If You Don't Get Every Detail Of Your TSA Detention Exactly Right, The TSA May Publicly Shame You
from the how-nice-of-them... dept
Following our story on the guy, who was detained by the TSA for refusing to go through a backscatter scan or to have his groin fondled by TSA agents, some folks pointed to a similar experience by Meg McClain, which she detailed on a radio program. You can hear her story here:The big controversial claims involve whether or not she was handcuffed. While her version of the events stated she was handcuffed to the original chair she was placed in, that is not true. Some viewers of the second video suggest that as she's escorted from the area, it appears her hands are bound together in some way. Honestly, it's a little tough to tell one way or the other from the video. Her hands are definitely held together during the time she's escorted away. Why that's the case is not clear. You can see both videos below, though, they're relatively long and not much happens:
For the government's response to be to attack someone's credibility based on getting some small things wrong, rather than acknowledging the larger concerns raised by these types of searches and detentions, is really quite troubling.
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Filed Under: backscatter scans, meg mcclain, privacy, tsa
Companies: tsa
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Security Theater...
So in addition to suggesting that she's lying, they're possibly editing the video to make it look worse for her than it actually is.
In addition, I find it incredibly troubling that they ripped up her ticket. Theoretically, she'd need that for a refund. (Don't say 'nonrefundable' because the other passenger references had his 'nonrefundable' ticket refunded after his similar experience.)
Regardless of whether or not this girl wanted her 15 minutes of crazy fame, the fact remains that there would be nothing for her to go crazy about if:
a. the TSA officers were professional.
b. TSA policies didn't call for molestation or involuntary porn shots.
c. the TSA clearly videotaped all interactions.
All of these things are incredibly suspect on the part of our favorite security theater employees.
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Accusing the victim...
More and more I find myself unwilling to fly unless completely unavoidable. I'd rather drive 1500 miles one way with my family of four than have to deal with the idiotic "security theater" that is the TSA these days.
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Just wondering..
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Re: Just wondering..
TSA is simply not an option. Nothing could possibly compel me me support that organization with my hard earned dollars.
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never heard
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Re: Just wondering..
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primae noctis
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You got it wrong
Up until they responded there was only one truth, hers. The TSA believed her account was inflammatory and responded. The TSA's response may be downplaying the event. I don't know and neither do you.
She called the TSA out on HER radio program (not "a radio program"), a public forum. They responded in a public forum. Seems to be in the spirit of the Confrontation Clause, in my opinion.
I find the current TSA requirements ridiculously wasteful and ultimately useless, but I have to stand by their decision on this one.
We all so quickly believe the story that portrays the evil overbearing government or police force or corrupt official. Why is so difficult to consider that sometimes the accuser may not be so pure either?
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Isn't *one* thug with a gun harassing a citizen for no cause enough?
[A standard tactic is to "attack someone's credibility based on getting some small things wrong". -- Yes, just yesterday some Anonymous Coward mentioned only my typo while completely ignoring the larger point -- which is still without answer.]
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Re: Accusing the victim...
Aaaand the link is now down due to a copyright violation. Wow.
Anyway, these TSA policies are stupid. Incredibly stupid. If I wanted to take out a bunch of American travelers, you know what I'd do? Detonate the bomb in the screening area, before I ever get molested or irradiated.
I thank God that I have no need to fly in the foreseeable future.
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Re: You got it wrong
Complaining about it being "troubling" without really articulating the issue basically amounts to hand wringing.
If we want video to work in favor (as it did in the San Diego case) of exposing the TSA's ridiculous tactics, then we have to be willing to accept when it doesn't.
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What I Wonder About . . .
If they are all gung-ho to start releasing videos when it suits them, I guess we can assume that any video they don't release is proof that what the harassed citizen is claiming actually happened.
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Re: Re: Just wondering..
Taxes?
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news...
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Re: Re: Just wondering..
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you think this is bad
*whistles*
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/744199---israelification-high-s ecurity-little-bother
oh.
wait.
nevermind.
"That's the process — six layers, four hard, two soft. The goal at Ben-Gurion is to move fliers from the parking lot to the airport lounge in a maximum of 25 minutes."
and no groping needed.
m3mnoch.
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Re:
Of course, you can choose to have your breasts and genitals groped instead, which is definitely painful during pregnancy, and probably emotional problematic.
My own TSA grope during pregnancy was horrible, and it was years and years ago. (Being yelled at for having a .75" Swiss Army-type key chain with nail clippers that I had forgotten about was just as bad, honestly.)
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Want to avoid both screening measures?
http://www.black-and-right.com/2010/11/11/special-treatment-of-the-day-3/
Apparently extreme fundamentalist Muslims--the most likely to plant a bomb on a plane--do not have to be subjected to either security measure.
