US

TSA Screenings: Real Threat or Media Hype?

New technology like iPhones and Flip camcorders have enabled everyday Americans to take on new watchdog roles in airports across the country. In recent days, we’ve seen videos of intrusive searches, pictures of pat-downs and reports from outraged air passengers splashed across out television screens and our favorite websites. But are these incidents really as widespread as they seem?

“Very few people actually get the pat-down at all,” TSA Administrator John Pistole told Howard Kurtz at the Daily Beast. “I don’t know what the impression is” from all the media scrutiny, he says, “but it’s a very, very small number.”

According to the TSA, the only people who are subjected to pat-downs are those who opt out of the new full-body scanners or set of magnetometer alarms.  In addition, these “scatterback” imaging machines are currently in use at just 70 of the country’s 453 airports.

So how did reports of widespread incidents get top billing in newspapers across the country today and dominate Monday’s morning news coverage?

Columnist Matt Lewis blames Drudge while Kurtz claims some TSA agents are “clowns” and that some air travelers are being “oversensitive.” Some people are even using the country’s sensitivity on the subject to promote themselves or even commercial products.

Instead of covering these issues to instill some kind of dread into the minds of holiday travelers, perhaps this story is getting more attention than any other because it’s one that could affect us all and is a realization of how the line separating collective security and individual liberty may be blurring.

“No self-respecting man wants a hyperactive security guard touching his junk. But I’ve about had it with media types who insist on turning this into a junk story,” Kurtz writes in condemnation of the media’s wall-to-wall coverage.

You decide: Are media reports overblown or are the TSA’s new screening procedures cause for concern?

Comments (128)

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  • polo
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 7:16pm

    6.8 PC yes that virtual double blog was my mistake

    Report Post »  
  • Zvirgzdins
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 7:16pm

    The proof that it is not overblown is included in the story. The fact that the actual rate of screenings is so low, makes the amount of reported incidents even more alarming. Have we forgotten math people. If every American flying was the sample size, I’d be ok saying these are isolated.

    Don’t let the NeoCons fool you. A memo went out last week from those that control even Fox and some you trust, pull back on this story. I can’t prove that, although after the article on Townhall.com (conservative) that stated that we should “chill out”was posted, others jumped in line to do some goose-stepping. Seems like a big coincidence to me, and wait. Glenn told us not to believe in coincidences. Then who is filtering the word down to even local “Right-Wing” talk show hosts to stop agitating the people. Now Glenn is all of a sudden getting skeptical?

    Why is it that the one man responsible for getting the mainstream media to cover this isn’t mentioned by any network, including Fox? Alex Jones and his Google trends manipulation is what started this. Matt Drudge deserves a heroes credit for linking to Alex Jones Infowars.com . Sounds like the Mat Drudge, Alex Jones, the Judge, Ron Paul, Rush Linbaugh, and countless freedom loving Americans are willing to make this their Stand. So why is the mainstream so-called “conservative” media ready to back down?????

    What if…..
    New boss….Same as the old boss. Even one draped in a Gadsden Flag? NeoCons are everywhere.

    Here is the NeoCon test. Watch this video http://youtu.be/FqAF-Alc7CM . If you get mad at the Congressman and still don’t agree after you watch the whole thing, you are a NeoCon. Don’t let Warhawks intimidate you. It is very possible to be anti-war and pro-military.

    Trust your family. Trust your friends. Trust your pastor. Don’t trust the media.

    –Who is Jay Z?

    Report Post »  
    • BetterDays
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 9:41pm

      Nice vidio, Ron and rand 2012.

      Our forfathers warned us about involving ourselves in wars of empire, or empire building. It is not the intent of a ture conservitive patriot to wish to engage in foreign wars, only wars of self defense. A rule of thumb is “I will bring to you no war, but shall destroy you if you bring war to me”. Don’t play at war, win in a day. Fight war the BIBLICAL way, and I think you get my intent.

      Report Post »  
  • Exrepublisheep
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 7:15pm

    Can’t we just cut/paste all these comments at once and save time?

