BBV: Bev Harris hassled by TSA on her way to California

[Andy_Stephenson]

apparently her name triggered all sorts of security checks.

What kind of Bullshit is that?

[tom_paine]

1. It is the New Amerika

I didn't want to believe it was happening at the airports, Andy. Of course, I knew it was.

Can you be more specific? What hassles what she subjected to?

[Andy_Stephenson]

6. She apparently was

pulled aside for additional "security checks". She is definately a danger to these people. I believe it more now than ever.

[Dookus]

9. Keep in mind

that some percentage of people are randomly chosen for this.

I'm not saying she WASN'T singled out, but simply being picked for extra security isn't conclusive proof that she is.

[Stephanie]

11. I was singled out last time I flew.

I'm sure it was because I changed my flight at the last minute.

[Must_B_Free]

30. Here's more info

It has happened to me two or three times.

There is a quota per flight that they have to fill, so usually the last people get checked.

Also, you can be randomly preselected for this screening - you will have a checkerboard pattern pronted on your boarding pass.

Last time I got screened, I was sure it was because of something I wrote on a yahoo message board, but then the next time I flew, I was not screened.

Here's the thing - if you are paraniod and you get randomly selected, you will think it was on purpose, but in fact, it may just be random.

If they hassle her every time, then I might get suspicious.

[central scrutinizer]

36. the last time I flew

I had to change planes once in each direction for a total of four flights for the round trip. All four times I was "randomly selected" for the extra wanding, complete baggage search, take off your shoes, etc., everything short of strip search. Each flight had over 100 people and I estimate about 5-7% of each flight went through this. So, if it was random, the probability of being chosen four times in a row would be between .05^4 and .07^4 or between 1 out of 40,000 to 1 out of 160,000. Couldn't possibly be because I was an SDS member in college, a union member, an evil DUer, etc.

[rexcat]

40. You are incorrect...

If you are pulled out of line for extra security today it is because the airline/government computer raised a red flag. If you are lucky to have a "SSSS" code on your boarding pass you will go through extra security measures. They will search all of your carry on baggage and you will be wanded and frisked. They do not pull randomly out of the line. I fly every week and that is how it is! If she was pulled out of line for extra screening it is because she was flagged by the computer.

There are politically active people on the black list(people who can't fly in the USA, let alone in or out of the USA). The government will not let their lawyers get access to any information as to why they are on the list. There was an article in the USA Today last year concerning this very issue.

On edit: this is pure intimidation to those who are against the Bush* administration.

[Andy_Stephenson]

41. Amen!

"this is pure intimidation to those who are against the Bush* administration."

[rexcat]

43. I hate flying now...

The TSA agents are facist (pure and simple). I always arrive at the airport early because of my "attitude." I have absoulety no repect for any one in a white shirt with an TSA badge on at the airport. Once they make a mistake (mis-handle my computer equipment, etc.) I am all over them. I request a supervisor and start taking down badge numbers. Then when they ask me if I want to file a complaint I tell them I will contact the Washington, DC office. It really gets them pissed off.

[nolabels]

70. And a very good morning to you, Mr Patriot

Flying sounds like so much fun



It's a shame that there are so many full of shit turkeys on the ground

[ParanoidPat]

42. She's in good company! Al Gore gets searched every time he has to fly!

He's mentioned that in talks he's given. More often than not the security people are a little embarrassed to have to search him. :)

AAAAHHHH, FREEDOM! :evilgrin:

[Must_B_Free]

55. bull

It's somewhat random. Not random if they forget to get someone during or before boarding - thus they are forced to check the last person. I know because one time i was last and I got checked there is a quota

Anybody who flys and has been through there at least three times can probably saw who they saw being searched. I have seen people searched who clearly pose no threat - like some benign looking old person.

From the people we have seen going through the same thing, that should be evidence of the randomness.

[ParanoidPat]

58. Guess again!

Go check out this Google search for activists, searches, TSA and tell me if you think differently. :)

Peace activists, nuns, lawyers, you name 'em they harass 'em. :evilfrown:

The biggest problem with 'the list' is that many agencies can put you on it but no one it seems knows how to get you off of it once you are on it. :(

[rexcat]

60. Thank you!

[Ladyhawk]

66. Is posting on DU bad enough to get you on the list? :)

[rexcat]

59. Really, and how much to you fly? A couple of times a year!

The only flights now where people are searched at the gate are flights to Washington DC (Dulles and National). You will also see a uniformed police officer at the gate for the DC flights. After 9/11/01 they had bomb sniffing dogs sweep the areas also (for DC flights). I have not seen that of late.

