Invasion of privacy - The TSA search policy is unwarranted, unjust, and humiliating

Boston Globe ^ | Nov. 19, 2010 | Tom Keane

[FrankR]

[FrankR]

"“9/11 has made us a frightened and cowed people. “ "

Only because our leaders are on the enemy's side.

[SERKIT]

Where is "the line", and when has it/will it be crossed?

Near-strip search for planes...when will it start for trains (think London and Spain) or buses? When will nuclear-nudie pix be required to cross bridges or go through tunnels or visit government buildings?

What's next along the line of intrusion? How close are we to cavity searches in exchange for the freedom to travel? Will "enhanced interrogation" become part of the boarding process?

[flaglady47]

Don’t you guys get it? Obama is getting back at us for not voting his Dems in a couple of weeks ago. He will now humiliate us (and bankrupt us) for doing so. He will humiliate you through body searches, and will further bankrupt you by allowing the Bush tax cuts to expire. Welcome to Obama Payback World.

[J Edgar]

The line has been drawn. How are you and I going to respond? It is clearly a direct violation of the 4th Amendment prohibition of “ ... unreasonable search ... “
Where is Congress? where are the courts? where are all those who have taken an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution?

We have arrived at the point of a full-blown police state assault upon our freedoms, the rule of law, and our constitution.

After thousands of infrequent travelers are assaulted over Thanks Giving holiday, what will be their response? It’s going to take more that a rally in Washington DC to turn these treason around. IMHO

[Luke21]

All these internet cowboys get old. They are always gonna beat somebody up or kick somebody’s butt or demand a female groper or shoot bad guy home invaders from out of a dead sleep like Rambo.

The other annoying people are the ones who insist we suddenly get lawyers and file lawsuits in the super expensive and deadly corrupt legal system. Talk about a leap into a maze of nothingness.

[4integrity]

‘..imagine the uproar if Bush had implemented these policies...’

my thought too. the media and all liberals would be screaming about infringement of privacy.

[Luke21]

If we are going to get offended by a cartoon when the fascists are treating us like filth, we deserve this. That cartoon nails it.

[Fiji Hill]

Surf over to http://www.wewontfly.com

[markman46]

I believe you are right this is the punishment for voting against the “one”

[TexasGreg]

When the TSA Screener’s hand goes over the person’s crotch, the person should should say: “Oh yes ... do it again about 300 more times. You’ll know when to stop.” Embarrass the CRAP out of ‘em.

Then, take their badge number and name and contact your DA, telling them you want to press criminal charges under Title 18 U.S.C. Section 2242.

[rawhide]

It has been reported that the TSA goons are hiding their badge number and name, so they cannot be id’d.

[Red Dog #1]

I'm starting to wonder if the Democrats have some sort of political suicide/death wish. Pop over to DU, even they're worked up about this one.

[pops88]

“We need to do what Gays do, massive protests and demonstrations outside of airports.”

I agree. I’ve said before we need our TEA Party people to get organized on this. I was happy to hear a panel member on either Hannity or O’Reilly say the same thing. This isn’t going to stop just because we complain and some of us quit flying.

[DJ MacWoW]

“Government is not reason; it is not eloquence. It is force. And force, like fire, is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.” George Washington

[TexasGreg]

The line has been drawn. How are you and I going to respond? It is clearly a direct violation of the 4th Amendment prohibition of “ ... unreasonable search ... “

Where is Congress? where are the courts? where are all those who have taken an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution?

It is not only a Civil Rights Violation of the 4th Amendment, it is also a violation of Title 18 U.S.C. Section 2242. One should file not only a civil rights case in order to hit the TSA and Homeland Security, one should also file CRIMINAL charges against the TSA Screener. They can't get out of that by claiming "I was just following orders." Not since Nuremberg.

The claim has been erroneously made that the 4th Amendment is too vague, but the USSC has clearly indicated in the past that searches which involve the intentional touching and/or manipulation of sexual organs constitute unreasonable unless certain, specific circumstances are in place (i.e., a Warrant, a Court Order, or some other legally prescribed circumstance). In certain standing situations body-cavity searches are enabled within the prison system and in the presence of someone charged with overseeing the process. None of this is present in the current circumstances. No law has been passed by congress authorizing these procedures, no court in the land has ruled on them either. By ANY definition one wishes to apply, they are violations of the "unreasonable" test within the 4th Amendment.

As for the searches being criminal violations of Title 18 U.S.C., Section 2242, the question becomes the nature of the touch, its being intentional and not incidental, and the perception of the person being touched relative to the coercion of the situation involved. The recent "upping-of-the-ante" by telling people they can't leave until questioned, etc., places the TSA in an even worse legal situation by increasing the coercion levels even further beyond where they were before that aspect of the situation was publicized.

The TSA cannot just claim that their searches, which involve the intentional touching of sexual organs, are not violations of Title 18 Section 2242. That is for a Grand Jury and a criminal court to determine. Keep in mind, despite what they seem to think, they are NOT above the Law.

[realcleanguy]

exactly

[Girlene]

From several TSA employees came cries of “Opt out!’’ “Male opt out!’’ I was pulled over to the side and told I would be searched.

These TSA agents have been told to be ready for "dissenters" and will make it rough on them until everyone complies with the nude scanners.....scanners that we have no idea if they are safe (healthwise or privacy-wise).

[Jubal Harshaw]

The DA of San Mateo County (home of SFO) has announced that he will prosecute sexual assault conducted by screeners.

Better get the Sheriff / police on the scene before you leave the TSA booth, however, because you will not be getting a badge number or name out of the TSA. I’ve tried, with no luck. They wear covers over their nametags and badge numbers, and they certainly won’t tell you their names or badge numbers when asked.

[Cardhu]

Don't be delusional - both sides are all for controlling the American people, listen to the Dems and Repubs at the Senate Commerce committee hearing and see how they suck up to TSA´s Pistole.

Their main interest is to get more money for TSA so they can expand the theatre in to every aspect of your life.

See how obsequious they are to the guy they are supposed to oversee...

Here is the link if you have the stomach to see it and weep.

Senate Commerce Committee hearing