Jesse Ventura Suing TSA for ‘Sexual Assault’ Pat-Downs
- Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:07am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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Former wrestler and one-term Minnesota governor Jesse “The Body” Ventura is suing Homeland Security (DHS), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and their leaders for getting too cozy with his body during a security screening. Ventura claims new security procedures amount to “sexual assault.”
In the official complaint filed Monday in the U.S. District Court for Minnesota, Ventura is suing DHS and its secretary, Janet Napolitano, as well as TSA and its administrator, John Pistole.
According to KSTP-TV in Minnesota, Ventura accuses the agencies of violating his “basic rights to privacy and dignity, and his right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures,” after receiving a pat-down by a TSA agent at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in November 2010.
Ventura, in the suit, describes the pat-down as “warrantless, non-suspicion-based offensive touching, gripping and rubbing of the genital and other sensitive areas of his body,“ and says it met ”the definition for an unlawful sexual assault.”
“He‘s made a decision that someone needs to make a stand and he’s not one to back down from a fight,” Ventura’s lawyer, David Olsen, told KSTP. “He sees the erosion of civil liberties here and he’s willing to stand up not only for himself, but for others.”
KMSP in Minneapolis reports Ventura claims his metal hip has exposed him to a new level of unfair scrutiny:
According to the lawsuit, Ventura received a hip replacement in 2008, and since then, his titanium implant has set off metal detectors at airport security checkpoints. The lawsuit said that prior to last November officials had used a non-invasive hand-held wand to scan his body as a secondary security measure.
But when Ventura set off the metal detector in November, he was instead subjected to a body pat-down and was not given the option of a scan with a hand-held wand or an exemption for being a frequent traveler, the lawsuit said.
Ventura now refuses to fly commercially.
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Comments (102)
Joisey
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 12:24pmGo Jesse! If he wins his lawsuit, maybe I’ll be able to fly again.
Report Post »RobR
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 12:18pmJesse is just embarrassed because the TSA woman asked him why he was hiding that Tic – Tac between his legs. That’s when all hell broke loose.
Imagine his reaction if she had questioned all that blank space in his head?
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 1:32pmAh yes, of course.
If this were Dubya’s doing however, you’d most likely be rooting for Ventura come hell or high water.
Some day, folks will learn that it’s not about parties, it’s about right and wrong. Some day, but not today apparently.
Report Post »heyjms
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 12:17pmJesse is doing the right thing, more people need to take up this fight. He is someone that can get media attention doing it. More people took this approach then we can stop this bull….. I decided not to fly anymore when this started…. and I have held to it. Passed on 5 trips total so far.
Report Post »rpjunglejane
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:55amOk i am a big Blaze and Beck Fan. I would be hard to put me in a box, of asian descent American patriot married to a veteran and a true conservative, and Horrors I have worked for the TSA for about 8 years now. Let me clear a few things up. 1. Contrary to popular belief we do not want to feel anybody up(there might be a few sickos out there but there are doctors, priest, even senators who are Perverts), we have to screen passengers it is our job we are given the orders we do it,to demonize all of TSA is wrong. The liberals are fond of doing this, making blanket accusations and generalizations.And believe me we have to screen some of the most unpleasant self righteous and entitled people there are. 2.We come from many backgrounds , a lot are military veterans,some are mothers, students ordinary and extraordinary tax paying people like you and me .Surprisingly enough a lot are conservatives . I work with some very smart people who are convinced that it is their mission to keep you safe.3. You do not want the Government to profile, a terrorist can be anybody, this people have used the mentally challenge the old, the young and gullible, it is not just mr. abdullah, remember there are Muslim radicals in Asia in Russia(blond blue eye?) and the Scary wierd loners(Arizona shooter?)4. Our job is not easy we go through extensive continous training, get retesteted frequently with the fear of failing(it happens often) and losing your job. We get verval and sometimes physical abuse. Again Majority of us DO NOT want to touch your privates remember we have to treat everybody equally the old, the young the smelly the unattractive creeps who enjoy the process…….
Report Post »i understand the elections are over for now and we are looking for stories ..TSA is IT for now until something else happens. Toodles and GOD Bless America even Jesse Ventura LOL.
GhostOfJefferson
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 1:13pmThe TSA has no right to exist and impose itself on private business transactions or the free movement of free people. You work for an arm of government that is wholly unjustified in its existence and whose duty is by definition unconstitutional and a slap in the face of human liberty. Why anybody would willingly work for such an agency, who claims to be pro-liberty, is beyond my ken.
Report Post »cykonas
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 6:33pmRP,
I hear you five by five. I, personally, don’t place all the blame the average TSA inspector for the policies of the agency. I do, however, say that I would dig ditches before I would be a part of any part of the Federal Government that operates in unconstitutional areas. Which means almost the entire government.