The people that get searched at the front end of the security check point have been coded by the computer as noted on their boarding pass or set of the magnometer alarm. Most of the people being searched are inexperienced travelers who set the alarms off because they are inexperienced flyers or just stupid.

There is very little random checking lately because they have enough people setting off the alarms. Unfortunetly I fly every week so I get to observe the situation in the security line. I also talk to other frequent flyers and most of us have come to the same conclusions.

Me thinks someone does not know what they speak of.

[symbolman]

62. Yep

I have always had an SSSS on my tickets each time I fly, I get searched.. reminds me of the old days when I used to drive around Illinois in the 70's drunk and on drugs and the cops would pull us over and we'd just automatically assume the position, leaning on the car with legs spread and making remarks like, "Can I have my Bullet, Andy?" (Old Barney Fife remark from the Andy Griffith show)..

We'd get let go most of the time, and this is the same thing.. just get used to it.. I laugh at them as I am completely clean.. I have NO Contraband, I do no drugs, etc ,etc..

Last time I told the older guy that I remembered when I could light up a cigarette at the front of the airport and walk all the way through the airport TO THE PLANE..

he just laughed.. I'm thinking of packing big dildoes so that when they search my bag they can pull them out and wave them around - just for the entertainment.. I'm happily married :)

Still feels like RAPE and this is why I refuse to travel much anymore, I'm staying right here in Hawaii, only a boat ride away from Tahaiti if I need to apply for Political Asylum should Bush steal another election..

at that point the game is over..

sorry to hear about this happening to others, especially Bev, but it now comes with the territory of being a true Patriot.

I told my wife that TSA stands for Tough Shit Asshole.

[Dookus]

63. on what point

am I incorrect?

People DO get pulled from the line randomly.

[rexcat]

64. Very little "random" extra screenings are going on at airports...

There are enough inexperienced flyers out there who are setting of the metal detectors to keep the TSA personnel busy or are packing contraband and the bags are opened and searched. Also there are more people that I have observed who have the "SSSS" code on their boarding passes. They are the ones who get pulled out of line and moved up so that they can be screened in a "timely" manner. It has just been in the last couple of months that it appears there are more people getting the "SSSS" code on their boarding passes. There appears to have been a change with the computer systems for determining who gets the code and who doesn't get the code. The only time I have gotten the "SSSS" code is when I have had a flight canceled and had to change airlines, which makes to sense to me. One minute I am OK in the system and one second later I am a threat.

on edit: see my post 59 also.

[greatauntoftriplets]

2. What did they say to her?

And what did they do to her?

[Andy_Stephenson]

15. They let her on

but she was way suprised to find out she was flagged for more searches. Especially in light of the news casts.

[stepnw1f]

3. If this is true...

then there should be harrassment charges.

[LifeDuringWartime]

4. lets see here

was she code yellow or code red?

[Stephanie]

5. Today?

Did she get on the plane?

Does this call for a press release? Is there anyone in Congress who should be made aware?

[Andy_Stephenson]

12. I should call the congress critter now.

Cause this is BULLSHIT.

[Lindsay]

7. Unfortunately, not surprising.

Remember, you can't spell Bu**sh** without B-u-s-h.

[GOPisEvil]

8. *in German accent* Vere her papers in order?!?!?

*grumbles*

[Andy_Stephenson]

14. Ja...

her papers ver in order.

[GOPisEvil]

20. Ve vill keep our eyes on her!

Seig HEIL!

*more grumbling*

[Jackpine Radical]

26. Vy you tink you need bad deutsch accent for dis?

Texan ist maybe a bedder langwitch fer dese TIA tugs.

[efhmc]

28. And why would that be? A phoney good old boy Connecticut yankee

accent seem to fill the bill here. VERY tired of TEXAS bashing!!!

[Andy_Stephenson]

29. I am a Texan

I appreciated the joke.

But in Reality...Bush* accent is as fake as he is.

[efhmc]

32. Fake, phony, false and we are sure paying the price throughout the

entire world. You guys are cute but I am really close to another meltdown on the Texas bashing here at DU. It belittles the many of us that are not fake and phony and are working hard to make a difference. Enough said. I'm going to get a nice glass of wine and celebrate Texas Independence Day. Next year at this time, I hope to celebrate doubly TID and *bID. I bet you can figure out what that *b stands for.

[Andy_Stephenson]

33. Yes indeed.

BTW where you from? I hail from El Paso. Family lives in Copperas Cove now.

BTW:

No need to melt down. You have been in Texas too long. You should try Seattle. Ah what a place to call home.

[efhmc]

34. Are you really? I am your neighbor in Lampasas.

Well, I am your family's neighbor. Are they active in the Dem party?

[Andy_Stephenson]

44. Alas no they are

all godfearing Republicans.

