Ben Affleck Defends TSA Groping On Bill Maher

[fearthereaperx]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDn8Fjg7zpA

[Origanalist]

Ben Affleck is a douchebag of the highest order. In fact, he is the Grand Poobah of douchebags.

[jkr]

he should fly coach

seems a "man" of his esteem would enjoy the process

[sluggo]

He's a member of the Film Actors Guild.

[aclove]

Good catch, but then discredits itself by repeatedly using InfoWars articles. Too bad.

[coastie]

He's a member of the Film Actors Guild.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUa5oHgYV2k

[QuickZ06]

What a moron.

[Dick Chaney]

Hollywood is the most dangerous drug on the planet. See Affleck, Clooney, and Damon for the side effects.

[jclay2]

Screw Hollywood. Don't you love the reaction of the crowd and every one in the room...straight up laughter.

hahahah we get to get groped today..yehaw /s

[Czolgosz]

Private jet flying dick.


Need a public campaign to grope this guy anytime he's in public.

[donnay]

Good catch, but then discredits itself by repeatedly using InfoWars articles. Too bad.

:rolleyes:

Too bad you are so are so blinded by prejudice that you cannot see that Infowars articles have embedded links, in their articles, to back up their claims.

Example:
TSA Hired Accused Sex Abuse Priest Pedophile As Screener
http://www.infowars.com/tsa-hired-serial-sex-abuse-priest-pedophile-as-screener/

[FreedomProsperityPeace]

The funny thing is, these people are the first to start whining when their privacy is invaded.

[yaz]

Good catch, but then discredits itself by repeatedly using InfoWars articles. Too bad.

Thank you, I was beginning to think everyone was brainwashed by Infowars. That website is like Glenn Beck on crack.

[paulbot24]

Ben Affleck actually believes the Pearl Harbor movie he starred in was based on truth.

[HOLLYWOOD]

I met Ben Affleck at a party and he was such an asshole, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt since it was a party. Let me look since then... ugh, he's still an asshole.

Another reason to never support any movie Affleck is acting or involved in

[KingNothing]

I always opt for the patdown, just to trouble the TSA, but they aren't that invasive. They aren't a molestation. They're a nuisance. They add no safety. We should not have to waste our time and money on them, but my God, they aren't that bad and I imagine if a Republican were in the White House when this started, all the GOP'ers -sans the Pauls- who drone on and on about how awful these gropings are would be telling the liberals who would no doubt be offended by them to pipe down.

[LibertyEagle]

Good catch, but then discredits itself by repeatedly using InfoWars articles. Too bad.

Only the one is obvious. It's still a very good video and makes its point.

[Lucille]

Notice though, how he calls out "conservatives" as the anti-TSA types. It's purely partisan. Had Bush implemented pornoscans and genital groping, the left would have been apoplectic. Only Nixon could go to China, and only Obama could make it policy for the TSA to sexually assault air travelers (and indefinitely detain and or/assassinate US citizens without due process, etc. etc. etc).

Why Ben Affleck Is in Favor of the TSA Pulling Your Dick
http://www.economicpolicyjournal.com/2012/10/why-ben-affleck-is-in-favor-of-tsa.html


Ludwig von Mises discussed actors in a section of his book The Anti-Capitalist Mentality (Chapter 1 Section 9: The Communism of Broadway and Hollywood). I never thought that Mises fully answered the question in that section. He blamed it on the fear actors have that they may lose the adoration of the public and fall to the wayside. But, I think there is probably more. One important fact is that actors tend to use the imagination part of their brain for their work, rather than the logical part.

According to Professor Sophie Scott, from UCL's Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, professional actors use a part of the brain that is called the infra parietal sulkus, when they attempt to create a voice for a character and recite lines. Most fascinating only the pros use it to create a voice not the rest of us.
[...]
So in the clip below, when Affleck says he is in favor of TSA dick grabbing, is he thinking this out logically about the totalitarian implications of TSA dick grabbing or is he using the imagination part of the brain, that most of us don't use, in a near imaginary world where he is in someway Jack Ryan fighting imaginary terrorists?

