TSA Threatens to Shut Down All Texas Air Travel

[chasfm11]

I never thought I'd see the day when Remember the Alamo became a question instead of a battle cry.

That is a really sad statement.


For a historical perspective, however, the slide against States rights has gone on for a very long time. In spite of commonly held beliefs, the Civil War was about States rights and slavery just happened to be one of the issues under that topic. We all know how that turned out.

The largest problem = the largest problem. The sheer size and growth of the Federal bureaucracy in the past 75 years makes it all but impossible for any single State to resist, no matter how well intentioned. The current administration would like nothing better than trying to cut Texas down to size by suspending all flights for defying their edicts. Our government has eroded from the rule of law to the rule of political might.

The sad part is there is no champion of States rights in the political arena. This past Texas legislative session shows that ideology trumps political party and the problem is even worse within Federal politics. Both parties are happy to swap control back and forth with the election cycles but neither cares a wit about achieving a balance of power between the Federal government and the powers that the States were originally supposed to have according to the US Constitutions.

I once saw a cartoon where a small mouse was issuing his single digit gesture of defiance as a bald eagle with full wingspan and talons exposed swoops in on him. Unfortunately, that cartoon is fatalistically true on this issue.

[Scott in Houston]

For a historical perspective, however, the slide against States rights has gone on for a very long time. In spite of commonly held beliefs, the Civil War was about States rights and slavery just happened to be one of the issues under that topic. We all know how that turned out.

Love the rest of your post, but have to jump on this. Your statement shows what I believe is a southern myth about states rights.
It was first and foremost about slavery. States rights just happened to go along for the ride. (the other way around from your comment)

If it was truly *only* or *first and foremost* about states rights, then why couldn't a state in the Confederate States elect to ban slavery? They couldn't. Under the Confederate Constitution, slavery was required/mandated. No states rights there... They were all about ensuring the continuation of slavery. The whole process began even before Lincoln came into office just because they feared his anti-slavery point of view. Taxation and other states rights issues jumped on board after it began and was spawned by slavery.

I believe the real myth is the belief that the war was primarily about states rights. I think that belief of this myth is spawned from the fact that it's hard for us from the South to believe our ancestors would actually support and fight over such an evil practice, but the sad truth is, they did.

[mamabearCali]

I am supremely disappointed in the Texas senate. What happened to the heritage that these men inherited Austin, Houston, Travis, Bowie, Crockett, the men of Goliad. Has the brave talk of telling Washington"you can go to (Fill in the blank) I am going to TX!" finally been diluted to the point that a threat that the feds would have never ever done, stopped the politicians from protecting our women and children from literally having a tyrannical arm of the government shove their hands in our pants and strip us naked. There is no way that Obama would have allowed the political fallout that would happen by blockading an entire state. If he did, all heaven and earth would break loose to demand his and Neapollitano's head. Don't let this die Texans--I know you are all tougher than your politicians.

An adaptation of a great authors words

A Lament for Austin
Where are the horse and the rider? Where are the flags flying high?
Where are the honorable men fighting to defend their land their children, their wives?
Has it all passed like wind on the prairie, a shooting star in the sky?
No more cowboys, no brave heroes, no tough men willing to fight.

[UpTheIrons]

Do these guys/gals HONESTLY think that the Feds would shut down air travel leaving Texas? It would destroy an already broken economy, and the airlines would not stand for it. This was a bluff from the Feds and the whiny, spineless congresscritters wet their pants and fell for it. Dewhurst is no longer at the top of my list as a good gubernatorial candidate.

[Bennies]

This has me so upset that our Senators backed down. The Federal Government is out of control. I seriously doubt the Feds would have shut down air travel. Can you imagine? There are 3 major airlines that have large domiciles in Texas. Continental, American, and Southwest. By not allowing air travel to Texas the political fall out would have been huge! Houston alone is a very large central/ south American gateway. I don't see them shutting down air travel. This was just a heavy handed attempt by the Feds to get their way and it is working!

If our politicians will not stand to defend our constitution then it is up to us. DO NOT FLY!!! Don't do it. Period. I know some of you must for work but I would seriously consider refusing. My fellow airline pilots won our fight for now but I do not completely feel safe from the TSA. Rules can change overnight. The only reason we are exempt is because a couple of pilots stood up and said "No way ain't gonna happen". Even if it meant loosing our Job. One pilot I know was out for a few months on unpaid LOA because he dared to say no to the TSA. He has six Kids and was the only source of income for his family but I believe completely that it was his actions and initial act of disobedience that allowed us to bypass the sexual assault theater. Once the media got a hold of his story it put quite a bit of bad publicity on the TSA. Then more pilots started standing up and TSA caved to us finally. The general public has the same power.

SO i wish to see the terminals empty until our constitutional rights are restored at our airports. Then the Airlines would start demanding the TSA back down because money talks in this country. I don't hold high hopes though as all my flights have been full lately.

[blue]

So....

---The texas senators are FOR:
NOODLING CATFISH and GROPING CHILDREN.---







Fire.... them... all...NOW.

[Texas Size 11]

United State Of Texas- Just saying

I believe it would properly be called The Republic of Texas.

Shutting down DFW would be a disaster for air travel. It is a major hub. No way the rest of the federal gov't let's that happen. Pass the bill and tell them to COME AND TAKE IT.

As Sam Houston once said, "Texas has yet to learn submission to any oppression, come from what source it may." Let's not start now.

[Jasonw560]

Shutting down DFW would be a disaster for air travel. It is a major hub. No way the rest of the federal gov't let's that happen. Pass the bill and tell them to COME AND TAKE IT.

