TSA Planning New, Even More Invasive Security Measures In Response To 'Threat' Of Implanted Bombs

from the security-theater-is-reactionary dept

One of the main problems of the TSA's brand of security theater is that it's totally reactionary. Nearly every bit of it is designed to stop the last threat, rather than face the larger issues of identifying threats in general. A group supposedly planned to use liquid explosives? You can't bring liquids through security any more! Some jackass tried to light a shoebomb on fire? Everyone remove your shoes! This has resulted in people guessing just how far this will go. Years back, this even led Bruce Schneier to run his movie threat contest, in which the goal was to come up with all sorts of movie-plot style threats, which would then render the TSA helpless.

And, now, for all the talk of the ridiculous new naked scanners and gropings, people have realized that won't do any good if someone has a bomb implanted within them. So... guess what? The TSA is now claiming that they have reports that terrorists are planning to implant bombs inside people to blow up on flights... and that the existing scanners won't spot them. So they may start implementing brand new security procedures which they won't tell anyone about just yet.

Somehow, none of this makes me feel any safer... and my bigger concern here remains the TSA over terrorists. Nothing in what's being done suggests that the TSA is even close to focusing on who is getting on flights, and instead continues to focus on what is being brought on flights, which is a pretty pointless endeavor when you realize that there are always ways to get the next thing on board.

I certainly agree that it would be incredibly tragic if someone had an implanted bomb and it blew up a plane. And, contrary to the claims of some, I'm not advocating that we do away with security altogether. I'd just like to see security that actually focuses on trying to stop a real attacker, not on finding the lady with 4 ounces of liquid in her purse.
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Filed Under: implanted bombs, scanning, search, tsa


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  1. icon
    Killer_Tofu (profile), 8 Jul 2011 @ 12:30pm

    Just in her purse?

    not on finding the lady with 4 ounces of liquid in her purse.
    Or those old ladies with four ounces of dried liquid in their diapers ...

    link to this | view in thread ]

  2. icon
    Pickle Monger (profile), 8 Jul 2011 @ 12:41pm

    Déjà-vu... all over again...

    Change the players and this sounds pretty much like the plot of Tim Cushing's post "Iran Declares Victory Over Internet-In-A-Suitcase" (http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20110702/17562214956/iran-declares-victory-over-internet-in-a-suit case.shtml)

    link to this | view in thread ]

  3. identicon
    out_of_the_blue, 8 Jul 2011 @ 1:01pm

    Mike's pattern: Rant, then play up the fear.

    "I certainly agree that it would be incredibly tragic if someone had an implanted bomb and it blew up a plane."

    But, Americans are able to ignore the hundreds of thousands being killed with their bombs in countries that didn't attack us.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  4. identicon
    Hothmonster, 8 Jul 2011 @ 1:10pm

    Ohhh I hope means I get a finger in my ass with my next pat down! I'll have to think of a good one liner for the moment though.......hows "don't worry that only goes off when its packed with C4skin" ?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  5. icon
    :Lobo Santo (profile), 8 Jul 2011 @ 1:11pm

    Re: Mike's pattern: Rant, then play up the fear.

    Yes, because the powerless serfs who make up the unthinking biomass of America have the ability to exert their collective will in some way which will not result in bloody revolution...

    /acidic dripping sarcasm

    link to this | view in thread ]

  6. icon
    deane (profile), 8 Jul 2011 @ 1:17pm

    well this serf at least, because I'd love to see a bloody violent revolution for the fascist regime in the USA!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  7. icon
    The eejit (profile), 8 Jul 2011 @ 1:23pm

    FREE SEXUAL CONTACT FOR EVERYONE!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  8. identicon
    Donnicton, 8 Jul 2011 @ 1:24pm

    link to this | view in thread ]

  9. icon
    Overcast (profile), 8 Jul 2011 @ 1:29pm

    Yeah, groping wasn't enough - they want a FULL feel up now.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  10. icon
    Killercool (profile), 8 Jul 2011 @ 1:31pm

    Re:

    Well, here's your gun, go to the frontline. Oh wait, you want somebody ELSE to do that. Maybe the army? Hmm, wait, I have a feeling they won't want to help you.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  11. identicon
    Pips, 8 Jul 2011 @ 1:31pm

    Yay money...

    Lobbyists for xray machines have a huge grin on their face right now. Wonder how many people in congress are buying shares in these companies this very moment.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  12. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 8 Jul 2011 @ 1:31pm

    link to this | view in thread ]

  13. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 8 Jul 2011 @ 1:34pm

    unreasonable

    The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures...


