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Where have all the snow globes gone?(How the govt is making money from airport seizures)
american statesman ^ | 6/20/11 | Helen Anders

Posted on 06/20/2011 12:58:49 PM PDT by bestintxas

A beaming girl's picture is encased in the snow globe, which is about the size of a grapefruit and rests atop an expensive-looking wooden base proclaiming, "Congratulations, graduate!"

Alas, the graduate never received this gift. It rests amid a sea of San Antonio snow globes — and a few globes from Denver, Chicago and Disney World — on the shelves of the Texas State Surplus Store at 6506 Bolm Road, off U.S. 183.

Because it's filled with liquid, you can't carry a snow globe onto an airplane. But some travelers haven't gotten the message, or maybe it slips their minds during their harried packing for summer vacation. Thus, rows and rows of snow globes sit at the surplus store, which gets its inventory not only from state surplus but also from items that were left behind or confiscated — "We say willfully surrendered," said cashier Roberta Siller — at airport security checkpoints in Austin, San Antonio, Dallas-Fort Worth, Waco, El Paso and other small airports.

In the five years this store has been open, its plane-related inventory has soared because of heightened security, according to director James Barrington. The airport stuff takes up most of one small room at the store. In 2010, the state's general fund was enriched $300,000 by the storefront's sales.

(Excerpt) Read more at statesman.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: tsa; tsapervs
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To: WoofDog123
some years back I remember seeing a state selling bulk lots of knives on ebay (I think california) that were taken by tsa and turned over to the state.

There are usually a couple of tables at almost any Tulsa area gun show with a wide selection of seized knives that were bought as lots from TSA. Just another sign of the times, I guess...

21 posted on 06/20/2011 1:42:33 PM PDT by T-Bird45 (It feels like the seventies, and it shouldn't.)
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To: sportutegrl

“Kids will probably get molested.”

Not only that, you are paying to be treated like that. You may as well enjoy it.


22 posted on 06/20/2011 1:42:56 PM PDT by AppyPappy (If you aren't part of the solution, there is good money to be made prolonging the problem.)
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To: Jack Hydrazine
How long before they confiscate human beings because they contain fluid?

If you can light your fluids on fire, I'm not going to try to confiscate anything of yours.

23 posted on 06/20/2011 1:43:17 PM PDT by KarlInOhio (Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! Tea Party extremism is a badge of honor.)
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To: KarlInOhio

My gas is flammable. Does that count?


24 posted on 06/20/2011 1:47:15 PM PDT by Jack Hydrazine (It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine!)
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To: org.whodat

I’m sure you had important business in Las Vegas. Enjoy your child free life. Happy Father’s Day. (Oh, wait, nevermind.)


25 posted on 06/20/2011 1:47:28 PM PDT by sportutegrl
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To: sportutegrl

Yes it was important, eating lobster and spending money, and piss poor parents is the problem not kids.


26 posted on 06/20/2011 1:50:58 PM PDT by org.whodat
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To: bestintxas

And hence, the slippery slope we always refer to. This is what happens when one gives an inch.


27 posted on 06/20/2011 1:57:31 PM PDT by jmranchman (May God be with our beloved troops and their families)
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To: bestintxas

While admittedly ignoring the tyranny of globe confiscation, don’t most globes have a plug to add water? If so, and given that one knew a-priori it would be a problem, one could drain said globe and then re-fill upon reaching one’s destination. For the permanent-sealed globes, I might pose the question to the confiscator: “ Are you out of your freakin mind? that’s H20 in there, buddy”.

But of course, the bigger question of tyranny must be fought...


28 posted on 06/20/2011 2:18:07 PM PDT by C210N (0bama, Making the US safe for Global Marxism)
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To: Red_Devil 232

Global Warming?
**************************************
FREEZE THE SNOWGLOBE BEFORE HEADING TO THE AIRPORT!


29 posted on 06/20/2011 2:19:40 PM PDT by Neidermeyer
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To: Jack Hydrazine

“My gas is flammable. Does that count?”

I’m sure it’s impressive. But can you bring a plane down with it ?


30 posted on 06/20/2011 2:21:28 PM PDT by PLMerite (Shut the Beyotch Down!)
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To: C210N
For the permanent-sealed globes, I might pose the question to the confiscator: “ Are you out of your freakin mind? that’s H20 in there, buddy”.

Oh No!

It's Dihydrogen monoxide!

We're doomed!

31 posted on 06/20/2011 2:21:37 PM PDT by N. Theknow (What part of Election Day November 2010 didn't the GOP understand?)
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To: C210N

You are correct on all your points ... this is absolutely ridiculous.. I could get past any TSA agent with flammable or explosive liquids quite easily and so could any other male or female... I could pass the backscatter or the feel-m-up test.

When NFL players absolutely positively need to pass a drug test they simply urinate and then the team doctor refills their bladder with “clean” urine using a catheter ... ANYBODY could use the same technique and a balloon ended cath with the balloon filling the bladders interior ..... of course for a 2 part explosive you would need two people but you get the idea...


32 posted on 06/20/2011 2:31:30 PM PDT by Neidermeyer
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To: bestintxas

I surrendered a snowglobe to these TSA sons of bitches on return from Europe. As far as I am concerned, every one of those frickin’ mouth-breathing knobs whom works for the TSA should take a “voluntarily surrendered” snowglobe and cram it STRAIGHT UP HIS ASS.


33 posted on 06/20/2011 2:32:52 PM PDT by dinodino
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To: C210N

I should have noted your name ,, a Centurion is a great way to go places...


34 posted on 06/20/2011 2:33:16 PM PDT by Neidermeyer
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To: PLMerite

Maybe if I bag it? If not, then it sure make one heck of a display for the other passengers!


35 posted on 06/20/2011 2:55:02 PM PDT by Jack Hydrazine (It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine!)
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To: bestintxas

“Because it’s filled with liquid, you can’t carry a snow globe onto an airplane.”

Interesting logic. What are human bodies filled with?


36 posted on 06/20/2011 3:56:16 PM PDT by mikey_hates_everything
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To: dinodino
As far as I am concerned, every one of those frickin’ mouth-breathing knobs whom works for the TSA should take a “voluntarily surrendered” snowglobe and cram it STRAIGHT UP HIS ASS.

I like the way you think!

37 posted on 06/20/2011 6:20:13 PM PDT by Sarajevo (Avoid arguments with your wife about lifting the toilet seat by simply using the sink.)
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To: bestintxas

This is nothing more than state sponsored theft of private property. Disgusting


38 posted on 06/20/2011 6:24:49 PM PDT by Sarajevo (Avoid arguments with your wife about lifting the toilet seat by simply using the sink.)
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To: dinodino

They’d have to remove their heads first!


39 posted on 06/20/2011 6:28:12 PM PDT by Dionysius (Jingoism is no vice in these troubled times.)
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