Celebrity detained, keychain confiscated

Read the story of this menace to society that the TSA saved us from!

Arrested?!

Okay, I get that it is illegal to bring a gun onto a plane (although, I think this should be a decision made by airlines/airports, not the feds). But, people forget about contraband all the time when going to the airport. Usually, traveling means you have about 500 things on your mind. Is it really necessary to arrest an otherwise law-abiding citizen with a legal right to carry a gun for forgetting to take it out of his backpack. I mean, if he had remembered, it's really easy to check an unloaded firearm when you check in for your flight. And, does the TSA really think that someone would be stupid enough to put the gun in a bag and then put the bag on the x-ray belt?

Give the guy a warning, make him check his gun, and send him on his way! This guy is not a terrorist, so why does our government insist on treating him that way?

Just to refresh your memory...

National Review has compiled a list of "Ten TSA Outrages." (In case you've forgotten some of these.)

Gwyneth Paltrow on scanners

I personally think that the position you must assume when getting irradiated at the airport is akin to that a criminal takes just prior to an arrest, Gwyneth Paltrow sees it differently:

"Going through the airport, saw a very elderly lady getting scanned by that new xray thing...the TSA has everybody throwing up the ROC, its too good," she wrote. The ROC would be throwing your diamond in the sky in praise of Jay-Z (longtime Paltrow pal) and his empire.

Celebrity opt-out

Richard Simmons opted out, but entertained his captors.

Gawking at the stars

One blogger doesn't like seeing Rhianna comply with TSA procedures. He also points out:

Rhianna was randomly picked for a naked body scan at LAX. Randomly, like we are to believe some perv in a TSA uniform didn’t see her coming.

Another celebrity groping at LAX

This time, the actor tweeted about it. (Warning: Bad language - but who can blame him?)

TSA brutality

Robin Kassner (who was a featured millionairess on Millionaire Matchmaker) was attacked by the TSA for "raising her voice" and becoming "angry [and] disruptive" while they searched her bags (without a warrant, as usual). She got a concussion, but, better yet, the video is available so you can see the absurd use of force by the goons in blue.

Great coverage at the Guardian

Jennifer Abel summarizes the TSA controversy so far, saying, "Desperation is when once-proud and free Americans like me are reduced to pleading, 'Save us, Jesse Ventura, you're our only hope.'"

Jesse Ventura suing the TSA

Ventura doesn't like the new custody search and will not fly commercial anymore.

H/T Graham Dugas

TSA = DEA

Not sure what Montel Williams' marijuana pipe has to do with airline security (actually, I know it has nothing to do with airline security, just like everything else the TSA does).

Sign on the dotted line

This is a great quote from Donna D'Errico:

"I must have overlooked the clause in both my Playboy and 'Baywatch' contracts stating that once appearing in that magazine, or on that show, I would forever be subject to being seen naked live and in person by anyone, at anytime, under any conditions, whether I agree to it or not, and for free," she said sarcastically.

"I posed for Playboy 15 years ago. I was on 'Baywatch' 13 years ago. Both of those were controlled environments, with proper lighting, makeup, etc., and were jobs. I contractually agreed to do both of those jobs. I could have stopped or changed my mind at any time. None of those conditions are present when TSA decides for you that you will consent to being scanned or felt up, or you simply won't be allowed your constitutional right to travel from one place to another freely."

Followed by this zinger:

It's a misuse of power and authority, and as much a personal violation as a Peeping Tom. The difference is that Peeping Toms can have charges pressed against them.

Ouch!

H/T Becky Akers

Is TSA an arm of the DEA?

First, Willie Nelson is arrested after being stopped by a Border Patrol agent for drug possession. Then rapper Kurtis Blow gets a ticket for possession at LAX. There's no argument that can be made here that these events made transportation in the US more secure. However, they both entail warrantless searches.

Some TSA humor

A reader sends along this video and says "Satire is always an effective statement of rebellion to shake up the system."



And a friend sends along this link of Adam Savage's (of Mythbusters fame) experience with security theater (NB: bad language):

Delta brushes off Glenn Jacobs

Glenn Jacobs wrote the following message to Delta regarding his travel plans, and got the standard response (scroll down to see their response):

I am writing to express my concern over the TSA's body
scanners and new pat down protocols. Since the creation of the TSA, I
have avoided flying whenever possible. Unfortunately, due to the nature
of my business, this is not often possible. However, the TSA has now
gone beyond the pale. While I must still fly for business, I will not
allow my family to be subjected to this sort of treatment, so flying for
pleasure is out. In addition, I am actively encouraging everyone I know
to avoid flying as much as possible. Delta runs a great business, and I
have always felt like a valued customer when on flying on it. However,
there are many frequent travelers who feel the same way that I do. The
TSA has not only failed to make us safer, it has become the bane of our
traveling experience.

Delta's response: