TSA Revolt News for 11/19/10 - Mega Issue
Here is a sample of the news from about the web regarding the public revolt over the invasive TSA Enhanced Pat Down's and AIT Scanners.
Gloria Allred on Hanity
Airport security crew has his hand up a mans crotch. One has a security official down a woman's pants. An airline stewardess, who has served for 28 years to remove her breast implant for security for America. Lot of junk being searched for terrorism purposes. Critics are calling these searches sexual harassment. Gloria Allred an attorney about her getting patted down and groped, "first time anybody touched them in a long time and I liked it." The Liberals are funny as hello, however how politically correct the left is. Need to use profiling. This is a hilarious clip from Hannity. Gotta laugh once in awhile. Blame those terrorist bastards. Israel knows how to profile. Great moment on Fox News. MSNBC is just depressing. The TSA screening procedures are kind of far out.
John c. Dvorak and Adam Curry discuss DA's from several states coming out and saying that TSA officers can be charged with Sexual Assault. For more go to noagendashow.com or listen live at noagendastream.com shot taken from episode #253.
Ron Paul Debates TSA Screenings - CNN 11/19/10
CNN. November 19, 2010.
Humor
Added On November 19, 2010
The TSA gets a smackdown as it defends the pat downs. CNN's Jeanne Meserve reports.
The revolt against the TSA is a sign of the times. Popular frustration with the TSA dates back to its establishment during the Bush administration. It is another big government bureaucracy that performs ineptly and with gross inconvenience. It provides far more security theater than security. The TSA is bound by a form of political correctness that has long rendered it a joke. With its newly implemented scanning and pat down procedures, however, the TSA has become something worse than a joke.
New York, Orlando join anti-TSA rebellion, TSA mounts PR effort
New York and Orlando aren't taking the TSA scanner/pat-down controversy lying down. Instead, officials in both places are fighting back. In Orlando, the Sanford airport is reportedly planning to take advantage of a little-known clause that allows airports to opt-out of TSA protection and instead use a federally approved private screening company.
The TSA's counteroffensive
The TSA, for its part, is countering the backlash with a PR offensive. The agency has a new blog post up that claims to rebut alleged myths about the backscatter scanners and pat-downs with facts. Some of the rebuttals work better than others. For instance, take the TSA's response to allegations that the pat-downs are invasive:
Myth: The TSA pat-down is invasive
Fact: Only passengers who alarm a walk through metal detector or AIT machine or opt out of the AIT receive a pat-down. For this reason, it is designed to be thorough in order to detect any potential threats and keep the traveling public safe. Pat-downs are performed by same-gender officers and all passengers have the right to a private screening with a travel companion at any time.
Nowhere in the "Fact" response does the TSA directly answer the allegation of invasiveness, probably because the pat-downs are invasive.
Stand Up Against TSA’s Invasive Security Procedures
Deeplink by Rainey Reitman
The Transportation Security Administration has adopted "enhanced" security procedures — presenting people with the horrible choice of either submitting to body scanners that show passengers unclothed or submit to what are called "groping" pat-down techniques which include touching both breasts and genitalia. As some have noted these processes appear to have little likelihood of increasing the safety of fliers.
Individuals appalled by these procedures have a right to submit formal complaints to the TSA. It is important the passengers and crew submit complaints to showcase the widespread resistance to these procedures. TSA maintains that they have seen no increase in complaints about the new security procedures. EFF will be filing FOIA requests to test this claim, but in the meantime we wanted to make sure that people who wished to complain knew how to make their thoughts and feelings heard.
Top 12 Things to say to your TSA scanner
- Would you prefer I said that this was a lethal explosive or that I was just happy to see you?
- I've got some baggage in my pants that's been left unattended.
- I haven't felt this violated since I read the passage of George W. Bush's book that described the fetus in the jar.
- Do you know what censure means? Yeah, me neither.
- If you were a member of the Nixon family, you'd be Pat. You know, because of the pats.
- If you were an 80's-era female singer, you'd be Pat Benatar. You know, because of the pats.
- If you were a member of the Jackson family, you'd be Michael. You know, because of the...
- Have you ever seen "The Crying Game"?
- You'd think if they were going to make this required, they would at least legalize smoking on board airplanes afterwards.
- So, do you come here often?
- Is this a bad time to tell you I have this rare condition where if anyone touches a specific dime-sized area of my upper thigh, I make the bond with him for life? I'm part Avatar on my mother's side.