[Wolfgang Bohringer]

I like how only the fascist Coulter has the balls to describe exactly what they do--i.e. stick their fingers up our assholes--which is statutory rape by definition. How many libertarians will call it what it really is instead of using their newspeak euphemism "pat down".

Also, the clip shows how TSA rape humor is fast catching up with prison rape humor as a favorite pastime that is loved all across the USA's political spectrum.

[jmdrake]

Private jet flying dick.


Need a public campaign to grope this guy anytime he's in public.

A psychopathic pervert like Ben Affleck would probably get off on it.

[jmdrake]

Good catch, but then discredits itself by repeatedly using InfoWars articles. Too bad.

:rolleyes: Most of the articles are MSM. The video in no way discredits itself. It simply shows that most of the time Infowars is right on the money.

[MoneyWhereMyMouthIs2]

I always opt for the patdown, just to trouble the TSA, but they aren't that invasive. They aren't a molestation. They're a nuisance. They add no safety. We should not have to waste our time and money on them, but my God, they aren't that bad and I imagine if a Republican were in the White House when this started, all the GOP'ers -sans the Pauls- who drone on and on about how awful these gropings are would be telling the liberals who would no doubt be offended by them to pipe down.


It's ok if you don't mind being felt up. However, there's no reason why I should be paying for it. Airlines should be providing their own security. You'd see different or effective methods emerge from a working market, not rich corporatist bullshit. Wait till they decide they should be manning mall entrances and auto search checkpoints, and see how you feel about it then.

[jmdrake]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDn8Fjg7zpA

It's funny to see Ann Coulter actually defending civil liberties. One advantage to Romney winning would be liberals realizing once again how "evil" the Bush administration responses to 9/11 were.

[jmdrake]

I always opt for the patdown, just to trouble the TSA, but they aren't that invasive. They aren't a molestation. They're a nuisance.

You've just been lucky so far. When you play Russian roulette you'll only get shot 1 time out of 6 as well.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZODrqcPsFU


They add no safety. We should not have to waste our time and money on them, but my God, they aren't that bad and I imagine if a Republican were in the White House when this started, all the GOP'ers -sans the Pauls- who drone on and on about how awful these gropings are would be telling the liberals who would no doubt be offended by them to pipe down.

I agree with the rest of your comments.

[KingNothing]

The funny thing is, these people are the first to start whining when their privacy is invaded.


Eh, a guy like Affleck has to deal with the media trying to exploit his private life constantly to sell intimate details to the American public. If we as a people had any regard for other peoples' privacy, I'd be a bit less critical of most people who politicize the TSA. The Pauls are well within their rights to hate the TSA, as is everyone here I'd imagine, but when Republican pols and Joe Average attack this invasion of privacy while ignoring basically ALL others.... it comes off as pathetic and phony.

[jmdrake]

Eh, a guy like Affleck has to deal with the media trying to exploit his private life constantly to sell intimate details to the American public. If we as a people had any regard for other peoples' privacy, I'd be a bit less critical of most people who politicize the TSA. The Pauls are well within their rights to hate the TSA, as is everyone here I'd imagine, but when Republican pols and Joe Average attack this invasion of privacy while ignoring basically ALL others.... it comes off as pathetic and phony.

Ben Affleck chose that life. His whole career is built around selling his "image". Joe Average didn't choose to be grouped by the TSA. And I don't want to here the "you have a choice not to fly" garbage as the TSA viper teams are already operating on the highways. Besides, I expect Republicans not to give a rip about privacy. But for liberal morons like Affleck and Whoopi Goldberg to be okay with all abuses by the government when a democrat is in charge is the height of hypocrisy.

[KingNothing]

You've just been lucky so far. When you play Russian roulette you'll only get shot 1 time out of 6 as well.

