The name Sacramento Metropolitan Airport was upgraded a few years back to Sacramento International Airport.  I think they had one or two flights to Mexico at the time as justification for international status.  Since then, "the little airport that could" literally spent $1 billion on a new terminal building.  To be perfectly honest, I was less than impressed.  Its metallic looking, large, impersonal and lacks charm.  There's nothing in the architecture to tie it to Sacramento's rich history or personality.  So in keeping with wanting to be more like Mount Pilot, which is a subtle reference for all you Andy Griffith Show fans over the age of 50, the airport planners added a tram which travels about 50 feet.  Nonetheless, I'm sure it's impressive to travelers who enjoy being packed into a rail car after several hours of confinement in an airplane cabin.  Something similar to desert after a large meal, I guess. 

But one of the other finishing touches intended to align itself more with Mount Pilot, a.k.a. San Francisco International, is the addition of a full body image scanner.  I reluctantly succumbed to the questionable radiation emitting from this new world order technology by entering the chamber and holding my arms up above my head.  It was if I'd been arrested before a crime had been committed.  But again, that's the New World Order.  The days of walking out onto a tarmac and boarding via stairs like some 1962 entertainer are long gone.  Today, all environments are totally controlled indoors by government authorities and everyone is a suspected terrorist, regardless of age or appearance.  That point was underscored as I passed through checkpoint Charlie, but was emphasized even more as I turning around to see a United States military veteran being frisked.  He must have at least been 90 years old, but looked sharp sporting a white dress shirt complemented by dress blue slacks.  And despite his advanced age, much of his gray hair was still on duty, partially covered by a soft, Air Force style cap proudly displaying the words "WW II Veteran". 

Apparently that distinction was relatively meaningless, because this gentleman and two other octogenarian veterans had been pulled from the scanner line in order to be physically patted down.  All three graciously agreed to stand in a humiliating pose with their arms stretched out over their heads, as some 20-Something TSA employee ran his hands up and down looking for sidearms, explosive devices or other such contraband.  I'm sure these veterans probably lost friends to the casualties of World War II as they fought for their country.  How ironic then, that today they would find themselves being frisked by the same government they defended.  This is the same government that gave them their marching orders in 1943. 

Then again, perhaps it's really not the same government, is it?  Today's political leadership, on both sides of the aisle, believes that the illusion of safety in all public places is a fair trade for your dignity, privacy and freedom.  And since security profiling is frowned upon in favor of political correctness, all of us may be frisked, particularly if we decline the radiation of the image scanner.  Either way, our bodies will be touched by Uncle Sam if you intend to travel by air.  So here's my response to the TSA:  I'd rather live my life with an elevated level of risk than relinquish the rights and privileges that come with being a United States citizen under the protection of the U.S. Constitution.  I think that's what these veterans fought for, wouldn't you agree?

And one last thought.  If you are traveling this Thanksgiving to be with family and friends, take a moment to express gratitude to the brave men and women who have defended this country.  Because without them, we would probably would not be celebrating Thanksgiving. 

(Well, maybe there is still some fire left in me.)

Happy Thanksgiving