If we are going to place blame for the semi police state that we have allowed to evolve in our country here’s how I would place the blame (in descending order):
1. The people who don’t vote
2. The people who do vote
3. All of the legislators that write and enact the unconstitutional laws
4. All of the Presidents that issue “crisis” orders that become defacto law
5. All of the jurists that allow these laws to be upheld
6. The special interest groups (ACLU, SPLC, etc) that litigate to defend/support many of these laws
7. The “cops” that enforce the laws
I’m in group number two, so I blame myself more than I blame you and your coworkers, but I don’t just give you guys a complete pass. One can only be a part of the problem or a part of the solution. You can’t be both. Peace.
Report Post »Gunonesis
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:54amJesse “the Body” Ventura (James George Janos), that was a joke, right, just like his political career and conspiracy theories? This bald-headed douchebag and former steroid user always looked like crap.
Report Post »RightPolitically
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:43amTSA is absurd because UNTIL and UNLESS they profile for “body-language” and tell-tale signs of undue nervousness exhibited by a person going through security, THEY HAVE NOT RIGHT to abuse members of the general public……PERIOD!
Report Post »RightPolitically
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:44amHey Jesse……Body slam ‘em in COURT!
Report Post »rpjunglejane
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:57amThey do , But you would not notice it is done on most airports.
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 1:30pmThey never have a right to abuse people or violate our 4th amendment rights. Ever. No matter what they do first as far as profiling.
Report Post »Nevermind
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:42amHe wont win and it is a foolish law suit. In order to prove sexual assult one needs to prove that the touchings intent was sexual in nature and the touching was done to arouse. When a screener checks for bombs it isnt sexal in nature therefore cannot be sexual assult.
Anyone with a bit of law knowledge would know these things . This is a non story and a waste to be honest.
Besides, all were aware of TSA doing these searches in airports. If someone wanted to avoid the chance of being searched they drove or took a train. You went into the airport knowing the TSa would be doing pat downs so it isnt unreasonable. If you dont want to be searched dont fly, to fly inst a right it is a privelage. So if you dont want to take part in what it takes to partake of that privelage then dont fly, simple as that.
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 12:12pmTypical.
The airlines are private industries, not government programs. Your argument, if we were to call it that, is that “if you don’t want government groping you, stay away from anywhere the government is”. Which ignores the question “should government be there in the first place”. The clear answer is “no, they shouldn’t”. The reason for this is that government could as easily set up check points every five miles demanding papers and demanding strip searches, and your logic would apply as well. Hell, we could go to extremes and your logic would apply, in a case where government stands outside your door with anal probes waiting for you to walk outside. “Well, if you don’t want probed, stay inside”.
The perfect argument from servile submissiveness. Don’t resist, submit, and if you don‘t want to be raped don’t dress nicely in public. Just perfect.
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 12:35pmAnd if women don’t want to be raped, they shouldn‘t go outside in anything less than a nun’s habit. Got it. Your logic is understood. Thanks for participating.
Report Post »gofigureinternational
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 9:09amGhost of Jefferson…
Well said! The original intent of the Founders has long since been TRAMPLED.
Report Post »Dale
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:41amMy problem is that ‘the body’ wants special treatment (individually exempt from pat downs). Were he suing because these tactics are illegal, I would support him.
Report Post »BiteMePETA
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:37amSince this is a govt. org and not a private one, he does have a case. However, I expect it to be thrown out… and would expect it to be thrown out 100% if not for his celebrity.
Report Post »Pawsupday
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:35amBut wait Jess I thought you LOVE the government to control everything! You crazy lib you only give a “cop a feel” when tsa doesn’t “know” who you are…. you elite…. you should have been given a pass!
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:56amI‘m not certain that’s correct. He’s always been pretty close to a 2nd Amendment purist, not just for himself but for everybody. He’s a mixed bag.
Report Post »NickDeringer
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:28amJesse, drama queen. Wait until some terrorist shove plastic explosive up his butt. Cavity searches for everyone!!!
Report Post »jburke4
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:25amThis guy may be a nut job, but after reading this story he may just be my kind of nut job. Go Jesse go!!!
Report Post »S_Malc13
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:24amTrusted traveler huh?
http://www.travelpulse.com/us-travel-praises-expansion-of-trusted-traveler-program.html
Can you sat NAU?
Report Post »Mackerel
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:20amJesse (The Don’t Touch My Body) Ventura.
Report Post »deskpilot
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:20amThese TSA/DHS rules need to be SLAMMED down hard! And the people responsible for their “promulgation” (favorite gov’t word) need to be held accountable
Report Post »Note that I said RULES, not the individuals.
Snowleopard the artist {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:35amThe rules need to be done away with and a practical, common sense guide used instead. Also, any of the TSA-KGB Inc who have broken the law do need to at the least be investigated, and if a crime has been documented enough for legal action, pursued.