If the most negative consequence is what amounts to a "ball-tap" that I get to mock the pathetic TSA worker for making, it really isn't that awful. I hate the TSA as an institution, I think people who willingly work for it are either idiots or creeps, I find the process to be absurdist comedy, but I can't shake the fact that most people who complain about it read every gossip rag for the latest hot celeb rumor and/or care not about every other -more insidious- invasion of privacy.

This entire ball of wax is a microcosm of our government and our people -- it's a gigantic waste of time and money that does nothing but give one group the ability to cover its ass and say "we DID SOMETHING," while a second group collects a pay check, and a third gets to express righteous indignation and faux outrage. It's more infuriating and sad than it is offensive or invasive.

[KingNothing]

Ben Affleck chose that life. His whole career is built around selling his "image".


That's up for debate. I'm sure he'd be MORE happy to produce works of actual art like Argo and Good Will Hunting than to be the subject of tabloid stupidity.



Joe Average didn't choose to be grouped by the TSA.


The willful ignorance of Joe Average allows all of this waste and stupidity to happen.



And I don't want to here the "you have a choice not to fly" garbage as the TSA viper teams are already operating on the highways. Besides, I expect Republicans not to give a rip about privacy.


Agree completely. I fly very frequently and like I said, I always opt for the patdown. If for nothing else, it SHOULD make the job even less alluring to potential applicants and work to make the process so painfully slow and arduous that if everyone acted as I do, the TSA would be forced to scrap it entirely. In that regard, I feel I'm doing my part. To take it a step further and go full circle, as Affleck wrote in Good Will Hunting, "I always picked the wrench, because f^@% him," just standing up to the TSA and forcing the workers to demean themselves instead of passively filing through the ridiculous Rapiscan machines is something.



But for liberal morons like Affleck and Whoopi Goldberg to be okay with all abuses by the government when a democrat is in charge is the height of hypocrisy.

Liberals aren't even liberals anymore. They're statists. They've forgotten that people can work together, cooperatively, through means other than the government.

[jmdrake]

If the most negative consequence is what amounts to a "ball-tap" that I get to mock the pathetic TSA worker for making, it really isn't that awful. I hate the TSA as an institution, I think people who willingly work for it are either idiots or creeps, I find the process to be absurdist comedy, but I can't shake the fact that most people who complain about it read every gossip rag for the latest hot celeb rumor and/or care not about every other -more insidious- invasion of privacy.

You've taken a poll? :rolleyes: I'm certain most people who complain about it are not the type to read gossip rags. Most people who complain about it are Ron Paul supporters or other liberty minded people.



This entire ball of wax is a microcosm of our government and our people -- it's a gigantic waste of time and money that does nothing but give one group the ability to cover its ass and say "we DID SOMETHING," while a second group collects a pay check, and a third gets to express righteous indignation and faux outrage. It's more infuriating and sad than it is offensive or invasive.

I care more about children being molested by the government than I do about the cost. There are many ways that our government wastes money, but few that are humiliating, degrading and downright creepy as what the TSA is doing. I guess when they decide to go for the even more invasive searches (http://theintelhub.com/2012/05/14/senator-diane-feinstein-get-ready-for-more-invasive-tsa-searches-to-save-us-from-al-qaeda/) they've been talking about, you're made complaint will be the cost of the gloves?

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ6Q8kncIBDHQ8Osve_x-YwNEi3156RbnbmycwsWjgnFbmyoFNp

[jmdrake]

That's up for debate. I'm sure he'd be MORE happy to produce works of actual art like Argo and Good Will Hunting than to be the subject of tabloid stupidity.

And so he goes on shows like Bill Maher to make art. :rolleyes:



The willful ignorance of Joe Average allows all of this waste and stupidity to happen.


Well Joe Average complaining about TSA searches is one positive aspect of this whole thing.



