TSA Chief Vows No Change in Screening Policy
- Posted on November 21, 2010 at 11:46am by
Scott Baker
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WASHINGTON (AP) — The head of the Transportation Security Administration on Sunday acknowledged that new full-body scanners and thorough pat-downs can be invasive and uncomfortable, but he said that the need to stay a step ahead of terrorists rules out changes in airport screening procedures.
John Pistole told CNN’s “State of the Union” that, despite the public uproar over new screening techniques, “we are not changing the policies” that he said were the best ways of keeping the traveling public safe. TSA screeners, he said, are “the last line of defense” in protecting air travelers.
Pistole‘s comments came after President Barack Obama on Saturday said he understood people’s frustrations and had asked TSA officials whether there’s a less intrusive way to screen U.S. airline passengers.
Obama said he had told the agency that “you have to constantly refine and measure whether what we‘re doing is the only way to assure the American people’s safety.”
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said she thought “everyone, including our security experts, are looking for ways to diminish the impact on the traveling public.” She told NBC’s “Meet the Press” that “striking the right balance is what this is about.”
However, when asked on CBS’ “Face the Nation” if she would submit to a pat-down, Clinton responded: “Not if I could avoid it. No. I mean, who would?”
But Pistole stressed that that balance now requires steps to confront “a determined enemy” that has proven adept in devising new ways to conceal weapons. “We know through intelligence there are determined people, terrorists, trying to kill not only Americans but innocent people around the world,” he said.
Pistole was shown videos of people being patted down where the screeners touched the breasts of a woman, felt into the pants of another person and felt the crotch of a man. He said all three cases were proper and that the gloves of the screener who felt inside the pants were then tested for explosive trace residue.
A Nigerian man was accused last Christmas of trying to set off a bomb hidden in his underwear aboard a flight from Amsterdam.
“Clearly it’s invasive, it’s not comfortable,” Pistole said, while adding that very few people receive the pat-down. People who go through the new advanced imaging machines available at some 70 airports are usually not subject to pat-downs, he said.
Passengers have also objected to the advanced imaging machines because they produce a virtually naked image of the person’s body. The screener, who sits in a different location, does not see the face of the person being screened and does not know the traveler’s identity.
“Clearly, if we are to detect terrorists who have proven innovative, creative in the design and implementation of bombs that are going to blow up airplanes and kill people, we have to do something to prevent that,” Pistole said.
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Comments (123)
oriondma05
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 1:28pmThe PASSENGERS are the last line of defense, because the TSA is too busy screening white grandmothers and veterans. Because Big Sis labeled them the real terror threat last year.
Report Post »ColoradoBoots
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 1:28pmTSA screens pilots too? The only thing I think they should look for on a pilot is a parachute.
They have the keys to the plane…..
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 1:58pmA parachute and a gun.
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 3:05pmif my pilot has a parachute, no way am I getting on his plane. ESPECIALLY if he is a dark-skinned or black muslim type.
Report Post »and look what that muslim airline pilot did a few years ago, he took his whole plane down while screaming ‘his life for allah’.
grandmaof5
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 1:14pmThis should be spread around equally. The press getting on AF1 should have to do it, those taking private jets should have to do it, what’s good for everyday run-of-the-mill Americans ought to be good for everyone else, no exceptions. Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Barney Franks, Rangel and the rest of the “upper crust” should lead by example (altho Barney will probably enjoy it).
Report Post »YesNdeedie
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 1:05pmObama is taking but another step to bankrupt the country. First, the airline industry generates mega amounts in taxes. Next, one of my limited information cannot possible imagine how many are employed by the airline industy. And, again, I can only imagine how many support corporations are needed in order for a plane to go from the planning stage to commercial transportation of passengers and all that’s needed to maintain, service and transport a passenger from point A to B. The actions of the TSA, directed by the POTUS, Homeland Security and I assume, Jones, Holder, Soros and others of like wasted minds will anger and abuse passengers to a point where they will refuse to subject themselves to the perverted (criminal) actions of the TSA and then Bingo! Obama will once again have achieved another step in bankrupting the USA. It’s well past the time to impeach the child-man and prosecute all he has appointed and are acting outside the constitution.
Report Post »stereojoe
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 1:05pmWhat reason would the TSA even have for searching a child, a red-blooded American child at that? There is no reason to do this to a child!
I feel less safe with these practices happening at our airports than I did before the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
You can now add ‘Child Molester’ to the qualifications of a TSA agent. These sickos are participating in government sponsored pedophilia. Disgusting!
Do you hear me TSA? You are perverts if you are participating in these rituals!
Report Post »canuck44
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 12:55pmThese clowns are about to pass the EPA as the first department to be defunded in January.
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 1:11pmMr Boehner: the TSA should be completely dissolved. please! hire ALL AMERICAN former military personnel to screen us. US AMERICANS will thank you for it.
Report Post »Conservative Grinch
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 12:51pmEmail your congressmen. Tell them that you want John Pistole position defunded. Tell them that you want John Pistole brought to justice for racketeering.
Report Post »Waggedy Wabbit
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 1:14pmYOU mean like we did with the HEALTH CARE bill or CAP AND TRADE?????THEY do not care !!!!!!
Report Post »Conservative Grinch
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 6:23pmAfter the results of the last election I think they are beginning to care. Forget the Democrats turn up the heat on the newly elected Republicans.
Report Post »wolverine
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 12:50pmI would think that the gay community would be standing in line to get jobs with the TSA
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 12:44pmremember back on Jan 3 2010, they hauled off an insane TSA agent screaming “I AM GOD, I AM IN CHARGE”. well, there you have it, folks.
google TSA on youtube, there‘s more horror stories there that haven’t made it this far.
Report Post »Ronko
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 12:43pmSorry Pistole but the policy needs to change and it needs to happen right now. We are actually less safer with these policies in place and this is just plain embarrassing what the TSA and the Govt is doing. I’ll remember this in 2012 thats for Damn Sure.
Report Post »TantumDicVerbo
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 12:42pmI’m sure the mainstream press will get on board with this issue as soon a Muslim or someone of Arab descent is subjected to one of these searches.
Report Post »civilunrestnow
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 12:38pmDear TSA lesbian in chief, Your days in your position are numbered. Wednesday your screening process will bring air travel to it’s knees. The American people will scream for you to be replaced. You may resist, but in the end you will be GONE!
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 1:00pmAnd then Obama will use that to bring marshall law. This may very well be exactly what he is trying to do.
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 1:09pmGran, we totally agree, obama is totally power-mad insane and ANGRY he lost on Nov 2. he wants martial law, as well as the airlines bankrupted. he wants America thrown back into the stone age like his african and indonesian brothers live. disease, famine, ghettos, filth, tin huts, bicycles and goat carts.
and America has NEVER had a stone age. Native Americans had their ORGANIZED societies and CLEAN living conditions, and the Whites right from the start landing on America’s shores brought even more advanced Housing, Civilization and Technology. Parts of America went thru the Reconstruction and the Dust Bowl and we are STILL are not as primitive and decayed as “normal” africa, indonesia and the middle east are.
Report Post »NHABE64
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 12:37pmI wonder what the educational requirement is for TSA agents, grade school perhaps and do they give them any kind of test to see if they have even a minimum degree of common sense ? I fear not. No doubt there are some who have the intelligence to make common sense calls but to make a woman remove a prosthetic breast, make a guy recovering from bladder cancer to remove his adult diapear. This is absolutely incredible, and the sad part is if these moslem scum still want to blow up a plan they WILL find a way to do it. In the meantime American born citizens all over the country have to put up with this bonehead absurdity. This head of TSA must also be on Geroge Soro’s payroll since Soros owned so much stock from these airport screening machines. I would like to see Barack Obama, Aunit Jemima, and their two little people go through this THEN see what they think of it. I wish the American public would simply boycott flying for say a month, then see how these TSA cockroaches and their puppet masters would think of that ? Boycott all flying in the US for a while, such a terrific idea. Can you imagine ?
Report Post »steinie44
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 12:34pmGoogle should cash in on this – Google Maps Personal View
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 12:15pmthese filthy muslims are sticking bombs up their ass, so when will obama declare the TSA must probe our innocent elderly white American nuns and our 4 yr old blonde children next.
Report Post »VoiceofReason
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 12:12pmSo I guess this means the Fourth ( 4th ) Amendment is out the window with the Obama Administration ?
The First TSA agent that infringes my 4th Amendment Rights or infringes against my family’s rights by touching their genitals I WILL use my cell phone and call 911on the spot and have them arrested and file charges. Sorry but these TSA agents also have a responsibility to up hold the Constitution of the United States of America. They are being told to infringe on our rights.
I know they are just doing their “job” and following orders, But that does not excuse them. Under this mindset the German soldiers that captured Jews and murdered them under orders are innocent? I think not!
Report Post »Bernard
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 12:11pmWe as a nation cannot protect our citizens from terrorist attacks just by these invasive screenings at airports. Any fool, let alone a terrorist organization would opt for another method to enter the US with genocide in mind.
Report Post »There is no country who has taken their borders so cavalierly as the US. We do not have borders strong enough to keep the average illegal person entering our land and the terrorist organizations across the world know this.
