the airport security measures and frequent announcements. Honestly, how many times do you think you could hear something before your ready to explode. Excuse the slight bomb joke. George Carlin had a funny bit about security in airports. As wise, and all knowing as  a man that he was, his stand up comedy act was based around the idea that we are giving up our freedoms in exchange for more security. As very provocative and bold as his statements were, they were in a pre-9-11 era. He might have kicked himself once of twice after that. Which really leads you to believe the ultimate question.

    Is it possible that American could ever be attacked like it was in 9-11? Are we positioned for such a tragic loss like we were in 2001? Most people would answer very wisely no.

    As much as a slight rant was in order, perhaps those pestering do serve some sort of minuscule purpose, other than to make people just a little bit more miserable for the entire day.And day after that, and that, and the next one....