Agree completely. I fly very frequently and like I said, I always opt for the patdown. If for nothing else, it SHOULD make the job even less alluring to potential applicants and work to make the process so painfully slow and arduous that if everyone acted as I do, the TSA would be forced to scrap it entirely. In that regard, I feel I'm doing my part. To take it a step further and go full circle, as Affleck wrote in Good Will Hunting, "I always picked the wrench, because f^@% him," just standing up to the TSA and forcing the workers to demean themselves instead of passively filing through the ridiculous Rapiscan machines is something.


You're assuming that the TSA will quit hiring pedophiles. As for me, I go out of my way to choose airports that still have metal detectors.

See: http://tsastatus.net/

But hey, choose what ever form of protest fits you best. I just see no reason to defend Ben Afflect for being a total scum in this instance just because you like his movies and just because the free market allows people to read about his private life.



Liberals aren't even liberals anymore. They're statists. They've forgotten that people can work together, cooperatively, through means other than the government.

That's true.

[KingNothing]

You're okay with your children being molested, I am not.


This language is pathetic. The TSA isn't molesting anyone. I get patted down a couple times a week. It isn't that bad. It's an annoying delay and waste of resources. It isn't a prostate exam. I would prefer to have my children not subjected to it, and the current TSA rules allow for children and the elderly to be exempted.



There are many ways that our government wastes money, but few that are humiliating, degrading and downright creepy as what the TSA is doing. I guess when they decide to go for the even more invasive searches (http://theintelhub.com/2012/05/14/senator-diane-feinstein-get-ready-for-more-invasive-tsa-searches-to-save-us-from-al-qaeda/) they've been talking about, you're made complaint will be the cost of the gloves?


No, I'll do as I and others here have -- I'll abide by my principled stance on civil liberties, and oppose them. As I've said several times already, I have no problem with those of us who oppose these searches. What I have a problem with is Joe Average and Joe Republican who never gave a damn about anyone's privacy before, but now do because a Democrat is in office or it has become the cause du jour. And, by the way, if the number of times I've been the lone opt-out is any indication, the backlash against naked body scanners is no longer today's crusade. It's just another example of American slacktivism that faded into the night after accomplishing nothing.

[porchdog]

you would also be wrong

[KingNothing]

And so he goes on shows like Bill Maher to make art. :rolleyes:



Just because you disagree with Bill Maher, or maybe even comedy, doesn't make Maher's or Affleck's work less artistic.
They make art. Period. They express things in a creative form and stimulate thought or emotion. I dislike Maher, but I think his comedy can be quite good, and I disagree with Affleck's political views but he has made some of the best movies of his generation and he's still growing and learning in that regard.

FWIW, you should see Argo. The opening montage eviscerates US and British actions in Iran and the Middle East. As a whole, it's a movie that Mike Scheuer would be proud of -- our foreign policy is called out for the hypocritical farce that it is, and the insanity of muslim radicals is made apparent. It's a really good flick, and it's got some hilarious lines too.

[Wolfgang Bohringer]

It's funny to see Ann Coulter actually defending civil liberties. One advantage to Romney winning would be liberals realizing once again how "evil" the Bush administration responses to 9/11 were.

I've been informally accumlulating field research data ever since the naked photos, sex assaults, and rapes were rolled out at the airports. Amongst lefties the results are almost univeral: They love the idea of subjects being humiliated and forced to show obeisance to the state by way of this new state religious ritual.

Righties on the other hand are split. Some of the "christian"-right doesn't like it--which helps encourage the lefties such as Affleck to laugh at their prudishness as they demand that these "christians" shut up, bend over and obey the beloved cops as they keep them safe. While the less-"christian" righties such as the Randian athiests and the neo-cons loved the idea from the start even more than the lefties.

But just as with prison rape humor, foul mouthed cops and soldiers, socialist insecurity, free pharmecueticals, and mass incinerations of foreigners, soon airport gate rape will be embraced and completely incorporated into the full spectrum of conservatism also. Just think: How many of these right wing christians such as Coulter are going to deny their votes to Mormon Romney--who counts the satanic Chertoff who invented and profits from the rape-o-trons--as one of his top 10 advisors?

