Ron Paul on the TSA

Ron Paul and Daniel McAdams discuss the problems with the TSA and how to protect your rights in this 15-minute video.

Double-speak from the TSA

I was so bored by the predictable calls from the Congress to Do Something! that I didn't blog about it here. I didn't expect any elected officials to acknowledge that there might be fundamental issues with a system that peers under passengers' clothing. Sure enough, it is only how a small fraction of the passengers subjected to such incredible invasive procedures are treated that the elected officials think is an issue.

So, we now have a response from the TSA. It is a typical non-response, where they are going to make some superficial changes and promises (always more training!). What is very interesting, though, is that their story is contradicted by an advocacy group:

However, after reading this story and reviewing TSA's comments, NCTE Director of Policy, Harper Jean Tobin, issued a clarifying statement walking back the organization's involvement with TSA. In an email to The Advocate, Tobin said:

"TSA's response completely misses the point. Whatever they call it, a machine flagging someone for questions or pat-downs of intimate body areas just because of their body parts is unacceptable — no matter how politely officers handle it.

While NCTE offers training to government agencies as a matter of course, our training has so far reached a small fraction of TSA staff who don't actually screen people — but most importantly, they haven't retrained the machines. If TSA is going to rely on body scanners at all — and there is plenty of evidence they're not only too invasive but ineffective — they have to be able to tell the difference between a body part and a bomb. Right now they can't, and that needs to change."

Three chears from Harper Jean Tobin for pointing out that these scanners really oughtn't be used on anybody!

And here's the band-aid

The string of negative publicity following the IG report of the TSA's 95% failure rate at detecting bombs, combined with a Congressional hearing on other TSA ineffectiveness, was so thrilling to see! With editorials across the country calling for abolishing the TSA or at least a top-to-bottom revamp of the TSA, we instead get: a bipartisan bill insisting that the TSA maintain its equipment better (Yeah. That'll work.)

Rice’s legislation, the Keeping Our Travelers Safe and Secure Act (HR 2770), would require the TSA administrator to develop and implement a preventive maintenance process for airport screening technology within 180 days. The process must include specific maintenance schedules, guidance for TSA personnel and contractors on how to conduct and document maintenance actions, mechanisms to insure compliance and penalties for noncompliance.

Note how that barely scratches the surface of the IG's concerns:

“Our audits have repeatedly found that human error— often a simple failure to follow protocol—poses significant vulnerabilities,” [DHS inspector general John Roth] said. Further, despite the billions spent on aviation security technology, “our testing of certain systems has revealed no resulting improvement.”

Other areas of concern include how TSA plans for, buys, develops and maintains equipment; potential for misuse of the expedited PreCheck screening system; continued vulnerabilities in baggage screening equipment; unreliability of the behavior detection program; cybersecurity; and more.

Not to mention all those lost badges.

Is it too much to hope that this loser bill will fail and something with real muscle will be proposed instead?

A glimmer of 10th Amendment hope...

...then the hope us extinguished by a Republican politician. According to this news article, Ohio has laws on the book that prohibit the use of x-rays except as prescribed by a doctor. This means that, technically, the TSA can't legally irradiate people in Ohio airports. But a more winnable test case has arisen with the recent spate of jails using naked scanners on inmates (Tuskeegee, much?).

A sheriff in Ohio bought a scanner similar to, but more powerful than, the airports' naked scanners. It is made by a subsidiary of Canon, and is designed to see inside of people to stop smuggling and theft. Well, the Ohio state health department has shut it down (sanity, at last!).

But, of course, a GOP state senator is doing his best to get the ban lifted. Shameful.

Handheld scanners

You may have heard that the TSA is now looking for handheld naked scanners. I just can't wait until every law enforcement arm in the country is carrying around something that can strip search me without my permission or knowledge! There is a slippery slope, and we are headed down at break-neck speeds.

What I find interesting about this is how the state-friendly media (or do I repeat myself) deals with this kind of information. The original announcement that the TSA was looking for this was back in November. The ominously named Government Security News let its readers (many of whom are apparently government contractors) know that DHS "issued a presolicitation notice on Nov. 2 inviting technology companies to describe... handheld detectors that could provide such secondary screening in the event that the AIT body scanners now being rolled out to dozens of U.S. airports pick up an 'anomaly' during their primary inspections of passengers."

At the beginning of last week, there was a solicitation (not presolicitation?) for white papers on handheld naked scanners, again reported in GSN. Fast forward 6 days and this turns from a bland request for proposals-type announcement in an industry rag to a positive PR story for the TSA. Sample headlines:

• 5/26/11, LA Times, New technology may reduce TSA pat-down searches in U.S. airports
• 5/29/11, Seattle Times, TSA working on way to reduce pat-downs
• 5/29/11, Boston.com, TSA seeks tech device to cut patdowns

It may just be coincidental, but on May 29th, the story also broke that the TSA's budget is set to be cut and this may lead to higher airline ticket fees. Republicans are going to prevent this from happening by cutting other so-called government services. Democrats are joining forces with the TSA to make sure there is no real budget cut by increasing fees:

The agency, backed by Democrats in the Senate, wants to increase the security fee everyone pays with a ticket from $2.50 a flight. to $5.00 per one-way ticket. A total of $10.00 would be added to round-trip tickets.

