All of the recent terrorist plots have been discovered by double agents? There was an article about this (that I unfortunately can't seem to find again), that pointed out that the double agents seem to actually initiate the plots: persuade their targets to carry out an attack, provide the equipment, and then arrest them.

After all, the best way to raise your count of "terror plots stopped" is to initiate the plots yourself.

Oh no! She's reaching critical breast mass!

I seriously doubt this. It's obviously the next logical step from shoe and underwear bombs and effectively search-proof, given the prevalence of implants. But the technical problems, like having to detonate a very small amount of explosives against the skin of the plane remain.

Of course, it is possible that Al Qaida are that stupid.

The good news is we can rate bombs in bra calibers now - "don't worry, that's only a B cup, will never penetrate the armor" "Watch out, DD at six o'clock!"

Bullshit on stilts. PETN is way too unstable to be used this way. Any explosive that could be detonated without a blasting cap is.

And it would be kind of obvious if you had an electrical interface on your chest to trigger the C4.

That's not even counting the fact that most explosives are toxic.

The only way this works is if they shove it up their ass.

"Hello, Department of Security Theatre. How may I destroy your Constitution today?"

*Yeah, this is Bob over in Public Humiliation and Perversion. We need something to justify more intrusive searches. Any ideas?*

"Well, I saw 'The Dark Knight', and there was a scene with a guy that had a cell phone detonator and plastic explosives sewn into his body. You could say that Al Qaeda has suddenly developed advanced surgical skills to implant bombs in people ..."

*Holy crap. That's so stupid the public just might buy it! Thanks!*

This sounds like reasoning to force people to go through the scanners.
Of course, the newspaper reported without citing its sources.
Regardless of whether the scanners are damaging to bodies or insulin pumps, they are damaging to our rights.

If you want to scream about your Fourth Amendment rights, go right ahead. The courts will not listen to you. If you don't wish to be searched, don't fly. Period. End of discussion.

You do not have a "right to fly," therefore TSA searches are done "by consent." That's the reasoning they use, and that's what the courts are upholding.

If you want TSA gone, boycott.

But if you're going to have hissy fits claiming your rights have been violated, I hate to break it to you, but you sound like idiots. You're no different from the internet trolls who get banned from message boards who whine, "What happened to our first amendment rights of free speeeeeeeeeeeeeeech? Waaaaaah!"

The First Amendment means that the government cannot curtail your freedom of speech. Private companies certainly can. Same deal with the Fourth Amendment.

I hate TSA as much the rest of you. However, kicking and screaming and holding your breath about the Fourth Amendment will get you nowhere. I can't make it any clearer than that.

Sorry, Amy, but the courts have already ruled, and you're wrong. A right to travel does not mean a right to fly. It means you have a right to get from point A to point B. The constitution, nor any court, has ever averred that the right to travel implies a right to fly.

If you need to go across country and don't wish to be searched, there's Amtrak and there's road-tripping it.

If you wish to go to Paris..."Every night, in my dreams...I see you...I feel you...that is how I know you go on..."

Amy, you're arguing against what the courts have already ruled. As far as that direction is concerned, it is "Game Over."

Is flying a privilege?

Yes. It is extended to those who can afford it.

Patrick - TSA has extended their searches to both of the modes of transit you mention.

A gentleman was stopped in CT last week. Seems that the radioactive dye he was injected with for some test set off a sensor in a cop car, and he was pulled over and searched, despite the fact that he had a note from the doctor detailing precisely what had been done.

Fourth amendment or no, this is ridiculous.

Where does it end? Walking to the corner store for a sandwich is probable cause for a cavity search?

Well, since the courts aren't helping us -- we've tried Fourth Amendment rights, and lost -- time to hit them in the pocket. Amy has the right idea with the sick, perverted TSA agent who penetrated her manually.

Patrick, you have been cheated of an education. Travel by flight is Federally controlled. It is NOT a simple contract between a provider and a customer.

Question: why are you so determined to preserve being presumed guilty for wanting to fly - and to preserve the slippery slope enabling the expansion of Federally-approved police?

Where do YOU want them to stop?

Radwaste, you have been cheated of brains. The courts have ruled that you do not have a right to fly and that all searches are considered voluntary. If you do not wish to be searched, don't fly.

It is not ME arguing this point. It is what the courts have ruled. Do you not understand this concept? Your arguments have been tried at a court of law and found wanting...are you going to continue to argue your indefensible position because your too embarrassed to admit you don't know what you're talking about and the courts have already ruled against you?

Or can you get this concept to sink in without me having to get out the hammer?

Answer the question, Patrick: where do you want them to stop?