security theater

Decorated, wounded Marine treated ‘shamefully’ by TSA screeners

"Kemnitz, severely injured in 2004 in a roadside bomb attack in Fallujah, has limited use of his right arm and cannot lift it above his head. So when security guards at the state capitol building in Sacramento, Calif., asked him to remove his dress blue blouse 'because he was wearing too much metal,' and TSA asked him to raise his arms above his head for the full-body scanner at Sacramento International Airport, he could not comply. At the state capitol, the Marine’s refusal to remove his uniform top grew into a heated exchange between Kemnitz, a friend who was accompanying him and security officers." Continue reading →

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Joint Chiefs: Army reviewing rules of engagement over cyber threat

"Dempsey said that since his appointment as head of the Joint Chiefs in 2011 'intrusions into our critical infrastructure have increased 17-fold.' Some 4,000 cyber-security experts would join the ranks over the next four years, while some $23 billion would be spent on tackling the threat. Dempsey said Cybercom was now organized in three divisions. One team was in charge of countering enemy attacks, another was tasked with offering regional support while a third was responsible for protecting some 15,000 US military computer networks. In addition, the military now had a manual which allowed it to cooperate with Homeland Security and the FBI." Continue reading →

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Gitmo-izing Air Passengers

"Sometimes the most unpleasant and important truths are disclosed in unintended ways. Speaking on behalf of military officials at Guantanamo, Lt. Col. Samuel House denied that the searches are abusive. According to House, the searches imposed on Gitmo detainees 'are conducted with clothes on, similar to pat-down searches conducted by an airport security screener.' Doesn’t this mean that it is standard operating procedure for TSA screeners to treat innocent American air travelers as if they were Gitmo detainees?" Continue reading →

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It’s time to tell the TSA what you really think of it – and for it to listen

"The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has ordered the TSA to engage in something known as notice-and-comment rulemaking on its screening procedures, and specifically its use of full-body scanners. You can leave your comment at the Federal Register website until June 24th. The TSA hopes the public it’s assigned to protect will approve of the scanners and the way they’re used. But it promises to 'review and analyze' the comments to develop a final rule related to the use of airport scanners. What could they do? That isn’t entirely clear. The lengthy document seems to suggest that four options are on the table." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIt’s time to tell the TSA what you really think of it – and for it to listen

Pressure Cookers Seized From Luggage By TSA

"According to FBI spokesman Tom Simon, the passenger’s luggage contained what appeared to be a modified pressure cooker, which was discovered through standard Transportation Security Administration screening. The passenger was detained for questioning but was not placed under arrest, Simon said. The pressure cooker and some of the contents of the luggage were seized by the FBI for analysis. Simon today declined further comment, and did not respond to a question from Big Island Now as to whether pressure cookers are now among the items prohibited from being carried on board airlines, either in carry-on or checked baggage." Continue reading →

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The Liberator 3D Printed Gun Successfully Smuggled Through International Transport Security

"Well, that was fast. It’s not even been a week since the Liberator, the gun made out of plastic and printed on a 3D printer, was first unveiled and test shot. And already someone has downloaded the plans, made a copy of the gun and smuggled it aboard international transport. Entirely by-passing the usual security arrangements. That, at least, is what the Mail on Sunday claims two of its reporters did. But what they actually did is take a few pieces of plastic through security. Which, when assembled on the train, made up a non-functional gun with no ammunition available for it. Which is, when you come to think about it, really rather less scary." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe Liberator 3D Printed Gun Successfully Smuggled Through International Transport Security

TSA bomb-sniffing dog bites woman at Hartsfield-Jackson

"A Rome woman is still recovering after being bitten in the side by a TSA bomb-sniffing dog. The incident happened on May 2nd in the south terminal baggage claim carousel at Hartsfield-Jackson airport. Sue Dubitsky told 11Alive News she was standing in the baggage claim area and noticed the K-9 officer and handler standing beside her. She said she was barely paying them any attention when the dog suddenly lunged and bit her in the lower stomach." Continue reading →

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TSA Charges ‘Unnecessary’ $130M ID Card Program Directly To Truckers

"The TSA in its mind-boggling stupidity came up with a scheme it called 'TWIC' ('Transportation Worker Indentification Credential'). TSA forced drivers to undergo background checks and fingerprinting and Lord-knows-what-all. And get this: 'TWIC enrollment centers' were often hundreds of miles from drivers’ homes and depots, forcing these professionals to work thousands of hours of unpaid overtime. TWIC also costs those hard-working serfs around $130. Remember that many drivers work as independent contractors, in business for themselves, so no company picks up such expenses for them." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTSA Charges ‘Unnecessary’ $130M ID Card Program Directly To Truckers

TSA Pursues Administrative Trial Against Man Who Disrobed At Airport Checkpoint

"TSA was not amused by Mr. Brennan’s cooperation – it had ordered him to assume the position and endure fondling, not drop trou. In fact, it sicced the cops on this hero and is now trying to fine him. A court dismissed the charges of indecency against Mr. Brennan, but the TSA ludicrously insists that his extreme cooperation with its nonsense 'interfere[d] with screening’ (victims of its gate-rape can only hope it did). Mr. Brennan faces an administrative trial this week, which means that the TSA will hold a kangaroo hearing to decide whether he should pay it a fine of $11,000." Continue reading →

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America’s 14 Most Pissed-Off Comments on the TSA’s Airport Body Scanners

"TSA is getting rid of the most controversial scanners by this summer because the company that made them wasn't adequately protecting passenger privacy. The replacement scanners are supposed to offer more privacy by only showing a generic outline of passengers. Since late March, Americans have submitted over 3,000 comments to the TSA about the existing scanners and the planned change. Here are 14 of the most pissed off public comments submitted to TSA…and the one guy who loves them." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAmerica’s 14 Most Pissed-Off Comments on the TSA’s Airport Body Scanners