TO ATTACK A CHILD

 

"TSA Defends Pat-Down Of Crying 4-Year-Old Girl At Kansas Airport"

 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/25/tsa-defends-pat-down-of-c_n_1454410.html?icid=maing-grid7|main5|dl1|sec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D155375

I pity those Americans who feel so insecure that they cannot see the utter stupidity of the reaction of TSA in the case as it is reported. I am angered by those Americans who do not see the loss of freedom to all of us associated with an unreasonable, intrusive search of a four year old child. I am sickened by Americans who would stand by in silent approval of such an attack (It was an attack.) on a four year old child. I am disgusted with elected government officials who, politically and personally weak, cower to protect an image of "wartime" security. I am tormented that America has so readily succumbed to a terrorist threat that we are no longer America. I am approaching 70 years of age and I am glad that I knew an America of character, courage and pride in our personal freedoms. I deeply regret that this four year old and other children will never know that pride. And, tragically, the broad and continuing surrender of our freedoms is unnecessary in balance to any threat.

The Secret Service in Columbia

Having worked for years closely with Special Agents of the U.S. Secret Service, I am shocked at recent reported events. Each of the many Special Agents with whom I worked was a dedicated law enforcement officer of the highest level of trust and integrity. When assigned to either extended or temporary details protecting the president they were unwaveringly dedicated to the task and righteously proud of the responsibility they held in trust.

Agents of the U.S. Secret Service are now alleged to have participated in outrageous conduct while on assignment to protect President Obama. The accomplishment of any task is affected by the conscious and unconscious attitude of the actor toward the objective of the task. Could it be that the incessant, vitriolic, disdainful rhetoric directed personally at this president creating, as it has, its own sub-culture has infected, consciously or unconsciously, even sworn agents within the Secret Service? I sincerely hope that we have men and women of stronger character now assuming the responsibilities of the Secret Service.

Ryan v. Dempsey

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/2chambers/post/paul-ryan-says-he-misspoke-on-military-budget/2012/04/01/gIQAlwi2oS_blog.html?hpid=z4

The Republicans may have learned a lesson from the circumstances of General Shinseki's testimony and backed off very quickly. This factor and General Dempsey's almost immediate, strong response to Rep. Ryan pushed Ryan to withdraw from the type of slashing rhetoric endemic on the Right. Though this situation is more subtle than what General Shinseki encountered, Ryan may have intended to pander to or stimulate a political coup from within the Pentagon, present and past. I believe it was in 2007 when general officers began to speak out against the Iraq war and President Bush's handling of it. Ryan may have been soliciting a similar reaction in support of the Right from a broader group of military elite.