tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9612609.post5599528474339482791..comments2023-09-29T06:58:20.125-07:00Comments on Badtux the Snarky Penguin: Yelp rocksBadTuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01345749557330760251noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9612609.post-88012410753132564112008-12-16T08:35:00.000-08:002008-12-16T08:35:00.000-08:00I get to fly around other parts of the world, and ...I get to fly around other parts of the world, and that shows me how oppressive American flying is. Nowhere else in the world that I've been, including countries with a history of terrorist attacks, is as bad (although Heathrow comes close.)<BR/><BR/>Only in America do you have to go through the shoe removal. (As an aside, think of what a shitstorm you'd run into if you threw your shoe at one of the Heimat Seicherheit goons at a U.S. airport. I wouldn't have the guts. The thought of that gives me a deeper appreciation for the balls of al-Zaidi for doing it to Booosh.) In America, you are declared to be a potential enemy of the state just because you chose to fly on an airplane. Message: we hate you, you fucking airline customer.<BR/><BR/>In other countries, you're scrutinised, but in a non-hostile way. I regularly get the explosives check in Australia. I don't know why, because I'm a middle-aged Anglo guy without wild hair or freaky clothes. I assume it's because my blog-whingeing has gotten me put on some government shit-list. But when the Aussies wipe my shoes and such, they're low-key.<BR/><BR/>In the U.S., even the routine screeners often have a nasty edge. And when you enter the U.S. on a flight from overseas, it's like "WHY ARE YOU COMING HERE?!? STATE YOUR BUSINESS! GIVE US A REASON WHY WE SHOULDN'T PUT YOUR ASS ON THE NEXT PLANE BACK WHERE YOU CAME FROM!"<BR/><BR/>It's the mark of a frightened country, Tux. It might seem like hostility, but it's done out of fear, not strength.Bukko Boomerangerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02424677168216647964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9612609.post-52853185022263421752008-12-16T08:32:00.000-08:002008-12-16T08:32:00.000-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Bukko Boomerangerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02424677168216647964noreply@blogger.com