March 25, 2003

Old Ben Franklin has been seriously remiss in going through his mail bag. Like most of his fellow Americans, he’s been following the developments in the middle east, praying that our troops make it home safe and sound. One of the things that keeps Old Ben going is that the last thing a soldier returning home from a war he was told was to save democracy should ever have to hear is ‘papers, please’.

Many vets have taken the time to write to Old Ben. Although he usually saves the best letter for last, let’s start off this time with a favorite from this Patriot on what it feels like to undergo a background check:

I'm an Air Force vet, and have had more than one security clearance and investigation, including a couple in the civilian world for a job. To be honest, I did not like them or appreciate them, or the tactics employed to complete them. I know my record is squeaky-clean, save for a couple of traffic citations more than three years old. Yes, my credit is good (great, actually).

For those who are not intimately familiar with a government background investigation, it's everything Orwell feared. The government pries into your political life. The government pries into your professional life. The government pries into your personal life. The government pries into your VERY personal life.

Credit ratings, medical records, public filings like tax records, Voter Registration, marriage, divorce, child custody, minor legal infractions, any history of criminal behavior, any association with professional therapists (as in Counselors, Mediators, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, etc.) for a history of possible mental illness, professional associations, political groups, you name it. The interview your neighbors, check with any previous neighbors, check your previous addresses and neighbors from those addresses. They interview your friends. They interview your family. Hopefully by now, you get the idea.

And that was for a civilian job - not a security clearance.

I'm not without some personal issues, just like most people. I've had hard times, and I'm sure the information is available, and has been duly investigated. I'm as clean as a whistle, for all intents and purposes.

And I detest Delta's openly embracing of the CAPPS II program.

I have nothing to hide, 'cause it's already been checked, and more than once at that. But I will not go through it again. I value my privacy now more than ever. What I say, or do, who I talk to or don't, what I think, spend money on, or what my political leanings are - that's my business. No one else's. Especially not some company who wants to earn the privilege of having me part with my money. Or my government ("Of the People, By the People, For the People"?)

Driving cross-country is far more enjoyable, even if it does take a bit longer than flying. And no one has to know.

This Patriot pair is not happy with CAPPS II:

My husband and I agree with you 100%. We served in the military for a combined total of 24 years between us. If we allow Delta (and our government) to get away with this what freedom did I fight for?

This fine American is a retired US Coast Guard Captain who continues to stand up for what’s right:

Our men and women of the armed forces have fought, and died, and are fighting, and dying, to defend our liberties. Among the most important of those liberties is personal privacy. Don't cast a net of suspicion over the entire flying public. If this program continues, the Lord only knows where it will stop.

And the ghosts watch and weep:

What would the dead of the many great wars think if the practices of the enemies they went to fight were put in place back here at home? Fight for freedom..Freedom for what, the facilitation of the fascist policies of maniacal leaders?

Left or right, we know CAPPS II isn’t right:

Too many Americans are silent about the attack on the Constitution and our civil rights. We do not all need to agree with one another on our political perspectives,but all true Americans conservative and liberal alike have a duty to question our government and it's leaders. That is our job as the 4th branch of the government. I have written Delta and intend to inform friends and family about this vile attempt to further destroy our freedom.

This Patriot will miss flying Delta, but values his country more:

Security does not supercede liberty. Life without liberty is meaningless. Delta, the TSA, Homeland Defense, and Herr Ashcroft himself will have much to answer for at the gates of St. Peter. For my part, no more Delta, which is a shame, because they were actually, relatively, pleasant.

Well Americans, it had to happen eventually: Draft Old Ben!

I have only read a little of your narration, and I have already surmised that we are of like mind. As a volunteer firefighter, reserve deputy sheriff, and NRA member, I applaud you on your upholding of our constitutional rights. I wish there were more like you representing us. Have you ever considered running for president?

Old Ben is flattered and his wife said, ‘See, I told you so...’, but I digress. Here are a selection of letters from some fine, upstanding, all-American ex-Delta fliers:

Neither myself or any of my family or friends will fly on Delta again. I am donating my miles and closing my skymiles membership due to your treatment of honest Americans and blantant disregard for your most loyal passengers.

And this:

In the aviation world there are acronyms that are given to different airlines.. in DELTA's it is: Don't Even Leave The Airport!!! This is exactly what they should do! I am appalled at the common types of "McCarthyism" that are taking place in our country.

And this:

I just came across your website, quite by accident. I was not only apalled, but angry that our rights to privacy are being violated so blatantly.