Uhhh... why is the idea of cutting the budget of this really truly terrible agency off the table? The cynic in me knows the answer, but it's a good question to put to other citizens to get them to think about what is going on here.

End the TSA! End the TSA!

So great to hear of a bill being drafted to end this horrendous agency. Since it's coming from Rand Paul, I don't expect this to be a mere wardrobe change. I also don't have a lot of hope for it's success, but, as Christopher Elliott points out, the TSA has a PR problem, so I could be surprised.

A Senator who stands up

Rand Paul didn't just stand up for himself. He stood up for all of us. Here's an excerpt from his father's fundraising email about the news today:

After an “anomaly” turned up in his body scan as he was trying to board a flight in Nashville, Rand showed that he was clearly no threat and asked to go through the scanner a second time.

Instead of tolerating this common-sense idea, TSA officials demanded he undergo a full body pat-down.

Rand stood up for his rights and refused – and was then detained by the TSA and prevented from getting on his flight.

Though the TSA finally caved after Rand didn't back down for two hours - and allowed him to go through the scanner again - Rand caught a later flight but missed his commitment to speak at the March for Life in Washington, D.C.

Ron Paul promises to end the TSA as President. Note that he always gets the pat-down due to a medical issue that triggers it.

UPDATE: Here's Rand Paul explaining his confrontation to CNN...

Ready for the job

A Ghanaian politician who lost the last presidential election in a run-off recently offended airport security workers when he refused to be humiliated and invaded by their security procedures. Sounds like he's ready for office! When's the last time Obama or W submitted to the TSA's scan-n-grope?

Another Democrat sells out

I thought the Democrats were supposed to be concerned about our civil rights. Well, Sen Barbara Boxer (D-CA) prefers that the hugely illegal PreCheck program is expanded to LAX (as scheduled next year) so that California tourism will perk up. Way to stick to principle, Babs!

How corporatism really works

Just read this government rag:

The department’s chief procurement officer issued a presolicitation notice on Nov. 2 inviting technology companies to describe their commercial off the shelf (COTS) or near-COTS handheld detectors that could provide such secondary screening in the event that the AIT body scanners now being rolled out to dozens of U.S. airports pick up an “anomaly” during their primary inspections of passengers.

The US government has had a 50+ year history of getting various foreigners - especially Muslims - mad at us. This provoked a gruesome attack. The government retaliated against "easy targets" that had nothing, or very little, to do with the attacks and used the event to impose a police state. As part of the police state, corporatism was ramped up; that is, private contractors were given big bucks to find technology solutions to fabricated problems. So...

...Now we have porno-scanners that have pretty high false alarm rates, requiring many passengers - even if they don't opt-out - to undergo some sort of pat-down. A fabricated problem has led to a fabricated problem had led to a fabricated problem. Now a hand-held device will be developed by various companies, and they will (bribe) lobby Congress and DHS to pick their device. Given that TSA has over 60,000 employees, let's estimate that 5,000 of these devices are needed at a minimum. They're gonna cost at least $5,000 a pop, too. You do the math, but someone will get rich from this and so there is good reason to bribe officials. The cycle of government inviting corruption continues.

While everyone is suffering through the Fed-created recession, government contractors are flying high. Here's a quote from a transcript of Microsemi CEO's financial announcement:

Our Defense & Security market, as we have forecasted, grew again this quarter, up over 4% sequentially. We saw good bookings and billings opportunity in missile defense, RF systems and Millimeterwave solutions, in fact, we booked our largest at Millimeterwave order to date in the September quarter and we believe that we are still in the early innings for this advanced scanner ramp.

Will Obama listen to the people and abolish the TSA

I meant to post this awhile back, but a reader who contacted me just asked how to petition for the removal of TSA scanners reminded me that I never did. Anyway, there's a new website put up by the White House in which anyone can create a petition. After it gets 5000 signatures in 30 days, then it will be reviewed by the White House and presumably a response would be eventually forthcoming.

Well, a petition to abolish the TSA reached its goal of 5000 signatures by Oct 22, and it now has over 30,000 signatures. It should have a million signatures in my opinion, but I expect a press conference from Obama on this issue any day now.... on second thought, maybe I shouldn't hold my breath!

H/T Becky Ayers

Romney ♥ Pornoscanners

Wow! It's been awhile. I'm afraid I've gotten caught up in life and hope that I can resume regular blogging soon.

Very quickly, though, I just came across this story on Mitt Romney's advisors which includes Michael 'Pornoscanner' Chertoff. If you even remotely, for one second, considered supporting Romney for POTUS, I hope this turns you off for good. For more on Chertoff, see here.

