Posted on 11/17/2010 9:54:05 AM PST by rawhide
Transportation Safety Administration chief John Pistole and several senators from both parties defended the new, enhanced airport security screening procedures as necessary in the face of a persistent and evolving terrorist threat in a hearing Wednesday on Capitol Hill.
Pistole, calm and confident in the face of an increasing public outcry against the procedures, talked extensively about the repercussions of last year's attempted Christmas Day bombing being the impetus for the enhanced screenings before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, TSA's oversight committee.
"We know the terrorists' intent is still there," Pistole testified. "We are using technology and protocols to stay ahead of the threat and keep you safe. (Several near-misses by terrorists on airplane bombings) got through security because we were not being thorough enough in our pat-downs."
Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri said prior to Pistole's testimony that she believed TSA was in a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation, because people would be hopping mad at TSA if Christmas bomber Umar Farouk Adbulmutallab had succeeded. She went on to say the new advanced imaging technology--which has caused uproar because of its leave-no-secrets imaging and potential health risks--is more of a blessing than a curse.
"I'm wildly excited that I can walk through a machine instead of getting my dose of love pats," Sen. McCaskill said.
(Excerpt) Read more at cbsnews.com ...
Uhh...Senator...the TSA did not stop the panty bomber...passengers did.
The TSA is engaged in "security theater."
I’m sick that the “elite class” sees every American as a threat. They do NOT see us as individuals, they PROJECT THEIR OWN IRRESPONSIBILITY UPON US.
It is a form of misanthropy, and evidently hard to avoid taking in once one is among the elite in DC, or in the many outposts such as Manhattan, colleges, etc.
You’ve hit the nail on the head! This is simply part of government run Obamacare!
“procedures as necessary in the face of a persistent and evolving terrorist threat in a hearing Wednesday on Capitol Hill.”
We have been at war for 10 years and billions of dollars how come all this has not removed the terrorist threat to cause this action?
Congress has failed to protect the American people and protect their freedoms.
I’m about to write Continental and demand a cash refund for credit I have coming. This is considered to be non-refundable. I’m going to inform them that when I bought the tickets I was not aware of the violation of my constitutional rights that was forthcoming. And I will take them to small claims court if they do not refund my money.
I have to do a little researce and see who accepts service for them in Texas. They’ll have 30 days to respond so I’ll be sure to post what happens.
He was on a flight from Amsterdam to Detroit, so I doubt he would have gone through a TSA nekkid pitcher machine at any time.
OK, but I get to choose the TSA employee that I play “Love Pats” with and she better let me reciprocate.
My family would be mortified to be subjected to either the machine or the fondler.
Anybody that values chastity and modesty based on personally held Christian views are appalled at this and will refuse to have their daughters subjected to this sexual abuse.
It should be noted that Obama and Napalatano have begun a new a form of "Rights of the First Night".
I hear Barney Frank has really been racking up the frequent flyer miles lately.
“you can’t professionalize if you don’t federalize.” -Tom Dash-hole
You're just upset because the patters are same-sex.
Never mind all that, if Obummer is re-elected you can count on being forced to drink a laxative and then crap into a clear toilet bowl in public view—taking no chances, you see.
In a perfect world we would all take up a collection and send the Hells Angels on a free plane ride.
Several senators from both parties? I see one single senator quoted here and that one is a DEM.
There's also a poll at that link that says 4 out of 5 polled want the full body scan. I'd be willing to bet these idiots think this scan is like an x-ray that shows your bones and organs, not one that just looks through you clothes at your naked body.
check new tag line...
Southwest Airlines refused to refund my non-refundable Thanksgiving Day ticket that I purchased in September before the new, invasive pat-downs. I called customer service complaining that TSA had changed their procedures after I bought the ticket. I was told that they have no position on TSA’s procedures since it is the government. I mentioned that TSA is viewing nude pictures of children and touching child private parts. According to Southwest Airlines, they don’t care. For them it is all about the money.
They do profile, the reason they pat down and search the 3 year old boy or 80 year old girl is so they can then chose anyone in line to search and they can’t be told they are racist or profiling.
I know a friend of a friend who I spent about 2 hours talking to at a pig roast a few weeks ago who works for the TSA. He explained how he does it when he “works the line”, what he does is check out the people further up the line and looks for certain tells and triggers. He then looks for a certain feature of this person, and then looks for that feature in someone in front of them, anything like shoe color, wristwatch, glasses, whatever premise he needs.
He then will pull one or two people out of the line in front of the person in question and spend extra time with them. That way when Mohammad gets mad and screams racism and profiling he can instantly point to the others and explain he was choosing everyone with whatever he used as the reason to do it.
He also explained to me how custom agents work their line. When they are asking you personal questions that are none of their business there is nothing personal at all, they could care less what the answer is but HOW you answer the questions. How much money you made last year, why you are going some where at this time and date, whatever the question is what they really want to see is your reaction to it. They don’t care if you’re insulted, its you getting hot is what they might want to see and then you are cleared. There is a science to all of this, just be yourself and relax. It’s a PITA, but like this guy said, spending your days searching other smelly sweaty men and their shoes is not something you enjoy bragging about.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.