Not A Single Terrorist Arrest From The Full-BS Body Scanners
Travel writer Charlie Leocha blogs at TSANewsBlog:
At a forum conducted by National Journal yesterday on aviation security, John Halinski, TSA's Assistant Administrator for Global Strategies, claimed that the TSA mission was to protect passenger security. Not so. The difference in mission between what one of the administration's top security executives and the TSA website claims makes a big difference in how the U.S. is spending time and money regarding "ensuring freedom of movement for people and commerce."Halinski was asked directly whether there has been even a single instance of an arrest or detention of anyone, in any way, related to terrorism based on airport whole-body scanners. His answer was, "No." Of course, he then went on to assert that the mere fact that we have these whole-body scanners is keeping terrorists away. (Evidently, terrorists don't have access to websites that tell them which airports have whole-body scanners and which don't.)
...When I questioned Mr. Halinski about the current TSA searches for prohibited items such as tools of any sort, knives, and boxcutters that were prohibited immediately post-9/11 because the cockpit doors were not yet hardened, he claimed that TSA was protecting the security of passengers by confiscating knives and brass knuckles.
His amazing answer was that though cockpits were now hardened, it was the mission of the TSA to prevent passengers from hitting other passengers with brass knuckles or from engaging in knife flights on a plane -- a closed space where such a fight might terrorize passengers.
I followed up Halinski's answer, noting that this business of protecting passengers from knife fights was a bit of mission creep for TSA. I also stated that in the whole history of the U.S. airline industry there has never been a report of a knife fight between passengers on a plane.
TSA should be the entity that should be pressing for relief from useless security checks that slow down the security process and end up costing the administration hundreds of million of dollars in money and time lost by passengers.
Check out the list at the link of the ridiculous banned items, including "Wrenches and Pliers (greater than seven inches in length)." Charlie writes:
When was the last time a plane was hijacked by a screw gun? When was the last time a passenger was threatened by a wrench?Has there ever been reported any violence in an airplane caused by Martial Arts & Self Defense Items?
Again, this is not security, and the more Americans mindlessly put up with having their rights yanked away, the more it will happen. Americans giving up their Fourth Amendment with a smile and a "Yessir!"...paving our way to a police state.
TSA isn't for preventing terrorism or keeping passengers safe for anything. TSA is about government control and intimidation... and union contracts.
Johnny at May 17, 2012 7:37 AM
"I also stated that in the whole history of the U.S. airline industry there has never been a report of a knife fight between passengers on a plane."
This just proves that the TSA is doing a good job.
On a related note, I planted marigolds in my back yard to keep out the elephants. There have never been any elephants in my back yard, so that proves that the marigolds work.
Steamer at May 17, 2012 8:26 AM
I'm reminded of A Random Guy's comment about how America is at the awkward stage. That point where they're putting up with an awful lot of B.S. but we're not sufficiently outraged to shoot the bastards.
Patrick at May 17, 2012 9:29 AM
Well, I'm sufficiently outraged, I just don't want to be the one to fire the first shot. Although I suppose someone has to...
Flynne at May 17, 2012 9:51 AM
Oh, the old "think up a mission that justifies whatever you're already doing" routine. Reminds me of the old joke about the guy who sees a kid shooting arrows at targets painted on trees in the forest. He'd hit the bullseye every time. It was easy, the kid explained. Shoot the arrow first, and paint the target on afterward.
Old RPM Daddy at May 17, 2012 10:12 AM
"Hardened cockpits"? He's a perverted piece of filth! Dirty, dirty, dirty!
He's telling us that if we don't like TSA, we can suck his hardened cockpit, the sicko!
Patrick at May 17, 2012 10:42 AM
I don't know that I object to being searched...we've had metal detectors for a long time. It's the invasive nature of the search. A policeman wouldn't do a patdown the way Amy was invaded.
I just think it's amazing that an organization of unprofessionals get to fondle us in a way that even professionals don't. At least not without charging us first.
Patrick at May 17, 2012 10:46 AM
Someone could kill a person with a shoe lace if they wanted. Their reasoning is just asinine.
Chelsey at May 17, 2012 10:50 AM
TSA is now on the interstate, at least in Tennessee
Patrick at May 17, 2012 11:10 AM
Granted, we've had metal scanners for some time. The difference for me is that before 9/11, the airlines ran security for their own planes. Want to fly? Step through here. 4th Amendment doesn't apply - private transaction.
Now the feds run it. The feds ARE subject to the proscriptions of the 4th Amendment. That some fed judge eying a better seat somewhere okayed it is outrageous. Oath? What oath?
Lou Skannen at May 17, 2012 11:21 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2012/05/17/tsa_not_a_singl.html#comment-3194612">comment from ChelseySomeone could kill a person with a shoe lace if they wanted. Their reasoning is just asinine.
If you sit next to me in flight yammering into your cell phone, as Virgin will soon allow, I will probably be able to kill you with my laser stare of hate.
Amy Alkon
at May 17, 2012 11:33 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2012/05/17/tsa_not_a_singl.html#comment-3194614">comment from Amy AlkonAnd if it only interrupts your call, and I can do it without disturbing the people around me, I will join in your conversation or read aloud.
Amy Alkon
at May 17, 2012 11:34 AM
"Wrenches and Pliers (greater than seven inches in length)."
I foresee a business opportunity here - producing 6.9" wrenches stamped "TSA Approved". Be very handy if you really do need to slug the guy next to you.
A similar thing came up in Japan when they introduced a differential registration pricing system for large and small cars, to encourage smaller cars (the financial penalty for a large car was *huge*). But they defined the cutoff in cubic volume of the car. Some ridiculous vehicles got designed, culminating in boxes "exactly" the right size to meet the regs. Hopelessly unaerodynamic and dangerous, of course.
Ltw at May 17, 2012 11:41 PM
Pliers would be handy too for cutting the earplug wires of people who insist on firing up their favourite comedy shows on their laptops - and laughing out loud at all the jokes. I find that more annoying than crying babies.
Ltw at May 17, 2012 11:44 PM
Back to the top for a fundamental lesson:
A person you catch in a scanner or by a patdown is NOT automatically a "terrorist".
Because of the pervasive nature of the program and the willingness of the people to believe Homeland Security only affects "other people", as mission creep continues, the definition of terrorism has been purposely allowed to change.
Now it means anything used to threaten another person.
In fact, terrorism has the express purpose of making a political statement.
It is NOT "violence", nor is it the possession of something prohibited some people (note that bans don't apply to everyone).
Radwaste at May 18, 2012 2:58 AM
The one that I want to ask is what happens when the National Right to Carry Reciprocity Act of 2012 passes.
As judged by my state, I have the right to carry a concealed firearm. Because of that right and the federal government, I can carry that firearm, concealed, in 49 other states.
But then I get to the airport and have to disarm? And how about putting it in luggage with all the attendant nightmare of traveling with a firearm.
Just asking.
Jim P. at May 18, 2012 8:15 AM
I'm driving to tennessee this weekend. Guess I better be happy the courts have rules, and just shut up if I'm stopped, right Patrick? After all, I don't have the right to drive on just any road I wish.
momof4 at May 18, 2012 11:16 AM
Jeff Guinn at May 18, 2012 2:27 PM
have ruled...have ruled....
momof4 at May 18, 2012 3:42 PM
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