A Patriot was kind enough to cc Old Ben on her email to Delta:

I'll be donating my miles to charity and I'll fly your airline again when hell freezes over. This is the most outrageous attack on the freedom of Americans I've witnessed in my 51 years. I look forward to reading of your corporate demise.

And this:

Thank you for making the public aware of this civil rights nightmare. This is really turning in to 1984.

This American knows that no computer data base is safe or accurate:

The MIT research needs the most publicity of all. I certainly hope that someone in the Delta company will use some common sense and realize that all they are doing is creating a false sense of security for the average person, making it easier for terrorists, and creating a database that is straight out of an orwellian society. Computers are easily comprimised. I know from personal experience. NEVER BELIEVE THE STATEMENT "THIS IS SO SECURE THAT IT IS HACKER PROOF." Even if it's seperate databases, there is still a connection to tie them together, and this is quite possibly the very weakest point of their system for an attack to be deployed from. All that would be needed is a "passive tap" just watching the information pass would give any identity thief enough information to last for years. As for "encryption"... the government's definition of encryption is a joke...It can broken by people with the right skills.

Land of the Free?

I will not fly Delta. This is supposed to be America and not some communist country. We are the land of the free, or are we when it comes to Delta?

And from across the country, a wave of disgust with Delta and CAPPS II:

I used to fly Delta, but if I am going to be placed under a microscope personally, you can't pay me to fly from LAX to Florida on their airline.

And this:

I used to think it was barbaric that our grandparents who remember WWII would speak of having to have your "papers in order" to pass from one city to the next within the same country. I have the distinct fear that we'd all better wake up to what our government is doing all in the name of security, for us.

And this:

This is such a terribly un-American move, that if someone had said a company would do this even 5 years ago people would have laughed their heads off. Maybe, in Russia before 1989, or China today….

And this:

Thanks for this website. I am glad I am not the only person that feels this way. I no longer have Delta Stock. This week will cancel my frequent flyer membership. What has bank account, credit history have to do with airline security.

And this:

We ARE the frequent business travelers that this is supposed to make things easier on. This whole program sickens me. Thank you for bringing attention to this matter.

Old Ben usually has a a few choice negative letters from naysayers to publish, but this past week produced nothing that you and he hasn’t seen before, most of the ‘yoo s*ck, go back to Baghdad’ variety. Instead, let’s close this latest mail bag with a letter from a fellow American, a citizen who feels she has no choice and who is worried she’ll be singled out if she speaks out. She writes:

two thoughts
1) I am a little nervous about being too vocal on this issue. I support it 110%, but will protesting be "an indicator" of "unamerican ideas"? I NEED to fly a lot, and do not need my file to be flagged.

2) For business, we fly A LOT. We are in a Delta Hub city, and most times, Delta is the only option. No, we cannot fly on a different day or drastically different time, nor can we afford to take a less direct route. What can we do?

Well madam, here are my two thoughts:

1) When a time comes that a citizen cannot speak out in his or her own country, then it’s time to go shopping for another country.

2) Freedom comes at a price. It’s a personal decision. I’m not willing to sacrifice my beloved US Constitution for a non-stop flight, but that’s just me.

March 15, 2003

Well patriots, there’s nothing like 24/7 CNN news coverage of citizen’s anger with Delta’s CAPPS II collaboration to fill Old Ben Franklin’s mail bag to the brim with all-American goodness.

A number of letters to Old Ben have come in from those who has served our nation in uniform. The sentiments in this note from an Alaskan were echoed by many veterans:

"Thanks for bringing this to the news media. I retired from the ARMY after 20 + years of service and this is not what I/we stood for."

This vet sees boycotting Delta as a truly American solution:

"There is nothing like applying the powers of capitalism to smash the bonds of fascism and raise civil outrage to a boiling point. Hopefully the Government will wake the hell up and see that there are still people out there that will not go silently into the night. As a United States Veteran I still would rather willingly give my life up then give my freedoms to those that would like to see them taken from me."

Finally, a vet points out who benefits when we destroy our own freedoms:

"Bin Laden has won! Thank you for doing something by notifying the people. I was not in the Army for this."

Business travelers and corporate execs are madder than heck, and aren’t going to be taking Delta anymore. Maybe Delta doesn’t need the business anymore, now that they’re supping from the TSA’s trough.