Report Post »Carl1
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:19amNever was a Jesse Ventura fan, But i agree with him. Hope he wins! Have you seen some Jesse’s Conspiracy theory shows? The way Obama is running this country into the ground, You never know? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gM32BKN7wg
Report Post »SnapTie
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:18amIt must be a conspiracy theory.
Report Post »Hungry_i
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:35amA class action suit should be brought against him for that program.
Report Post »Old Truckers
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:17amVentura now refuses to fly commercially. So have I.
Report Post »I will not ever fly again.
Snowleopard the artist {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:23amSame here, my own mother was recently accosted and accused of being a troublemaker by a TSA agent when after screening she went to use the ladies room; the agent threatened her with arrest for the ‘disobeying of a lawful order and not returning to the gate where her flight will leave.’
Mind you, her flight was not due to board for two hours, and there was only one set of restrooms in the terminal area. Also my mother is 65 and barely able to walk after foot surgery.
Report Post »Sheeple
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:17amWell, those reporting this story (in the video) obviously don’t like Jesse Ventura. Completely biased reporting there. Baseless claims and mis-characterization abound.
I say rock on Jesse, give em’Hell! Show those thugs they can’t wantonly sexually abuse citizens.
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:16amBeen there. Done that for the last time. It IS an invasion of privacy, and many TSA officials / employees enjoy it way tooooooo much. Good for you, Jesse. Let’s hope the courts will listen to “somebody”; they surely do not listen to us “nobody’s” with no money, no positions and no clout. One of these days, it will be their turn in front of GOD. Be interesting to see that exam for flights HOME.
Report Post »Untameable-kate
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:13amIf he wins the suit then it opens the door to make these patdowns illegal. Right?
Report Post »TexasCommonSense
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:17amI hope so. Probably not though. The fourth amendment already makes them illegal, but they do it anyway. Who needs that pesky Bill of Rights?
Report Post »Old Truckers
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:19amI would think so, but I do not envy the fight he will have to go through. It may be a battle that cannot be won.
Report Post »Snowleopard the artist {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:20amI hope they are found, the pat downs, to be illegal, yet the Fed’s would just come up with some other excuse to have them, or even make them worse for everyone to go through. I wish there was some way to bring a multitude of documented and filmed searches like this to trial all at once; then with a large amount of pressure on the government maybe we could finally start another crack in those means of the progressives.
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:30am“The fourth amendment already makes them illegal, but they do it anyway. Who needs that pesky Bill of Rights?”
Precisely correct. The 4th is pretty damned clear in its wording and meaning. They flagrantly flaunt it, not just with TSA but with many things. A court has no chance of being “higher” on the food chain than the Constitution, and if the Constitution doesn’t apply to these yam bags any longer, what chance does a court have?
Report Post »Snowleopard the artist {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:38am@GhostofJefferson
The courts may not have much of a chance, it is by the constant standing up for what is right against the night that we will win back the nation. One part, one article, one community, one section at a time until liberty shines across the land. We need to watch, stand when called upon to do so, and to advance where it is needed.
We will take the nation back, and freedom will fully come again; it will take time, yet we will build the great future for our children and the generations to come.
Report Post »Untameable-kate
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:40amWell, They did catch all those terrorists by sexually molesting all those grandmas. What is the total terrorist count up to?? zero?
Report Post »Old Truckers
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:13amGo Jesse!
Report Post »streetconcepts
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:12amI hope Jesse nails them to the wall!
Report Post »dgness
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 12:55pmOne corrupt ex politicion suing another corrupt Government agency. Jesse the hypocrit. Libs eating other Libs. This is great. All you anti TSA people out there, guess who forks the big bucks to defend law suits like this? You and your tax money. DUH!!!!!
Report Post »FLConservative
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 1:56pmI think this is hilarious. This guy is one of the Obamites. He’s as liberal as they come. But WAIT it is ok to give away the farm, pat down granny, halt conservative dicussions,etc as long as its’ just conservatives, but when its’ another liberal STOP! What a bunch of hypocrits.
Report Post »RobertCA
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:05pmI don’t care for this loon .
Report Post »MAULEMALL
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:11amAttention Hoooooooooo……..
Report Post »Snowleopard the artist {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:11amI just read on the Drudge Report about this, I wish him the best in the suit and hope he is ready for the gates of hades to be unleashed against him by Napoletano and the administration. Hope he is able to win the case in all areas.
Report Post »Cobra Blue
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:14amHey Jesse…Good Luck. You forget you are suing the government and they make and break the rules with impunity. Don’t waste your time and money.
Report Post »Snowleopard the artist {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:18am@The Blazers
Here is something more I just found on the Drudge Report sight, it appears the internet killing bill is still on track again to give Obama the right to kill all the internet in the nation, and without any kind of court oversight or overturning availible to redress the action.
