Sheep on passenger vehicles!

[michaelbane]

PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sheep on passenger vehicles is a deadly situation, says activist.

Philadelphia, July 13, 2006 – The epidemic of sheep riding on planes, trains and buses is so bad that the nation’s passenger transport system is at risk, one civil rights advocate has declared. So he’s become determined to spread the word about the problem.

“Every day, sheep travel on commercial airline flights, trains and buses. Surprisingly enough, the public doesn’t even notice what’s going on,� said Philadelphia resident Michael L. Bane. “Nobody recognizes the danger.�

Bane’s use of the word “sheep� doesn’t refer to actual animals, but to the passengers themselves. He calls them sheep because they just go along with the security procedures, searches and the government bureaucracy established in the wake of September 11th. More importantly, Bane says, they don’t realize that not being allowed to bring weapons onboard actually does more harm than good. Without weapons, Bane says, law-abiding citizens can’t defend themselves and their fellow passengers from criminal and terrorist attacks. “You shouldn’t have to surrender your basic human right of self-defense just because you are traveling,� Bane says. “On September 11th, thousands of sheep became sacrificial lambs while a small group of terrorists got around airport security.�

Bane points out the heroism of the people on United Flight 93 to make his case. “Those passengers took action to stop the terrorists. If they hadn’t, who knows where the hijackers would have crashed the plane? Flight 93 is proof that passengers can stop hijackers. But we need to ask whether they could have done more and saved themselves and the plane by using weapons against the perpetrators.�

To let people know about this issue, Bane has created http://www.armedpassengers.org. It contains advice on things people can do to promote the cause. At the top of the list is boycotting travel as much as possible, especially by airplane. If people don’t fly, Bane says, the TSA doesn’t get the revenue from the security fee that is added the ticket price. It is this revenue that funds TSA’s operations. The sight also contains links to news articles, including negative pieces about the TSA and air marshals. Bane hopes that reminding people about all the problems will cause them to think twice about whether they should trust the government to provide transportation security in the first place.

This isn’t Bane’s first involvement in political issues. His history of activism includes a run as an independent candidate for judge in traffic court and election to his local civic association board of directors. He has had letters and political cartoons published in Philadelphia area newspapers, and volunteers his time to several nonprofit organizations.

Bane practices what he preaches on his website. His job doesn’t require traveling for business purposes, and plans his vacations as driving trips. He’s even traveled cross-country by himself. While more time consuming and costly, Bane feels it’s worth it as a matter of principle. “I have a good feeling knowing that my money contributes to the local economies I travel through, and not to the government or big companies.�

Bane realizes the controversial nature of what he’s proposing, but says it’s important to get it out there. “People have been so conditioned to accept the conventional wisdom about transportation security,� he said. “It’s understandable that some people will have trouble with this idea. But we need to look at the message we’re sending with our current transportation security policy. We wouldn’t tell the family of a September 11th victim it was better their loved one died in the name of national security and political correctness. That would add insult to injury. So why is it OK to support laws and rules that promote the very same principle? Well, it isn’t OK; it’s just wrong. And in the case of the September 11th victims, it’s dead wrong.�

Contact: Michael L. Bane
armedpassengers@verizon.net

[HighVelocity]

Mr. Bane,

Had you spent any time at all on this forum before registering just to advertise yourself, you'd have known that you're preaching to the choir here.

The good men and women here are way ahead of the curve.

I do hope that you will take the time to read some of the content available here. You might even find something useful.

[michaelbane]

My post is offered in good faith to inform all my fellow law abiding citizens of my efforts and to rally them to work together to advance this issue. If there is any information and resources available that I'm not aware of, I hope you will let me know so I can improve my website.

[Roger Howard]

We are all with you here. The problem is the sheep. They have been told so many times that guns are bad they believe it. Education across the country is the key to winning the fight.

[Venus Pax]

The web page you gave was unavailable.
Any other link?

[Tom]

Michael,

Are you here?

http://www.shootinggallery.tv/

If so, then welcome. If not, then welcome anyway.

Kind Regards,

Tom

[pfgrone]

PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

1. I agree with the principle of personal responsibility for one's own safety. That's why I'm waiting for my CHL to arrive.

2. I find it objectionable to refer to other people that do not share identical views as "sheep"; even though it is a term that seems to be gaining popularity among those who would like to appear superior to others. Reminds me too much of a KKK talking about "N word". In fact, I'm not sure there is any difference.

