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Almost arrested for refusing the TSA pat-down.
Mike Evers

Posted on 11/17/2010 11:22:37 AM PST by Mike Evers

Very unpleasant experience today with TSA employees on a mission from God to conduct full body pat-downs whenever they could. You’ve heard about it. You’ve seen it on television. Well, it actually happened to me this morning and I almost went to jail over it.

I was attempting to fly out of Sarasota, Florida to Atlanta, Georgia today. I cleared security and got out to my gate only to discover the flight was delayed for another hour and a half. So I exited the boarding area and went to one of the restaurants in the main terminal. When I attempted to go back through security I was detained and told to sit in a Plexiglas cubical. I was now separated from my carry-on bag, my shoes, wallet, cell phone, watch and belt. Eventually a TSA employee entered and began to describe the procedures he was going to use to pat-down my entire body. I declined, and said I wanted to go back through the scanner. After all, I had cleared it earlier in the morning, and there was nothing new on my person. Perhaps it was just a misreading.

Well, they would have none of that. A very pompous little supervisor came over and asked me if I wanted to fly today. I informed him that was my intention. Otherwise, why would I be in his little plexiglass cubical. I told him I did not wish to submit to the full body pat-down because I believe it is unwarranted and potentially an unconstitutional invasion of my right to privacy—you know, the privacy right the Supreme Court says is in the Constitution even though there are no such words to that effect. Not persuaded by my argument, the supervisor told me to submit or he would have me arrested. I asked what law I was allegedly violating. He said refusal to submit to federal authority. I replied that I thought there were less intrusive alternatives. He said “No,” and once again demanded that I submit. I declined, so he brought over his superior and three Sheriff’s deputies. Now it was getting interesting.

So much time was taken up with all this nonsense that I missed my flight. When I informed them that I wished to leave the screening area so I could see about another flight I was advised that I was not allowed to leave. Now that I had tripped into their briar patch I either submitted to their search or face arrest. I contemplated the arrest scenario in earnest. When I was in law school 30 years ago, I don’t recall things being like this. Certainly there have been some changes, especially after 9-11, but full body pat-downs and groping of genitalia? When did all this come about Janet Napolitano? Last week? Well, I don’t think it will be around six months from now, so enjoy it while you can.

Facing certain arrest if I refused to submit to their police tactics, I agreed to the search and was led to a private cubical with frosted glass to keep things a bit more private. A Sheriff’s deputy stood inside because I said I did not wish to be without witnesses should the TSA employee get a bit too frisky while feeling every inch of my body, and I do mean “every inch!” Ladies, you are going to love this new procedure when you get singled out for “special” treatment. And guys, you are not going to like it one bit. No happy ending!

Naturally, the extraordinary feel-down didn’t produce anything explosive, or otherwise. Nevertheless, I was informed that the contents of my carry-on bag needed to be searched. Once again, I protested, informing them that it had already passed through screening on the x-ray conveyor belt. Well, now things were different. Now that I was getting the “special” treatment, the entire contents of my bag were laid out on the table for all to see. About 13 local and federal agents gathered around for this little training exercise, or as our beloved President Obama would call it, a “teachable moment.” Fortunately, I wasn’t carrying any sexy lingerie or other items that could cause one to blush. And the extra look-through didn’t produce anything explosive or dangerous, even though I mentioned that my house key could be used to poke out someone’s eye. They failed to see the humor in that observation and stuffed my belongings back into the bag and escorted me out of the screening area and into the ticketing terminal. I got booked on a late afternoon flight, rented a car for three hours ($18 is a lot cheaper than a taxi), and came home to catch on some work before returning to the brave new world of TSA dominance.

As a Million Miler with Delta, I have a little bit of experience with this whole flying thing. I was flying long before 9-11 brought about all this beefed up security and intrusiveness. I’ve faced plenty of airport security issues about the decade, had valuable items stolen from my checked bags by TSA employees, and now this arrogant display of unbridled assault and battery on my body, all in the name of protecting the American public. I publish this missive and add my voice to the growing tide of rebellion over this unprecedented intrusion against our personal freedom.

Now, it’s time to head back to the airport and pray that there has been a shift change in the screening area. If not, please come visit me wherever they decide to lock me up.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 4thamendment; chat; grope; notbreakingnews; nudeoscope; tsa; tsapervs; vanity; xray
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To: radpolis

......................I find it fascinating that an illegal can’t be asked for his passport and ID while getting caught in the act of an actual crime in Arizona, but an American citizen can be groped, searched and harassed by federal agents without cause while travelling....................

Bingo! Sir, that bears repeating:

I find it fascinating that an illegal can’t be asked for his passport and ID while getting caught in the act of an actual crime in Arizona, but an American citizen can be groped, searched and harassed by federal agents without cause while travelling.

(Even though he had to show picture id to get to the point where he was groped)


141 posted on 11/17/2010 12:27:17 PM PST by Noob1999 (Zer0 is an Asshat!)
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To: radpolis

Great point.


142 posted on 11/17/2010 12:28:23 PM PST by bvw
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To: Polynikes

I’m looking for something that won’t set off the metal detectors.


143 posted on 11/17/2010 12:28:47 PM PST by Paladin2
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To: MindBender26

“The real answer? You guys don’t bitch.”

We need people monitoring the screening to collect data on the demographics of who gets pulled for enhanced screening and what proportion is young females, middle aged white males, etc. When my pilot husband and I flew on airline employee discount tickets we were always pulled and he traveled in uniform. What a joke.


