US

About Face? TSA Pseudo-Apologizes to Elderly Women Who Say They Were Strip Searched

The Transportation Security Administration said it did violate policy when agents screened two elderly women at John F. Kennedy airport late last year, though continued to deny the two were forcibly strip searched, the New York Daily News reported.

TSA Apologizes to Elderly Women Who Said They Were Strip Searched...Sort of

Lenore Zimmerman said TSA agents made her remove her clothing during an airport screening last year. (AP)

As The Blaze previously reported, 85-year-old Lenore Zimmerman said she was made to take off her pants and other clothing after asking to forgo screening because she was worried it would damage her defibrillator. In a separate incident, Ruth Sherman, 88, charged that agents made her remove her pants so they could inspect her colostomy bag.

In a letter obtained by the Daily News, the Department of Homeland Security acknowledged its screeners violated procedure when they searched the two 80-year-old women.

“It is not standard operating procedure for colostomy devices to be visually inspected, and [the Transportation Security Administration] apologizes for this employee’s action,” Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Betsy Markey wrote to New York state Sen. Michael Gianaris, who had requested a full investigation into the matter.

TSA Apologizes to Elderly Women Who Said They Were Strip Searched...Sort of

The Department of Homeland Security apologized for inspecting Ruth Sherman's colostomy bag. (Image source: New York Daily News)

The agency insisted, however, that Sherman was not asked to remove her clothing and that she did so voluntarily.

“They asked me to pull my sweatpants down, and now they’re not telling you the truth,” Sherman told the Daily News.

The TSA also denied Zimmerman had been strip searched, but apologized for an agent who it said violated policy by scanning her back brace.

Zimmerman previously said two female agents removed her clothes after she told them she was wearing a defibrillator.

“They’re lying,” she told the Daily News in response to the letter. “I don’t have a problem with [screeners checking] the back brace. I have a problem with being strip searched.”

Gianaris said the agency is still not offering a full explanation of what happened.

“It’s obvious that something went wrong, so its nice to see the TSA admit that their procedures were violated,” Gianaris said. “But they’re still falling short of admitting that these women’s dignity was violated by asking them to remove their clothes.”

Comments (79)

1 2
  • schroeder123
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 12:13pm

    Had enough yet ??

    Report Post » schroeder123  
    • USAMEDIC3008
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 12:44pm

      Befor the TSA took over the first 500 had training exercise
      in a small town in Virginia.
      Thay secured the town– OK
      Locked up all the men over 15 yrs old–OK
      Killed all the females ,And you don’t even want
      to know what they did to the livestock.

      Report Post » USAMEDIC3008  
    • cessna152
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 12:55pm

      Let the airlines run their own security if you don‘t like how one airline’s security practices then you at least have a choice to use another. With the TSA they have the power to make any rules they please. Also, if they don’t like you they can simply deny you getting through security. How is that freedom..

      BTW, if Walmart or any private company did this before you entered their property the government and lefty progressives would slap lawsuits so fast the owners would be in jail. This is how to tell we are living in tyranny… when the government gets away with doing things that the private industry gets thrown in jail for…

      Report Post » cessna152  
    • BetterDays
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 1:12pm

      In my world an apology is only one when a change in behaviors results from it.
      In TSA world, an apology is only one when they get caught and called out from it.
      I like my world without the TSA.
      I have a greater chance of being sucked into a black hole than I do from being hurt in an act of a terroristm unless one counts tyranny as terror.

      Report Post »  
    • db321
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 1:31pm

      You cant hardly blame the TSA – look at this lady – don’t let her granny glasses fool you – this lady can take over a 757 and fly it into the WH or she might be smuggling a cup cake or two in her G-String! When has any Government Agency let you down! The TSA is going to be Obama Security Force that will be used to get our Guns – get over it – it is what it is.

      Report Post » db321  
    • V-MAN MACE
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 1:59pm

      No, the bootlickers have NOT had enough yet.

      They won‘t have enough until they’re the only ones left and all of us real men and patriots are dead or in a FEMA Camp being waterboarded with pepper spray, and no one is left to save them FROM the men who’s boots they lick and the so-called heroes they worship.

      RESIST THE NAZI POLICE STATE!

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
    • flatdaddio
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 2:16pm

      this is why I don’t fly anymore…I don‘t think it’s right, so I’ll keep my money and make road trips part of my vacations…

      Report Post »  
    • CIAtroll
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 3:40pm

      It’s called Terahertz Imaging Detection. It measures the energy radiating from a body up to 16 feet away, and can detect anything blocking it, like a gun.

      http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/01/17/nypd-testing-gun-scanning-technology/

      Report Post » CIAtroll  
    • CIAtroll
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 3:43pm

      Did I hear Rick Santorum say the definition of HAPPY in the 1700′s was
      too do what you are told ????

