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Hello world, I am traveling and writing this blog post from my Motorola Q... and something intersting happened when I was going thrugh the process of the security screening I asked the person taking my ID a simple (and unbeknowingly profound) question..."Are YOU a legal citizen in America?" boy did that hit a nerve with that worker. I have to turn my phone off now (I promise to fll in the stoy when I touch down) but here's the topic....It is in the media about illegals mostly being of spanish decent, but should everyone be subect to question of their imigration status? White, black, yellow...Tell us here on TigahBee...the floor is yours..
***Addendum***
ok here is the long version....
So I'm going through the security checkpoint at Dulles International Airport, and as I am passing various employees of TSA and their affiliates, I couldn’t help to notice but they all seemed of foreign backgrounds. Which was unnerving, in this post 9/11 America. Now I'm not saying foreign people don’t belong in America, which would be utterly ridiculous, all I'm saying is that I have become more sensitive and aware of my surroundings. That being said (call it my non racist disclaimer) I will digress back to my story. I must have passed in excess of 20 people all clad in their TSA uniforms some appearing is if they were just punching the time card, others with a more determined look of their faces. Again I couldn’t help but notice the different ethnicities and foreign looks…to the tune where I started to turn around in my place in line to find “an American” TSA worker. In all fairness, I found my “American” workers, they were not “walking the beat” they were nestled behind a scanner, looking at a monitor, searching for that illegal 3.5 oz bottle, vice the 3oz acceptable version. Again, some of them were just there, mad they were already swamped at work at 9am. Moving up 2 to 3 steps at a time, gave me a bit of time to think. Shouldn’t Americans be protecting Americans? So there it was…and it was too much for me to hold back. “Hey, are YOU a legal citizen?” The guy looked at me like I called his teddy bear a name, that of which is a Muslim’s most revered prophet!!! Those within earshot of this verbal bomb in front of me, turned around suddenly, first looking at me, then him trying to second guess his impending reaction. Those within earshot of me, to my rear put the full weight of their stares on my shoulders. Good for the lot of us that these shoulders are built to last. And last they did. I stood there motionless waiting still for the backlash. For once, all rushing in northern VA seemed to stand still. Back to the TSA worker, he answered “I am a citizen, boarding pass and Government ID” (Blank stare) “You didn’t answer my question, I asked if you were a LEGAL citizen, not merely a citizen!” more adamantly now. “Boarding pass and Government ID, please have it in your hand as you approach. This conversation is going nowhere, and in a hurry!!!
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Posted by TigahBee on 2008-01-11 12:11:12 | Rating: | Views: 131
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IFC - I agree -
I think we need to get back to remembering that we are all connected and stop the BS of isolating and being paranoid. We are all above that, we just have to start WALKING THE WALK. Does ANYBODY remember the GOLDEN RULE?? Do unto others....
With Love and Light...always...
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Posted by InwardJourney
on 2008-01-11 12:48:33
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I think the real ID act is necessary, but with mant things, it will only be as effective if it is not abused. Some will use it for what is not intended and therein lies the problem.
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Posted by TigahBee
on 2008-01-14 10:31:11
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In response to your question ifeelcrazy... I found this video interesting, it explores the whole VChip and real ID issue and provides some interesting insight. Listen and let us know your thoughts...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuBo4E77ZXo
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Posted by babyfleur
on 2008-01-14 12:44:35
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Well on the Real ID topic, I will say this, for one, it's already a law (signed by dubya 5/11/05) so probably 80% of this discussion is moot. But I still like the topic. Secondly the law as written provides the government to affect several layers of this "war on terror" including physical barriers on our borders, deportation, etc. Thirdly, DL and ID cards issued by states may not be recoginzed by a federal agency. Which means you can bet that a drivers license might cost you $100 in the future along with everything else that goes with it. I'm sure DMV is not going to be willing to part with their cash cow.
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Posted by TigahBee
on 2008-01-14 13:01:27
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Having read the long version I can provide some insight as I actually worked at Washington-Dulles International Airport and part of my responsibility was to sign the letters in which employees took to MWAA (Metro Washington Airport Authority) in order to get their Airport ID's and work at the airport. In addition to a "required" stringent background check, previous employment verification and verification to work in the U.S. by the company hiring the employee (legally required by MWAA)... MWAA also takes their fingerprints and sent them to the FBI for a 10 year background check and also confirmed that they were legal and authorized to work in the U.S. and also have a valid SS# which was run thru the SS Administration. They also had to pass an airport info and safety test (in English). This takes place for EVERYONE who has an airport ID which is required for you to be employed by any company that works at the airport. Something as much as a misdemeanor found in your background was enough to disqualify you for employment at the airport. I hope this rests your fear, although you see many foreigners working at they airport as we are in the U.S. - they all are lawful citizens granted permission by the U.S. government to live & work in the U.S. hence why he might have been a tad bit offended when you asked the question especially knowing what he had to go thru to work at the airport let alone get authorization to live & work in the U.S. which is a PAINFUL process.
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Posted by babyfleur
on 2008-01-14 17:13:11
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that is assuring that extent that anyone has to go through to get a job at an airport, and thank you for the response.
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Posted by TigahBee
on 2008-01-14 17:23:10
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Another thought stemming from this thread... I wonder how all the "foreigners" albeit legal citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. who are currently fighting and dying for our country would feel about your statement, "Americans should be protecting Americans". What if we pulled those people from the military & the ones fighting in Iraq because the are not "Americans"! And are there enough Americans willing to take the jobs protecting Americans? How about TSA restrict their jobs only to real "Americans" who were born here... would you rather have completely understaffed (with only Americans)security organization or have a almost fully staffed, although including foreigners that are legally authorized to live and work in the U.S. as they are today?
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Posted by babyfleur
on 2008-01-14 18:09:50
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That is a good thought, That would be a good hypothetical situation to be put into. Let's take a a step futher, how about we have a foreigner run for president? I mean that is also an equally good hypothetical situation don't you think? But let me digress and answer some of your statements in your post. If they are in our military, serving our country here legally, then that statement should not apply. They are Americans. I have said it before and will say it again, America was based on people of many different races and aliens, all I am saying is go through the proper channels to gain citizenship. Don't be a person here Illegally then claim you have rights. Don't be here illegally, and be a leech to an already frail system. Have you gone to an emrgency room lately? Illegals use it as their doctors office, because they have no insurance and know what happens if they were to file for it. It takes HOURS to be seen because of this. If I had my choice about TSA I would remove them altogether and put Army or Marines in an airport with engagement rules about shoot first and ask questions later. Again I have the strength of my convictions, I am a patriot, and not simply someone with idle words that have not been in the trenches making policies from some desk. This discussion was about a simple incident that happened to me, I chose to share with the world, it was not about, nor is it still about coming down on the percentage of people who have come from abroad that have done so legally. Maybe if all do so legally, there would be no reason for this discussion. That's a hypothetical scenario for you, "What if we had no illegal alien issue and everyone contributed to the overall well being of all citizens?"
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Posted by TigahBee
on 2008-01-15 09:46:50
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