    Report Post » Exrepublisheep  
  • we4kings
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 7:14pm

    Problem I have with all the above:

    We are UN-American and are being labled Racist when anytime law enforcement agents demand ID in Arizona (insert your own state) if/when a reason for crime and the possibility of such crime exists… and the media/politicical Main Stream Media/Ruling Class System Owners (* hores) cry “FOUL,” and tell us what very bad people we are for even asking for such ID.

    Yet, the average over taxed American, who is just an American but with ample IDs is subjected to an un-lawful search, WITHOUT ANY recorse…NOT by Constitutional law, but b/c the current powers deem such Unlawful search legal

    Something is rotten in America and it starts with the Whitehouse and the Main Stream Media.

    Report Post »  
  • polo
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 7:13pm

    Instead of the media doing their job and keeping us informed about National and International events like the coming global financial meltdown we get 10 days worth of useless hype that the media has milked onto their audience for all it’s worth ! aren’t you sick of this story yet ? don’t you want real news ? how many important stories have we missed because the media keeps feeding us this garbage !. I swear the News looks more like TMZ everyday !

    Report Post »  
  • Midwest Belle
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 7:05pm

    Here’s a thought –

    First, every senator and representative needs to go thru the naked body scan, then be able to LOOK and SEE his/her image. THEN let them decide if it’s OK or not.

    Second, every senator and representative needs to go thru the TSA pat-down and let us know how it made THEM feel and whether it’s an acceptable practice.

    Third, every senator and representative needs to go thru El Al’s security prodecure, and decide wither theirs or ours is less invasive, and more thorough.

    (Nice thought but it ain’t gonna happen!)

    Report Post » Midwest Blonde  
    • Rn mom
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 7:23pm

      I was thinking that Big Sis Janet should post her scan on the news to allay our fears. Like the old saying “put your money where your mouth is”!

      Report Post » RN MOM  
    • mrclean
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 7:47pm

      Yeah……………. and the TSA gropers and supervisors would be on their absolute best behavior for our elected officials, who would then state their panty waste conclusion that it was a piece of cake, thus cementing in everyones mind how stupid we’ve been for objecting to the pat-down.

      Next step….. easily expose us to the next unconstiutional thing that’s for our own good.

      Report Post » mrclean  
  • polo
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 7:02pm

    Profiling wont work , you are trading one violation for another Israel profiles like HD said but EL AL has maybe 40 flights a day how many thousands of flights do we have everyday. Profiling won’t work. so what other fix is out there again that will REALLY work ?.

    Report Post »  
    • 6.8 SPC
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 7:12pm

      Polo – Doesn’t your liberetard supplied talking point list mention anything else but this 1 point that u only repeat? ? ?

      Report Post »  
    • Rn mom
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 7:20pm

      I think profiling would work. The technology that brought us these scanners that detect sweat on your back and a pimple on your a$$ can bring us logarithm programs that deduce potential terrorists by their actions, their history (start with flight history, then do a money trail for terror bucks) and their affiliations. They can use all the psych tools we have to profile them, anything is better than hearing about people peeing themselves from mortification.

      Report Post » RN MOM  
    • Armymedic
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 9:45pm

      Exactly what “rights” are being violated by being profiled. As far as I know it a totally passive towards the “suspect” right. I mean we are talking about an individual that has been trained, not like the TSA screeners that just have to know how to do a pat down, but have specific training in what to look for you know kinda like cops when they pull someone over for what ever and notice that the person is nervous looking sweating badly etc kinda looks like something might be off kilter. We are talking about watching observing people that meet certain specific criteria and then going a step further.

      Report Post » Armymedic  
    • Rapunzel
      Posted on November 23, 2010 at 5:42pm

      I don’t think you understand the concept of profiling. The profiling being discussed is based on behavior, not race or religion.

      Each passenger should answer a series of simple questions:
      1. What is your final destination?
      2. What is your reason for traveling there?
      3. How will you get around once you arrive?
      4. Where will you be staying?
      5. How was your ticket paid for? By whom? Where did they get the funds?
      6. Are you an American citizen? If not – review passport stamps for travel history.

      The answers to these 6 simple questions would determine if further screening is warranted – and we would actually BE safer instead of just FEELING safer.

