Last week an American friend of mine faced this scenario. He is a green peace activist and while returning to USA was grilled by the TSA. Apparently his own mom who works at immigration and was angry at his GP activities took the opportunity to tag him and have him interrogated. They wasted five hours of his time and he was pretty pissed afterwards. We joked about it and he being pretty contrarian in his views, came up with the idea that the following scenario could very well possibly unfold in the USA. He was of the opinion that it could happen any time now, I think it could happen some time in the future if certain events take a certain turn for the worst.
So bear with me for the background buildup and possible ways, the story could develop.
Here goes the synopsis;
It's the year 2021. Twenty years have passed since the 9-11 terrorist attacks on US main land; Ten years since the US avenged her humiliation by taking out OBL in a covert raid and disposing off the worlds terrorist master mind at sea.
The US military reigns uncontested in guiding and shaping an aggressive foreign policy of preemptive actions. The US main land never suffered any attack again. Physically it is safe, but the American populace has paid a grave price in terms of forsaking personal freedoms and liberties to the fast encroaching security establishment. Routing of the Democratic Party in the Nov 2012 elections, due to Obama's unfulfilled promises gave way to the right wing Republican Party for the next two terms. Although it was Obama who brought in the notorious NDAA legislation, the Republican Party preying upon a paranoia ridden population, has taken the second NDAA-II legislation to new heights of intrusion. The result is a USA just one step away from being an absolute Police State. State Security apparatus enjoy uncalled for and unprecedented authority in exercising their "noble" duty of safeguarding the American Population from threats real or imagined.
It is with this background that we have the following main characters of this story;
Patricia:
She was 21 years old and a graduating college student when the 9-11 attacks happened. Hailing from the bible belt state of Oklahoma, she was brought up with strong conservative and religious values. She believed in a strong code of serving Country and God. The 9-11 attacks only made her rightist beliefs even stronger. She is a keen supporter of the Republican party and sees the NDAA-II legislation as a corner stone in keeping USA safe from the dark and ugly world beyond.
She got married after graduation but was divorced since her career oriented life didn't leave much space for family affairs.
After graduation she joined various state security agencies ending up in TSA as a TSI, with special administrative responsibilities at a busy US international airport. She is now a regular church going 41 year old lady, committed to God and country.
Robert:
Patricia's 19 year old son has rarely been on amicable terms with his mom. He never liked her assertive attitudes and despised authoritative figures in general. When he was 18 years old, he joined green peace as a form of rebellion. He never disguised his dislike for religion / church and often earned the wrath of his mom who admonished him over his heretic views. Robert hates the NDAA-II legislation and thinks that it's a blot on the basic constitution of USA and it's concept of liberties and freedoms.
James:
A pervert his whole life, James is a religious nut case with a history of sexual harassment cases against him. Born and brought up in Fort Worth Texas, James attends church regularly, faces alcohol addiction and other mental health problems. He has never been married his life because women sense something is terribly wrong with him from miles away. His uncle John who was a former TSA Administrator during Obama's tenure, salvaged John from a lengthy prison sentence by using his influence at the white house. James' record was "cleaned" and his uncle got him a job at the TSA. Not used to holding a regular job, James was not pleased to get up every day for this new one. It was until he found out, that as a TSA employee he could feed whatever perversion he desired. He started liking his job and decided to make a career out of it. Another thing he noticed was almost all of the TSA work force had an IQ well below average but were employed due to their unquestioning blind allegiance to the state and whatever orders it issued.
The ones with better IQ levels (like Patricia) were locked down with administrative responsibilities. James performed his duties at the TSA, and quickly discovered that the secret to career advancement (apart from his Uncle's connections) was being a Yes Man, and slavishly following orders from the higher ups. Being an intelligent pervert he was able to outperform others and quickly rose the ladder to become the TSA Administrator.
It was during the first Republican Party Tenure after 2012, that the new rightist President separated TSA from the Homeland Security making it an autonomous Federal organization with more powers and influence. James was now the head of a powerful security body with no accountability at all. He was in virtual heaven. His religious affiliations gave him blanket cover for whatever he devised under the guise of enhancing security no matter how immoral or intrusive it actually was. A regular lunch partner of the President at the White House, James slowly instigated the introduction of legislation in both congress and senate which were controlled by like minded rightist republicans, giving TSA complete authority and ownership of regulations pertaining to screening of Passengers. These regulations were kept beyond any US courts' jurisdiction by the new NDAA-II, leaving TSA virtually untouchable.