"Being a business traveler myself I was appalled about the new screening Delta will now impose on its travelers. While I am a Marine and a loyal American, I too find this a bit too much. I instant swore not to fly Delta again. Living in Atlanta that cuts my flight options tremendously. I am also a Delta Frequent Flyer and I will be giving up my mileage and the convenience of Delta's many flights out of Atlanta."

...and this Fortune 25 exec is taking matters company-wide:

"I just finished reading your mailbag and a realization hit me. I'm reading clearly articulated messages from those against this outrageous violation of our rights (professional business travelers) Vs bad language and vague threats from those who believe this is a great idea (want to bet who they work for?). I used to fly Delta every week but this is the last straw in a steady stream of anti-customer moves. Not only have I joined the boycott and moved to other airlines but I have forwarded your url to many others in my company, which is a Fortune 25. I have already received outraged responses from co-workers, all agreeing to boycott Delta. I am encouraging our travel dept to remove Delta as a preferred airline of our corporation."

Maybe Delta doesn’t need Americans buying their stock, either:

"Congrats and time to fight back!!! All my stock will be sold Mon. am."

Delta’s ex-Frequent fliers continue to write in, too:

"I was a Delta Skymiles Member, NO MORE! I have written to my Senators and my House Rep. It took me an hour or so of my time ,well worth it!!"

...and another ex Friendly Skies flier writes:

"I'll sever all ties to Delta tonight. I'll also mail copies of my itineraries for 2002 to every member of Delta's board: it's tax time, and I'm accounting for the $90,000 (that's right, 4 zeros) I spent on DL tickets last year."

Old Ben also notes a trend within the ranks of the civil service. Patriotic government employees are choosing to spend our tax dollars in ways that don’t hurt democracy, which translates to less business for Delta. This Texas-based civil servant writes:

"As a government employee who travels frequently I intend to not fly Delta on Gov business, I'll pay the difference in price and fly another airline if Delta is my only choice."

...and another patriot from government circles says:

"I just wanted to say that I think what you are doing is Great. I am a frequent flier on Domestic and International flights and am a government employee. I feel that "Big Brother" needs to watch how big he gets or he may split his britches. I became very concerned when I heard this was in the planning phase and feel that we as Americans must stand up for our Rights as Americans."

A professor thinks there’s a lesson to be learned from Delta’s on-going fiasco:

"I teach hospitality management and this will be a great reason to explain to my class why they must beware of any govt/business partnership. They never work! Oh well I must go and burn my Delta frequent milage card now and look for a real airline that treats customers the way they should be treated."

One of our Neighbors to the North writes:

"Not only is the CAPPS nonsense offensive to most Americans with half a brain it does not portend well for those of us up north who fly frequently to the States for business and pleasure. This safety and security nonsense is just that....propaganda and fear-mongering at its worst. Anyone who is quoted to say "I do not mind losing some of my rights in order to be safe" has obviously not been a student of history, which we tend to keep repeating the worst parts of."

This reader thinks Delta is collaborating simply to put more of our tax dollars into their pockets:

"I am not surprised they are voluntarily participating in this program. It looks good for them, so next time they come begging to the government for bailout money they have earned their brownie points."

This being a weekend, Old Ben has had a bit more time to go through his stack of mail. Here is a sampling of the now 6000+ letters pouring in...

"Thanks for bringing the Capps II program to the public's attention. I was planning a trip on Delta from Omaha to Salt Lake City. I've canceled my reservations and gassed up my car...."

and another:

"I feel that an airline which exposes its customers to such invasive and anti-American practices is taking a customer UNFRIENDLY stance. I am sure Delta does not need any more revenue hits, but this CAPPS program you have implemented leads me to look to other airlines for me and my staff."

and another:

"Thanks to your informative website, not only will I never fly Delta again until and unless they resist this program, but I will tell Delta and whomever else will listen exactly that as well."

and another:

"I just bought a ticket on United instead of Delta as a result of your website, and sent a copy of the purchased ticket and a Delta Itinerary so Delta knows how pissed off I am. In fact, I have to drive 90 miles to fly United and stay in a hotel overnight to avoid Delta. Worth every penny."

Now that’s what Old Ben calls patriotism. Here’s a citizen commenting on a previously published letter:

"I loved the comment from someone who wrote in to you earlier... "Your 'rights' can take a few hits in times like these" ...don't they realize, ONCE OUR CIVIL LIBERTIES ARE TAKEN AWAY, THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE GIVEN BACK. Does this person think someday the government is going to say, OK, we've made the world safe, we can stop stomping on the privacy and dignity of our citizens? Think again. The world will never be 100% safe because, dammit, that's the nature of the beast.