[efhmc]

47. No way, a nice little old lady might convert them?

I am more than willing to try. Edited to add that I am also very adorable.

[seabeyond]

69. efhmc

thank you for saying what you had to say. i am up in panhandle have been here over a decade, adn between all the conservativism adn bible belt and bush i too have been puking on texas. adn i love them, they are cute as pie and a lot of wonderful and as a nation we have been bashing. thank you for bringing it to awares for me. if it wasnt so early in the morning i would raise a glass of wine to you and cheer the texan i have gotten to know and love

adn i have inlaws in elpaso. some of them democrats too, lol lol. adn i love seattle would move there in a heart beat. rains too much for husband so looking at spokanne

[Ishoutandscream]

71. Amen. Been saying the same thing.

I'm Texan, and proud of it. Nothing to apologize for. I have mentioned to the mods before about the Texas bashing, and one poster had his remark deleted after saying demeaning things about Dallasites. I really appreciated that.

We need to stick together on this. Keep up the fight.

[Jackpine Radical]

57. Well, I'm a little tired of

the endless German-bashing that began in about 1915 in the U.S. and hasn't let up since.

[efhmc]

68. Germans killed millions of people. Not exactly the same thing.

[Ishoutandscream]

72. Nice try at being funny.

But comparing Texas to Germany is another example of Texas bashing.

[Andy_Stephenson]

27. Bushland Bushland Uber alles

Uber alles in der welt.



*major grumbling

[Don Claybrook]

10. Devil's Advocate here

When I was doing a lot of flying (2001-2003), people were pulled out of line on most flights for extra screening. I was sometimes one of the people selected. Is it possible that she was randomly selected, or do you feel she was singled out for who she is and the work she has done?

Thanks.

[Andy_Stephenson]

13. Bev is way high profile now.

Good thing they let her on or I would be raising hell right now.

[blm]

16. Has anyone else hassled you, Gbnc?

I worry about you and David Allen, too.

[Andy_Stephenson]

18. I dont scare that easily!

but I can tell when they are listening in on the phone...At those times I get the BBV code book out and start talking the code...for example.

"The pink dauschund will bark at noon"

It's easy and fun :evilgrin:

[aquart]

61. The BBV code book?

[Andy_Stephenson]

67. Yes

Hassenfeffer is best when boiled in a lemon pot.

[Kelvin Mace]

46. I haven't had any problems

but so far I've only been on TV once. I last flew in November.

I have to be VERY careful as I have a very *low* tolerance for Gestapo tactics.

Nice to be worried about though, thanks! <s>

David Allen
Publisher, CEO, Janitor
Plan Nine Publishing
http://www.plan9.org

[Don Claybrook]

17. She's definitely high profile

She's assuredly doing good work that must not be appreciated by this criminal administration. I was just wondering if it happened to be random. I haven't flown since last year, so they may well have changed some of the procedures since then.

[Andy_Stephenson]

19. Well last week we flew

in and out of New York and Seattle with no problems or hassle. Now she is on TV and getting scrutinized.

[Don Claybrook]

24. If someone were keeping score

I'd say that if they're trying to make her life hell, they're behind by about 20 to 1. Which is to say, I think she (and you) are doing a hell of a job and giving those who would electronicaly steal votes not one moment of rest.

Just my way of saying thanks to the both of you.

[Andy_Stephenson]

52. Well that is why we have the documentation

of events here. awareness is of the utmost importance.

[Kelvin Mace]

48. Ah, this would indicate

deliberate harrassment. If they had no problem with her last week, why do they have problems this week?

David Allen
Publisher, CEO, Janitor
Plan Nine Publishing
http://www.plan9.org

[ShaneGR]

22. If they hadn't then you would have been on to something

But it was probably a routine screening.

[ShaneGR]

21. Every time I get on a plane I get pulled aside

Here are the reason's you can get pulled now:

History of bad credit
Bought a 1-way ticket
Paid cash
Criminal record, even minor
No history of flying that particular flight
A history of flying that particular flight
Look suspicious

Basically anything. I'm sure Bev felt special, but it isn't anything unusual. It has probably happened to me 30 times since 9/11.

[Don Claybrook]

25. r.e. history of flying a particular flight

So if you've flown a particular route, you may come under suspicion?
And if you haven't flown that particular route, you may come under suspicion?

Sounds like Ridge has it all figured out.

[Kelvin Mace]

49. What the hell does your credit rating

have to do with anything? Are terrorists skipping out on their VISA payments?

David Allen
Publisher, CEO, Janitor
Plan Nine Publishing
http://www.plan9.org

[Joanne98]

23. The Patriot Act

and homeland security. I can't believe the Democrats didn't see the "thugs" abuse coming. They were sooooo surprised when Delay used HSD against the Texas dems. When are they going to wake up?