      After all, even with the body scan and enhanced pat down combined – you can still get anything onto a plane you want, as long as it fits into a body orifice.

      Report Post » Rapunzel  
  • Rn mom
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 6:56pm

    It must all be right wing hype because our overlord has declared (or read from his smart board) that there are no terrorists, we are not threatened by muslims.

    Report Post » RN MOM  
  • polo
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 6:55pm

    Doing what EL AL does is PROFILING now how many more people are going to find that just as bad or worse than what is being used now ? and EL AL only has about 40 flights a day how many thousands of flights does the U.S. have everyday. Wont work HD, try another option that would work ?

    Report Post »  
    • byehlik
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 7:03pm

      I could give a crap about profiling Polo. They can profile all they like. They won’t be looking at me or my family. What you afraid you would be singled out? Got something to hide? Profiling is a better option than stripping Americans of their rights. Wake up! What you a twenty something? You know not what freedom means my friend. Give the FED this power under the guise of safety, you will give more just to become their slave.

      Report Post » byehlik  
    • 6.8 SPC
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 7:08pm

      So groping & molesting children/nuns/elderly is the answer – feeling up or scanrapping 100% of the public????? What is TSA gonna do when Mohammed brings down a US airliner using a butt-bomb (one totally hidden rectally?) ??? When the GOVT can grab your ass, what’s to stop them from grabbing your guns/speech/vote/religion – At what point do they take something you DO care about??? Please remove your head from the anus it’s currently installed in.

      Report Post »  
    • showmerancher
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 7:13pm

      Profiling (in combination with other screening) is the ONLY thing that will work, like it or not. TSA already has more than 2 employees for every flight in the U.S. (30,000 flights, 67,000 TSA employees). Since the flights are not simultaneous, it would allow for an average of 8-10 employees to be available for any one flight… except TSA folks haven’t the qualifications. But they already have sufficient numbers. We should have been training the right folks for the last 10 years.

      But this won’t happen until after the next event, because liberals would rather have dead family members than be politically incorrect. Fine, I certainly won’t grieve for the next event. America got the security they asked for. But things will change. Based on what is currently going on, I believe we could be on the verge of such an event, the reason for the big push to make us BELIEVE Homeland Security/TSA is doing everything they could…

      Report Post »  
    • HumanDoing
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 7:17pm

      It seems you just want to be contrary…after the facts are shown you sill dismiss it. You are free to allow them to do so to yourself if ya like…however

      This approach is like cutting off my head to stop a headache. Applying the most extreme measures
      first is just ridiculousness, and anyone with a shred of common sense sees this as such

      Ill would tell ya WHY this Govt would dismiss Israels input, but hasn’t our current administrations position been made clear enough…. lol

      Lets let all the travelers who travel this coming week express how they feel. Cause until your their with your own scared kids, and wife…we should reserve a degree of judgment till all the facts start rolling in.

      Report Post » HumanDoing  
    • Armymedic
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 9:34pm

      Explain please how it is that profiling won’t work? so what if El Al only has dozens of flights a day and the US has thousands. Is it really that difficult to profile as compared to what the TSA is doing now. Please explain to those of us that aren’t as enlightened as you how long it takes to profile someone.

      Report Post » Armymedic  
    • Agentuntomyself
      Posted on November 23, 2010 at 12:27am

      Bomb sniffing dogs. Cheaper, safer, more effective. The end.

      Report Post »  
  • byehlik
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 6:51pm

    Polo,

    There is a pretty easy answer. Profile, profile, profile! Use trained dogs that detect dangerous substances this has been proven near 100% effective. Use trained security personnel that are trained profilers of behavior, um, like military war theater veterans. Let’s try real security not the current joke stage show. How many 80 year olds have been terrorists? How many eight year olds? This political correct BS is just that, BS! OPT OUT WEDNESDAY!

    Report Post » byehlik  
  • Vigilant1
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 6:33pm

    TSA mayhem.
    Is this a sideshow?

    What in the world justifies this level of distraction?

    Considering the over the top level of commotion that is being provoked, whatever is being camouflaged must be both vulnerable to public opinion and extremely important.