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Re: You got it wrong
The TSA is a government agency, not some idiot with a microphone. They should have at least consulted their legal or public relations expert (assuming they have one) before impulsively lashing out in self-defense -- which makes them look guilty.
The whole TSA situation really is odd. Government is usually in the business of protecting and capturing markets...
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Re: Re: Just wondering..
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Re: Want to avoid both screening measures?
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innocent bystanders
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Re: You got it wrong
where are those video feeds?
this says a lot about the mentality behind the TSA.
however, i would not be surprised to see this as an exaggeration by an attention-whoring woman
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Re: Re: Want to avoid both screening measures?
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"Shamed" by the TSA
The TSA sucks enough that we shouldn't be exaggerating in our reports of the bullying and mindless tactics. Just tell the truth and let the TSA shame itself.
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TSA should release ALL videotape
The TSA is emblematic of the destruction of American values. The agency should be disbanded and replaced with an organization focused on security instead of security theater. They are making our country less safe.
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Re: Re: Accusing the victim...
Bingo. It's not like they pack us in like sardines or anything.
The air of terrorism is to instil fear and negatively affect our way of life. The terrorists have succeeded in these aims. Many people admit to being willing to cede their personal rights and freedoms if it means they can "feel safer."
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Re: Re: Re: Just wondering..
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Re: Accusing the victim...
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and here are your naked body scans
http://gizmodo.com/5690749/these-are-the-first-100-leaked-body-scans
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Re: Re: Accusing the victim...
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Transparency
However, it does lend the question of why there needs to be one. Also, some transparency into the process will go a LONG way towards making this all flow better. There needs to be some insight into how you will be screened before you purchase a ticket; then you can agree to it, or against it, before you buy.
Lastly, its also quite clear this agency needs some oversight regarding the whole process (women choosing women for screening, men choosing men), its would seem the breeders working the machines are thinking with their genitals and not with their brains.
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Re: Just wondering..
The no-fly list is another part of the farce. Suspected terrorists are not put on the list so as not to tip them off that they are being watched, so that means that everyone on the list is not a suspected terrorist. However, if you openly criticized the government during the Bush-Chaney years, you were put on the list as punishment, er, I mean because you said something suspicious. Yeah, right.
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Timestamps
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Screw the TSA.
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If Google did something like that, the feds would have a field day. The double standards in our society never cease to amaze me.
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Re: you think this is bad
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Jumping to conclusions
here she is selling off her skin for some cash...
http://freekeene.com/2010/08/24/meg-for-sale/
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scanners and pat downs
I feel that by virtue of being a branch of gov't, the TSA is violating the 4th Amendment rights of passengers. One could argue the exemption of borders, but border searches are still subject to 'reasonableness'. I think that dogs alerting, other detection of trace materials, or even failing the metal detector would satisfy the reasonableness check, enabling use of the body scanner and/or enhanced pat down. I feel that random screening is an abuse of power by the TSA, and it sickens me.
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Re: You got it wrong
Meg McClain is one person. The TSA is the government. So, yes, it's quite troubling.
Up until they responded there was only one truth, hers. The TSA believed her account was inflammatory and responded. The TSA's response may be downplaying the event. I don't know and neither do you.
The TSA is free to respond, and to say that she got her version of the events wrong. What's troubling is the way they did it. They didn't even say what they thought she got wrong, they just showed the video and made it sound like she totally made up the experience, when that does not appear to be the case.
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Re: Re: Re: Accusing the victim...
My adorable crying children, the angry veteran husband/dad...
It would be awesome.
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Re: Security Theater...
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Re: you think this is bad
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Re: Re: Security Theater...
The "feds" do not have the authority to grant this license. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution protects citizens from unreasonable searches by the Federal and State governments.
The Constitution requires that probable cause be presented before a legal search can take place. The purchase of an airline ticket, and / or attempting to board an airplane is NOT probable cause. I find it difficult to understand those who can claim that this is not an unreasonable search.
And even if some people have a fear of terrorists, that also is NOT justification for the government to perform unconstitutional actions.
Since many (most?) of the TSA's airline security policies require that a government agency violate one or more articles or amendments of the Constitution, I claim the the TSA is a criminal organization.
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While I in no way support the use of the backscatter scanners....
The TSA is the defendant here. They have been called out as violating a passenger rights (which they still may have done) and in response they released evidence which they felt would indemnify them.
How is this different than someone posting a legal notice from the RIAA or other tyrannical organization to their website with a list of reasons why the notice was uncalled for?
In fact this method is exactly what you highlighted as being more effective than taking someone to court for over copyright violation. Call the offender out in public, and watch his (her) status go down the tube.