144 posted on 11/17/2010 12:28:47 PM PST by pops88
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To: BulletBobCo

Or blows up a stadium, church, or anything else...

What are they going to do, start scanning us before we leave our homes? Pure insanity.


145 posted on 11/17/2010 12:29:21 PM PST by justsaynomore ("We the people are still in charge of this country!" - Herman Cain)
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To: Mike Evers

I’d rather drive all night than put up with this federal abuse of authority.

The airline industry is dead to me.

As many people as possible should swear off the airlines for a month or so. If that doesn’t work, make it three.

We are far too compliant.

Those five Islamic guys can disrupt a flight with impunity, and you can’t even board after you’ve already cleared the device gauntlet. F ‘em.

From on citizen to another, please accept my apology for what our government is up to.


146 posted on 11/17/2010 12:30:04 PM PST by DoughtyOne (Your next chance like this? About 2044. Vote popularity and don't waste time with the details.)
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To: kcvl

I watched Pistole today. He was extremely evasive through much of it. He also lied through his teeth: he claimed that no child under 12 would be subjected to the “enhanced pat down”. That flies in the face of MANY reports and also some YouTube videos.


147 posted on 11/17/2010 12:30:19 PM PST by Zarro (Hands off Our Junk!)
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To: Mike Evers
What would happen if, during the pat-down you reached over and touched the TSA agent in the same area that he just touched you? What would be the result of the TSA agent complaining about you touching him in the same way that he just touched you?

-PJ

148 posted on 11/17/2010 12:30:51 PM PST by Political Junkie Too ("Comprehensive" reform bills only end up as incomprehensible messes.)
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To: righttackle44

I haven’t seen more than one or two real conservatives yet.


149 posted on 11/17/2010 12:31:01 PM PST by donna (Conservatives believe in God, Family, Country. Not money, money, money.)
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To: for-q-clinton

Or holler out during your grope, “Move to the right! There it is! Oh YEAH baby!”


150 posted on 11/17/2010 12:32:12 PM PST by ponygirl
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Comment #151 Removed by Moderator

To: MindBender26
On a BWI to TPA flight, they pulled 17 of out of line for the “Secondary Screening.” 17 middle-age White males. I asked the TSA leader why us. I got the standard “the computer selected you” answer.

Do you remember when "the computer" selected former Vice President Al Gore, and the TSA agents blindly pulled him out of line for the secondary screening?

If THAT didn't show what was wrong with the system, then nothing will.

-PJ

152 posted on 11/17/2010 12:33:28 PM PST by Political Junkie Too ("Comprehensive" reform bills only end up as incomprehensible messes.)
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To: SpaceBar

That’s the whole point of next weeks “Opt-Out Day”. Most people are sheeple however and the protest will bomb (no pun intended).


153 posted on 11/17/2010 12:34:51 PM PST by rockrr (Everything is different now...)
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To: TexasCajun

The homosexuals are privileged. They can get their rocks off doing jobs like this.


154 posted on 11/17/2010 12:36:24 PM PST by Luke21
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

The TSA is made up of Federal union employees. Every airport in the nation could go out of business and the TSA would be still be getting paid by the Federal government.


155 posted on 11/17/2010 12:38:49 PM PST by Durus (The distance between us has grown, and I struggle to quantify it. Windage adjustments are done.)
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To: All
isn't it amazing that the same government that will come after people hammer and tong for thinking or saying certain words to protect homosexuals or other groups from being "offended" and heaven forbid anyone is "profiled", YET will sanction de facto sexual assault by security monkeys at airports ?

how long will the American people tolerate this garbage government and why should we ? how much longer will we be living on the planet of the apes ?

156 posted on 11/17/2010 12:39:38 PM PST by kingattax (99 % of liberals give the rest a bad name)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

That is what I did[quit flying] and it was way back in 2004.


157 posted on 11/17/2010 12:40:58 PM PST by sport
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To: BulletBobCo
What is TSA going to do when instead of trying to get explosives on an aircraft, terrorist just detonate one in the crowded lines waiting to be inspected?

They will add another line. So you have to go through a screening before you go through the screening.

It's the government. If at first you don't succeed, add more.

158 posted on 11/17/2010 12:42:48 PM PST by ponygirl
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To: Mike Evers

If I ever fly again, I’m going to have a hard time not saying “No need to pat me down” and strip bare naked right there at the checkpoint in front of everyone. This is quite a stretch for me, since I’m normally a pretty modest person, but I have a feeling they’re going to seriously piss me off that much.

I’m already considering a two-way cross-country drive with a carload of kids rather than subject myself and my family to the TSA.


159 posted on 11/17/2010 12:44:20 PM PST by antiRepublicrat
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To: FromLori
Congressman John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-Tenn.) blasted the Transportation Security Administration Wednesday during a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives for invasive "pat-downs" of U.S. citizens and the role lucrative government contracts played in the use of body scanning machines at airport checkpoints.

My congressman, recently re-elected with about 80% of the vote. Perhaps the only reason I can think of to be against term limits. I was getting ready to send him a letter about this and the fact that the recent election may be the Republicans' last chance to prove they are conservative. Looks like I will have to amend my letter a bit.

160 posted on 11/17/2010 12:45:11 PM PST by tnlibertarian (Hey D. C., tax increases are not spending cuts. Nor do tax cuts constitute increased spending.)
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