Invasive Agent Groping

I haven’t flown the friendly American skies since last summer. Back then airport security was relatively tame:

  • Remove your shoes
  • Store all liquids in a clear plastic bag
  • Place your laptop in a separate bin for scanning, etc.

All of the above were a part of a standard operating procedure list that was non offensive. No where in that list were calls for forced radioactive scanning or invasive agent groping. My how the times have changed.

Flying out of San Diego’s Lindbergh Field this past week, I found myself a bit apprehensive over being subjected to the new TSA rules. In the back of my mind I kept hoping that somehow the backscatter x-ray technology had not been deployed yet. I was wrong in getting my hopes up. Upon entering the security line, I noticed a sign that said that I could either be scanned or be “thoroughly” searched by a TSA Agent. The word “thoroughly” looked scary to me for some reason. So I opted for a small dose of radiation via the backscatter.

Some lonely TSA Agent, sitting in a darkened room, is probably enjoying this.

Stepping forward in the security line, I proceeded into the x-ray. After turning sideways, raising my hands up over my head, and holding that pose for 8 seconds, I was asked to proceed forward to where an agent was standing. As I stood face-to-face with this particular TSA Agent, I was trying to figure out what was wrong. Had they found something? Perhaps my wife had cut me open one night and inserted something beneath my skin. Nope, no such luck. The agent was simply waiting to get an all clear from the monitoring station. I was good to go.

I walked away from this experience feeling violated. Someone, besides my wife, had seen me without my clothes on. Not cool. This got me thinking about how we, as Americans, have come to a place to where we have to be radiated and groped in the name of security. We all know that this method has never actually stopped a bomb. Why subject millions of Americans to such Communist practices? I think that airport security needs to be rethought. Be it profiling, hiring well-trained interrogators/ interviewers, I don’t really care. Being humiliated by a government agency is not what being an American is all about. So rise up America, demand that something be done to stop this practice. Call for a halt to legal radiation dosing and TSA Agent groping. Please. To allow this to become a norm is a travesty for both you and me.

Memories of My Grandmother

I’m not sure what to write about today. My mind has been an accelerated mess since the death of my Grandma last week. Her death has affected me more than I could have imagined. The funeral is this Saturday…I have been debating on whether to write something or just speak at her funeral. I have concluded that I am going to talk about her. Her life, my memories of her, and about her faith in Jesus Christ.

My Grandma was an only child. I have recently read that children who grow up without siblings are like super firstborns. I would say that this was true of my Grandmother. Not only did she cook, clean the house, and take care of my Grandpa, she also made time to spend with her grandchildren. Now, I’m not going to get all sentimental and say that she spent tons of time with us. But I do remember going on dates with her every few months. She loved doing this. I remember her saying that she had to save up her allowance money in order for her to take me out. Burgers, fries, and a drink and Grandma was happy. Funny memory: Grandma chewing on a Big Mac, with her mouth open. 🙂

My memories of her, at least at this time, are highly polluted by the years she declined with Alzheimer’s. What I do remember though was a woman who was interested in both local and national news. She could carry on an intelligent conversation on just about any topic. More importantly though, my Grandma loved history. This is something that she imparted on me. I wish that I could have told her that I obtained a degree in History. She would have been proud.

In elementary school, I remember having trouble with schoolwork, specifically reading. Now, I wouldn’t work well with my Mom, so my Grandma came over and helped me. I remember loving this extra time spent with her.

My Grandma was also a woman who valued her freedom. She would wait all day, until my Grandpa got home, to get her hands on their pickup truck. This was generally when she would go shopping or come and pick me/ one of my siblings up.

Standing next to her at the Christmas Eve service, my family went to every year, I remember listening to her sing. I have been told that at one time she had sang in a church choir. She told me that she had loved doing this. She had a pretty voice.

I wish I could remember more. What I do know though is that I loved her. Grandma Hall was special to me. I felt like she took the time to actually engage me/ get to know me. She accepted me for me.

The best part about my Grandma dying is that she is now in Heaven. She is no longer a prisoner trapped within her own body. I know that my Grandma is in Heaven due to her belief in Jesus Christ. She knew that the most important decision a human has to make in this world is whether or not he will accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Those that choose to receive eternal life need only realize that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (John 3:23). Due to falling short, the wages of our sin is death (John 6:23). But God provides a way out, through His only son He sent to die for the world, Jesus Christ (John 3:16). All a person has to do is believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. For it is by grace that we have been saved (Ephesians 2:8-9).

I love you Grandma. See you soon!

Sony – Slowest Sinking Ship Ever.

Dear Sony,

My personal information is running amok on the Internet! I have now received the first piece of SPAM related to your most recent debacle. Luckily, I can actually read and was able to see that you wouldn’t be using an email address like:

nment at soe dot innovyx dot net

This morning I learned, via The Ancient Gaming Noob, that your problems are more widespread than originally believed. Which makes me wonder, what the heck you have been doing? I would think, as a company, that one of your first and foremost priorities would be to secure your customer’s personal data. How could you have allowed for hackers to even obtain access to such things? You’re an electronics giant for the love of Godzilla! Capable of creating such things as the Walkman and the PS3!

It is time to put the big boy pants on Sony. We live in a digital age. Grow up or pass the company name onto someone else more deserving. Your squandering a legacy.

Sincerely,

Bryan

Sony Grovels

This past Saturday, April 30th, Sony announced a limited rollout of its PlayStation Network this next week. In addition to outlining what they plan to do to make the network more secure, Sony also announced this:

Complimentary Offering and “Welcome Back” Appreciation Program
While there is no evidence at this time that credit card data was taken, the company is committed to helping its customers protect their personal data and will provide a complimentary offering to assist users in enrolling in identity theft protection services and/or similar programs. The implementation will be at a local level and further details will be made available shortly in each region.

The company will also rollout the PlayStation Network and Qriocity “Welcome Back” program, to be offered worldwide, which will be tailored to specific markets to provide our consumers with a selection of service options and premium content as an expression of the company’s appreciation for their patience, support and continued loyalty.

Central components of the “Welcome Back” program will include:

  • Each territory will be offering selected PlayStation entertainment content for free download. Specific details of this content will be announced in each region soon.
  • All existing PlayStation Network customers will be provided with 30 days free membership in the PlayStation Plus premium service. Current members of PlayStation Plus will receive 30 days free service.
  • Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity subscribers (in countries where the service is available) will receive 30 days free service.

Additional “Welcome Back” entertainment and service offerings will be rolled out over the coming weeks as the company returns the PlayStation Network and Qriocity services to the quality standard users have grown to enjoy and strive to exceed those exceptions.

SNEI will continue to reinforce and verify security for transactions before resuming the PlayStation®Store and other Qriocity operations, scheduled for this month.

For more information about the PlayStation Network and Qriocity services intrusion and restoration, please visit http://blog.us.playstation.com. or http://blog.eu.playstation.com/

Should be interesting to see what this really entails as the network comes online once more. I’m hoping for some free games. You?

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