This letter from a Delta pilot is worth reflecting on:

"I want my passengers to be safe but, at what cost. We are destroying the freedoms that we are sending our military to defend. It's all just nauseating to me. I do feel that the TSA is the force behind this and that Delta is simply trying to do all it can to maintain a favorable status with the government. The administration is overstepping the bounds of liberty and common sense. However, we the people have let the emotions regarding our insecurity dictate the means of becoming secure. My company, like all US airlines, are in a dire strait. Tomorrow may end the industry as we know it. We must remember though, we are a nation first. We must defend the liberties that we claim to be inherent at all times. I don't want to discourage business, I have payments to make. However, pressuring TSA bureaucrats to loosen the screws on all the airlines with this ridiculous mandate is a possibility, I hope."

Another Delta pilot writes-in to confim problems experienced by airline staff. Old Ben has edited the names of the airports so as to protect the pilot’s identity:

"To echo CAPT Cox's concerns voiced in his 10 March 2003 letter "Airline Employees Should be Outraged" I have already encountered additional scrutiny when flying as a non-revenue passenger. The fact that you're a same day reservation flags you as a passenger that gets "full service" from security at the boarding gate. Recently on a flight from AAA to BBB via CCC I had to take off my shoes three times (once at the first AAA TSA checkpoint, again at the BBB boarding gate, and again at the CCC boarding gate)."

A Delta flight attendant writes:

"I understand the need for security, but let's put some common sense
into it! As far as Delta doing full background checks on passengers as they've
suggested, no way, it's none of their business."

For the record, Old Ben’s mail bag runs at about 80 % in favor of punishing CAPPS II collaborator Delta with a boycott, and his published letters try to reflect this 80/20 mix. Where would a democracy be without a vocal minority? A sampling of dissenters:

"Take your Franco-Islamic organization and shove it. I fly under the threat of being blown up daily by some Islamic nut case daily and I don't care about your privacy in public while you travel. I think you are aiding and abetting the terrorists who prey on innocent women and children."

Err...no. Here’s another one:

"Delta should do background checks i dont want any f*cking terrorists on my aircraft...I hate the Arabs and I hate the French....if you want to start a better website it should be called Delta should break their partnership with Air France....."

Old Ben has been accused of being in league with many things, but never this:

"I bet you're a diaper head in disguise or worse a Satan worshipper."

Another:

"Get a life a spend some time setting up a website that is worth looking at. Maybe you should taking up knitting because you have probaly never worked a day in you life. Get this junk off the internet."

Guess you’ll have to get up and change the channel.

"Always remember that Freedom is not FREE. Our perceived "Privacy, or lack thereof, is part of the cost going forward. A small price to pay if you ask me."

Old Ben thinks you’re half right: freedom isn’t free. We must fight to keep the rights we have as Americans, which is why citizens are voting against outrageous violations of their 4th and 5th amendment rights with their wallets and boycotting Delta Air Lines.

Another:

"Honestly, which Mafia family funds the cost of this web site anyway? What are you guys afraid of? How many more people have to die so you guys can get off your little well? The "American lifestyle" has changed since 9/11/01. Remember what happened? It is called progress! "

No, it’s called Fascism.

Our final letter comes from a man with whom many Americans can sympathize. Like a man who’s been mugged, he’s willing to put up with anything, anything to make his fear go away. He writes,

"Where were you around 9:45 am on September 11, 2001.???? I was running for my life out of Tower 2 at the WTC in NYC. On my way down from the 40th floor I realized that I would have to divest some of my liberties for the balance of my life on this earth in order to live in a "safer" country. Not a perfect Country, just a safer country. I understand what you are doing and I admire your energies. Unfortunately, I agree with the government's stance on "privacy". Heretofore we will all need to PROVE that we are not part of the problem in order to live in a safe, free society. Is proving that you are a good citizen too much to ask? Not for me. If the government can weed out bad guys by prying into our private lives, then so be it. I have nothing to hide and, frankly, I often wonder what people who oppose such measures are hiding themselves. I have it before: "The Government will fabricate evidence against certain people in order to 'control the masses'". I don't buy it! There's no going back after 9/11. It's time for the Citizens of this country , and the World, to step and be accountable for who YOU are. For better or for worse. I understand why the scammers and perverts don't want to be exposed for who they are (these are people who HIDE behind the Bill of Rights). My question is: What are YOU, and people of like mindset, afraid of?"