    What could it be?

    Report Post »  
    • BetterDays
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 6:46pm

      that is a VERY good question, hopefully we have been dilligenlty searching it out. I know I’ve been looking for it.

      Report Post »  
    • Rn mom
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 6:54pm

      Why should we be guessing when this administration pledged to be transparent?

      Report Post » RN MOM  
    • HumanDoing
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 7:03pm

      This is advanced chess here…not checkers. This is one of my concerns with the Tea party but am hopeful the peeps will learn.Have to be careful about being consumed with putting fires out constantly. We need people putting out fires but als looking into things, teaching true history, and watching the other hands.The network is growing as the cornered rodents are gonna lash out with fury. Keep our eyes on the ball. This is where the 24 hour news cycle can be a detriment. Ya have to branch out.. look at all media, The truth is the truth no matter if a liar speaks it.

      This has happened before and will happen again. What we fail to learn , we are doomed to repeat.

      Report Post » HumanDoing  
  • polo
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 6:29pm

    All you people whining about your rights being violated find another form of transportation ! there isn’t but a few hundred of you who want to have their cake and eat it too ! all the other millions of passengers put up with it and they didn’t cry about it ! that‘s because they all know it’s a necessary evil and all you whiners complaining about your 4Th amendment rights being violated WHAT IS YOUR FIX TO THIS PROBLEM ? TELL ME ?. let me see one of you come up with a logical alternative fix ! go a head I am waiting ?

    Report Post »  
    • HumanDoing
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 6:39pm

      There ya go bro. Not an alternate fix…just one that works. Award winning in fact.

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Al

      Security

      As a target for many decades, El Al employs stringent security procedures, both on the ground and on board its aircraft. These effective, though sometimes controversial, procedures have won El Al a reputation for security.[36] In 2008, the airline was named by Global Traveler magazine as the world’s most secure airline.[37]

      Report Post » HumanDoing  
    • mrclean
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 6:49pm

      Profiling. It works for Israel and it’ll work for us.

      Of course you “politically correct” junkies won‘t hear of it because you’d rather protect the rights of terrorists rather than rights of Americans. Looks like you are the traitor here….

      Report Post » mrclean  
    • ascoolone
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 6:58pm

      It is called establishing Probable Cause.
      So lets look at the problem; We have a group of people that declared war on the citizens of the United States. So it would be logical to look at the ones whom have declared war and not look at the ones whom are the victims and violate the citizens rights in doing so.

      Report Post » ascoolone  
    • the_ancient
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 6:59pm

      I am tired of the “You dont have a right to fly” argument, You do not have a right to security, or safety, the High Court has ruled on that, and the High Court has ruled many many times that I do have the right to be secure in my persons, you have no authority to remove that right. So it is you my friend that should stay home if the only way for you to feel save is to have your fellow travelers electronically stripped and/or sexually molested before boarding.

      Report Post » the_ancient  
    • showmerancher
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 7:01pm

      Fix? The fix is to apply profiling to our mix. In case you don’t know it, terrorists have already (in 2 cases around the world) moved on to the drug mule trick of putting their explosive into condoms and secreting them in body cavities. The Backscatter scanners will not detect anything inside your body, and neither will the “grope”. In fact, nothing will other than a full strip cavity search. The scanning and groping being done are for public consumption only to make you believe that Homeland Security/TSA is doing everything they can to stop a terrorist event… which they are NOT. But the intelligence is real, very real; only their efforts are ineffective. Every time grandma or a nun or child is chosen for secondary screening, the potential exists for a real terrorist to get past it.

      What the TSA has done is created lines of hundreds of people in line outside of the security area waiting to get in. A perfect target in itself. All a terrorist has to do to take out a few plane loads of folks is step out of a car, into the terminal building and into that line, then set off a carry-on full of explosives. No security area to clear, no waiting.

      TSA is a joke. They’ll confiscate your nail clippers thinking you can take over the plane with them. Any terrorist, (and intel/security specialists) can show you how to arm yourself to the teeth with deadly weapons in a matter of 30 seconds with only items commonly brought on board of planes by everyday travelers. Armed to the point where a 250 man would be running from an 90 pound woman so armed.

