New TSA threats: Necessary move to catch terrorists, or a plan to discourage protests?

[woo me with science]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/sfl-airport-scans-pat-downs-refual-20101121,0,5604032.story

$11,000 fine, arrest possible for some who refuse airport scans and pat downs

By John Lantigua Palm Beach Post
8:59 a.m. EST, November 20, 2010

If you don't want to pass through an airport scanner that allows security agents to see an image of your naked body or to undergo the alternative, a thorough manual search, you may have to find another way to travel this holiday season.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is warning that any would-be commercial airline passenger who enters an airport checkpoint and then refuses to undergo the method of inspection designated by TSA will not be allowed to fly and also will not be permitted to simply leave the airport.

That person will have to remain on the premises to be questioned by the TSA and possibly by local law enforcement. Anyone refusing faces fines up to $11,000 and possible arrest.

"Once a person submits to the screening process, they can not just decide to leave that process," says Sari Koshetz, regional TSA spokesperson, based in Miami.

Koshetz said such passengers would be questioned "until it is determined that they don't pose a threat" to the public...

[Aaria]

1. It's all about the money in more ways then one.

http://www.lewrockwell.com/pr/haskell-truth-flight253.html

[KansDem]

2. I don't understand this...

If I see that my personal freedoms are to be violated (nude scanner or genital groping), I can't simply turn around and walk out?

How can they justify this?

[dragonlady]

13. What if a terrorist with explosives

turned around when he reached the head of the line and then went back into the airport and exploded himself? There must be a real danger that terrorists carrying out meticulously planned operations are so unfamiliar with airport security procedures that this could easily happen. Now I must add :sarcasm: in case anyone misunderstands my intent.

[DCKit]

3. Ah, the good ol' days when one was considered "innocent until proven guilty." n/t

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

4. What a deal!! You get to pay them for NOT feeling you up!

An offer you can't refuse.

[malaise]

5. Wait until this spreads beyond the airport

This is damned madness

[krabigirl]

6. This is beyond horrific.

I cannot believe that this is happening under Obama. Then again.....

:(

[Rex]

7. What a surreal, bullshit world we live in.

The TSA wants to break the backs of The People by submitting them to humiliating searches...because law enforcement can't catch real terrorists, so they pretend EVERYONE is a possible terrorist! What a fucking bad joke! I hope some of the big wig CEO types get frisked...they are the only ones with the money/power to put a stop to this new wave of govt fascism.

[etherealtruth]

8. A plan to "discourage" protests is an understatement

[sally cat]

9. A way to make people accept naked scanners.

[TexasObserver]

10. Three decades of a GOP run Supreme Court has led to this.

The right to travel freely in the country is one of our basic rights. We are not free if we must submit to unwarranted searches as a prerequisite to air travel.

[woo me with science]

11. The administration needs to act on this now.

This can't drag out. People are legitimately outraged.

[dgibby]

12. Just softening us up for the coming police state.

We're just a bunch of frogs in a pot of boiling water.

This is NOT about security. If it was, every package in the cargo hold of these planes would be inspected, and they're not. Why? Because it costs too much.

This is just more fear mongering designed to appeal to our reptilian brains.

Be afraid, be very, very afraid!

[LisaL]

14. How again are passengers consenting to these

pat downs? Isn't consent something that should be given freely?