Certainly they don't win any style points, but it seems like an effective way to prevent hyperbole and lawsuits, especially at a time when their public opinion is about to take a huge nosedive now that travelers are realizing that they are submitting themselves to a strip search, in violation of our Constitution, just for the convenience of air travel...
-CF
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Re: Re: Accusing the victim...
I just took my boy from Providence to Orlando (and back) and in both Airports travlers with children did not have to go through the scanners. In fact we went through an express lane with the standard older technology. An no pat downs.
Not saying it didn't happen. I am saying it didn't happen to me on a recent trip.
-CF
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Re:
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Re: Just wondering..
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Re: Re: Re: Accusing the victim...
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Re: Re: Re: Re: Accusing the victim...
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Re: Re: Re: Accusing the victim...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VN6pJ7nP1yA
Five minutes sleuthing is all it takes to find videos like this now. We teach our children that they shouldn't be touched "that way" by anyone except a doctor or their parents and only with permission. Do we now have to add "police" to that list? What's next... "People in suits that say they're federal agents"? Where do we finally draw the line and say "find a better way"?
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After this...
Metal detectors stop everything metal.
The glass room that blows particles off of you and then checks for explosive ones prevents most people carrying explosives
What do they need a backscatter X-Ray machine for? I dont remember what the reasoning is, if there was one.
Why not just continue checking people the way they are?
Nonetheless, I have accidentally taken a spray bottle of lense cleaner on a plane...3 times. Obviously their systems arent the best.
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Well...
It does seem strange the TSA had only had 2 camera angles to provide, but according to TSA "Blogger Bob" thats all the video they had. I say strange because in this accusation of a prior incident that spanned approximately 9 minutes, there were at least nine camera angles (even timecoded) to prove TSAs innocence. Sure it may have been a different airport, but the next time you fly look around (not too much, TSA might think you're casing the place) and tell me you don't see them everywhere (except for the hidden ones, of course).
I find it difficult to believe the airport she was in did not have cameras covering more angles of her than what they show, but I never doubt incompetence when it comes to any government and their fix-all programs. I would still bet there is more unreleased footage in the Meg McClain case, but irregardless of any lack of audio it might be too easy for a lip reader to pick up on exactly what was said. Who knows what might be gleaned from that? (Hint: the TSA knows).
The below image is in jest, but it's how many people feel they've been treated by the TSA.
TSA Instructions for Screening: Infant Travelers
It might be humorous now, but one day... if were not vigilant enough to take a stand at some point, it may not seem so ridiculous anymore.
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Re: Re: You got it wrong
Wait, I don't get this, what difference does it make whether they're one person, a corporation, or the government? In terms of setting the record straight, wouldn't the truth be the truth? What does it matter who the speaker is?
The TSA is free to respond, and to say that she got her version of the events wrong. What's troubling is the way they did it. They didn't even say what they thought she got wrong, they just showed the video and made it sound like she totally made up the experience, when that does not appear to be the case.
What was so bad about the way they did it? The harshest accusation they make is that her account was inaccurate, which you yourself acknowledge is the case.
How did they make it "sound like she made up the experience"? They posted the video of *the* experience, and asked the audience to decide for themselves: I'm all for keeping the TSA in check on these kind of shenanigans, but there's a real risk in exaggerating and lending credence to exaggerations.
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Re: Re: Re: Re: Accusing the victim...
You need to see which side the TSA is on and who they are working for.
As a Canadian, I know they aren't on my side...
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Re: Re: Re: You got it wrong
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Re: Re: Accusing the victim...
If I didn't have to fly for work, I'd be right there with you. Unfortunately, my paycheck is dependent on my occasional travel to exotic locales, and thus, if I wish to continue eating, I have to fly. Or find another job, or take up permanent residence on a street corner...
However, this incident broke just before a recent trip to Nevada I had to take for business, and when they pushed all of us through the porno-machine, I thought the same thing (to opt-out,) but then decided against it because of the problems she was having. I just hope that the person examining my nekked body got an eye-full. If I had been on personal travel, I'd probably would have drove or at least protested, but if I missed my flight, my boss wouldn't have been so happy if I missed the flight. (Ok, maybe I am just a conformist/closet rebel.) I noticed two people who went through after me had both opt'd out, and they yelled "opt-out" and made it absolutely painful and miserable for both of these people too. Neither got out of the checkpoint earlier than 15 minutes later (and one of them had to wait in line for the other to finish getting violated.) Luckily, the airport in Nevada didn't have these new fangled machines, so I didn't get radiated on the way back.
TSA is a joke, plain and simple. But it is a joke that will never seem to go away.
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Re: Re: Re: Re: You got it wrong
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Re: Isn't *one* thug with a gun harassing a citizen for no cause enough?
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http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/744199---israelification-high-security-little-both er
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They're grade A attention whores... plain and simple. She played up the entire incident for attention.
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