Last TSA Story You Ever Need to Read: Priest Defrocked Over Sex Abuse Charges Hired at PHL Airport

This is arguably the last story anyone should ever have to read about the Transportation Security Administration (TSA):

The CBS 3 I-Team has learned that a Catholic priest who was removed from the ministry over sex abuse allegations now holds a sensitive security post at Philadelphia International Airport.

The security checkpoint between Terminals D and E is a busy place where thousands of people – including lots of kids – pass through every day. But you might not believe who the I-Team observed working as a TSA supervisor at that checkpoint this week: Thomas Harkins.

Until 2002, Harkins was a Catholic priest working at churches across South Jersey. But the Diocese of Camden removed him from ministry because it found he sexually abused two young girls. Now, in a new lawsuit, a third woman is claiming she also is one of Harkins' victims.

The I-Team asked Harkins about the suit as he was leaving his shift at the airport.

"I have nothing to say," was Harkins' reply.

Whole pathetic tale here. [Link fixed]

Serious question: Exactly what will it take for the feds to admit that the TSA is a giant mistake that needs to be scrapped? This is an agency that was created by a Republican president and subsequently evaluated by Republican congressman as worse than worthless. You'd think that either the GOP or the Dems would pounce on this truly unpopular agency as something to chuck out altogether, if only to make partisan hay and win the hearts and minds of air travelers from the Grand Coulee Dam to the Capitol. But they're idiots, babe, it's a wonder they can even feed themselves. (Gratuitous Dylan reference explained.)

Hat tips: Richard Abowitz and Lene Johansen.

Reason on TSA.

And here's ReasonTV's playlist of TSA vids, including such hits as "44 Ways to Say TSA," "TSA My Ding-a-Ling Sing-Along," and "Remy: Do the TSA Pokey-Pokey."

Comments

[Reformed Republican]

The TSA were just making sure they hired someone with the relevant qualifications. This guy already had previous experience with groping children, so he was perfect for the job.

[Pound. Head. On. Desk.]

He should have no problem putting in for overtime, right?

[invisible furry hand]

Exactly, he's spot anything suspicious in a 6 year old's junk in a split second

[Pound. Head. On. Desk.]

Well, less a job, more a paying hobby for him, really.

[Warty]

The link's wrong.

[Espantapajaros]

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.c.....ks-at-phl/

[sarcasmic]

Exactly what will it take for the feds to admit that the TSA is a giant mistake that needs to be scrapped?

Nothing. If anything the TSA will be expanded to provide security theater at bus stations, train stations, and even the subway.

[R C Dean]

Now, now, sarcasmic. I can imagine a scenario where the provisional government that takes office after the Second American Revolution would scrap the TSA.

Short of that, though, I expect to see the TSA expand, not contract.

[Seanrude]

and movie theaters, supermarkets, shopping malls, post offices, schools, parks....

[Geoff Nathan]

The book cover image is so funny it's not even funny.
Sigh.
Where did it come from? I'd like to link to it on my FB page.

[SIV]

There's this thing called Google

You can always save the image and upload and post on facebook.

[SIV]

If the link doesn't work just do an image search for "my first cavity search".

[Scruffy Nerfherder]

Do what you love.

[wareagle]

Serious question: Exactly what will it take for the feds to admit that the TSA is a giant mistake that needs to be scrapped?

Serious, really? There is next to nothing that will cause govt to scuttle a jobs program, even one that ostensibly is aimed at public safety, no matter how inept it is. DC does not punish failure; it rewards it. If anything, TSA will undergo a "review" from another of those blue ribbon bipartisan commissions that will put forth recommendations that Congress will ignore.

[Seanrude]

Congress won't ignore the recommendation to spend more money

[oldtimer]

Where is your link to the story? The first link went to the Bob Dylan reference.

[Loki]

Anytime some statist fuck-wad says anything about how the TSA is "making airports safe" or any other TSA fluffing remark, I think I'll just refer them to this story.

I've long suspected that the only people who would want that job are pedophiles and assorted perverts, and now I have at least one data point to back that up.

[mad libertarian guy]

Another is the case where, in Miami, as they were testing the naked scanners, a TSA "agent" passed through only to be made fun of by his "work" mates for having a small dick.

[D.A. Ridgely]

Ignoring whether any Dylan reference can really be gratuitous, the original lyric line is sadly more appropriate: we're all the idiots (babe) for permitting this insanity to continue.

[Espantapajaros]

Congress is in the process of giving TSA more money via a fee hike.

Obviously, they love it.

[Deep Lurker]

The TSA has been a tremendous success at its actual purpose. It's only its ostensible, publicly-claimed purpose that it has been a failure at.

The elites running the government all hate, loathe, and fear the concept of ordinary persons using violence in self-defense. They know that they can't go back to the 'golden age' of "In in the event of a hijacking, remain in your seats, with your hands folded in your laps, and wait for the Official Approved Government Experts to deal with the situation." Even so, they are desperate to do anything - anything at all - that will let them avoid admitting that sometimes the best response is for private persons to rise up and administer violence all on their own. Thus the TSA: It exists to make this as difficult as possible, both physically and psychologically.

The purpose of the TSA isn't to prevent another Twin Towers attack, it's to prevent another Flight 93.

[protefeed]

The purpose of the TSA is to get people used to surrendering to authority, and getting treated like perps, and getting used to the idea that the Bill of Rights does not apply any more.

[Tulpa the White]

Never assume conspiracy when ordinary bureaucratic laziness and hamhandedness offers an equally plausible explanation.

[Juice]

He now holds a sensitive post. "Uh huh huh huh"

[Tulpa the White]

This is totally appropriate, since most TSA procedures are essentially religious rituals at this point.

[Lurker Kurt]

Who ever thought of the title for this article has won the forum discussion before it even started.