I’ll tell you what Old Ben Franklin is afraid of: he’s afraid of Americans like you, the writer of the above letter. You’re a man defeated, defeated by forces that want nothing less than the total destruction of the American way of life. Your fear consumes you, which is precisely what the Osama Bin Ladens of the world want. You are willing to sell out your birthright for a decent night’s sleep, even if it means martial law. Believe Old Ben when he tells you you’ll never sleep well when the cost of your personal peace of mind comes at the price of tearing up our beloved Constitution. Not that you can tear up the Constitution, because I won’t let you. We won’t let you. Good night, and get some rest.

March 13, 2003

Old Ben Franklin is embarrassingly behind in his correspondence. The only feeble excuse he can offer to his fellow Patriots is that he has been spending most of his waking hours talking to journalists (link to news page), getting the word out about the evils of CAPPS II and Delta's un-American collaboration in this dreadful project. On to the letters...

Americans continue to voice their support for Old Ben Franklin. One of is favorite letters came from this Patriot:

"Thank you for having the courage to say what needs to be said about the increasing erosion of American liberties in exchange for a false sense of security."

"Had our federal government and the airlines industry met their moral and professional obligation to install armed, plainclothes "air marshals" on all airlines back in the 70's, while providing both firearm training and firearms to designated flight crew a long time ago, 9/11 most likely would never have happened. Once again in typical and historical knee-jerk reaction, our government is forcing Mr. & Mrs. America to pay the price for the criminal acts of others---particularly our enemies. Frankly, I would rather deal with terrorists than surrender any of my civil liberties."

Another citizen ponders:

"What is going on with this company? I don't think Delta is interested in the business of flying any more..."

Delta continues to be pounded with letters and phone calls. This travel agent writes:

"Having learned of what you are doing with CAPPS, I will no longer fly on your airline EVER. I will drive or even walk before I will use your company. This CAPPS program in a blatant invasion of privacy - I hope this new program doesn't put you out of business. Also, you can bet that I will be sharing this with all of my family, friends, clients, contacts, associates, and anyone else that I come in contact with. My learning of this very Fascist position has just cost you several hundred customers. Why in the world would you even think of participating in something like this?"

Delta employees continue to speak out. This Delta flight attendant offers following analysis...

"Delta employees will not be able to speak up while still employed since this will severely damage their future careers. Rocking the boat is not well taken, particularly now since those who had the courage to speak up left when the redundancy packages were offered after 9/11. Whoever is still there wants to stay at any cost. Some of them on low level jobs who are glad to have a job because there aren't many out there at the moment, some at a higher level, because they got there by brown-nosing and are absolutely useless but aware that they would not be able to get the same kind of money or any money at all anywhere else on this planet."

...while Delta pilots are short and to the point, regardless of their view:

"Get a life and do something constructive."

And this:

"Ben, You're a good man! I do have to say that I agree with alot you had said. Big Brother WILL be watching."

Delta may be selling, but Americans aren't buying. This came in from a patriot responding to Delta's spam:

"I got this message from Delta. According to them, they won't be doing anything wrong, it's TSA's fault. Yeah, right."

And...

"Keep up the good fight, Ben."

And this...

"I was dumbfounded at the article in yesterday's NY Times. I sent an e-mail to Delta stating that I will never fly that airline again. How insane can you get? As I explained to them, someone I know whose Mother was ill Left the NYC area to attend to her. After her death, almost teo years later, he decided to return. This involved 1 or 1 'one-way' tickets - which according to Delta's latest 'security measures' means he is a threat."

Several Americans brought up interesting points on the question of credit checks:

"According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, an individual has the right to see what has been reported. No one at Delta knows how I will be able to obtain a copy. I even called the Executive Offices and no one could tell me. In short, Delta is receiving credit information (albeit somewhat disguised). I would encourage everyone to ask Delta about obtaining a copy of the credit report. The good news is that my credit card company will support any disputed charges with Delta - even non-refundable tickets - because Delta has changed the terms of the contract after purchase."

Here's another credit question:

"I'm confused about one part of this -- don't you usually have to sign some kind of release for someone to get your credit report? And where would they get your social security number? Wouldn't it be illegal for them to have this information without your permission?"

And from across our nation, citizens who refuse to love Big Brother:

"I hope word on this gets out and gets out quickly! Is it too invasive? HELL YES! Does it make me feel safer? SURE ... just as a bad case of diarrhea makes me feel thinner!"

