Homeland Security Chairman to TSA: "Reconsider" pat-downs"

[hlthe2b]

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/130205-homeland-security-chairman-to-tsa-reconsider-invasive-pat-downs

House Democrats have asked the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to “reconsider” agency screeners’ new invasive pat-downs of airline passengers. In a letter Friday to TSA Administrator John Pistole, Reps. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, and Shelia Jackson Lee (D-Texas) said the agency should rethink the new screening procedures in light of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, typically the busiest travel time of the year.

--snip--


The new pat-down screenings have faced a public uproar as airline passengers have complained about their invasiveness. Combined with new body scanners at security checkpoints that capture naked body images, the TSA has found itself under increased public scrutiny.

Thompson and Jackson Lee criticize the agency in their letter. They say TSA should have done a better job of informing the public about the new screening procedures while also making sure to better protect their civil rights. “Before implementing this new more invasive pat down procedure, as a preliminary matter, TSA should have had a conversation with the American public about the need for these changes. Even before that conversation, TSA should have endeavored to ensure that these changes did not run afoul of privacy and civil liberties,” they write.

--more at the link above--

[somone]

1. It's an indefensible travesty

It's way beyond idiotic.

[JackRiddler]

4. Yes, but it's also a strategy to get everyone to accept the naked-body scanners.

Remember, this issue started with the introduction of the scanners, and the resulting controversy. TSA offered passengers an opt-out of the scans if they take a patdown. Now the groping is the issue.

Soon they can roll out a "compromise" without patdowns and the scans as a requirement. Half of everyone will think a win just happened.

[hlthe2b]

9. There is a parallel tract fighting the 4th amendment violations

(among others) that these scanners pose. See the Ralph Nader thread. We can't fight one aspect without also fighting the other. For the DU defenders of these policies, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do some independent reading on the lack of evidence supporting these actions and technology. We are not only being violated and abused, but being DUPED.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

6. that's why it is so good.

Until the TSA goes overboard, sheeple-citizens will go along, "to protect our freedoms"

Once they do go nuts, then Americans will demand a return of their rights.

[customerserviceguy]

12. That's what gets me

I've seen surveys, and idiot-on-the-street interviews on TV that would accept full body cavity searches once some jihadi sneaks a fizzle-out bomb in his rectum, and that's the next barn door to close after the horse has gone.

I cannot believe that people think that any molestation whatsoever of ordinary citizens whose only suspicious activity is flying within their own country is justified on a 'safety' basis.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

15. I've repeatedly stated that the TSA is filled with idiots,

morons, non-thinking assholes, and brain-damaged neanderthals. This also proves that shit floats to the top.

[customerserviceguy]

16. Give 'em a badge and a uniform

and dopey becomes dangerous.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

17. like some suburban cops.

luckily, the guys working where I live are rather laid back, low key, professional. BUt a couple of suburbs away, I actually avoid driving through those towns.

[indepat]

2. Surely TSA will never relinquish the power to caress the public's genitalia

:shrug:

[flpab]

3. thank you

being an airport employee we asked the same thing. Tons of rumors and then they just start doing it without any airport signage or explanation.

[northernlights]

5. afraid of fly-rage outbreaks?

"rethink the new screening procedures in light of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, typically the busiest travel time of the year."

Maybe they instituted it precisely because it's the busiest travel time of the year. People will decide not to opt out just to get on their planes.

Well, when opt-in is unconstitutional and opt-out is to choose something else unconstitutional, best to drive or take the train and let the financial hit to the industry do its thing.

[sarcasmo]

8. Exactly, best to drive and let the airline know why you are going to drive.

[Ian David]

7. All your junk are belong to us.

[Poboy]

10. Compilation of news videos of TSA search abuses-

The TSA is out of control-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhkQoiaf7Uc

[sally cat]

11. A start, but letting up just for the holiday to help airlines' profits is not the solution.

[woo me with science]

13. Yet today TSA comes out with new threats.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x9597107

[krabigirl]

14. Wow, some sanity...of course, the tsa will not listen.