The TSA: They're Laughing At You, Not With You

Inside the mind of the frontline of offense against Americans' dignity:

[T]hat vibrator in your carry-on luggage that looks like it would satisfy an elephant, yeah I see that and I see you standing right in front of me. But sure be offended by the naked x-ray image a person in another room is seeing, don't worry about the vibrator at all or the other weird and crazy crap in your bag. I have seen the way parents treat their kids and kids treat their parents in the airport and security checkpoint. I have seen 12 year old girls dressed like Tijuana whores with mommy right next to them dressed the same way. I have seen husbands and wives get into fist fights over who is carrying a bag. I have seen grown men and women throw hissy fits like a two year old child because they were asked to remove their shoes. This is the stuff you should be ashamed of and worried about TSA officers seeing. This is what should make you feel humiliated because trust me, we may be professionals but when you come through the checkpoint with crazy stuff in your bag or acting like an idiot, we are going to talk about you after you leave. Oh hell yes we are. It is going to become the highlight of the conversation at TSA officer gatherings….

Flying is a privilege not a right. As such, it can be and is regulated. Requirements can and are set up to ensure that everyone who flies is safe. If you don't like it, then don't fly.

Jim Bovard classic 2004 Reason magazine cover feature on the TSA's feckless overreach, summing up their real mission: "Dominate. Intimidate. Control."