Thoughts while waiting in line

by Andrea Miño V.

I stand in line waiting for my turn. Sleepy and confused, after a 3 hour fly and a 24 hour sleepless mark, I arrive to Miami International Airport. I have heard that Miami International airport is a huge airport and, therefore, a huge mess. As I wait in the endless line (about an hour and a half later) and get closer to the custom checkpoint I begin to “pick” the officer I want to be interviewed by. I don’t have many options but I look for friendliness or, at least, not a rude contact. A military-like scream breaks my concentration as one of the officers yells at a civilian who dared to advance in line without his previous authorization,  “STOP! I didn’t tell you to move”. We stand quietly. Definitely, I know which line not to go.

I recall that story as I wait in line, again, for security check on our way to Atlanta from Columbus. A list of direction fill the air like a mantra: “Take your shoes off, put your laptop by itself, each item in a separate tray”. The orders are straightforward. We all perform them in a ceremony like motion, some of us getting unnecessarily nervous. Trying to pick the right officer, trying not to miss the directions, trying to be aware and submissive, trying to not give a reason to argue, but why? An officer’s voice breaks my thoughts “I said, put the laptop by itself!”, he speaks loud. The person he is addressing to looks nervous and afraid, she freezes briefly not sure if she understood. Somebody else helps her. That’s it! The fear of doing something wrong and the possible consequences is what makes some of us sweat and breathe deeply as we approach these security points in the US.

CROSSING LINES

Things have changed since 9/11, that’s for sure. In 2003, during Bush’s Administration, the CBP (Customs and Border Patrol) was created. This branch of the US Homeland Security Department was the result of merging the duties of Customs Services and Border Patrol into a single and more effective unit. The Customs officer who checked my documents in Miami informed me about the unit and its security procedure as he took my fingerprints and a picture (I was able to “pick” a friendly Latino descendent as my Custom officer. He chatted about the CBP’s creation, his duties on the field, his work done in the Mexican border 5 years ago. During that time he learned spanish, and he was proud of his Mexican accent. I didn’t want to shatter his dreams but he sounded pretty caribbean to me).

As result of 9/11 the Patriot Act was signed, prioritizing homeland security's procedures and attacking civil liberties, with consequences that last until today. As result of 9/11 the fine line between privacy and security was crossed, and with it came a huge division, just as George W. Bush declared a war “between good and evil”. There was a difference between  “USA” and the “Others” which resulted in major inequalities and discrimination, racial profiling, religious targeting, and higher levels of deportation. In the process of protecting themselves we, the “Others”, feared and still fear the possible consequences of not being one of “US”.

My colleague from China comments, as we chat about security checkpoints, that after 9/11 “America lost its innocence”. I partially agree with her.

The anxiety we might feel from those military like procedures (without mentioning the invasive ones, like X-ray machines and extra body padding) comes from a vulnerability the US feels, the fear of being victims of an attack in their own territory again. There is no doubt the high impact such incident caused in the political and cultural set of mind in United States citizens and government. But I would personally consider that 9/11 magnified something that was there before, America had lost its innocence many decades ago, possibly centuries, and the outcome reads as a culture of fear.

I remember watching the news before 9/11 in United States. There was always something “scary” to watch at 5 o’clock news, something along the lines of: “....And when we come back! Something in your food might be killing you during your sleep. After the break we will tell you what it is”. It is not surprising that a satirical newspaper pointed out the terrorist attack as “American Life Turns Into Bad Jerry Bruckheimer Movie” since Hollywood had done its share to increase fear and paranoia, and still does.

GUNS AND COFFEE: CULTURE OF FEAR

After going through a security checkpoint on my way to Columbus a T-shirt logo calls my attention. I spot a person’s back with the logo of a commercial coffee shop, I recognized the mermaid that is part of it, but the name of the coffee shop has been replaced by the words “Guns and Coffee”.

It is worldwide known the current problems the US is facing regarding the right of guns ownership. During my three weeks stay in the United States 2 major events have been part of the news: a shooting in Tennessee killing 4 marines and a sailor, and a shooting in a Louisiana movie theater killing two women.

President Obama has voiced his frustration these days because of the impossibility of creating better guns legislation, but I wonder: Regulating or prohibiting guns access will solve the problem?  All I can think of is Sandra Bland stepping up to the fear she is supposed to feel towards the authority and denying to put her cigarette out. All I can think of is the police officer feeling fearful, anxious and angry. Another story that didn’t end well during the past weeks. Guns are a problem, but fearful people can be as dangerous as a loaded gun.

The culture of fear is permeating other areas of US society. Fears from the past have raised up stronger than ever. If during Post 9/11 the Middle Easterns took it hard, nowadays the African Americans are the fearful suspects and victims of fear as well, who will be next? Without having answers to my own questions I wonder, what would have happened if I misheard a cue in the security check, moved too fast or too slow, or just simply didn’t understand the language?, after all it is a foreign country airport with a foreign language. Fear is in the air and “we”, “us”, “the others” are breathing it all at the same time.