      Where on earth did he get that from ? The Patriot Act ? Do we want this Catholic Taliban
      running America ?

      Report Post » CIAtroll  
    • merchantsailor
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 4:09pm

      If enough people tell the TSA to go pound sand the airlines should start squawking you would think.
      I’m afraid it will take more than the 2012 election to change anything

      Report Post »  
    • Freedomluver
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 4:51pm

      Who is the only candidate screaming at the top of their lungs about the abuses of the TSA?

      Rom Paul 2012

      Report Post » Freedomluver  
    • Wolf
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:24pm

      It’s easier to apologize and ask forgiveness than to cease and desist. Those women were still assaulted, man-handled and abused by the perverts in TSA. If they really meant to apologize, they’d disband. Period.

      Report Post »  
    • OHSundevil
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 6:19pm

      Apparently not, Romney is leading…

      Report Post » OHSundevil  
    • Grey Eagle
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 8:44pm

      Yup, sure have. I suggest that the TSA fire all the ill trained loons that have and hire all ex-military that will be dumped by the Obama Administration. They should all be trained by Israel, who have the sharpest agents in the world.

      Report Post »  
    • loriann12
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 7:11am

      Of course they didn’t “force” her. They are the authority, in their eyes, and if you don’t play ball by their rules, you can just take your ball and go home…no flying on their planes. Get there some other way. it‘s like the people at the driver’s license bureau….they don’t have to be nice to you because you have to go there. Had enough is a perfect comment. I refuse to fly anywhere. I have a prosthetic breast, no hair so I wear a hat, and a medi-port. They’d strip search me.

      Report Post »  
  • ThePostman
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 11:46am

    What’s the difference bewteen a TSA agent and a full colostomy bag?

    Nothing.

    Report Post »  
    • randy
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 12:15pm

      “It is not standard operating procedure for colostomy devices to be visually inspected

      Not yet anyway! Give them and this administration time!

      Report Post » randy  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 12:51pm

      They say they didn’t ask the woman to strip, but they did ask her to pull her pants down, what’s the difference? When older people do what they’re asked by an authority, they don’t question why because they were taught “back in the good old days” to respect authority (which no one does anymore)

      If I can’t drive, walk, swim or row a boat, I’ll stay home. I believe TSA has abused their authority and the people who are making them do these dastardly deeds are doing it to pacify us into thinking they
      are protecting us. Go after the dirty jerks and leave us travelers alone. Try the methods Israel uses which are less invasive to us and more invasive to those who are a danger to us.

      Report Post »  
    • unequivocally_right
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 2:09pm

      @ RANDY if they are going to inspect it. They might as well do a sniff and taste test. All jokes aside. I wonder how the TSA agents and government officials would feel if they were subjected to the same treatment as us common folk? Oh wait, they get a free pass and don’t have to go through such scrutiny every time they go to work or travel.

      Report Post » unequivocally_right  
    • Freedomluver
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:03pm

      @Bluebonnet
      Did you know the DHS is now showing up at sporting events, train stations, and even Social Security offices with automatic weapons?

      This is all part of the Patriot Act, and we as a people had better stand up for ourselves as we are rapidly becoming East Germany.

      The recently passed NDAA is another expansion of the Patriot Act that allows Obama to send the military to your home, to arrest you without official charges, no warrant, no trial, and no release date.

      The ONLY candidate who is speaking out and condemning this insanity is Ron Paul, and Santorum and Romney actually endorsed it!

      Wake up folks…before it’s too late.

      Ron Paul 2012

      Report Post » Freedomluver  
  • bigfatslob
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 11:44am

    The agents were bl@ ck le$ bians that just wanted to see these l@d ies n@ ked.

    Report Post » bigfatslob  
  • urrybr
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 11:42am

    I dunno . . . those two gals look like the could be linked to al Qaida. The colostomy bag . . . . humph! Could be a way to smuggle nitroglycerin on board. And the defibrillator . . . that‘s to disrupt the plane’s communications. No . . . these two gals are top operatives for al Qaida, pure and simple. ;)

    Report Post » urrybr  
    • Freedomluver
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:53pm

      No…these old gals were enemies of Romney’s beloved NWO.

      Just ask him….

      Oh yea…he doesn’t want to talk about this.

      He did finally come out and admit he’s all for the NDAA, which allows Obama to send the military to your house and arrest you with no formal charges, no witnesses, no trial, and no release date.

