For Security Purposes

I admit it, I have little tolerance for bureaucracy, but I feel like almost everyting now is being demanded "for security purposes." You can't fight back, its just the way it is, etc,. but this is the excuse phrase for everything. Phone calls, online issues, requests for ID's. Is anyone else getting nuts about this?


I feel like saying "give me a break" - "for security purposes, that is."

Then again, people are calling for the resignation of the head of Virginia Tech for not taking enough steps for "security purposes". I hear people on the news programs saying they should have had metal detectors, a system that automatically locks all doors campus wide with one button, etc. Damned if you do, damned if you don't...tough call.

You've got a good point, Tony. I had a lot of "paperwork" (?) to do online and elsewhere yesterday and today so I was esp. aware of the growing "for security" issue. Blackburg, the media, etc. so much.

Now I guess we are demanding that "the authorities" protect us from "everything" and are liable if they don't. It's hard to keep a perspective about what is reasonable.

It reminds me of years ago (don't know about now) when I worked in a hospital and the way to get something done politically was to say it was "for the patients". Sorta like the phrase "For the children..."

I've heard it said that 9/11 didn't really change anything, but it sure changed the "security" discourse!

quote:

Originally posted by Tony Bad

Then again, people are calling for the resignation of the head of Virginia Tech for not taking enough steps for "security purposes". I hear people on the news programs saying they should have had metal detectors, a system that automatically locks all doors campus wide with one button, etc.

those people are complete knumbnuts with their knee jerk reactions. and hindsight theories.

Verizon would not let me cancel my wifes phone this morning because I had no way of proving she expired.

I will have to drive 30 miles back to deliver the death certificate.

Security I was told.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

quote:

Originally posted by Sundancer7

Verizon would not let me cancel my wifes phone this morning because I had no way of proving she expired.

I will have to drive 30 miles back to deliver the death certificate.

Security I was told.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Stop paying the bill and they'll expedite the cancellation.

I told them that and they told me that if I stopped paying, they would sue me to recover late charges plus cancellation of contract.

They play hard ball.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

quote:

Originally posted by Scorereader

those people are complete knumbnuts with their knee jerk reactions. and hindsight theories.

I agree, but I am sure there a bunch of lawyers already formulating their lawsuit strategy based on security that these kinds of theorists say should have been in place.

quote:

Originally posted by Tony Bad

quote:

Originally posted by Scorereader

those people are complete numbnuts with their knee jerk reactions. and hindsight theories.

I agree, but I am sure there a bunch of lawyers already formulating their lawsuit strategy based on security that these kinds of theorists say should have been in place.

they're still numbnuts, with a capital S!

I have a combination account that includes my phone & my wife's. She is listed on the account, but I am the prime user. She wanted to get a new phone..you know..come into the store and spend money. They refused to let her unless I came into the store with her, because even though she is listed on the account, she cannot purchase a new phone..with her own money..without me being there to approve!! I hate VERIZON. The problem is, none of the other choices are any better.

I personally feel we (Americans) are losing a lot of freedoms due to this "War on Terror". Maybe I'll go back and reread 1984

quote:

Originally posted by scbuzz

I personally feel we (Americans) are losing a lot of freedoms due to this "War on Terror". Maybe I'll go back and reread 1984

I agree here. We are losing freedom, but gaining "security." (Of course I'm know sure how you know you have "security"). With the combo of 9/11, internet and cybercrime, politics and commercial exploitation, its almost as if the "terrorists won" or at least a lot of people are riding the "security" ticket.

We are on a fast track to becoming a police state "for security purposes".

Long live the King.

quote:

Originally posted by Bushie

We are on a fast track to becoming a police state "for security purposes".
Long live the King.

I believe you are right.

Unfortunately, life is not as simple as it once used to be. One has only to look as far back as yesterday in the "news" to see what that means. That to me is a sad reflection on today's "modern" society. It's too bad we can't have a worldwide regression, for all.

And further...(boy am I on a rant...) what about these secret passwords, special questiones, etc. eg:

http://dorrianporter.typepad.com/silicon_valley_himalayan_/2006/09/for_security_pu.html


There were 2 times recently I had one of these financial institutions questions. The first was: What was the name of your first dog? Well I called a few months later, went to answer it, and the answer was "wrong". I then named all the dogs I had as a child, and was still "wrong" I felt nuts. Then the guy "told" me the "right" answer and it turned out that I originally gave the name of my "last" dog.

Worse, another bank asked the "security" question: Who was your first boyfriend (I am not making this up!!). Well I'm over 50 yrs old and my "first boyfriend" depends on a lot of factors: my first crush? My first "boyfriend" in 8th grade? The first one I "did it with"? I've had "lots" of boyfriend, how do you define "first"?
Better yet (I'm not making this up either - I could name the bank)"What is your favorite food? (Like ask that of someone on Roadfood, huh?).

Or favorite color? Favorite movie? (all real questions). Like, I'm sorry I change my mind a lot. I feel these questions are made up by 20 year olds here. My advice: Write down your "favorites"!!!

Today I had to order some medications from my insurance company. A few years ago, I went to the drug store and picked it up an hour later. Now I have to order it thru the mail. So I had to call the company, they said to go on line and get the form. But then I had to use my password, which wound up being incorrect because I had to use a special character added to my regular password. Then I had to answer "security" questions. Then the site went down. then I had to go back and start again, etc etc etc So it is 6 hrs. later and I don't have the form yet and then I have to mail it in and wait 7-10 days. Boy do I need those drugs now!!! Go for Prozac!!

Anyway I'm gettin' paranoid now that anyone who replies to this post will be zapped - for security purposes....hmmmmm.

Anytime anyone find themselves believing the gas out of D.C. about all they're doing for our security, direct your gaze to our embarrassing Southern border and the woefully underfunded state of port security. Then look at where the lion's share of the money's going.

But hey, at least Iraq is safe, right?

We can all B&M but there are no lines outside other embassies trying to get out of the USA. People want to come here. This IS the land of milk and honey...but we Americans bitch about long waits at the airport (try Frankfurt A/P, teams of armoured folks w/ H&K MP5's roaming around) unprotected borders? (total BS, take a train or drive from France to Belgium and see unprotected) and then visit Amsterdam.

quote:

Originally posted by V960

We can all B&M but there are no lines outside other embassies trying to get out of the USA. People want to come here. This IS the land of milk and honey...but we Americans bitch about long waits at the airport (try Frankfurt A/P, teams of armoured folks w/ H&K MP5's roaming around) unprotected borders? (total BS, take a train or drive from France to Belgium and see unprotected) and then visit Amsterdam.

Ya know, I am beginning to hear B&M from immigrants in NYC. I recently had a cab driver from Bulgaria who has lived here 5 yrs. and is planning to go home. She said things are improving in Bulgaria and going downhill in US. I suspect that (some) immigrants who live here for a while get disenchanted.

Yesterday I called the phone company to pay the bill ( somehow it missed being mailed on time) The account is in the wifes name and they wanted the last 4 of her ss# "for security reasons", luckily I had it handy and then a "security" question, which I was able to guess the answer to. I was thinking -- all I want to do is pay the bill, is there really a big surge of terrorists paying our bills for us?--