[jmdrake]

This language is pathetic. The TSA isn't molesting anyone. I get patted down a couple times a week. It isn't that bad. It's an annoying delay and waste of resources. It isn't a prostate exam. I would prefer to have my children not subjected to it, and the current TSA rules allow for children and the elderly to be exempted.

As I said, if someone isn't groping your penis than you're lucky. Good for you. And the current TSA rules, which change daily, are only the current rules because people have stood up and called these invasive patdowns, where someone's private parts get grouped in certain circumstances, what they are which is molestation. If someone grabs your dick and it's non consensual that's sexual assault. You object to me calling it molestation? Well some people object to your use of the term "rapescan machine". People find all sorts of clever ways to cope with what they think they can't defeat. And while it currently isn't a prostate exam, what do you think Diane Feinstein meant when they said we may need "more invasive" searches? Did you miss the Obama administration expressing concern about rectal bombs? Since the way to stop terrorism according to Affleck, Feinstein, and Obama is "give up liberty for security" what do you think is next? Really the "it costs too much" argument is banal and will not carry the day. We're still fighting two wars and getting ready to fight a third. And the cost can always be passed off the the flying public. It's only as people realize this is a needless affront to their person that this will stop.



No, I'll do as I and others here have -- I'll abide by my principled stance on civil liberties, and oppose them. As I've said several times already, I have no problem with those of us who oppose these searches. What I have a problem with is Joe Average and Joe Republican who never gave a damn about anyone's privacy before, but now do because a Democrat is in office or it has become the cause du jour. And, by the way, if the number of times I've been the lone opt-out is any indication, the backlash against naked body scanners is no longer today's crusade. It's just another example of American slacktivism that faded into the night after accomplishing nothing.

What is the the difference between "Joe Average" and "Joe Republican"? You keep saying that as if they are different, but then using them interchangeably. Any "Joe Average" who is not a republican must, by definition, be upset for some reason other than the fact that a Democrat is in office. I agree with you on the "slacktivism" problem, but I think it's symptomatic of the same "Oh it's not molestation" argument you're using. The TSA came out with the "outline" software, so people decided the machines "aren't that bad" just like you've decided the patdowns "aren't that bad". I can respect the "I think this is horrible, but I'm subjecting myself to this to make a point" argument. I have a problem with the "Don't talk about poor Ben Affleck because he's on the cover of People magazine" argument.

[KingNothing]

Remember National Opt Out Day and how much people cared about this back in late 2010? It was #Kony2012. It was #OWS. It was the cause of the day. And like those other things, the sound and fury subsided after a couple weeks and resulted in absolutely nothing changing.
Joe Average doesn't actually care about anything other than Kim Kardashian, Honey Boo Boo, and whoever the OMG HE'S SO TALENTED next big thing on American Idol or the Voice is. Lucky for us, I guess, is that a consequence of American Apathy is that a properly motivated intelligent minority of passionate people have the power to bring about real change. To that end, I'm sure you all do something similar to what I do -- make a snarky comment about how silly the TSA, or whatever inane government program you're witnessing, is to the person next to you, share a laugh, drop a bit of friendly knowledge, then move along with your day and support political candidates who represent the change we want to see. It is, I think, the only was we can chip away at the Leviathan.

[jmdrake]

Just because you disagree with Bill Maher, or maybe even comedy, doesn't make Maher's or Affleck's work less artistic.
They make art. Period. They express things in a creative form and stimulate thought or emotion. I dislike Maher, but I think his comedy can be quite good, and I disagree with Affleck's political views but he has made some of the best movies of his generation and he's still growing and learning in that regard.


I just don't find Bill Maher all that funny. And I have a higher definition of "art" than you do apparently.