3. Although I do not want to start a war of words with Mr. Bane, I felt it is my right to express a divergent opinion.
Paul

[anygunanywhere]

I am more inclined to agree with Mr. Bane than Mr. Grone. I do not see it the same way.

There are those who must accept traveling without access to weapons. I am one of them. I log many flights each year and travel to areas where I am not afforded my RKBA. I do not consider myself a sheeple since I have found ways to carry what I consider items usable to increase my means of self defense. These items are accepted as normal travel items, are allowed by TSA, and I make it a point to have them handy when I am on a plane.

When in a rental car I have a 3000 lb weapon. I maintain situational awareness and keep distance between the ccar in front of me when stopped.

IMHO, there is a segment of society that deserves the term sheep. The term has been discussed on this forum and others we frequent. I do not use the term toward society as a whole since I believe more and more are moving towards our way of thinking.

[seamusTX]

IMHO, there is a segment of society that deserves the term sheep.

I half agree. It's a choice for human beings to walk around without a clue and become a victim, or to depend upon others to watch out for them. The facts are available, and we have a duty to educate ourselves.

Sheep don't have that choice. They are what they are.

- Jim

[Roger Howard]

IMHO, there is a segment of society that deserves the term sheep.

I half agree. It's a choice for human beings to walk around without a clue and become a victim, or to depend upon others to watch out for them. The facts are available, and we have a duty to educate ourselves.

Sheep don't have that choice. They are what they are.

- Jim

Yes it is a choice to walk around uninformed. I dealt with a situation with my daughter at school and the entire staff was suprised that we did not take their opinion as gospel. They were so used to parents just following along with what they say that they did not know how to deal with my wife and I. We do not follow along with the "norm" as they know it. The point is that the majority of people in this country walk around with blinders on and don't even bother to find out the facts. that is what makes the members and visitors of this site different. We make the choice not to follow the crowd. When your follow along mindlessly you are a sheep.

[DaveT]

pfgrone,

What's the difference with M. Bane using the word 'sheep' to get his point across, and you using the 'N' word to get your point across ?

While you obviously felt a need to disagree, I personally find your post in poor taste, and very out of place on this forum.

[JohnKSa]

Reminds me too much of a KKK talking about "n******". In fact, I'm not sure there is any difference.

One HUGE difference is that the term "sheep" describes a mindset that people have either chosen or have fallen into by default while the other is a term that denigrates someone for the way they were born.

People can stop being "sheep" if they so desire.

Given the total impossibility of creating a reasonable argument to support the assertion that person can wake up one morning and decide to stop being black, it should be plain that your analogy is fatally flawed.

[Liberty]

I think that Pfgrone was making a valid point that was missed. Name calling is a method of dehumanising those who disagree with us. These "sheep" are our neigbors friends and even our family.

[pfgrone]

I hereby solemnly swear that, in the future, I will only use this forum to seek knowledge from those more experienced or wiser than I and to happily announce when I get my CHL from the DPS.

Lets end this thread in a peaceful agreement to disagree.

We agree on much, much, much more than we disagree on and I don't want Mr. Cotton to banish me to the outer darkness for turning this forum into a word war.
Paul
Have a nice day unless you've already made other plans.

[The Marshal]

Interesting thread, heheh.
I think I initally was 'put off' by Mr. Banes comment, not for content but by its impersonal nature. Yeah, on most forums it is probably appropriate. But I tend to view this forum as more along the lines of how guys will gather around the pickup bed and talk (I know, so East Texas. )

No biggie, I figure they don't have trucks in Philly.

And I find myself agreeing with Paul's post. Dovetail that with my just having studied on the traps of Pride, and I see the danger in 'categorizing' those that are ignorant by choice or chance of gun ownership. Making a distinction that leads me to have an 'air of superiority' and causing me to look down on others will lead me to turning a deaf ear to what they say, and cause them to think that I *am* that gun toting, stupid East Texas Redneck. (Must point out that Wifey still says that this is true.)

I, like Liberty, understood the heart of your post, Paul. But forums, like email, can be the worst place for having your ideas misconstrued.
The Readers frame of mind can make a casual remark into a hurled firebomb. Leaving you asking, "What just happened?" Heheh.

Thanks! I am gonna have a great day!

~Bill