How many airlines would be behind Texas (AA and SWA are both Dallaa-based, I believe)?

The aviation lobby (and probably the FAA) would scream until the TSA backed down.

No way would the airports shut down. We have 6 of the 50 busiest airports in the US.

And the international flights going into Mexico. The Mexican government would yell about that, too.

[Jeff Barriault]

If our politicians will not stand to defend our constitution then it is up to us. DO NOT FLY!!! Don't do it.

I have to agree. Two years ago we drove to Main for summer vacation. Next month we are driving to Colorado for vacation. When my mother died last year we drove to Florida for her funeral. The wife wants to take an Alaskan cruise. I'm all for it as long as we can get enough vacation time to allow us to drive to the port and back.

I've got nearly 200,000 miles on my Dodge pickup and hopefully she'll last another 200,000. I'm not flying anywhere any time soon.

When 9/11 happened I was a consultant and traveled weekly. When they increased security for everyone and said it wasn't fair to profile I knew I needed to find a new line of work. What a load of . . . well . . . you know, that stuff out in the pasture. I might start flying again when the airlines and the government get their heads out of their collective rear and drop all the political correctness nonsense.

[Dragonfighter]

Come on Texas!!!! What happened to never give up, never surrender?

Wasn't that Jason Nesmith (a.k.a. CDR Peter Quincy) from Galaxy Quest?

You shut down KDFW and KDAL and the airlines with their billions will eat TSA alive.

[packingmusician]

I contacted Wentworth. Told the nice lady that answered to thank him for his work on campus carry, and that I want him to continue protecting our rights by standing up to the TSA. I think this is a watershed moment. We cannot allow the Federal government to threaten us with what could be considered an act of war if applied to a sovereign nation. ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ!

[chasfm11]

For a historical perspective, however, the slide against States rights has gone on for a very long time. In spite of commonly held beliefs, the Civil War was about States rights and slavery just happened to be one of the issues under that topic. We all know how that turned out.

Love the rest of your post, but have to jump on this. Your statement shows what I believe is a southern myth about states rights.
It was first and foremost about slavery. States rights just happened to go along for the ride. (the other way around from your comment)

If it was truly *only* or *first and foremost* about states rights, then why couldn't a state in the Confederate States elect to ban slavery? They couldn't. Under the Confederate Constitution, slavery was required/mandated. No states rights there... They were all about ensuring the continuation of slavery. The whole process began even before Lincoln came into office just because they feared his anti-slavery point of view. Taxation and other states rights issues jumped on board after it began and was spawned by slavery.

I believe the real myth is the belief that the war was primarily about states rights. I think that belief of this myth is spawned from the fact that it's hard for us from the South to believe our ancestors would actually support and fight over such an evil practice, but the sad truth is, they did.

I want to drag out some of my Civil War research. I'm pretty sure that I read something pretty close to what I posted. It may, indeed, be a myth.

As far as any Confederate State not being able to outlaw slavery, I don't dispute your comments. But, as you pointed out, that was part of that Constitution. There was no question but that slavery was a rallying cry for the South because many did believe that its abolition would kill their economy. As today, the political leaders of the time where not going to permit opposition among the Confederate States for such a crucial matter.

Over the years, the US has done many deplorable things, slavery foremost among them. Our treatment of the Native Americans and those of Japanese decent during WWII are more examples. I can only hope that we've learned for these breaches of human decency.

[Scott in Houston]

For a historical perspective, however, the slide against States rights has gone on for a very long time. In spite of commonly held beliefs, the Civil War was about States rights and slavery just happened to be one of the issues under that topic. We all know how that turned out.

Love the rest of your post, but have to jump on this. Your statement shows what I believe is a southern myth about states rights.
It was first and foremost about slavery. States rights just happened to go along for the ride. (the other way around from your comment)

If it was truly *only* or *first and foremost* about states rights, then why couldn't a state in the Confederate States elect to ban slavery? They couldn't. Under the Confederate Constitution, slavery was required/mandated. No states rights there... They were all about ensuring the continuation of slavery. The whole process began even before Lincoln came into office just because they feared his anti-slavery point of view. Taxation and other states rights issues jumped on board after it began and was spawned by slavery.

I believe the real myth is the belief that the war was primarily about states rights. I think that belief of this myth is spawned from the fact that it's hard for us from the South to believe our ancestors would actually support and fight over such an evil practice, but the sad truth is, they did.

I want to drag out some of my Civil War research. I'm pretty sure that I read something pretty close to what I posted. It may, indeed, be a myth.

As far as any Confederate State not being able to outlaw slavery, I don't dispute your comments. But, as you pointed out, that was part of that Constitution. There was no question but that slavery was a rallying cry for the South because many did believe that its abolition would kill their economy. As today, the political leaders of the time where not going to permit opposition among the Confederate States for such a crucial matter.

Over the years, the US has done many deplorable things, slavery foremost among them. Our treatment of the Native Americans and those of Japanese decent during WWII are more examples. I can only hope that we've learned for these breaches of human decency.

It's interesting stuff. I love it because we learn so much from it, and we can avoid repeating it if everyone actively learns history. (Sadly, most don't).

We could chat outside of this thread about what you find. I love comparing notes on this kind of thing.

[OldSchool]

Side note: Since politics today is all about "bizness," it might be most effective to find out just which businesses and local governments told him to pull the bill. Probably more than just the airlines. Just sayin'....

Ripe pickings for boycotts there.

[Scott in Houston]

I just created this... new battle flag for Texas?