Gave Away My Rights At The Gate
Sep 28 '01
The Bottom Line I try to get our lives back to normal and then I wonder, maybe this is it!
I can see by some of the comments that were left that this is not a popular piece. I was not whining at the amount of time that it takes to get in or did not really mean to be. I have told my husband, who will not even attempt to go on base that I am very grateful that our children are safe. That is my thought as an adult. Now, we are talking about children whose ages range from three to eight who cannot figure out why they are checked three and four times a day getting in to school and three to four times a day getting out.
I agree with each comment that lives have been lost and security must be heightened. My misunderstanding is with how many times. When you are searched coming into the gates and then two or three more times along the way--THAT I DO NOT UNDERSTAND! This is what causes the mass confusion and the misunderstandings with people.
I am one of the few civilian mothers who has not pulled her children from the schools. I try to explain to my children that I guess this is what is normal now. My point in all of this is how do you explain that two them and how unfair it is that they as children have to suffer so greatly for the acts of hateful people around the world.
FYI This is being done to the military personnel as well. They are the ones defending us and they are being searched as well. That I do not understand. I really believe that some of the confusion, mix ups, and delays could be avoided if that was not being done.
My point was that if we are to get back to normal (and this may very well be what it is). We should not keep being told to get back to the way it was because at least for now and more than likely forever---those days are gone! And that if you are going to search, search everyone that is or is not cleared and not every so many cars.
I apologize to those that I have offended, but my opinion stands. One search a day should be sufficient. Maybe even two if they feel I need to be checked going out. I have clearance to be there and so do my children. We have identification that says so. This was thoroughly checked out before given. It should mean something.
Here we are weeks after the attack and we keep being asked to get our lives back on track and back to normal. Okay, we try that--but is this what normal is going to be for us from now on.
As you know from my previous review, My children go to school on a military base. Don't get me wrong, I know that they are following orders and that safety must be a top priority. But, I find myself frustrated and confused at every turn.
Before September 11, 2001: Those of us who were civilians and needed access to the base, were given stickers for our vehicles to make that possible. This was even new to us as before the beginning of the school year, this was not required. Anyone could come and go at any time without ever even being questioned. An open base.
Now this restriction did not really affect us in any way. The MP' at the gate simply glanced at our stickers and sent us on our way. We felt better knowing that the base was a little more secure--yet some of our freedoms were taken away. No big deal though. We had to subject ourselves to the rules of the base just as those who lived there would. Not much to ask and their right, of course.
After September 11, 2001:
We now find ourselves with no rights at all once we make that turn and head for the gate. Something that we have no choice in doing unless we choose to home school or go without and education all together. Ya right, I have seven children and already home school some of them. It would be impossible and unfair to think that with their different ages I could do them all. So it is on to the base we go!
If it is your lucky day, you need only show all the normal papers and identification that you would if you were to be stopped for any violation. (Carry those anyway so no big deal) Then you must answer a million questions about who you are, what your business is, do you love your country, are you a terrorist--And you had better give the right answers in the right order. Still not bad, but takes extra time so what once took you fifteen minutes to do now takes and hour. I am a SAHM so what else do I have to do? Right!
Now if it is not your lucky day you go to line two. Full vehicle search. Everyone out of the car, doors open, hood open, trunk open, and strangers looking at everything and anything. Better throw away all those Mc Donald's wrappers and God forbid you should forget gum in your ashtray. What could that be--Gum, I promise.
Then if you are the really unlucky one--you yourself and everyone in your vehicle will be searched. Children and all. If you have car seats, which I have several--All out of the car and searched.
Now, what used to take you an hour was taking maybe two. Today, we left to bring my daughter to kindergarten--not knowing if we were going to be lucky, unlucky, or really unlucky--we left at 10:45 for classes that would not start until 12:00. Finally we arrived at school at 1:00. Everyone was unlucky today.
So, I sit here and I wonder--How is it exactly that I am supposed to get my life back to normal, or have I?
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Epinions.com ID:
Debbietipton
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Member: Debbie Tipton
Location: Colorado Springs Co
Reviews written: 240
Trusted by: 114 members
About Me:
I am a SAHM of seven children. I love every minute of it.
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