- If you touch my junk, I will have you arrested.
The Revolution Will Be Felt -- by TSA Agents
Finally, the Post-Patriot Act American Revolution has come to a boil -- not in a teabag, but in a viral You Tube video that demands "don't touch my junk." The fickle fingers of TSA agents at airports everywhere have grabbed our sensitive spot and those screams you hear are far from ecstasy. From sea to shining sea, traveling pilgrims are eschewing the spineless acquiescence of freedom fighters in name only to reveal a line at their underwear.
PBSO Prepared To Detain TSA Security Defiers
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Deputies may detain Palm Beach International Airport travelers who refuse to submit to a full-body scanner or a pat down, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office confirmed Friday.
With San Diego accidentally becoming the center of the controversies over new TSA screening devices and techniques, local congressional representative Bob Filner (District 51, Chula Vista) is calling for a hearing on TSA security practices.
No Security Pat-Downs for Boehner
By JEFF ZELENY
3:37 p.m. | Updated Representative John A. Boehner, soon to be the Speaker of the House, has pledged to fly commercial airlines back to his home district in Ohio. But that does not mean that he will be subjected to the hassles of ordinary passengers, including the controversial security pat-downs.
As he left Washington on Friday, Mr. Boehner headed across the Potomac River to Reagan National Airport, which was bustling with afternoon travelers. But there was no waiting in line for Mr. Boehner, who was escorted around the metal detectors and body scanners, and taken directly to the gate.
Airport Body Scanners: Less Invasive Technology is Out There
By CBS News Investigative Producer Laura Strickler
Scanning technology exists today that would project only a "stick figure" image of a passenger to a TSA screener and minimize any exposure to radiation according to three U.S. Senators.
The technology known as "automated target recognition" is in use at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport.
Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) wrote a letter to the TSA back in April asking for the technology to be used in the United States.
TSA responds to complaints about kids being patted down at airports
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - Are children exempt for pat-downs at airport security? Not according to one man who says a TSA employee groped 6 year-old son at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
The commenter says his son was aggressively patted down by a TSA employee.
"He was pleading for me to help him and I was admonished for trying to comfort him," the comment on the blog states. "His genitals area was groped. He walked down to the plane in tears."
The TSA issued the following statement to WBTV on Wednesday night:
"Officers are trained to work with parents to insure a respectful screening process for the entire family while providing the best possible security for all travelers."
But that statement didn't answer our main question, which was are TSA workers allowed to pat down children even to the point of touching their private parts.
We asked the TSA on Thursday night if they would be more specific. They sent us back the exact same sentence, but then added this second sentence.
"After a thorough risk assessment and after hearing concerns from parents, we made the decision that a modified pat down would be used for children 12 years old and under who require extra screening."
We emailed back to ask what exactly "modified" meant but Jon Allen with the TSA replied, "I can't discuss specifics of a security procedure such as a pat down."
Airport security measures prompt new website
The U.S. Travel Association set up the website, YourTravelVoice.org, after it received more than 1,000 unsolicited comments from travelers about the increased security following recently foiled bomb plots involving U.S. bound parcels.
Text of HR 6416 introduced by Ron Paul.
To ensure that certain Federal employees cannot hide behind immunity.
H.R.6416 -- American Traveller Dignity Act of 2010 (Introduced in House - IH)
HR 6416 IH
111th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 6416
To ensure that certain Federal employees cannot hide behind immunity.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
November 17, 2010
Mr. PAUL introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
A BILL
To ensure that certain Federal employees cannot hide behind immunity.
- Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
- This Act may be cited as the `American Traveller Dignity Act of 2010'.
SEC. 2. NO IMMUNITY FOR CERTAIN AIRPORT SCREENING METHODS.
- No law of the United States shall be construed to confer any immunity for a Federal employee or agency or any individual or entity that receives Federal funds, who subjects an individual to any physical contact (including contact with any clothing the individual is wearing), x-rays, or millimeter waves, or aids in the creation of or views a representation of any part of a individual's body covered by clothing as a condition for such individual to be in an airport or to fly in an aircraft. The preceding sentence shall apply even if the individual or the individual's parent, guardian, or any other individual gives consent.
Enhanced pat down leaves Grand Rapids airline passenger in tears
“The female officer ran her hand up the inside of my leg to my groin and she did it so hard and so rough she lifted me off my heels,” she tells WZZM-TV. “I think I yelped. I was in pain for about an hour afterwards. It just felt excessive and unnecessary.”
