On January first, I wrote that 2004 will determine whether American democracy will survive. I got some e-mail on that, people wrote asking if perhaps I was being too extreme, although some admitted they harbor the same concern. In the end, none of us hope it will come to that, but we’re afraid it might.
In the two weeks since, the International Monetary Fund has called the American deficit a threat to global financial security, the British government’s chief scientific adviser said global warming is a bigger threat than terrorism and America has begun closing its borders. Now people arriving in the U.S. from all but 27 (mostly European) nations are fingerprinted and photographed at the border.
This week, the Transportation Security Administration announced that airlines will be required to submit passenger lists to the government for screening. The feds tried this a while ago and the two airlines that cooperated with a prototype – Delta and JetBlue – found themselves sued and boycotted. This time, it’s not a prototype and it’s not voluntary; it’s mandated from the top. Airline passengers will have to submit their names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth and travel itineraries for screening. The information will be run through several databases, like Lexis-Nexis, credit services and commercial mailing lists. (“Excuse me, sir. Did you purchase a teal cardigan sweater from Lands’ End in 2002? Is that sweater here in your bag? Step out of line, please.”)
If the computers don’t like you, you’ll be coded “red” and will not be allowed to fly. If the computer has doubts, you’ll be coded “yellow” and will be subject to additional screening. (Questions about the teal cardigan.) If the computer deems you to be a fit member of totalitarian society, you’ll be coded “green” and can celebrate with a glass of Victory Gin. (“Double-plus good, this.”)
If you agree to pay a fee and submit to a background check (verifying your status as a sycophantic member of totalitarian society), you can become a “registered traveler,” an idea of Tom Ridge’s that was so widely ridiculed when introduced two years ago that it was quickly withdrawn. It has now returned, and the Bushies are confident that the stick of mandatory passenger screening will make the carrot of traveler registration more appealing. The new system is supposed to be up and running by early summer, just in time to harass delegates en route to the Democratic National Convention.
Those who prefer to walk down the street will be interested to hear that Pentagon darling Richard Perle has a new book out in which he and David Frum call for the issuance of national identity cards. Remember those scenes from the World War II movies where the man from the Gestapo steps out from shadowy doorway and stops the passer-by with a curt, “Papers, please”? That guy is now Richard Perle.
Finally, you may remember last November I encouraged everyone to go online and volunteer to serve on your local draft board. My application packet arrived in the mail Monday. A booklet came with the packet and says those selected for service on local draft boards will receive 12 hours of initial training and annual follow-ups. The booklet also says that once a draft order has been issued, the Selective Service System (i.e., all the draft boards combined) will deliver 100,000 draftees to the military in 30 days. Think about that. If George Bush gave the word tonight (you know Congress won’t stop him), 100,000 young American men would be in the military by Valentine’s Day and the decision whether you, your brother or your son goes off to war will be made by a group of people with 12 hours training and a quota of warm bodies to fill. My criminal record precludes me from sitting on a draft board, but don’t let that stop you.
Two thousand four is the year that will determine whether American democracy will survive. American democracy will not survive unless we – all of us – do something to save it.
Something to Save It
On January first, I wrote that 2004 will determine whether American democracy will survive. I got some e-mail on that, people wrote asking if perhaps I was being too extreme, although some admitted they harbor the same concern. In the end, none of us hope it will come to that, but we’re afraid it might.
In the two weeks since, the International Monetary Fund has called the American deficit a threat to global financial security, the British government’s chief scientific adviser said global warming is a bigger threat than terrorism and America has begun closing its borders. Now people arriving in the U.S. from all but 27 (mostly European) nations are fingerprinted and photographed at the border.
This week, the Transportation Security Administration announced that airlines will be required to submit passenger lists to the government for screening. The feds tried this a while ago and the two airlines that cooperated with a prototype – Delta and JetBlue – found themselves sued and boycotted. This time, it’s not a prototype and it’s not voluntary; it’s mandated from the top. Airline passengers will have to submit their names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth and travel itineraries for screening. The information will be run through several databases, like Lexis-Nexis, credit services and commercial mailing lists. (“Excuse me, sir. Did you purchase a teal cardigan sweater from Lands’ End in 2002? Is that sweater here in your bag? Step out of line, please.”)
If the computers don’t like you, you’ll be coded “red” and will not be allowed to fly. If the computer has doubts, you’ll be coded “yellow” and will be subject to additional screening. (Questions about the teal cardigan.) If the computer deems you to be a fit member of totalitarian society, you’ll be coded “green” and can celebrate with a glass of Victory Gin. (“Double-plus good, this.”)
If you agree to pay a fee and submit to a background check (verifying your status as a sycophantic member of totalitarian society), you can become a “registered traveler,” an idea of Tom Ridge’s that was so widely ridiculed when introduced two years ago that it was quickly withdrawn. It has now returned, and the Bushies are confident that the stick of mandatory passenger screening will make the carrot of traveler registration more appealing. The new system is supposed to be up and running by early summer, just in time to harass delegates en route to the Democratic National Convention.
Those who prefer to walk down the street will be interested to hear that Pentagon darling Richard Perle has a new book out in which he and David Frum call for the issuance of national identity cards. Remember those scenes from the World War II movies where the man from the Gestapo steps out from shadowy doorway and stops the passer-by with a curt, “Papers, please”? That guy is now Richard Perle.
Finally, you may remember last November I encouraged everyone to go online and volunteer to serve on your local draft board. My application packet arrived in the mail Monday. A booklet came with the packet and says those selected for service on local draft boards will receive 12 hours of initial training and annual follow-ups. The booklet also says that once a draft order has been issued, the Selective Service System (i.e., all the draft boards combined) will deliver 100,000 draftees to the military in 30 days. Think about that. If George Bush gave the word tonight (you know Congress won’t stop him), 100,000 young American men would be in the military by Valentine’s Day and the decision whether you, your brother or your son goes off to war will be made by a group of people with 12 hours training and a quota of warm bodies to fill. My criminal record precludes me from sitting on a draft board, but don’t let that stop you.
Two thousand four is the year that will determine whether American democracy will survive. American democracy will not survive unless we – all of us – do something to save it.