Don't Wait for a Leader: Become One

The Net uprising over SOPA/PIPA this week has been an interesting exercise. It *looks* as if Congress is backing down, though of course dumb laws like this are revived and become laws all the time. It looks as if Obama is opposed to them, although his recent surrender regarding the military detainment of civilians has shown that he will support the Democratic party's interests over those of the American people.

The election this Fall promises to be a gloomy one. Since we don't have a 'None of the Above' option on the ballot, our vote is a forced choice between a sellout incumbent president and a field of Republican alternatives who I'd hesitate to give a supermarket job reference for, with Ron Paul being the one possible exception.

Maybe it's time we all stopped waiting for a leader to come along and took back the reins of our own damn country. When enough Americans get pissed off, we can make the government back down. Get involved, stay informed, fight back. According to this article, 4.5 MILLION people took the trouble to sign a petition against the acts. That's huge.)

Put the government back on the short least it was released from after 9/11, a leash it has been furiously trying to put on us!

Let's Be Smart, Here

1. Stop arguing about whether the current TSA nonsense is Obama's fault or Bush's and concentrate on ending it. I'm starting to see more of the typical political wanking that sabotages discussion of serious issues. Let's focus on ending this assault on our freedoms and not get bogged down in assigning blame.

2. It's possible that the TSA may be trying to create uncertainty by implementing different screening rules at different places, with Pistole saying in one press release that hes standing firm on these policies and in others that they'll be fine-tuned. The arrogant prick needs to be fired, along with Janet Napolitano.

3. Various sources are calling the organizers and participants in National Opt Out Day irresponsible for planning the event just prior to Thanksgiving. To be blunt, they are full of shit. The longer we just let the TSA's assaults on our privacy to stay in place, the likelier it is that they'll be permanent. This could be very likely of they are allowed to continue past the Holiday Season. Let's act on the momentum that we now have!

4. Think about writing your state and federal representatives, repeatedly, this week. Say politely but firmly that these policies are ludicrous and that you expect them to take measures to defund the TSA or evict them from local airports. At least urge that the TSA be kept on a much shorter leash. New York and New Jersey, not the most libertarian states in the country, have already done this.

5. Contact your local airport and tell them that you want them to jettison the TSA and implement a screening process that is smart and not an assault on traveler's dignity. Several airports have

Here are some links to recent developments that give hope for suggestions 4 or 5 working: 1 2 3 4

6. Join or post comments to your representatives through the American Civil Liberties Union pr the Electronic Privacy Information Center.

If you find any or all of these suggestions to be of value, forward them to a few friends and ask them to do the same.