      Wake up folks…Ron Paul…or bend over for the NWO.

      Report Post » Freedomluver  
  • Ghandi was a Republican
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 11:32am

    Blame the terrorists, and blame obama. Obama has reduce National security to the TSA screeners!

    Report Post » Ghandi was a Republican  
    • BetterDays
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 12:38pm

      http://www.infowars.com/janet-napolitano-gives-top-secret-security-clearance-to-muslim-brotherhood/
      Now do tell me who the terrorists are again, because with this administration I’m so confused!
      I’m willing to bet $1 ( it’s all I have ) that if Washington were alive today, he would answer my question ” they are those who are your paying to govern you.”. George would also SUE to have his good name removed from the District of Columbia.

      Report Post »  
    • RaymondA
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 3:09pm

      “People willing to trade their freedom for temporary security deserve neither” – Benjamin Franklin

      Report Post »  
    • Freedomluver
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:34pm

      Oh…those dangerous old people!

      http://www.dailycommercial.com/010412shield

      It may have looked like they were ready for war or some deranged person looking for his late Social Security benefits.

      But it was only Federal Protective Service officers with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security who were conducting a random training operation early Tuesday morning when they surprisingly showed up at the Social Security Administration office in downtown Leesburg.

      With their blue and white SUVs circled around the Main Street office, at least one official was posted on the door with a semiautomatic rifle, randomly checking identifications. And other officers, some with K-9s, sifted through the building.
      ——–

      Look folks, all of the candidates with the exception of Ron Paul refuses to speak out about this abuse of the 4th amendment.

      Vote Ron Paul…or drop your pants for the NWO.

      Report Post » Freedomluver  
  • CommonSenseTalk
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 11:28am

    The TSA is just a way to give Unions millions so they can give it back to help union friendly candidates. My mother went threw the full x=ray machine and they still did a pat down search. Why? I think they try to slow things down so they can get more union members. Why would they work smarter and harder if you can never loose your contract? What if we had private companies that could get contracts based on results? Time waiting in line? Items found? etc.

    Report Post »  
    • Freedomluver
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:38pm

      Not exactly.

      Have you noticed none of the candidates other than Ron Paul is willing to condemn this insanity?

      Take note of the fact that Romney and Santorum actually defended the NDAA that allows for your arrest with no formal charges, no warrant, no trial, and no release date.

      The truth is Romney and the rest of the bunch are nothing but shills for the NWO.

      Vote Ron Paul, or bend over for the NWO.

      Report Post » Freedomluver  
  • nobull14
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 11:20am

    The TSA is a major joke invent by government and should be disbanded ? we should do it the way Israel’s airline does it ? you don’t here any bombs or terrorist getting on that airline !!!!

    Report Post »  
  • Carborendum
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 11:18am

    I’m reminded of the movie “Airplane” where the security screeners let people with all kinds of weapons through when the light turned red. Then grandma shuffles through and the light turns green. Security jumps on her and proceeds to violate her.

    This is what we’ve become. We’re a “Naked Gun” type comedy–the laughing stock of the world.

    Report Post »  
  • texasfireguy
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 11:18am

    it boggles my mind that PC bull**** keeps the TSA from using effective and proven techniques to selectively profile passengers. The Israelis have been doing it for decades, it seems to work pretty well for them. But we cant because thats “discrimination”. If they arent going to do it right, why even bother?

    Report Post » texasfireguy  
  • loveliberty83
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 11:18am

    white elderly women -the weakest of Americans

    Report Post »  
    • texasfireguy
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 11:24am

      I dont know, my grandma was kinda scary. When she told you to do something, it was best to follow orders.

      Report Post » texasfireguy  
  • loveliberty83
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 11:17am

    I think this is age discrimmination & I would love some lawyer to go after thie notice it is white elderly women -they would not pick any other race -7 since most of the agents are black this is a good way to put down white people ARP should get on this

    Report Post »  
  • justangry
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 11:11am

    So which candidates are standing up against this and which ones think it’s necessary?

    Report Post » justangry  
  • COFemale
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 11:08am

    Yeah, those two women look like Muslim terrorist to me. I vote to remove TSA and vote to profile Muslims, no if, and or buts.

    If for some reason 5‘ 4’ females with brown hair started blowing up planes or people, I would expect the TSA to focus their attention on me and not a 6′ man.

    Can we just use common sense here or is that too much to ask?

    This is why I will never fly again unless it is beyond my control; work or death in family. They all leave on the east coast.