TSA: Pilots to be exempt from some airport checks
WASHINGTON - The Transportation Security Administration has agreed to allow airline pilots to skip security scanning and pat-downs, pilot organizations said Friday.
Pilots traveling in uniform on airline business will be allowed to pass security by presenting two photo IDs, one from their company and one from the government, to be checked against a secure flight crew database, officials at the pilot groups said.
Flight attendants no so happy with TSA's move for pilots
So the TSA caved to pilots, saying they don't have to get pat-downs. It didn't take long for a major flight attendant union to chime in about unfairness:
Flight attendants have submitted to the same finger printing and 10-year FBI background check as pilots. Flight attendants have completed required FAA mandated initial training and annual recurrent training in safety and security. Flight attendants have voluntarily taken additional TSA crewmember self-defense training on our own time and at our own expense since the federal government refused to make that training mandatory and fund it. Flight attendants are FAA -certified safety and security professionals.In spite of the invaluable role that flight attendants play in air security, flight attendants are now being subjected to Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) or "enhanced" body patdowns that are not only invasive, but also humiliating and embarrassing for front line security professionals who put their lives on the line every day. Enhanced TSA screening of flight crews is not only unnecessary, it is a waste of TSA resources that should be directed at the real security risks
Cancer survivor forced to show prosthetic breast to TSA agents during airport pat-down
A flight attendant and cancer survivor has revealed her horror at being forced to show her prosthetic breast to a security agent during a pat-down at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
Cathy Bossi from South Charlotte has been a flight attendant for over 30 years and has worked for U.S. Airways for the past 28 years.
She said she was asked to go through the full body-scanners at the airport in early August which she was reluctant to do because of fears of the radiation from the machine passing through her body.
The 3-year-breast cancer survivor agreed, but was then asked by two female Charlotte TSA agents to go to a private room for further screening, and they began what Ms Bossi described as an aggressive pat down.
TSA Agents Absolutely Hate New Pat Downs, Find Them Disgusting And Morale Breaking
One of the common themes that people keep mentioning in talking about the new TSA pat down procedures is that those involved must "enjoy" the groping they're giving people. But, of course, most TSA agents are normal every day people who don't actually want to grope random people.Chris Tolles points us to a post from BoardingArea.com, who reached out to some TSA agents and found that many TSA agents hate the new rules and find it to be sapping morale to have to grope passengers.
A Mom's Message For the TSA -- Don't Touch My KIDS!
I am afraid to fly with my family these days. Not because I am afraid of crashing, but because I am afraid of being arrested for assault. The viral YouTube video of the terrified three-year-old being given an invasive body search by a rough Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agent is outrageous and alarming.
Trust me, if that were my beautiful, modest thirteen-year-old daughter being intimidated and groped, I couldn’t be held responsible for my actions. I have had two children, and my modesty level at this point in life is pretty minimal, but someone touching my kid is another story. That person is likely to get their eyes scratched out, TSA Agent or not. I am not kidding: Moms won’t abide someone messing with our children. Keep the cameras ready; it’s only a matter of time before one of us snaps. Hope it’s not me.
5 Tips for TSA from Their Government Peers
"I have heard that Israel has a superior approach to this type of security," From Jeff S., a Compliance Officer for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. "Maybe its time for the US to import that method." In response, a TSA employee offered some clarification: "I'll be the first to say that there are areas where we (TSA) can do much better -- including using Israeli methods for detection and prevention. Having said that, you should know that there are only three international airports in Israel. TSA has a presence in over 460 U.S. airports." He also noted: "We have a large and growing Behavior Detection Officer (BDO) program. We use the same techniques and methods that the Israeli's use to profile behavior. We currently have BDOs at 161 airports nationwide."
TSA screeners at Miami International Airport undergo specialized training
Today, TSA employees at MIA are undergoing special training to be more sensitive to passengers, many of whom seldom fly and to be more attentive to suspicious acting passengers. "We are not just focusing on body language, we are looking at the whole person and what they may be doing before coming toward the screeners," said Lauren Stover, Aviation Security Director at MIA.
Breaking: Former Gov. Ventura Will No Longer Fly Due to Abuse He’s Endured at Hands of TSA
Ventura said he made the decision to avoid public aircraft after he found himself becoming too comfortable with being routinely searched. He said he was subjected to pat down and search three or four times a week when he traveled for his television show. Ventura had hip surgery and the metal in his body invariably sets off airport metal detectors.