This Alaskan does not mince words:

"(T)his means that citizens of Alaska could one day become cut off from the rest of the US, as well as, those of Hawaii and Peurto Rico. I never thought we would resort to these means of "dogging" our citizens. Credit is very often reflective of life's bumpy roads and not ones citizenship, morals, or politics. In my case I was left in poverty through a divorce and medical illness...not because I am of questionable morals. If Delta needed the fed's money to stay in business, then why wouldn't the other airlines have supported this, too? I think Delta has some serious questions to answer."

Well, as Old Ben Franklin's First Sergeant back in in the US Army used to say, "If you don't upset at least three people a day, you're not doing your job". Old Ben is certainly doing his job...based on these letters:

"Not only that you hide like terrorists leaving no name, no address nothing whatsoever which is the first and foremost sign of hated terrorist behavior, but you are completely wrong fabricating misinformation..."

This soul may have a future in ghostwriting Nigerian scam letters:

"I find it appalling that you have chosen to shoot the messenger. I view you as a crazed person willing to kill the pregnant mother rather than have the abortion laws changed. You could rightly take on city hall but you have chosen to attack thousands of innocent employees who have already gone through an extremely difficult year. In your maniacal attempt to right a wrong, you have abandoned all compassion for the employees. Your Hitlerism mentality to wipe out background checks by killing Delta people is holocaustic. There is already one self-righteous fool flying planes into building perhaps you should go into hiding until you find the courage to attack the source and not leave innocent causalities in the path of your indecency."

And finally:

"Delta has a right to choose their customers just as the customers have a right to choose who to patronize. Why do you have to get so INVOLVED?"

Err...because we love America.

March 9th, 2003

Letters keep pouring in...Old Ben Franklin's sorry he can't answer all of them personally, and he hopes you understand. On Friday the mailbag was filling-up at the rate of over 200+ an hour!

On to the mail. A couple of days ago, Old Ben wrote a letter to Delta employees and several hundred wrote back. Several wrote to correct mistakes:

"The correct spelling of the company is Delta Air Lines, not Delta Airlines. That's always my test when I read an article about my employer -- if the author got the name right."

While we're fixing that, another employee pointed out a glaring factual error in reference to 'weak unions' in his letter:

"To what union do you refer? To my knowledge there are only 3, the largest of which is ALPA. So you think ALPA at Delta is weak? Think again. The other two unions are very insignificant. The majority of Delta employees do not belong to a UNION."

You're right and Old Ben is never too old to admit it. The Airline Pilots Association is very powerful indeed: if only other Delta employees were so fortunate to have as strong a union representing them. Perhaps as a result of them having such fine union representation, a number of pilots wrote in to talk about a TSA accountable to no one but themselves:

"Airline pilots are under a great strain also. TSA just passed a rule stating that if a pilot is deemed a security risk, he will loose his flying license(his JOB!) without due process, or review outside of the TSA itself!"

And this:

"I share your concern over government mismanagement and abuse of yet another security initiave. The TSA has already issued several edicts ignoring due process that threaten my and my colleagues continued livelihood as pilots. They managed to ramrod a ruling through without any input that directs the FAA to revoke the license of any pilot they deem to be a security risk; all without any means for due process or appeal."

Sounds like pilots have been getting fed what we all are supposed to eat under CAPPS II and they're not liking the taste.

This letter gives the impression Delta listens to their staff a lot like they've listened to CAPPS II complaints from customers...they don't:

"Delta doesn't listen to anyone from within. Management spends most of it's time, attacking my intelligence and feeding their Kool-Aid to those who will drink it. I am not fond of Delta and it's tactics, particularly the one you have taken issue with. There are MANY other issues at Delta just as worthy of a site to oppose it. However, as you are well aware. They are an at will employer. And the rank and file FEAR them terribly."

This is an excerpt from another letter in the same vein:

"My only concern with your program to starve Delta further of income: they don't care that individual rights are trampled by there programm; they do this every day to their employees. Countless employees have lost their jobs, pensions and livelihoods at Delta already. Your agenda of boycotting Delta will only further this fact. The more money they lose, the more they layoff and cut wages and benefits. They will not, will not, stop something they've started. It's a matter of pride to management, sick but true. I realize that the pocketbook is the fastest way to move a corporation to your side.....but the harm done in the meantime is inexcusable."

Understandably, the overwhelming majority of Delta employees are against anything that would endanger their jobs. That doesn’t mean they like CAPPS II, though:

"I hate to bust your outrage bubble, but Delta has two choices. Comply with the TSA mandate or go out of business. Call your congressman, that is what I did. I agree this is an onerous privacy invasion. Just turn your shotgun a little to the left before you pull the trigger."

and this...