    Report Post » COFemale  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 11:06am

    As the southern border is wide open for any global terrorist to freakin walk right on in…. The TSA is cavity searching grandma… Our Criminal Federal Government has lost its mind…

    Report Post »  
    • Freedomluver
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 6:01pm

      The TSA has nothing to do with security. Their purpose is to get the sheeple used to being pushed around whenever the NWO demands it.

      Take a look at what they are up to now!

      http://www.dailycommercial.com/010412shield

      It may have looked like they were ready for war or some deranged person looking for his late Social Security benefits.

      But it was only Federal Protective Service officers with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security who were conducting a random training operation early Tuesday morning when they surprisingly showed up at the Social Security Administration office in downtown Leesburg.

      With their blue and white SUVs circled around the Main Street office, at least one official was posted on the door with a semiautomatic rifle, randomly checking identifications. And other officers, some with K-9s, sifted through the building.

      The wide open border simply drives the proof home that this has nothing to do with security..

      There is only one candidate who is willing to not only condemn this insanity.

      http://thehill.com/blogs/transportation-report/tsa/188271-ron-paul-proposes-abolishing-the-tsa-in-plan-to-restore-america-

      Vote Ron Paul, or bend over for the NWO.

      Report Post » Freedomluver  
    • KangarooJack
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 1:01am

      Au Contraire…no need to upset the “other” voters…lol

      Report Post » KangarooJack  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 11:01am

    .
    Once again if you are the Parent of a TSA Agent “SHAME ON YOU!!!”…..

    I think an apology from Hitler, would go over better…………..

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • momrules
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 10:57am

    Too little and way too late.

    The TSA and the Department of Homeland Security would be laughable if they weren’t so powerful.

    Obama’s private army.

    Report Post »  
    • AJAYW
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 11:50am

      momrules
      ou hit the nail on the head 100% correct-

      Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 10:53am

    Those ladies look pretty dangerous TSA, thanks for keeping America safe! You morons.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • Baddoggy
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 11:06am

      They look awfully menacing Gonzo, but I am sure it wasnt that. The sickos at the TSA just wanted to see ‘em nekid.

      Time to end the TSA and let the Airlines do their owb security. After all they do NOT want thier planes blown up…The FREE market will always prevail.

      Report Post » Baddoggy  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 2:00pm

      Yea Doggy and right in front of these ladies three guys named Mohamed with one way tickets bought with cash went through the line with a “Have a nice flight!”

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 10:53am

    You know what… This time i really do Blame Bush … Sorry.

    Report Post »  
    • RichNGadsden
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 11:57am

      Yeah, it started under the Bush Administration and I thought that it was dangerous even then. But, with the guidance of Janet Napalitano under 0bama it has really bloomed into the world’s laughing stock that it has become. Just think when compared to Nixon’s EPA what the TSA can really become in 40 years! Both as well as other agencies should be eliminated by the next administration…if there is one.

      Report Post » RichNGadsden  
    • Freedomluver
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 6:04pm

      And just who is the only candidate who will actually fight for the 4th amendment?

      http://thehill.com/blogs/transportation-report/tsa/188271-ron-paul-proposes-abolishing-the-tsa-in-plan-to-restore-america-

      The rest of them will only expand the DHS, and Romney and Santorum are on record in full support of the NDAA!

      Ron Paul 2012…or bend over for the NWO.

      Report Post » Freedomluver  
  • BrerRabbit
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 10:49am

    I haven‘t flown in two years and don’t plan to do so. If I cannot drive there, I just don’t go.

    Report Post »  
  • 13th Imam
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 10:47am

    Anybody that has a colostomy bag searched should voluntarily Give the TSA thug all it’s contents.

    Report Post » 13th Imam  
  • BBReggie
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 10:45am

    There, that makes things all better.

    Report Post »  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 10:41am

    They just want to appologize that they got caught, and that the grannies weren’t hotter. They appologize that their taste and fetish disgusted so many, and they will raise their standards for those they choose to molest. They will do better in the future, and will at least make their “Targets” sign an nondisclosure statement before they begin.

    Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 10:41am

    When i read about stories like this, i must say, i really think Bin Laden Won…. If we dont dismantle these boogy man terrorist behind every tree agencies , then we deserve what we get… It is really sick, the reason their will never be another 911 is cuz the passengers wont let it happen, not because the TSA is searching colostamy bags for bombs, good grief !

    Report Post »  
  • Countrygirl1362
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 10:39am

    Is this the same agency that said the women were lying? That the TSA did nothing wrong? A goverment agency lying to the people who would have thought they would admit it. The TSA needs to be in jail and not acting as jailers.

    Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 10:37am

    The matter is very simple, the TSA is a piracy and thugocracy organization of thieves and brutes. They need to be disbanded.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
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