Vice President Joe Biden: Airport screening pat-downs a "necessary policy"

[woo me with science]

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/130089-biden-pat-downs-a-necessary-policy

Biden: Airport screening pat-downs a 'necessary policy'
By Jordan Fabian - 11/19/10 09:29 AM ET

Vice President Joe Biden is defending the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) controversial new pat-down technique, calling it a "necessary policy."

Biden acknowledged people have concerns that the TSA's use of full-body scanners and pat-downs are frustrating and intrusive but argued they are crucial to prevent another incident like the attempted Christmas Day airline bombing.

"Well look, Larry, maybe because I spend so much time every morning dealing with the threat assessment that's out there and the fact that it's real — I understand peoples' frustration, but I — unless there's a new technology that comes along pretty quickly, I think it's — I think it's a necessary policy," he said on CNN's "Larry King Live" program. "I think it will have the effect of saving lives, intercepting explosives."

Even though the TSA's new policy has riled lawmakers on Capitol Hill, Biden's comments indicate the agency will continue to scan or pat down passengers at the nation's airports...

(more at link)



I want their private jets taken away. I want every one of them to have to endure this, every time they fly.

[SammyWinstonJack]

1. ...

:puke:

[NYC_SKP]

2. So, private exectutive jets could never be used as a weapon, is that their logic?

Clearly, there's a loophole.

It's only a matter of time before some sleeper cell figures this out and buys or steals an executive jet or two to use as a WMD.

Joe, I love ya but we have to get on this terrorist threat STAT!

NYC_SKP

[DCKit]

13. Corporate America is far less drastic in their terrorism against citizens.

No less damaging, just not so drastic.

[Boudica the Lyoness]

3. Welcome to my shit list Joe

:mad:

Someone tell him they don't work.

[gateley]

6. Shooting the messenger? Do you actually think anybody in a President's cabinet

expresses their own opinions without an okay from the White House?

It always astounds me that people believe that what anybody in Washington says is anything more than the 'company line'.

You're smarter than that.

[LisaL]

4. People who advocate for it should be subjected to the same

procedures. Until he goes through it with his family to be scanned and groped, maybe he should keep his mouth shut.

[gateley]

10. Maybe he was sent out to give that message whether he agrees with it or not. Just sayin'. nt

[lame54]

12. Then he should strongly make the case in private that...

they should wise up and stop doing this shit

[gateley]

14. I'm hoping they ALL feel that way and are moving to find a better alternative -

like learning from the experts in Israel! As soon as Blackwater adds "Airline Safety, Inc." to its roster, maybe we'll see more of the real security that works in Israel.

All it takes is for someone to be able to make a lot of money off if it. America, dontcha know. :grr:

[lame54]

17. It's not even so much this issue...

it's their general cluelessness that's driving me crazy

I'm this close to thinking that we were duped and they're really working for THEM

[gateley]

24. I don't go that far, but I do think they're pretty removed from reality. When

they asked Obama why he thought a chunk of his base had "deserted him" during the mid-terms he responded that it was for the same reason everybody is unhappy -- jobs, the economy.

And I'm thinking - no, it's because we're feeling helpless and frustrated that you seem to be acquiescing to the Reps time and time again, and aren't willing to put up a fight.

On this issue, I just don't get it, except that we refuse to learn from others' experience and expertise in EVERY area -- energy, transportation, etc.

This country is in deep trouble (I almost typed "company" and that wouldn't be far from the truth.)

[lame54]

5. What an idiot...

how many times are they going to be on the wrong side of public opinion

and they can't figure out why they lost

[gateley]

8. HE's not an idiot - the approach is idiotic. I don't understand why they chose to

go this route, but they've all got to publicly say it's a good thing.

And I agree, not only is this on the wrong side of public opinion, it doesn't fucking work!

Hopefully it'll be short-lived.

[MadHound]

7. Spoken like one who will never get this TSA groping ever in his lifetime

More out of touch politicians, their position shielding them from the reality of everyday Americans.