"I have absolutely no problem at all with your stance on the proposed CAPPS system. The more I read about it, the more it makes me uncomfortable. I do, however, think that your tactic of boycotting Delta is misguided. The real problem here is the TSA. In my opinion, they are rapidly becoming an agency out of control."

and finally, this...

"As far as you boycotting Delta goes, you're obviously free to mount any campaign you wish. If it achieves your desired goal of pressuring government through industry to address legitimate privacy and govt abuse concerns re-CAPPS II, then I suppose it will have some merit, in your view. I think this is an extreme long shot at best. With over 18,000 of my fellow employees on the street, you'll forgive me for not being too supportive of your boycott."

Delta’s frequent traveler program has lot fewer members if Old Ben’s mail bag is any judge:

"I am a frequent flyer (2-3 flights each week) and have just cut up my Delta Sky Miles card and sent it back. I was on a plane at Newark Airport on 9/11 and witnessed the entire terrorist attack from my window seat. This move by Delta in no way makes me feel safer in their plane. I agree that the only way to stop this action is to take action and I am happy to be one less person who will be flying Delta for a long, long time...oh, and my purse is happier too with one less frequent flyer card to carry around!"

Here’s another unhappy customer:

"As a Delta frequent flyer, I would encourage you to be more forthcoming about both your motives and tactics in the delicate business of your travelers' privacy."

This former SkyMiles member had this to say:

"I just wanted to thank you for participating in the TSA's CAPPS II program. It is very rare that any company has the courage to treat their customers as criminals in order to 'cooperate' with a mindless federal bureaucracy. It would seem that, with the airline industry in the doldrums, the last thing an airline would want to do is alienate their passengers. Unless, of course, you just like flying half empty aircraft."

This American fears putting herself on Delta’s watch list:

"If I suddenly cancel my Delta Frequent Flyers card, I also get Yellow flagged because they certainly don't want to have any unhappy customers flying on Delta."

Many Americans looked back at the events of 9/11 and wondered where CAPPS II is leading us:

"Why should you have my credit and banking history for 50 years? Is your computer system safe from hackers? How will you decide who is and is not allowed to fly? Why should I give up my civil liberties? There is no evidence that these power grabs make us any safer. If you are going to be so cozy with the feds tell them not to fall asleep at the wheel the way they did on 9/11."

This New Yorker has had enough:

"My second thought on 9-11 was “Who is now on his/her knees thanking god for the good fortune of having provided a perfect excuse to appoint themselves as our saviors and protectors?” Well, they are all lining up publicly now. Where are our protectors from security terrorism? Where is the voice of reason I would expect from a leader? God helps those who help themselves – I will support the boycott and continue to speak out!"

And Americans continue to tell Delta what they think of their CAPPS II collaboration:

"Your airline already has our tax dollars with your sweetheart deal government bailouts. You should have more than enough money to provide security without becoming an arm of the government."

This is typical of the contents of Old Ben’s mail bag:

"I just canceled a flight reservation I had on delta to Salt Lake."

It’s time for Delta to Just Say No to CAPPS II. The boycott is spreading like wildfire with the help of Americans like this one:

"I e-mailed your web site to all my friends and told them to send it to everyone they know. It certainly beats some dopey urban legend."

But it’s not all ‘Dittos’ and ‘right on’s for Old Ben Franklin. He’s been getting some negative comments, too. A number of Delta retirees, rightly concerned about their pensions, wrote Old Ben letters containing two words, the second of which being ‘you’.

Some Americans wanted to know why we were doing this:

"Now, Ben, what is this all about? Whose financing this gambit? What's the agenda?"

Old Ben has spent a grand total of $17 (for domain registration) on the campaign. Americans across the country are volunteering their services to keep our country free from totalitarianism. Democracy is our agenda.

But most of the negative responses were along the following lines:

"Hey dumbf*ck I would rather have delta know a little information about me than die by some f*cking terrorist taking my ass out because they didn't run a check. There is no such thing as privacy so give a little of it up and live in a safer world."

Obviously this American was not able to read the MIT paper nor the lay explanation. For the record, CAPPS II will NOT make you safer.

Here’s another non-reader:

"I THINK YOU ARE A BUNCH OF LUNATICS.. YOU HAVE GONE TO THE EXTREME OF PARANOIACS. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO CHECK ALL THE PAXS THAT HAVE CAUSE AN INCIDENT THAT JEOPARDIZES THE SAFETY OF ALL INDIVIDUALS..."