Czech Fears Escalation with Russia

By: Caroline James

Produced & Edited By: Megan Laird 

Intricate architecture and eighteen bridges cross over the Vlatava River that cuts through the middle of Prague. Lauded as one of the most beautiful sites in the world, the ornate Charles Bridge gives a view of the ‘City of 100 Spires’ and one of the most historical sites in Europe. However, when Prague was accidentally bombed in 1945 by an American air raid, the sights from the Charles Bridge filled with smoke and flame. 

© Courtesy of Caroline James

After German occupation in World War II, the Czech Republic shed its communist government and now holds claim to the highest standard of living of any former Soviet block country. It’s capital city, Prague, has the highest GDP of any European Union member, with the exception of Luxemburg. 

But the Prague Post says that war is still in the minds of Czech citizens. In a poll released by the Median agency in August of 2014, it stated that 46 percent of Czech citizens fear that armed conflicts may escalate and threaten the Czech Republic. The poll also found that citizens consider the Russia/Ukraine conflict to be the biggest current risk to the Czech Republic.

In the aftermath of the Ukrainian Revolution of 2014, conflict erupted with demonstrations and riots by pro-Russian and anti-United Nations groups. Russia attempted to annex Crimea and deployed troops to the area. Conflicts in Donetsk and Luhansk provinces have since led to an armed separatist movement. In response to these insurgents, the Ukrainian government launched a military counter-offensive that has resulted in the current War in Donbass.

In an article by České Noviny, Czech Foreign Minister, Lubomir Zaoralek, and Polish Foreign Minister, Grzegorz Schetyna, announced that sanctions against Russia for their actions with Ukraine are necessary.

"We will actively stand up against all the violations of international commitments by Russia,” Schetyna said. Vanesa Šandová, Head of the Press office for the Government of the Czech Republic, said the conflict in Ukraine can only be solved through political processes and that a military solution cannot be viable. 

The Czech government is also seeking to improve political and economic relations with Russia despite recent disputes.

“Regrettably, in recent months Russia has not been acting as a responsible and reliable partner.” Šandová said.  “It is up to Russia to open the way for a political solution to the crisis in Ukraine without further loss of lives and damage caused to Russia's position in the international community.”

© Courtesy of Caroline James

Because the Czech Republic belongs to the European Union it has to function under the rules and regulations that have been set forth by the many western countries. Czech citizens have felt both the benefits and drawbacks to being part of the international organization.

“I absolutely resent the EU's expansionist policy they've been practicing for quite a while now, which has put us into the spotlight in this matter.” Pavel, a resident of Prague, said.

The Czech Republic also faces economic concerns with the conflict in Ukraine because of the natural gas and fuel supplies it receives from Russia, the pipelines of which are routed through Ukraine. Recently, the Temelin nuclear plant has reported that, if cut off from Russian resources, the already stocked fuel would last one year. 

Kynčl Miroslav of the Ministry of Industry and Trade said that scenarios for loss of fuel from Russia have already been planned out. Other liquid fuels, such as oil, that are supplied to the Czech market via Russia, can be fully supplied from other sources; however, this is not the case with natural gas.

“In case of total interruption of natural gas supplies there are a capacity of underground storages in the Czech Republic available,” Miroslav said. “However, it will be necessary to apply limiting regulatory levels, including purchase of natural gas from non-Russian sources.”

Petr Poláček, an Olomouc Resident believes that even with alternative sources, the loss of Russian resources would have a large negative impact on Czech citizens.

“[Alternative sources] would take time to negotiate, the transport would be extremely slow and the prices would skyrocket,” Poláček said. “The impact on our economy would be devastating.” 

© Courtesy of Caroline James

However some citizens doubt the likelihood of Russia cutting off fuel supply. Pavel said that the Russian economy depends too much on exporting their resources for this tactic to be a viable option. “This is something Russia simply cannot afford to do.” Pavel said. 

The Czech Government recently promised to increase military spending to 1.4% by 2020. While some people think that this increase is a result of the conflict in Ukraine, Šandová says that this increase is meant to comply with NATO commitments of maintaining an adequate level of defense spending.

“The purpose of this move is to stabilize the defense budget and secure favorable conditions for further development of Czech armed forces so that the Czech Republic is also in the future able to fulfill its commitments within the NATO,” Šandová said.

While Šandová says that energy security is one of the priorities for the Czech Republic, the Czech citizen’s concern over war with Russia is split. “People around me express their fear for the Muslim terrorism, ISIS etc. not Russia,” Pavel said.

Some Czechs resent the way NATO seems to be influencing their country’s foreign policy.

“Personally I am convinced there will be war and it won't be Russia who starts it,” Poláček said. “Unless NATO starts playing Kick the Rancor with, say, ISIS rather than Russia, it will only be a matter of time.”

While the conflict with Russia seems to have the Czech Republic on edge and the citizens wary, the view from the Charles Bridge remains, for the time being, serene. The country seems to be trying to manage the balance between avoiding armed conflict with Russia and honoring their political commitments.