Congressman stands up for passengers

Rep. Bennie Thompson is calling for a halt to the TSA's new SPOT program of interrogation. Although he focuses on efficacy and cost, at least the TSA is starting to lose power in Washington, if ever so slight. Read some of the Congressman's comments here. Ignore the end of the article where they praise the Israeli system, or at least read up on it here and here.

Meanwhile, an actual reporter addresses glaring problems with the Israeli system comparison and even does some investigative reporting:

The SPOT program has led to the arrest of 2,000 criminals, none of whom have been charged with terrorism.

I wonder how many of the 2,000 criminals were guilty of a victimless crime.(PS to the Weekly Herald editor: the cost of the software upgrade is $2.7 million, so, yes, a drop in the TSA budget bucket.)

Random searches of passenger buses

There was a sad and highly-publicized fatal bus accident this year that, naturally, has led to a Congressional inquiry. As part of that inquiry, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration lamented that they do not have the authority to conduct road-side inspections of the many popular, inexpensive and convenient (okay, those are my words, not theirs) passenger buses that are in operation along the eastern seaboard (also referred to around here as "Chinatown" buses because they often stop in the chinatown areas of NY, Philly, and DC). From the Sun article:

But what Anne S. Ferro, head of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, told members she is seeking seems more than reasonable — bigger fines for companies that violate the law, the ability to regulate on-line brokers and to shutter so-called "reincarnated" companies with serious safety problems in their past.

That would seem more than justified given that half of all bus-related deaths over the past decade can be traced to operators with safety issues. Frequently, they involve drivers who work far more hours than federal regulations allow.

One way Congress could dramatically improve bus safety would be to allow random road-side inspections. Small charter bus operators often don't have a fixed terminal or regular schedule, so conducting inspections otherwise can be challenging.

And, it concludes:

Abolish the TSA? Of course!

That's my opinion and I don't see any reason I will fly commercially again until the TSA is gone. Here's Ron Paul on the subject:

Federal anti-groping, anti-scanning bill

From a statesman, not a politician (Chaffetz and Mica, anyone?):

Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, on Thursday introduced legislation that would ensure that "any federal employee or agency or any individual or entity that receives federal funds are not immune from any US law regarding physical contact with another person, making images of another person, or causing physical harm through the use of radiation-emitting machinery on another person."
...
"What we ultimately need is real privatization of security, but not phony privatization with the same TSA screeners in private security firm uniforms still operating under the 'guidance' of the federal government," Paul said in a statement introducing the bill. "Real security will be achieved when the airlines are once again in charge of protecting their property and their passengers."

The political shenanigans in Texas

This is a humorous round-up of the politics (and politicians) surrounding the anti-groping bill that failed in Texas.

Champing at the bit to 'secure' Amtrak

It will come, it's just a matter of time. That is, unless, more Americans join you and I in opposing the TSA. There was an article titled Amtrak train wreck reveals security weakness. The title says it all: after a deadly train wreck, it was unclear exactly how many people were on board the train at the time of the accident. "What!?!" you say, "They aren't tracking and monitoring the every move of train passengers?!? People can buy tickets and board without ID? They can get off early if they choose to do so? Their luggage is not screened for drugs, bombs, and money? They can move around on the train as they please without an assigned seat? What country is this? The wild, wild west of the American fronteir?!?"

I think that rant pretty clearly illustrates what I think about "securing" the rails against imaginary threats. Although I can see that knowing exactly how many people are alive or dead in an accident is desirable information, the fact remains that this will never be possible and trying to correct this will erode liberties in a way that will change riding the train for the worse. If they want to open up competition on rails and stop subsidizing Amtrak and regional rail, then we can see if "Secure Rail" starts operating with draconian security measures. I won't hold my breath (for either free rails or "Secure Rail").

I do want to comment on something coming from a politician that was noted in the article:

In response [to concerns but no imminent threat about bin Laden targeting American rails], U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-New York, pressed the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to institute a "no-ride" list similar to the Secure Flight program used by airlines, in which passenger lists are compared with terrorist watch lists.

I fully believe this is likely to happen. And it's disgusting. I also fully expect that, down the line, we'll hear people say "Taking the train is a privilege. If you don't like it, don't ride!"

One final note directed at Amtrak: Due to the draconian airport security measures, I and many others will not be taking commercial airlines until the TSA and its ilk are disbanded. This means increased ridership on your trains including sleeper-car purchases. Don't make us boycott you, too.

Getting involved in the political fight against the TSA

A new group, Freedom to Travel, has been formed up to coordinate a national effort to identify where politicians stand on the freedom to travel issue. If this interests you, you can sign up at their site.

A push to nullify pat-downs in Florida?

The Tenth Amendment Center is taking advantage of the rage over the removal of a 95-year-old woman's diaper in a Florida airport last week by starting a push to enact anti-groping legislation in Florida. I wish them luck!