The Plot Unfolds:
Robert returns from abroad after participating in a green peace protest against a US oil firm's off shore drilling projects. On arrival at a US international airport, he is told that his name has popped up in the "No Fly List", probably it is a False Positive, but nevertheless due diligence has to be done and proper procedures would have to be applied hence forth, which shouldn't take much time.
He is taken to the processing area where Robert is interviewed about his whereabouts while he was abroad and other minute details. Robert protests that the TSA doesn't have the right to ask him probing questions, but is silenced by showing him the new NDAA-II based procedures which leave him with no option but submit completely to whatever TSA asks him to do.
His mom Patricia is also stationed at the same airport as the Admin responsible. Unknown to both Patricia and Robert is the fact that James has devised a cunning plan to satiate his perversion of seeing Patricia perform immoral acts upon and with her own son under the pretext of State Security.
James the TSA Administrator has used his connections with the Homeland Security cell which keeps tabs on Americans traveling abroad, to obtain the complete file of Roberts' itinerary. Robert had participated in a Green Peace protest against offshore drilling by Halliburton near Venezuela. He had traveled through Venezuela, Cuba and Brazil during this journey and that was enough for James to entrap him.
Robert cannot believe his ears when he is informed after throwing up a ruckus
that the TSA mandate includes not only screening passengers but finding out passengers who could have possibly and potentially hostile attentions towards USA.
In the processing Room Robert is told that the authorities have "provided" the TSA with credible information that Robert has engaged in potentially hostile acts against US interests abroad while he has been staying in countries which harbor existing or potentially could harbor ill feelings towards USA in future.
Therefore, he has been designated as a person of interest and as per NDAA-II established procedures Robert will have to undergo enhanced "interview"and screening.
Robert is also told that the TSA has been informed about his movement through certain south american countries with loose moral standards and inclination towards libertine partying and drug usage (like Samba Festivals in Brazil). Since under the new administration, USA is supposed to be a drug and vice free, God fearing nation of morally upright people, therefore, as per new mandate of TSA all passengers who have been designated as such have to be tested for bringing in possible STD's to the USA as well as possible drug usage.
Since he has not co-operated initially therefore he has been placed in category 2, and the local TSA Administrator will have to conduct, supervise and ensure that all steps and procedures applicable by law are followed and performed in letter and spirit.
The procedure entails the normal full body strip search, followed by a thorough cavity search. Subsequent to which body fluids have to be collected from the designated interested passenger by the TSI (Administrator) in person to eliminate any fraudulent testing. This includes collecting a Urine and Semen sample followed by an enema for clearing the colon of any residual drugs and tracing drugs in the ejected fluids.
Another through search finds him clear of STD's but his enema test shows traces of cocaine which he got in his system while eating a local herbal cuisine in Brazil.
This further "complicates" his case.
After Robert gets through this first phase of screening, his nightmare doesn't end. Shocked by his treatment he becomes more stubborn and refuses to divulge any names of colleagues at Green Peace or where he has been during that time.
He is now categorized as case 1, which gives TSA full authority to proceed with Homeland security cleared procedure of enhanced interrogation to obtain all information necessary to ensure that US interest are not hurt.
Robert is told that he would now have to undergo a new procedure mandated by law to obtain information from him. Since USA is the "harbinger" of human rights and "leader" of the civilized world, hence, any methods which involve physical pain are strictly outlawed. Other methods which do not involve physical pain or conversely involve pleasure could be accommodated.
The new NDAA-II legislation has given TSA full authority to devise methods of coercion conducive to this "new line of thinking".
Robert is then tasered when he physically tries to break through the office after facing so much humiliation in the name of security.
When he wakes up he is restrained to a bed like device with his legs bound to stirrups at the end. He then undergoes a comprehensive orgasm denial procedure mandated by law for extracting information without pain!!
James who is working behind the scenes to see that his perversion gets through, makes sure Patricia handles the case of Robert in Person and that she performs each and every step as part of her job as a TSI working with TSA, on her own son.