[bobthedrummer]

31. The Patriot Act has got to go along with George W. Bush.

BTW, 11 posts yet you aren't really new, according to your profile, lurker!
:hi:

[Joanne98]

45. Your right

I was a lurker because two different passwords didn't work. I finally got one that does. Good thing too. DU rocks.

[Auntie Bush]

56. The same thing happened to me... I couldn't get any

password to work for months...so I lurked too.

[Rose Siding]

35. TSA power is virtually unrestricted

They have some new regulation guidelines that drove even the wacky Bob Barr to write:

snip>



A fine of up to $1,500 can be levied (after the fact, of course) against an air traveler for something called "nonphysical interference with screening." What is that? Looking at the screener the wrong way? Failing to jump high enough when told to jump? Or maybe, just maybe, "nonphysical interference with screening" consists of a bad "attitude"; perhaps failing to greet a screener with appropriate deference or subservience as she arbitrarily forces you to disrobe publicly or submit to an additional, "random" inspection?

No kidding. The TSA is asserting the right and the power to fine you, a law-abiding American citizen or lawful visitor to this great land, simply because its employees don't like your "attitude." One of eight "aggravating factors" listed in the new Guidelines is the "attitude of violator." Of course, you may not know until long after you've departed the airport, landed and gone on home, that your "attitude" sufficiently rankled some TSA employee after they found an item of contraband mistakenly left in your carry-on, such as to warrant a hefty fine.

http://www.fairandbalanced.us/docs/StoryID1990.htm

If you read the article, you learn that contesting the fine can get it doubled.

[althecat]

54. Kafka should sue these guys for copyright breach...

BTW. I stole this line... but think it is so good it is worth repeating.

Totally BIZARRRO>..

[ConsAreLiars]

65. And you should also take a bow for the work you have done.

For those who don't know, back in the days, not so long ago, when BBV was just a small ripple in the ocean, when the information Bev provided at the blackboxvoting sites was getting killed off and shut down by Diebold's agents, althecat gave the Diebold scandal front page on scoop.nz and made the info Bev had unearthed widely available to geeks and reporters and activists around the world. His work kept the facts of the matter "out there" when folks here in the states were under heavy assault. Thank you, althecat.

[Skittles]

37. Republican Bullshit

welcome to the world of fascism.

[nomatrix]

38. From my experience

if you don't purchase a roundtrip ticket to point of origin, they will flag you.
If you purchase tickets as close in as 2 weeks,
if you have only carry ons or no luggage, you are flagged.

Even if you have been checked, then have to change planes, do not leave the building or you'll be checked again.

[seabeyond]

39. i missed a plane in dallas

cause the woman didnt think i was respectful enough and keep leg up as she went off to talk to a co worker. so she took an extra ten minutes of searching me

another flight out of our relatively small town, two little kids and husband, i got pulled out and said this is a bunch of crap. she held me, had a cop there and got supervisor to stand in face to intimidate. when i wasnt he was taken a back and let me thru. they then stopped my 5 and 8 year old and started going thru their back packs with a cop there........she says to protect the lady from me.

i told 5 year old for all to hear, look how silly all this is, these adults afraid of a little 5 year old. as their eyes are huge in fear

a year later, i see a comment like that can get me fined.

what i told the males in my family a year ago, the disgusting, if any man in my lifetime had walked over to me for the mere purpose to intimidate, any of my men, father brothers husband father in law would have stepped in...........but this, yawl say suck it up

i dont have to go anywhere this bad to walk into a prison system adn lose all rights.

[Skip Intro]

50. I hope she's not traveling alone

I hope she has someone to protect/document/assist etc.

The details of bbv have long since overwhelmed me, but I keep up the best I can and am thankful to Bev and you and the others who have taken this thieving of our democracy from something the media thought they'd ignore to something that is gaining exposure daily thanks to the efforts of all of you.

And now that the truth, the saving of the people's voice, is starting to become mainstream, I have no doubt that every tool the regime has - every department, every agency, every trick, legal or not, to manage the threat will be utilized. Don't think they aren't monitoring the threat this effort has become, and those responsible for spreading the word.

God, you guys are heroes. Not only fighting for our right to government of, by, and for the people, but evidently to fight for our right not to be intimidated in our exercise of free speech and free travel. Of freedom.

Thank you all. I am deeply thankful, and salute your courage. Please be careful.

[Andy_Stephenson]

51. She didn't ask me to go...

But I would have dropped everything to go.

But she won't be back till saturday and I have campaign things to do.

[kher-heb]

53. people who use their real name on the internet

are horrible chess players.