While we continue to frisk old ladies, nuns, little children to the disabled at airports, our “open borders” is an inviting sign for anyone wanting to cause havoc in the US. It already maybe too late to correct this problem of national security and the safety of American civilians.
Dr-Go
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 1:09pmPerhaps if we reversed the procedure and accosted each and every person entering the country it would make more of an impact and provide the protection which the TSA so desperately hopes to achieve. In the meantime, to show America that we are serious about fighting terrorism, we search our citizens of all ages as theater. There must be someone in the TSA with enough influence and gumption to air the utter stupidity of this process.
Report Post »kuhl
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 12:07pmCongress could easily stop this if they had a backbone. It shows how little Congress cares about the violation of Constitutional rights of the American citizen.
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 12:13pmjust wait until the NEW Congress comes in. America will have to fight obama tooth and nail on USA taking America back to its senses. he is power-mad and delusional, joking he wants to fly AF1 down to see his buddy Chavez and he is deliberately enforcing this horrific national atrocity called TSA gate-rape.
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 12:03pmsomeone just find a brick wall and stand this damn TSA obamaite against it.
Report Post »Deacon John
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 12:00pmWhat better reason for airport administrators to kick TSA off their property and hire PROFESSIONAL security officers who know what to look for rather than treating a 3-year old little girl screaming from fear the same as a 28-year old, bearded male shouting “Allahu Akbar.” We do not need full-body screeners subject a large segment of US citizens to low doses of radiation and we do not need TSA guards being told they can do anything they want to in humiliating travelers. A metal detector along with trained explosive snifing dogs would be much more effective in keeping us safe.
Report Post »BetterDays
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 11:58am“Clearly, if we are to detect terrorists who have proven innovative, creative in the design and implementation of bombs that are going to blow up airplanes and kill people, we have to do something to prevent that,” Pistole said.
Report Post »Clearly if we are to detect radicals who have proven inovative, creative in design and implimentation of seizure of our nation, we have to do something to prevent that. Its called impeachment for treason. write, call, email, twitter, facebook your NEW congresman and republican/Tea party member let them know that we will accept nothing less than full criminal prosecution of this POTUS and his cronies inside and outside of congress., this includes “Pistole”, after an invasive “pat down” of course.
On a side note, this congress intends to severly limit and monitor your internet useage on 12/22/2010, do not allow them this “net neutrality” vote.
Stupid Windmill
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 1:11pmPretty funny considering the Tea Party is against Net Neutrality.
Report Post »NoName22
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 1:49pm@Stupid Windmill
?????? Tea Party congressmen have not been sworn in yet…..Lame Duck Congress meaning Dem Congress…….
Report Post »M31Sailor
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 2:16pmHey Stupids Back
Report Post »Now my day i almost complete. I get just as many laughs, from Stupids comments , among other dopes, as the concise and funny Blazer comments.
Sailor
Psychosis
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 2:39pm@ stupid……………..and here is your sign
Report Post »SafeguardOurLiberty
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 11:57amWhy aren’t they following in the footsteps of Israel? They have the safest airport secruity in the world.
Report Post »Why? Because the TSA chief likes the feeling of power. This is all about power. This isn’t about safety. If it was, they would be looking into other ways, including intelligence. This all comes down from the top. soros to Obama, to Janet to TSA chief. What a mess!
2010GOP
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 12:32pmThis administration follow the footsteps of Israel…. yeah right…. they dispise Israel.
Report Post »Dr-Go
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 12:58pmYes, you are correct Israel does have a profoundly better way of screening passengers but you also must remember that they have only one airport as well as fewer people that pass through their security. However, there are far more sophisticated and efficient ways of screening rather than use otherwise unemployables to the country’s last line of defense against terrorists.
Report Post »teahugger
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 1:09pmPistole says they are staying one step ahead of the terrorists. Looks to me like they are a step or two behind. They always seem to come up with a new screening method to detect something that has ALREADY been tried. This isn’t going to work because as long as we are trying to play catch-up (and at great cost, I might add) we won’t be finding ways to prevent future innovations on the part of the terrorists. How about we just do criminal profiling like the Israelis, and use dogs? Too bad no one will get rich doing it this way!
Report Post »Brooke Lorren
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 3:01pm@Teahugger you are absolutely right. There is no way they can keep us all 100% safe though. I’ve been saying since 2001 that even if you chained everybody up naked into individual cages while they fly, after performing body cavity searches, a determined terrorist could still find a way to get around security. The public would really go for that one…
Now if the government would have a little common sense and realize that although you can’t be 100% safe all the time, you can use intelligence and screen people that raise suspicions more thoroughly, keep flying reasonably hassle free, and prevent most terrorist attacks.
