Turning the new TSA procedures into something good…

[Glassunion]

In light of the recent TSA changes in regards to their new “enhanced” tortu… um… screening processes I have decided to no longer fly. I wrote a letter to my former airline and American Express informing them of my refusal to fly until the TSA changes their policies.

For quite some time I have accumulated quite a bit of Amex points for flying and travel over the past several years and have, as promised in my letter, cashed them in and donated them away. It felt quite good and did not cost me one dime.

I was however torn in what to do with some of the money. Every year I give money to the lebh.org. It is a charity that pays to fly our military personnel home during their R&R that a lot of them receive during the holidays. Here is my dilemma… Can I donate money to a project that will subject someone to the very procedures that I despise? My wife and I talked it out and we decided that the benefit outweighs our feelings about the “enhanced” searches. We also figured that not everyone has made the same choices as we have, and that we cannot deny some hardworking military personnel a rightly deserved trip home to spend time with their family.

So if you have some extra airline miles, credit card rewards or even some extra money that you are looking for something to do with. Please give some thought to the Let’s Bring Em Home project at www.lbeh.org or checkout http://www.charitywatch.org/toprated.html to find a good top rated charity. The hardest part we found was choosing where we sent our donations. There are so many good charities out there who do a lot of good for a lot of people.

Oh… And to all the fine folks at the TSA… Consider both of my middle fingers fully extended in your direction.

Required disclaimer: The administrators of Democratic Underground have given permission for one discussion thread on this topic. The administrators of Democratic Underground make no claims regarding the legitimacy or illegitimacy of this fundraising effort. Permission was granted by Skinner on 12/3/2010, and the moderators have been notified.

[spin]

1. K&R Great idea!!! (n/t)

[Glassunion]

2. It's really fun. Kind of like spending other people's money.

My wife and I were up so late drinking wine and making our picks.