----------------------------------------------
End of Plot
So what do you think, is it lopsided, balanced or a huge leap of imagination??
I would welcome suggestions on the story end, climax and character development.
So bear with me for the background buildup and possible ways, the story could develop.
Here goes the synopsis;
It's the year 2021. Twenty years have passed since the 9-11 terrorist attacks on US main land; Ten years since the US avenged her humiliation by taking out OBL in a covert raid and disposing off the worlds terrorist master mind at sea.
The US military reigns uncontested in guiding and shaping an aggressive foreign policy of preemptive actions. The US main land never suffered any attack again. Physically it is safe, but the American populace has paid a grave price in terms of forsaking personal freedoms and liberties to the fast encroaching security establishment. Routing of the Democratic Party in the Nov 2012 elections, due to Obama's unfulfilled promises gave way to the right wing Republican Party for the next two terms. Although it was Obama who brought in the notorious NDAA legislation, the Republican Party preying upon a paranoia ridden population, has taken the second NDAA-II legislation to new heights of intrusion. The result is a USA just one step away from being an absolute Police State. State Security apparatus enjoy uncalled for and unprecedented authority in exercising their "noble" duty of safeguarding the American Population from threats real or imagined.
It is with this background that we have the following main characters of this story;
Patricia:
She was 21 years old and a graduating college student when the 9-11 attacks happened. Hailing from the bible belt state of Oklahoma, she was brought up with strong conservative and religious values. She believed in a strong code of serving Country and God. The 9-11 attacks only made her rightist beliefs even stronger. She is a keen supporter of the Republican party and sees the NDAA-II legislation as a corner stone in keeping USA safe from the dark and ugly world beyond.
She got married after graduation but was divorced since her career oriented life didn't leave much space for family affairs.
After graduation she joined various state security agencies ending up in TSA as a TSI, with special administrative responsibilities at a busy US international airport. She is now a regular church going 41 year old lady, committed to God and country.
Robert:
Patricia's 19 year old son has rarely been on amicable terms with his mom. He never liked her assertive attitudes and despised authoritative figures in general. When he was 18 years old, he joined green peace as a form of rebellion. He never disguised his dislike for religion / church and often earned the wrath of his mom who admonished him over his heretic views. Robert hates the NDAA-II legislation and thinks that it's a blot on the basic constitution of USA and it's concept of liberties and freedoms.
James:
A pervert his whole life, James is a religious nut case with a history of sexual harassment cases against him. Born and brought up in Fort Worth Texas, James attends church regularly, faces alcohol addiction and other mental health problems. He has never been married his life because women sense something is terribly wrong with him from miles away. His uncle John who was a former TSA Administrator during Obama's tenure, salvaged John from a lengthy prison sentence by using his influence at the white house. James' record was "cleaned" and his uncle got him a job at the TSA. Not used to holding a regular job, James was not pleased to get up every day for this new one. It was until he found out, that as a TSA employee he could feed whatever perversion he desired. He started liking his job and decided to make a career out of it. Another thing he noticed was almost all of the TSA work force had an IQ well below average but were employed due to their unquestioning blind allegiance to the state and whatever orders it issued.
The ones with better IQ levels (like Patricia) were locked down with administrative responsibilities. James performed his duties at the TSA, and quickly discovered that the secret to career advancement (apart from his Uncle's connections) was being a Yes Man, and slavishly following orders from the higher ups. Being an intelligent pervert he was able to outperform others and quickly rose the ladder to become the TSA Administrator.
It was during the first Republican Party Tenure after 2012, that the new rightist President separated TSA from the Homeland Security making it an autonomous Federal organization with more powers and influence. James was now the head of a powerful security body with no accountability at all. He was in virtual heaven. His religious affiliations gave him blanket cover for whatever he devised under the guise of enhancing security no matter how immoral or intrusive it actually was. A regular lunch partner of the President at the White House, James slowly instigated the introduction of legislation in both congress and senate which were controlled by like minded rightist republicans, giving TSA complete authority and ownership of regulations pertaining to screening of Passengers. These regulations were kept beyond any US courts' jurisdiction by the new NDAA-II, leaving TSA virtually untouchable.