      If even the current TSA screening makes you feel safer, I‘m afraid you’d believe anything…

      Report Post »  
  • Jezreel
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 6:23pm

    It is against the constitution, as simple as that, illegal search and seizure. I am sick and tired of the politically correct moaning and whining over “profiling”. It is also against the constitution to show favor to any one religeon and that is what is being done when we are not profiling like we should be. Why are people submitting to this? I would not and I am not.
    This excuse for “safety” is the stupidist excuse. I guess we do have a large majority of really dumb Americans.
    They are getting us dumb Americans used to loosing our rights. WAKE UP !

    Report Post »  
  • 6.8 SPC
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 6:18pm

    Safety!!!!!!! – with a boot on your throat and a hand on your genitals………Do you salute or cough???

    Report Post »  
  • HumanDoing
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 6:17pm

    LOL we all know where it leads and they know well what their doing…its all progress people. This needs to stop now… Doesnt that Van that drives up to the side of your house and sees through walls use this similar technology ? I say if that tech cant scan luggage then scrap it…its useless..unless your making money from it…lol

    If someone walks onto my property do I have a right to sexually assault them. I think not… Muslim extremest blow up planes… its a fact, in fact they continue to say they are gonna do it..lol

    I hear the argument about that Asian guy with the mask that got through…had they asked him 2 questions and saw his mouth didnt move he would have been done. ITs time to PROFILE .. NOW!

    Report Post » HumanDoing  
  • SchenectadyScott
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 6:13pm

    I believe it is real and effective for the media. I question the timing of this implementation of procedure, right before the holidays to rile up the public, and what the powers at hand are using this diversion action to get our attention away from what is really going on at this time. You are telling me they did not anticipate this reaction across the board? They know exactly what they are doing and using the tail wagging the dog technique to keep the news off of unemployment, banking abuse, our financial fall in the printing of money, the DREAM Act, and God knows what they want to pass. This is a very effective ploy on the American people and we are falling for it. Nothing new going on here. Just make yourselves aware of what is going on. No one can stop this from going down.

    Report Post »  
    • Rev. WC
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 6:38pm

      slight of hand.the..the old bait and switch..three card monte..i think you pegged it with the dream act..you forgot the farm act..and the devil only knows what else these cronies have up their sleave.

      Report Post » Rev. WC  
    • BetterDays
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 7:03pm

      not to mention “net neutrality”, and whatever the GOD awefull “big” thing is that they are hiding behind closed doors.
      On a side (not really) note, Judge Napalitano (is he related to THAT?) said on Glenns show today that what the TSA is doing is TOTALLY illegal, and that we should ALL refuse both the scanner and the pat down.

      Report Post »  
  • NickDeringer
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 6:08pm

    The real story here is our government‘s inability to do it’s job. I agreed with GWB that air port security should not be run by the government. Here we are almost 10 years later and airline security is being run about as well as the Post Office.

    Report Post » NickDeringer  
    • 6.8 SPC
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 6:21pm

      The Post Office is much cheaper and SO FAR, I have not been groped by the winners down there

      Report Post »  
  • what4
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 6:08pm

    De-fund the TSA NOW! This agency is nothing but the entry leavel SS of nazism! They can unionize, and will!

    Report Post »  
    • CM Sackett
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 6:29pm

      They already ARE union… and have been from DAY 1.

      See: American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)

      Report Post »  
  • spendthrift
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 6:07pm

    The government is violating our Fourth Admendment. Contact your legislators and demand them to intervene.

    Report Post » spendthrift  
  • 6.8 SPC
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 6:05pm

    Real Threat – if these pedophiles and rapists at the TSA can grab my cluster / fondle your chest / molest my 7 yr old, who is being violated and who is the perpetrator??????????? If “government” can grab my ass /squeeze my jewel bag, why can’t they grab my guns/vote/speech/religion ? ? ? Where does this stop? ? ? Fight Back NOW or sit back and be rapped by that sick Uncle Sam

    Report Post »  
  • Psychosis
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 6:03pm

    i will not submit i will not be “conditioned” you will accept my decision, or meet with STRONG resistance

    Report Post » Psychosis  
  • calebgs83
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 6:03pm

    Those who would sacrifice liberty for security risk both and deserve neither!