But the best negative letter received over the past couple of days was probably this one:

"What's the matter, didn't the flight attendant let you have a lots of drinks to calm your fright of flying with reasonable people? Perhaps they didn't treat you with respect. Doesn't sound like you deserve respect. Would you rather die?"

No sir, I’d rather live. In a democracy.

March 7th, 2003

Ol’ Ben Franklin called and you responded. He’s received 1,700+ letters over the past three days, most of them strongly in favor of his cunning plan to nip CAPPS II in the bud by bringing some good old fashioned American market pressure to bear on CAPPS II collaborator Delta Air Lines.

Some Americans kindly cc’d Ben Franklin when they told Delta what that thought:

"Selling a plane ticket does not give an airline the right to violate privacy
rights of its customers. Delta's participation in CAPPS II constitutes an
attack on American freedom that makes it a willing ally of the terrorists it
claims to be fighting."

This American really means business...just not for Delta:

"I just moved a 200 person meeting from Cincinnati to Cleveland to deprive
Delta of the traffic through their hub there. I'll be letting the psycho morons who run that company know about it too - nicely, of course."

Many Delta customers expressed their displeasure. Here are but a few:

"I will continue to actively boycott Delta airlines and expend as much energy
as possible in publicizing the stupendous stupidity of your company's
decision until you alter this current course of action."

"I am writing to express my complete outrage at your company's willing
complicity in the Bush administration's latest attack on American civil
liberties."

"CAPPS II is just one of the input sources for Total Information Awareness,
the computerized realization of Orwell's worst nightmares. Not
coincidentally, Delta seems to have reached an agreement with other
airlines, with Big Brother no longer objecting. Gee, I wonder why Big Bro no
longer objects?"

"Nice to see another US company folding up under the pressure to remove the
rights of privacy from it's customers. {snip} Bad Luck to you...I hope you
soon join the ranks of TWA and PanAm."

"CAPPS II isn't a good idea, and Delta should not allow itself to be part of
misguided 'big (brother) government' experiments. You must refuse to
cooperate with their fascist policies. Until you publicly criticize this
program and the tests slated to begin with your company later this month,
you are failing your patriotic duty as an organization and individually as
citizens. Until then, you are as great a threat to national security as any
terrorist. Until then, you are not to be trusted with my business or my
personal information. Until then, I will not stop asking everyone to
boycott Delta and their blind, short-sighted allegiance to the outrageous
programs of the TSA."

"Delta doesn't even serve the area where I live, but if it did, I'd make sure
I didn't fly them. Besides, I'd probably be in the red anyway."

Some Americans thought that his patriotic wrath should be directed elsewhere:

"You should be contacting the govt because they want it in place for ALL the
airlines."

"Perhaps you should re-direct some of your criticism to the TSA instead of
Delta?"

Ol’ Ben would like to gently point out that you can’t sell all your shares in the TSA. As one American quite rightly pointed out,

"Lastly, please rejoice with me in the ultimate lie that is foist upon is.
In a manner reminiscent of both Orwell and Goebbels, our wonderful TSA
bestows upon itself the motto 'Freedom of Movement'! Strange sort of
freedom, isn't it."

Where would any mass movement be without it’s detractors? Right here, of course! Here is a representative sample, some more coherent than others:

"What part of Iraq are you from?"

"Our Government and private companies plan to make it hard on terrorist. I
hope you are not a terrorist. YOU PEOPLE ARE NOTHING MORE THAN LOSERS! GET A LIFE YOU MORONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"Drop Dead"

"You all must have something to hide from the government."

"Your Organization is a Bunch of Whiney Liberal Elites.. That’s all I can
say about it!! After 9/11/01 we do not need any more Building being used as
targets for the Diaper heads to fly an Airplane into If this helps to
prevent this, then I for one, am all for it!! If you cannot see the forest
for the trees, then get out of the forest!!"

Lastly, the Old Ben Franklin Award for Channelling George Orwell and Not Knowing goes to the American who sent in the following gem:

"I want to tell you how much I do NOT appreciate your campaign against Delta
Airlines or any other airlines. It's not as if our U.S. airlines are not
having enough of a struggle without such an attack as this. How about
getting over yourselves and think of the needs of the country for a change.
Your "rights" can take a few hits in times like these. How about some
groupthink."

Groupthink. No, thank you.

benfranklin@boycottdelta.org.