FWIW, you should see Argo. The opening montage eviscerates US and British actions in Iran and the Middle East. As a whole, it's a movie that Mike Scheuer would be proud of -- our foreign policy is called out for the hypocritical farce that it is, and the insanity of muslim radicals is made apparent. It's a really good flick, and it's got some hilarious lines too.

Okay.

[KingNothing]

As I said, if someone isn't groping your penis than you're lucky. Good for you. And the current TSA rules, which change daily, are only the current rules because people have stood up and called these invasive patdowns, where someone's private parts get grouped in certain circumstances, what they are which is molestation. If someone grabs your dick and it's non consensual that's sexual assault.


No one has ever "grabbed my dick" during a TSA search. Not once. I've had dozens of them. And even if it did happen, I wouldn't freak out or pretend to be outraged. It might just be my cynical view of things, but I'd expect nothing less silly from the State.



You object to me calling it molestation?


Yes.



Well some people object to your use of the term "rapescan machine".


That's a sort of satire I can get behind! I always call them that.


Since the way to stop terrorism according to Affleck, Feinstein, and Obama is "give up liberty for security" what do you think is next? Really the "it costs too much" argument is banal and will not carry the day.


Did you miss the part where I said a principled stance on civil liberties and privacy is welcomed? It seems you did, because you're really murdering this strawman you've created.


What is the the difference between "Joe Average" and "Joe Republican"? You keep saying that as if they are different, but then using them interchangeably. Any "Joe Average" who is not a republican must, by definition, be upset for some reason other than the fact that a Democrat is in office.


Sure, I could have just said Joe Dumbass Moron for each. I guess I mean to say that Joe Republican is going to vote for Our Guy no matter what, and that Joe Average is going to move with whatever the current narrative may be.



I agree with you on the "slacktivism" problem, but I think it's symptomatic of the same "Oh it's not molestation" argument you're using.



No, it isn't. I'm just not prone to hyperbole or over sensitivity. It is absolutely not molestation. It's annoying and it is a waste of time. It requires a presumption of guilt and can't possibly be considered Constitutional, but it absolutely is not molestation.



The TSA came out with the "outline" software, so people decided the machines "aren't that bad" just like you've decided the patdowns "aren't that bad".



Sure, every time I opt-out, I'm reminded that Ohh Gee, this isn't that bad anymore -- we have backscatter machines that use sound or something that isn't radiation and your nuts won't be on display! That nonsense does nothing to address the civil liberties concerns.


I have a problem with the "Don't talk about poor Ben Affleck because he's on the cover of People magazine" argument.

I never said that. I said that privacy is non-existent in his life because the mass of Americans do not give a damn about other people's privacy. It's easy to see why he would be willing to call them on it.

[KingNothing]

I just don't find Bill Maher all that funny. And I have a higher definition of "art" than you do apparently.


You realize that comedians are artists, right? And that just because you don't find them humorous, does not mean they are not funny, or that they do not work hard to refine their craft.... right? I consider anything creative to be art. Maher creates. Therefore, he's an artist.

[Romulus]

Fuck Ben and his private jets.... what a douche.

[jmdrake]

No one has ever "grabbed my dick" during a TSA search. Not once. I've had dozens of them. And even if it did happen, I wouldn't freak out or pretend to be outraged. It might just be my cynical view of things, but I'd expect nothing less silly from the State.

Sure. But it has happened. That's my point. You could take a 6 shooter, put one bullet in it, spin the chamber and click against your skull dozens of times without ever getting shot. That doesn't mean it doesn't happen. And whether you are freaked out or outraged by molestation doesn't mean that it's not.



That's a sort of satire I can get behind! I always call them that.


That's nice. And I always call pat downs that include people's genitals molestation. No difference.




Did you miss the part where I said a principled stance on civil liberties and privacy is welcomed? It seems you did, because you're really murdering this strawman you've created.


I missed where Ben Affleck took a principled stance on civil liberties. :rolleyes: Is Laura Ingram a tool? Yes. But to claim, as you did, that most people complaining about the TSA are those reading the gossip rags is just silly.