Report Post »ARIZONA VETERAN
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 11:56amnew headline…”Americans VOW to CHANGE TSA chief,”,,
Report Post »metalurgy
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 12:45pmTSA Cheif Pistole:
“Clearly, if we are to detect terrorists who have proven innovative, creative in the design and implementation of bombs that are going to blow up airplanes and kill people, we have to do something to prevent that,”
Me: So why are you profiling “whitey”? I haven’t seen any potential Muslim terrorists being groped. So you thing “white americans” of all ages are terrorists do you?
Yet another unqualified moron hired by an unqulified child running another invasive unqualified government entity who’s salaries, pensions and healthcare I have to pay for so they can play gestapo games.
Take the train or drive. I drove to Colorado twice this year. Groping is coming to a border crossing near you next.
Report Post »Freedom1984
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 11:55amAgain, WHY CAN’T WE USE BOMB SNIFFING DOGS…and/or train DOGS to “sniff out other materials”… the DOG ALWAYS WINS.
People will just start using trains, and the airlines will be out of business. But then alas, the TERRORISTS would realize that they now need to focus their energies on Trains…………..
So again I SAY LET’S TRAIN THE DOGS! I would rather have a “dog sniff my crotch” if he had too….than ruin my body with the radiation from the scanners…and/or TSA pat downs. At least with the DOG, I wouldn’t feel violated!
Report Post »tower7femacamp
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 2:56pmI have a crotch sniffing dog, could that be better that a grab by the TSA or a naked body
Report Post »scan ?
MONSTER
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 11:51amVery few have mentioned how the envirofacists think that air travel is the #1 contributor to climate change. It would seem that people deciding to never fly again would be the goal of these groups. Few flyers… Fewer flights…
Report Post »M31Sailor
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 12:05pmM31Sailor vows no change in no-fly policy
Report Post »bostonchris
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 12:16pmcheck this out the fed
only ron paul can shut them down
snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 1:20pmCharge the TSA chief – Pistole – with conspiracy to commit aggrivated assault and sexual assault along with a charge of each in full per person touched in this manner by each and every agent.
http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm
Report Post »Sweet Sister
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 2:07pmMonster, I don’t think they are doing it for climate change, although that is an extra bonus for the progressives. Here it is, right before the busiest travel season of the year. BHO and gang are doing it because it serves their main objective-DESTROY THE ECONOMY. What better way than to bring airline travel to a screeching halt? Just sayin..
Report Post »2
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 2:11pmEVERYONE STAY HOME, just this year skip the Thanksgiving and Chistmas flight. Hell give the money to some of our Troops. Just stay home. It’s not that hard. I’m doing it and I had plans for another Hawaian Chirstmas.
JUST STAY HOME!
Report Post »APatriotFirst
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 2:27pmHave any of you thought about this……Not all terrorists are foreign. We have crazies born and bred right here in USA.
Report Post »If I fly, they can search me all they want, as long as everyone flying on my plane is also searched. A few minutes of it is livable. A bomb on the plane is not.
And with that said, change your attitude about this. Do it with a smile, a joke, a smirk. Tell TSA to make sure they check all of your body. Who cares if our socialistic govt. personel is searched, we already know thyey are dangerous to us.
tower7femacamp
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 2:48pmWell dressed man escorts under ware bomber .
Report Post »Yes Ron Paul is a Patriot, but his bill will die on the floor
just as his bill to Audit the fed did not get the votes. Too much corruption for
a couple of good men to stop them.
Thank Glen for labeling Ron Paul supporters as terrorist
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Rc4OJWH1nE
Alex Jones has always been a Ron Paul supporter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGcXHt-QEZg&feature=related
tower7femacamp
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 2:58pm@bostonchris good post man ! I loved the link
Report Post »IVillageIdiot
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 5:02pmDestroying the economy is their #1 objective, ironically enough, that also happens to be Bin Ladin’s objective as well as the progressives….
Top-down, bottom-up, and inside out.
Report Post »lillymckim
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 7:03pm“OSI Systems is the owner of Rapiscan Systems which manufactures the Secure 1000, one of the most commonly used backscatter x-ray machines. .
OSI Systems Chief Executive Officer Joins US Presidential Visit to India
a vertically-integrated provider of specialized electronic products for critical applications in the Security and Healthcare industries, today announced that Deepak Chopra, Chairman and CEO, was selected to accompany US President, Barack Obama, to Mumbai….
and guess who owns 11,000 plus shares in OSI…George Soros…..
Report Post »el_jefe
Posted on November 21, 2010 at 7:05pmnudge?
Report Post »