The Almost Foolhardy Bravery of the TSA

Brian Doherty | August 22, 2006

All those potential explosive liquids that we can't bring on planes anymore? Brave TSA agents are, of course, are not afraid; see here as they

willingly risk their lives by handling potentially explosive liquids as roughly as if they were nothing more than harmless toiletries.

The blog entry from "No Treason" is framed in a silly conspiracy theory about how the TSA wants to harm the homeless who in some cities are allowed to take all these half-of-a-deadly-bomb items; but to me it's pure blooded Yankee-doodle courage.

Comments

Timothy|8.22.06 @ 11:51AM|#

I thought it was just TSA screeners who were illiterate, now I'm starting to think it's everyone who works for government. Even a cursory reading of the Constitution would find these asinine policies wanting. Free interstate travel, anyone?

|8.22.06 @ 12:24PM|#

"Free interstate travel, anyone?"

This is something that's going to become a major litigating point as TSA expands to cover other forms of transportation besides airlines. Past court decisions upholding warrantless searches and harassment of airline passengers placed a great deal of emphasis on the idea that if you didn't want to go through that there were other methods of transportation you could take. If TSA begins running security checkpoints at train stations, bus stations, etc. (as it has said it intends to), that argument is progressively undermined.

|8.22.06 @ 12:24PM|#

Brian, dude, how about reading the full post:

"TSA screeners are so dedicated to this plot that they willingly risk their lives by handling potentially explosive liquids as roughly as if they were nothing more than harmless toiletries. Or maybe they?ve all been brainwashed by the KGB. Or aliens! It might be true, you know.

After all, what other explanation could there be? That all those things really are harmless, that the government?s just trying to put on a big show? That?s crazy talk."

It's called sarcasm, mon ami. M. No Treason is on your side!

|8.22.06 @ 12:25PM|#

I see FDNY hats, shirts and car stickers everywhere honoring the bravery of those men. Where is the merchandising honoring the TSA for saving us from our own mouthwash and deodorant?

|8.22.06 @ 12:30PM|#

To be fair, in England it makes a lot more sense to confiscate the toothpaste: If you find a Brit with toothpaste that represents a pattern of unusual and suspicious behavior.

|8.22.06 @ 12:36PM|#

"If TSA begins running security checkpoints at train stations, bus stations, etc. (as it has said it intends to), that argument is progressively undermined."

What's the matter? Your legs broke?

If you don't like the policy, then you can always walk.

|8.22.06 @ 12:49PM|#

If you don't like the policy, then you can always walk.

I don't know, pedestrians seems suspicious. :)

|8.22.06 @ 12:50PM|#

As of yesterday, TSA was still confiscating barrels full of water, shampoo, etc. from people attempting to board planes. "Obviously" some of these people are not morons but terrorists trying to see if the security works. But is TSA detaining such people and testing the confiscated materials? Noooooo. So, can we then say that the Bush administration is letting terrorists slip through its fingers? Don't you just feel so much safer when you fly today!

|8.22.06 @ 1:04PM|#

Now now people, we have to find a balance between forcing passengers to fly tied-up and naked, and allowing planes to be blown up by their clothes and personal items.

|8.22.06 @ 8:43PM|#

Now now people, we have to find a balance between forcing passengers to fly tied-up and naked...

We do?? Damn!