    Ben Franklin

    Report Post » calebgs83  
    • aLinedog
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 6:40pm

      AIRBORNE! Any man that bends his knee to another, be it individual or State, deserves his chains.

      Quote: ” In addition, these “scatterback” imaging machines are currently in use at just 70 of the country’s 453 airports.” :End Quote

      We‘re supposed to believe that this isn’t the beginning? To what? Protect me from the random chance I’ll be on that particular plane?
      For my money, I’ll take death by explosion. Beats the heck out of cancer. Or being horribly murdered by some psycho that a lily-livered, bleeding-heart judge let off easy. A crash wouldn’t be so bad, for that matter, it would be real quick. You might hear it, feel a shudd- . Remember what Tyler said about why they give you oxygen! Good times… good times.
      -Line

      Report Post »  
  • the_ancient
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 5:59pm

    No they are not overblown. and I am personally tired of people saying they are

    Facts
    1> The Policies where just changed on Nov 11, 11 days ago
    2> This currently only effects 70 airports, however the goal is to have these scanners(and the groping the come with them) in every airport by 2012
    3> Even 1 abuse is 1 too many.

    Report Post » the_ancient  
  • El Paco
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 5:57pm

    I think it’s both. Yea, the reports are real, but maybe it’s not as wide spread as everyone makes it out to be.

    But still, sexual assault is sexual assault and should be stopped.

    Report Post » El Paco  
  • CM Sackett
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 5:56pm

    Incremental “CONDITIONING”… always ends up BAD.

    “On arrival at the ”Cottage,” they were told to undress. At first they went calmly into the rooms where they were supposed to be disinfected. But some of them showed signs of alarm, and spoke of death by suffocation and of annihilation. A sort of panic set in at once. Immediately all the Jews still outside were pushed into the chambers, and the doors were screwed shut. With subsequent transports the difficult individuals were picked out early on and most carefully supervised. At the first signs of unrest, those responsible were unobtrusively led behind the building and killed with a small-calibre gun that was inaudible to the others. ”

    (From the testimony of Rudolph Hoess, Commandant of Auschwitz)

    Report Post »  
    • Rev. WC
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 6:02pm

      If the TSA agents had Hillary’s Heuvos they would refuse to perform this indecent act.

      Report Post » Rev. WC  
    • billydee
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 6:09pm

      Its not a conservative or a liberal thing. Its a safety thing. To describe myself as a conservative would be an understatement. When I get on to a plane, I want to be safe. If someone has to see my naked body through a scanner in order for me to be safe, so be it. If you are to vein to have this done, then walk to your destination. Havent these people ever been to the doctor for a physical? Turn your head and cough!

      Report Post »  
    • H2OBoardem
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 6:15pm

      Reminds me of boiling a lobster. If you throw it into a boiling pot … vs … putting it in cold water and then putting it on the stove. Same result, different reactions and knowledge level regarding the impending doom.

      Report Post » H2OBoardem  
    • dontbotherme
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 6:20pm

      And the people living nearby said, “Nothing is wrong here”, and continued walking through their lives like mindless zombies till millions were murdered. We need to learn from history.

      Report Post »  
    • mrclean
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 6:39pm

      Cause for concern!! We are being forced to comply with an unconstitutional pat-down by the government.

      Americans have sat back for too long, going along with whatever government says we must do “for your own good”, so they say.

      Our Constitution plainly states that wegovern ourselves, a unique occurance in history. If our brilliant founders thought this type of liberty-stealing violation was important enough to pen the 4th Ammendment, then how can we ignore it? For our country to be a success, well, just read the following statements:

      “What country can preserve its freedom if its rulers are not warned from time to time that its people preserve the spirit of resistance. Let the people take arms for the liberty tree of freedom must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” -Thomas Jefferson

      “Experience hath shown, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.” – Thomas Jefferson

      “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots
      and tyrants.” – Thomas Jefferson

      And finally:

      “I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments by those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.” – James Madison

      How can an American even consider that this abuse from the TSA is normal, something that we must comply with to achieve safety in the air, and not a gradual and silent encroachment by those in power?? There are less intrusive ways to deal with the issue.

