EDITORIAL: ‘Damn idiots’

Beth Whitehead, 78, was talking with a receptionist at the FCC about her converter box problems when she made the comment that she’d like to “shoot” the person who messed up her TV service.

The next thing she knows, commandos from Homeland Security wearing bullet proof vests are standing in her yard demanding to talk to her.
Funny, yes. But also frightening.

Since when did the federal government feel the need to have jackboot agents harass ladies who complain about their TV service?

Under the cover of “homeland security,” a lot of crazy things have happened in recent years from the overreaction of federal agents. While there is a legitimate need to investigate suspected terrorism, many agencies have used that fear to extend their own power in inane ways.

The searching of little old ladies in wheelchairs at airports is just one common example of how outlandish our “security” system has become. The long closure of Bear Creek Reservoir in our own county because of “terrorism” fears is another example of how government uses fear to maintain control.

Since 9-11, Americans have increasingly ceded their freedoms to government. In the name of “security,” our privacy and freedom of movement has been eroded.
It’s a frightening thing when the government abuses that authority to investigate an American citizen for spurious reasons such as happened with Ms. Whitehead. Why didn’t they just call the local sheriff to determine if anything was amiss?

This newspaper doesn’t believe in conspiracy theories involving black helicopters circling around our homes at night. That makes for good television, but is hardly reality.

We do believe, however, Ms. Whitehead nailed the real problem at Homeland Security: “I think they’ve got a bunch of damn idiots working for them,” she said.

Indeed.