Sure, I could have just said Joe Dumbass Moron for each. I guess I mean to say that Joe Republican is going to vote for Our Guy no matter what, and that Joe Average is going to move with whatever the current narrative may be.


Whatever. Joe "Average" Democrat is going with the "I must support Our Guy no matter what and stop complaining about the TSA because a Democrat is in power". Ben Affleck is being "Joe Average Dumbass Moron Democrat". Most people were angry at the TSA when the "rapescans" and "invasive pat downs" (molestation) came out, not because a democrat was in power, but because they instinctively knew this was wrong. Then people like Affleck decided "Oh it's not so bad. I support Obama and Obama supports this so it must be to keep us safe right?" argument. I run mostly in democratic circles. I saw the rage leave people once it truly sunk in that Obama, Whoopi Goldberg, Ben Affleck, fill-in-the-blank liberal statist supported the scanners and patdowns.



No, it isn't. I'm just not prone to hyperbole or over sensitivity. It is absolutely not molestation. It's annoying and it is a waste of time. It requires a presumption of guilt and can't possibly be considered Constitutional, but it absolutely is not molestation.


Just because you haven't been groped in your genitals and just because you personally don't mind being molested doesn't mean it's not molestation.



Sure, every time I opt-out, I'm reminded that Ohh Gee, this isn't that bad anymore -- we have backscatter machines that use sound or something that isn't radiation and your nuts won't be on display! That nonsense does nothing to address the civil liberties concerns.


Yep. And Affleck doesn't care about civil liberties. Ingram doesn't either. And let Romney be president and Affleck will find a reason to be against something else that isn't as bad as the TSA (since he's on record being okay with dick groping) and Ingram will defend the next thing Romney does that's worse.



I never said that. I said that privacy is non-existent in his life because the mass of Americans do not give a damn about other people's privacy. It's easy to see why he would be willing to call them on it.

:rolleyes: Call who on it? Again, most people still against what the TSA is doing don't give a rats ass about who Ben Affleck is dating. In fact Affleck's publicist probably leaks a lot of he private life and Affleck's request. Being in the public eye increases box office marketability. Affleck didn't even bring up that lame of an argument. You did. Talk about murdering straw men.

[jmdrake]

You realize that comedians are artists, right? And that just because you don't find them humorous, does not mean they are not funny, or that they do not work hard to refine their craft.... right? I consider anything creative to be art. Maher creates. Therefore, he's an artist.

By that definition Obama's speech writer is an "artist". Hell, everyone who posts on a forum is an "artist".

[jmdrake]

Remember National Opt Out Day and how much people cared about this back in late 2010? It was #Kony2012. It was #OWS. It was the cause of the day. And like those other things, the sound and fury subsided after a couple weeks and resulted in absolutely nothing changing.
Joe Average doesn't actually care about anything other than Kim Kardashian, Honey Boo Boo, and whoever the OMG HE'S SO TALENTED next big thing on American Idol or the Voice is. Lucky for us, I guess, is that a consequence of American Apathy is that a properly motivated intelligent minority of passionate people have the power to bring about real change. To that end, I'm sure you all do something similar to what I do -- make a snarky comment about how silly the TSA, or whatever inane government program you're witnessing, is to the person next to you, share a laugh, drop a bit of friendly knowledge, then move along with your day and support political candidates who represent the change we want to see. It is, I think, the only was we can chip away at the Leviathan.

And ^that is the reason for the TSA molestation program. It's simply meant to get "Joe Average" used to the idea that some stranger grabbing your privates for no good reason is part of the "new normal". It is social conditioning pure and simple. They included children and the elderly at first in order to see how far they could get. Then they backed off completely when the reaction was too strong. Then they came back strong. Then they backed off a little again. People are conditioned to think that because kids aren't currently being groped, or because they just show an "outline" in the scanners, we've turned the corner. We haven't. It pot temperature has just been adjusted.