      Report Post » mrclean  
    • CM Sackett
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 6:39pm

      billydee,

      True Americans (regardless of what they call themselves at the polling booth) TAKE DOWN SCUMBAG BAD GUYS… they don’t wait on the government to make/keep them “safe”.

      NOTE: Every air-travel terrorist since 2001 that has been thwarted, stopped… has been discovered and dealt with BY THE private citizen PASSENGERS and CREW ~

      ~ not the gov.

      Every SINGLE One.

      CM Sackett

      Report Post »  
    • Rn mom
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 7:10pm

      BillyDee- You may not have an objection to fondling/ body massage or irradiation or the government imposing such drastic measures (Violating the 4th amendment about unlawful search and seizure) when it states that there is no terrorist threat. To compare this to an MD visit is ludicrous for the following reasons:
      1. You choose your doctor,
      2. He/she went to medical school and internship, trained and tested for over 12 years.
      3. He/she doesn’t look at you as if you are a potential criminal,
      4. He/she doesn’t ask you to undress in the waiting room.
      5. All information about you is protected and confidential, unlike the pat-downs and the images stored in the irradiation computers memory- which have already been leaked onto the net.

      Besides that, I wish the TSA behaved more like doctors and take a full history of each patient (flyer), and use common sense deduction about which tests to perform and which disease to rule out.

      Report Post » RN MOM  
    • starman70
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 7:53pm

      H20BOARDEM

      In the Protocals of the Learned Elders of Zion, the lobster or frog in boiling water is the procedeure to follow. Allowing the temperature to increase slowly doesn’t raise an alarm.

      We have been screened at airports for years but now they turn the heat up a little. In the afore memtioned book, after you start a contriversal program.
      1) There will be heated discussion and some resistance and strong reactions.
      2) Soon the offending program is off the headlines and the public no longer has strong reaction. There is still discussion but it is muted. People grudgingly accept the idea.
      3) Then, the public will eventually accept the program and will no longer object.

      The progressives (Socialist/ Communists) have been slowly destroying America in the same fashion. If they had taken up arms and formented a revolution, the American public would have beat them back. They however have slowly achieved the same thing legislatively in Washington without a shot being fired. They have slowly, over the years, implimented socialist programs and legislation and we may object at first but like the frog in the slowly heating water, we don‘t realize what’s happening till it’s too late.

      How long will it be before the body searches move from the airports to the streets without a warrant? How long will it be before government agents can barge into your home without a warrant? How long before the government can tell you what to think, say and write? Programs like this will be implimented slowly. We will complain but will soon accept them. The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion will be proven right again.

      Report Post »  
    • 56 Signers
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 8:55pm

      CM Sackett nailed it.
      America this is a BUMP

      Report Post »  
    • Polwatcher
      Posted on November 23, 2010 at 5:47am

      If they continue the pat downs, the kind of people that take the TSA “patting” jobs will be the kind of people that like to “pat”. Translation: Child perverts for the children and various anomalies in adult behaviour as TSA agents for the adults.

      Report Post »  
    • rlmeals
      Posted on November 23, 2010 at 10:28am

      Just wanted to point out my disgust at Yahoo’s blatant whitewashing of the procedures. Today, the day before the opt-out protest by wewontfly.org, Yahoo puts this piece out to tell travelers what to expect that sounds like it came straight out of the White House. I could say I’m shocked, but really at this point it’s hard to shock me anymore.

      http://finance.yahoo.com/news/How-to-Navigate-Body-Scans-usnews-3647072480.html?x=0

      Report Post » rlmeals  
    • mr.goodvibe
      Posted on November 23, 2010 at 12:41pm

      T ouch
      S ome
      A $$

      Report Post » mr.goodvibe  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on November 23, 2010 at 6:52pm

      REAL THREAT sheep time to draw the line in the sand,,,,,
      http://www.infowars.com/ron-paul-crotch-groped-by-tsa-calls-for-boycott-of-airlines/

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
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