The TSA are terrorists

Started by sudonym November 10th, 2010 11:00 PM
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  • 4 replies
Male
Seen November 11th, 2010
Posted November 11th, 2010
2 posts
12.5 Years
Recent revisions to the TSA screening practices now force victims (yes, victims) to choose between a body scan that essentially allows TSA agents to see you naked or between a pat-down where they, by every conceivable definition of the word, molest you. There's an example on YouTube (Meg McLain Singled out by the TSA, Cuffed to a Chair, Her Ticket Ripped up) of a girl trying to ask the TSA agents some questions about the pat-down procedure before they performed it on her. You should watch the full video, because what the TSA agents did doesn't sound far off from rape. They also handcuffed her to a chair and ripped up her ticket (something they don't have the authority to do).

The clincher is that nearly everyone I've talked to or heard from in the airline or security fields says that procedures like these don't actually accomplish anything. It has been termed "security theater" because, rather than actually doing anything useful, it just shows that the money going to the TSA is actually being used for something, useful or not. Rather, those that I have heard from have said that these sort of searches never turn up anything that a normal pat-down wouldn't. I've also been told by those in the know that substance bans are equally useless, which seems apparent given that every time one substance is banned, the terrorists simply switch to some other bomb-making substance.

What I want to know first is how you all feel about this. Do you feel that the TSA is justified in doing this? Personally, I feel that this is a huge violation of our rights as citizens and as people. However, I know that there are some who would argue that anything that might potentially save lives is worth it (though I would retort that, in that case, we should all be forced to live in protective bubbles our entire lives). But most of all, what do you feel should be done? Simply boycotting the airlines won't work, since they're not responsible for this; rather, they're losing all sorts of money because of it. This isn't an issue that gets a lot of media attention, so I'm really at a loss as to how I, personally, should respond. What do you all think?

Melody

Banned

Female
Cuddling those close to me
Seen March 4th, 2018
Posted March 2nd, 2018
6,459 posts
18.6 Years
Well...I certainly don't mind the scan, but I think the pat down needs to be restricted to people who can't go through the scanner and are under reasonable suspicion only.

The scan itself is no where nearly as degrading as the thorough pat-down is...so that's where the focus ought to be. It needs to be limited to very rare situations where no other possible screening solution can be performed. x3
Age 29
Seen November 5th, 2017
Posted November 5th, 2017
3,499 posts
14.9 Years
Recent revisions to the TSA screening practices now force victims (yes, victims) to choose between a body scan that essentially allows TSA agents to see you naked
This scan doesn't show the naked body, it shows the outline of the body, much like an X-ray. Saying it shows you naked is an exaggeration.
or between a pat-down where they, by every conceivable definition of the word, molest you. There's an example on YouTube (Meg McLain Singled out by the TSA, Cuffed to a Chair, Her Ticket Ripped up) of a girl trying to ask the TSA agents some questions about the pat-down procedure before they performed it on her. You should watch the full video, because what the TSA agents did doesn't sound far off from rape. They also handcuffed her to a chair and ripped up her ticket (something they don't have the authority to do).
Just watched some of that video, when I realised it was just her talking, I stopped watching. Anyone can make that claim, where's the evidence? I could call someone right now and make up a story about how I was "nearly molested" I'm not going to take some YouTube video and treat it as credible evidence. Even if that did happen, it's illegal and not condoned by anyone. Individuals can take action themselves and it doesn't represent the intentions of the whole organisation. If one, two, or even one hundred police officers turned out to be corrupt, it doesn't mean that the entire police force is corrupt. There are laws covering this (I'm sure that a strip search can only be conducted by someone of the same sex) and any breach of the law is the fault of the individual.

The clincher is that nearly everyone I've talked to or heard from in the airline or security fields says that procedures like these don't actually accomplish anything. It has been termed "security theater" because, rather than actually doing anything useful, it just shows that the money going to the TSA is actually being used for something, useful or not. Rather, those that I have heard from have said that these sort of searches never turn up anything that a normal pat-down wouldn't.
"These types of searches" I'm not sure what type you are referring to here. Could you clarify?

I've also been told by those in the know that substance bans are equally useless, which seems apparent given that every time one substance is banned, the terrorists simply switch to some other bomb-making substance.
"Those in the know" who? But yes, obviously they will switch substances so they can try and get past the barriers. But there's really no effective way to prevent that. At least banning such substances makes it a little more difficult for any terrorists. If they didn't ban such substances then terrorists would have no trouble at all, so even if the most effective measure still isn't very effective at all, it still has to be put into practice.

Do you feel that the TSA is justified in doing this?
Searching people? Of course it's justified. Doing what the video described? Well if such an event did actually take place, that's breaking the law, so it's certainly not justified.

What do you feel should be done?
Report any felonies to a higher authority, either the police or TSA themselves. I highly doubt the big bosses over at TSA would support such actions.
Male
Seen November 11th, 2010
Posted November 11th, 2010
2 posts
12.5 Years
There are some things you're right on. I suppose that woman's statement could be exaggerated or manufactured; they wouldn't let her take pictures so we can't know.
I'm sure that a strip search can only be conducted by someone of the same sex
I've heard this isn't true anymore.

"These types of searches" I'm not sure what type you are referring to here. Could you clarify?
The new patdown procedures which are far more invasive than before.

"Those in the know" who?
I can't back those statements up because they're things I've learned from various people at various points in the past.

But yes, obviously they will switch substances so they can try and get past the barriers. But there's really no effective way to prevent that. At least banning such substances makes it a little more difficult for any terrorists. If they didn't ban such substances then terrorists would have no trouble at all, so even if the most effective measure still isn't very effective at all, it still has to be put into practice.
Nonsense. For example, the ban on certain liquids is outright stupid. You would have to be doing something quite noticeable for the better part of a few hours. There are far better ways to explode a part of a plane using things that aren't banned (like a laptop battery, for instance). It's just "security theater" as usual.

And, again, by your logic, perhaps we should ban all people from flying, since 100% of terrorists are people? That would stop all the attacks on airplanes, wouldn't it? Or, perhaps a less extreme example; how about we ban all luggage? We'd be much safer that way. Sure, it would rob people of their freedoms, but who cares if it makes us feel a little safer? When we start trading our own freedoms for perceived security gains, the terrorists win because we've become terrorized.

Do you feel that the TSA is justified in doing this?
Searching people? Of course it's justified. Doing what the video described? Well if such an event did actually take place, that's breaking the law, so it's certainly not justified.
I don't think the new patdown procedures could be justified in any way.

What do you feel should be done?
Report any felonies to a higher authority, either the police or TSA themselves. I highly doubt the big bosses over at TSA would support such actions.
I think you'd be surprised. I can't imagine the police caring about a "suspected terrorist" (ha), and TSA doesn't really care about much except making themselves seem relevant.

Taemin

MOVE

he / they
USA
Seen January 6th, 2023
Posted December 9th, 2022
11,196 posts
17.8 Years
If you want opinions on this, I'd ask elsewhere instead of riling up some of the members on a Pokemon forum that you're banned from on your original account. D:

This is locking up for now, if someone feels that it has the right to stay open, then feel free to re-open it.


Closed.


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