There is a huge qualitative difference between "screening" someone on the one hand, and physically patting them down on the other. Perhaps this woman, who happened to be a former Congresscritter, didn't like the idea of being groped. Perhaps she, like MILLIONS of others, is ticked off at the idea that a little old lady was getting the third degree when every single day young Moslem males get a free pass in the name of "political correctness" [hawk, spit].
I am all for security, not particularly wanting to end my life by crashing into a building for the greater good of some religious fanatics who despise our country, but it must make sense (which our current screening procedures assuredly do NOT). Further, even though the government has a certain amount of authority, that authority is not unlimited. PITA she may have been, but we can't know that from the limited information here - however, PITA or not, she had a right to question where the government agents got their authority to touch her body.
The day that the gov't can do anything to us in the name of security (and we are nearly there), is the day that we've officially lost our liberties and the terrorists have won by destroying what the US used to be.
"Perhaps this woman, who happened to be a former Congresscritter, didn't like the idea of being groped."
Fine. She is free to take a hike.
Common sense BUMP city.
Question for you knowledgable ones. Is it true that airport screeners are limited to the number of passengers of Musliim/Arab ethnicity that they can pull aside and subject to more complete screening on any given flight? And this while grandmas from Wenatchee with knitting needles, terrified toddlers and elderly senators with hip replacements are harassed, terrified, and humiliated.