The Plot Unfolds:
Robert returns from abroad after participating in a green peace protest against a US oil firm's off shore drilling projects. On arrival at a US international airport, he is told that his name has popped up in the "No Fly List", probably it is a False Positive, but nevertheless due diligence has to be done and proper procedures would have to be applied hence forth, which shouldn't take much time.
He is taken to the processing area where Robert is interviewed about his whereabouts while he was abroad and other minute details. Robert protests that the TSA doesn't have the right to ask him probing questions, but is silenced by showing him the new NDAA-II based procedures which leave him with no option but submit completely to whatever TSA asks him to do.
His mom Patricia is also stationed at the same airport as the Admin responsible. Unknown to both Patricia and Robert is the fact that James has devised a cunning plan to satiate his perversion of seeing Patricia perform immoral acts upon and with her own son under the pretext of State Security.
James the TSA Administrator has used his connections with the Homeland Security cell which keeps tabs on Americans traveling abroad, to obtain the complete file of Roberts' itinerary. Robert had participated in a Green Peace protest against offshore drilling by Halliburton near Venezuela. He had traveled through Venezuela, Cuba and Brazil during this journey and that was enough for James to entrap him.
Robert cannot believe his ears when he is informed after throwing up a ruckus
that the TSA mandate includes not only screening passengers but finding out passengers who could have possibly and potentially hostile attentions towards USA.
In the processing Room Robert is told that the authorities have "provided" the TSA with credible information that Robert has engaged in potentially hostile acts against US interests abroad while he has been staying in countries which harbor existing or potentially could harbor ill feelings towards USA in future.
Therefore, he has been designated as a person of interest and as per NDAA-II established procedures Robert will have to undergo enhanced "interview"and screening.
Robert is also told that the TSA has been informed about his movement through certain south american countries with loose moral standards and inclination towards libertine partying and drug usage (like Samba Festivals in Brazil). Since under the new administration, USA is supposed to be a drug and vice free, God fearing nation of morally upright people, therefore, as per new mandate of TSA all passengers who have been designated as such have to be tested for bringing in possible STD's to the USA as well as possible drug usage.
Since he has not co-operated initially therefore he has been placed in category 2, and the local TSA Administrator will have to conduct, supervise and ensure that all steps and procedures applicable by law are followed and performed in letter and spirit.
The procedure entails the normal full body strip search, followed by a thorough cavity search. Subsequent to which body fluids have to be collected from the designated interested passenger by the TSI (Administrator) in person to eliminate any fraudulent testing. This includes collecting a Urine and Semen sample followed by an enema for clearing the colon of any residual drugs and tracing drugs in the ejected fluids.
Another through search finds him clear of STD's but his enema test shows traces of cocaine which he got in his system while eating a local herbal cuisine in Brazil.
This further "complicates" his case.
After Robert gets through this first phase of screening, his nightmare doesn't end. Shocked by his treatment he becomes more stubborn and refuses to divulge any names of colleagues at Green Peace or where he has been during that time.
He is now categorized as case 1, which gives TSA full authority to proceed with Homeland security cleared procedure of enhanced interrogation to obtain all information necessary to ensure that US interest are not hurt.
Robert is told that he would now have to undergo a new procedure mandated by law to obtain information from him. Since USA is the "harbinger" of human rights and "leader" of the civilized world, hence, any methods which involve physical pain are strictly outlawed. Other methods which do not involve physical pain or conversely involve pleasure could be accommodated.
The new NDAA-II legislation has given TSA full authority to devise methods of coercion conducive to this "new line of thinking".
Robert is then tasered when he physically tries to break through the office after facing so much humiliation in the name of security.
When he wakes up he is restrained to a bed like device with his legs bound to stirrups at the end. He then undergoes a comprehensive orgasm denial procedure mandated by law for extracting information without pain!!
James who is working behind the scenes to see that his perversion gets through, makes sure Patricia handles the case of Robert in Person and that she performs each and every step as part of her job as a TSI working with TSA, on her own son.
----------------------------------------------
End of Plot
So what do you think, is it lopsided, balanced or a huge leap of imagination??
I would welcome suggestions on the story end, climax and character development.