It is the Lieberman-Collins bill that has been modified, supposedly making the criteria for the right to execute even tighter than the last rejected version.
Here is another part of it “a company that objects to being subject to the emergency regulations is permitted to appeal to DHS secretary Janet Napolitano. But her decision is final and courts are explicitly prohibited from reviewing it.”
So beloved Napoletano has control over any company hit with this, not the courts in any manner possible.
The complete article is here:
Report Post »http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501465_162-20029302-501465.html
GhostOfJefferson
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:18amHordes from Hades? He ain’t got time for Hordes from Hades!
I wish him well. He’s a bit of a crackpot, I disagree with some of his politics, but his heart is in the right place.
Report Post »BMartin1776
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:26amEven though he is a flake good luck with the suit. After seeing the frisking of a little boy that I put in my video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1zkGZRfj24) you too will agree this is officially out of control. TSA is nothing but the equivalent of mall security yet are given unbelievable power. From the many headlines I have seen about them it makes one wonder if this is part of BHO’s dream of a civilian national security force “that is just as powerful, just as well funded” as out military!
When will it be enough for the zombies to wake up?
56 men, our Founding Fathers, had the courage to risk their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor for freedom, prosperity and the pursuit of happiness. What are you prepared to do? http://www.savingtherepublic.com
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:28amHe’s a friggin goofball, but I hope he wins this one. Kinda like beating your head against the wall methinks…
Report Post »Untameable-kate
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:29amGhostOfJefferson
Report Post »That is my favorite line from that movie
“I ain’t got time to bleed.”
HappyStretchedThin
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:35amSee, we CAN agree with loony kook conspiracy theorist big-government weirdos, when they’re right. And remained unsullied for disagreeing with them on the other 99% of their political opinions. Go Jesse!
Report Post »watchtheotherhand
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:36amDid anyone else notice the mocking condescending attitude of the news caster that opened the story in the studio? Gee wonder where he stands politically. Of course your talking Minnesota so not surprising. People just don’t get it, today its pat downs in an airport for “your safety”. Tomorrow its your home or business or your computer of course all for “your safety” Man all they do for us we should be some of the safest people in human history…..Then why do I feel like a mouse before the cat pounces? Those who would trade their liberty (freedom) for safety deserve neither and will have neither……..paraphrase of both Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson.. Fight on Gov. Ventura !!!
Report Post »dwh320
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:38amPoor Jesse V, took one to many SMACK DOWNS from the TSA. I hear he is upset because the TSA agent, after looking at Jesse, stopped to put on TWO SETS of rubber gloves to ensure better protection from STD’s.
GUT_CHECK
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:43amwell, jesse and i have something in common.
Report Post »i refuse to fly commercially as well, untill the goons are gone.
i still think they are trying to kill the airline industry.
KICKILLEGALSOUT
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:50amI wish they would just make it easier for everyone. Have a Muslim only line to go through the machines and everyone else is free to go through regular detectors. I know I know, it’s bias, but they are the ones who caused all these problems in the first place.
Report Post »Polwatcher
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:56amJesse is as tough as nails. If anyone can stand up to the machine, he can.
Report Post »Crewbot
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 12:05pmThis would be the first class action I’d get behind if it were one.
Report Post »Cherished Emblems
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 12:09pmTime to stand up!
Report Post »nzkiwi
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 12:13pmUmm… how many terrorists have they actually caught? Anybody know?
Report Post »Roboking
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 1:55pmOnce a S.E.A.L. always a S.E.A.L.
Report Post »Mikeyyy
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 2:18pmgo Jesse go!! we are all behind u, and hope u win!!
Report Post »GONESURFING
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 2:25pmJessie is right about this one, but in general he’s a nut.
Report Post »historyguy48
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 3:05pmGood for him. At least he tries to not be a sheep.
Report Post »tower7femacamp
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 4:09pmI pray for Jesse to stay safe and healthy.
Report Post »It takes Guts to stand up to the Lucifarian Powers behind the NWO
tower7femacamp
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 4:48pmhttp://www.infowars.com/ventura-lawsuit-to-re-ignite-tsa-revolt/
Report Post »ilovethiscountry
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 11:22am@snowleopard
Thanks for the link.
Report Post »tower7femacamp
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 6:43amThe Commercial Appeal
January 26, 2011
When a police SWAT team and an FBI anti-terrorism squad showed up Tuesday at a Memphis church where peace activists were staging an event, a scene reminiscent of the turbulent 1960s ensued.
The activists, members of the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center who oppose the war in Afghanistan, characterized the encounter as police intimidation and a case of illegal surveillance.
FBI and Memphis Police Department representatives countered it was all a misunderstanding. They said they were there to protect the activists from potential harm by extremists who might oppose their views.
Report Post »http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/jan/25/protest-earns-guarded-reaction/?partner=yahoo_feeds