[Missy Vixen]

9. With all due respect, Mr. Vice President,

when was the last time YOU were patted down at any airport in order to board a plane?

There's also the issue that he will get preferential treatment in any airplane line for the rest of his life because of who he is...

[kctim]

11. Absurd

Who does this guy think he is? Acting like he actually might be privy to intelligence and all. What a big evil "rights" stealing jerk meany.

You are in no position to know about any threat assessment Mr. Biden, so do what the people want and go read "My Pet Goat."

[jillan]

15. Ok Biden - if you really feel that way - Let me be the first one in line to give you a patdown

:P

Just trying to make light of all the Biden bashing that will come, and in this case - that he deserves.

[LisaL]

18. With his wife and children being patted down in the next line.

[jillan]

19. Did you read the rest of my post? Didn't think so.

[Barack_America]

16. This is a losing battle that the administration would be wise to distance themselves from.

[sally cat]

30. Agreed. Once again they end up owning something that BushCo started. Unforced error.

[woo me with science]

32. I do not understand the messaging on this.

We also have Claire McCaskill (D-MO) out publicly making light of all this and calling them "love pats."

What the hell are Democrats thinking????

[woo me with science]

33. They shouldn't distance themselves.

They should jump in and FIX this.

[Tsiyu]

20. Joe, you sound like a pompous...youknowwhat

Of course it's necessary.

When a population loses all hope, I guess they become desperate.

Rather than addressing the reasons for their desperation, you and all the elite you support would much rather play your paranoia card. We must all be suspects, humiliated, violated, our rights just a memory.

Cuz some American somewhere might go off the deep end due to failed policies.


Make no mistake, the rest of you. This policy is saying very clearly and distinctly: the average American flyer is very dangerous and must be thoroughly strip-searched and fondled to keep the rich safe.

This has nothing to do with terrorism - any more than the failed War on Drugs does. This is to scare you into feeling like a criminal any time you exercise your freedom. This is what it's like to drive an expensive car while the wrong color, in other words.

Welcome to the club.

[avaistheone1]

21. Poor, poor, poor Joe.

He is always the messenger to deliver out the bad news from the admin.

I think the admin is signaling where they stand on this issue, and letting Joe take the heat.

[L0oniX]

22. So uhm ...senators and congressmen get the same treatment?

[lame54]

23. yeah - just like they get the same health care

[social_critic]

25. I want to be a US Senator

And if elected, I promess I would fly first class but I wouldn't use the VIP service they get in most airports.

I do have a question, is there a way to write a nice comment on your back, something they can see but it's kept hidden by your clothes? I got a few choice words I'd like to start scribbling on to make sure they get the message.

[flvegan]

26. "You see, Larry, we have to keep America afraid.

So long as the masses are worried that Osama bin Boogeyman might be sitting next to them on their next flight, we can spend all we want on the military industrial complex. Heh, did you see how the House voted down extending unemployment? Classic!"

Or something.

[BlueIris]

27. Gross.

Yet another "Why I despise VP Biden" moment.

[Carolina]

28. easy to say when

you fly around on Air Force Two!

In An Inconvenient Truth, former VP Al Gore was shown going through the same airport process as J.Q. Public. Let's see how Joe "Mr. aye on IWR" feels when he's no longer VP. Of course, maybe he'll be travelling in private jets courtesy of all the banks and credit card companies in Delaware!

[somone]

29. GWB = Nail clipper & bottled water checks. Obama = Genitalia checks

Way to go, Joe!!!

[Retrograde]

31. sez a guy who doesn't have to put up with it

More and more we're separating into two nations, and the people in charge haven't realized it. They don't have to put up with their own regulations, and neither do their friends and associates. So why are we complaining?


I want to see every official who insists this is necessary to go through himself (or herself - I'm looking at you, Ms Napolitano) and not just once, and not in any sort of VIP situation. Let them see what it's like for the average traveler before they open their mouths.

[LWolf]

34. Who pats down Biden and his family? nt