    Is it unreasonable enough yet?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  14. identicon
    MrWilson, 8 Jul 2011 @ 1:35pm

    Every time I hear of the latest threat that the TSA is using as an excuse for newer and usually more offensive sexurity procedures, I picture two terrorists sitting in a bunker somewhere laughing they're asses off.

    One of them says, "what should would we "leak" next time?" The other responds, "um... let's say that we're planning on lining the anal cavity of our suicide bombers with explosive substances and that we're using American-looking white males as the bombers!"

    Three weeks later, the press release states, "the TSA is stepping up their non-invasive and completely necessary security procedures to include anally probing white male passengers for explosive substances. A credible report states that terrorists are using the anal cavity to smuggle explosive materials onto the planes. All patriotic citizens should willingly submit to anal probing to ensure the safety of all passengers. Remember, it's a sure sign that you're a terrorist if you express discontent with our security procedures!"

    link to this | view in thread ]

  15. icon
    gorehound (profile), 8 Jul 2011 @ 1:41pm

    Re:

    me too.i want to see all the dems and reps get what is coming to them.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  16. icon
    Hephaestus (profile), 8 Jul 2011 @ 1:45pm

    Where does it end?

    And what will happen when someone discovers that people are planning on using Korans, Bibles, or blue jeans converted to gun cotton to blow up planes?

    Are we all then forced to get on the planes without clothes, bibles, korans, magazines, cloth bags, playing cards, and anything else made from cellulose? (wood, paper, etc)

    I mean where does it end?

    At this rate, all they need to do to cause the US government to destroy all civil liberties, and turn us into a police state, is publish "a book a day on how to" ...

    ... Do this nasty thing
    ... Do this other nasty thing
    ... Do this to thing to elementary schools
    ... Do that thing some place else

    If the goal is to cause fear and anxiety, and cause western society to destroy itself, then its easy to accomplish. Ronald Regan used a similar technique to destroy the soviet union with the star wars program (SDI).

    /rant

    PS I heard the gun cotton thing on some radio, TV show, or movie. Its not my idea.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  17. icon
    someone (profile), 8 Jul 2011 @ 1:47pm

    So thats how ObamaCare saves us money!

    Free prostate/colon exams with the purchase of any airline ticket.

    I hope no one at the TSA watches South Park, imagine what they will want to do after seeing this:
    http://www.southparkstudios.com/guide/episodes/s11e04-the-snuke

    link to this | view in thread ]

  18. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 8 Jul 2011 @ 1:47pm

    The TSA needs a scanner like the one from the movie Total Recall.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CX9Agzeh-c

    link to this | view in thread ]

  19. icon
    sehlat (profile), 8 Jul 2011 @ 1:48pm

    Science Fiction Predicted This in 1957



    For details, read Eric Frank Russell's celebrated novel Wasp.
    "Mail would be examined, and all suspicious parcels would be taken apart in a blast-proof room. There'd be a city-wide search with radiation-detectors for the component parts of a fission bomb. Civil defence would be alerted in readiness to cope with a mammoth explosion that might or might not take place. Anyone on the streets who walked with a secretive air and wore a slightly mad expression would be arrested and hauled in for questioning."

    Somewhere in hell Bin Laden's ghost is grinning and saying "I love it when a plan comes together."

    link to this | view in thread ]

  20. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 8 Jul 2011 @ 1:48pm

    I'm not to sure it's the terrorists doing the planning. The reactions of the TSA has always been 'shut up, we're doing our job by the book so it's ok. When they finally get their tail in a crack to where it is no longer hidden then it is, 'we'll re-evaluate the process' but nothing really changes visible to the fliers.

    TSA has been all along groping for new ways to be offensive and for new territories to become necessary for their questionable services.

    The only reason they are not a presence at trains is a lack of funding. It's not they don't want to be there, they just can't yet fund the machines or have enough people to man them.

    For my part, I refuse to fly. I won't put up with sexual gropes. It offends me that as a paying customer I would have to deal with this. I spend my money like a vote. If I don't like it, whoever it is doesn't get my money by my choice. I will drive and have a chance to see the countryside while doing it. I'm not in that big of a hurry.

    So when does the next potential threat include the trains to justify them being there? You can be sure buses follow and then random checks on the highway. I am surprised the government isn't making them wear a swastika on their sleeves and do an un-natural salute.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  21. identicon
    fentondude, 8 Jul 2011 @ 1:49pm

    Useless measures

    Just last week I flew on a major US airline through a major US terminal. I was subjected to the standard screening, to ensure I didn't carry any hazardous materials on board. Once I was begrudgedly permitted to continue towards the concourse, I stopped at the convenient (yet offensively overpriced) snack bar and purchased a tasty name-brand iced tea product in convenient 20 oz packaging, and passed through the gate, container openly displayed for all to see. I sat in my seat, and pondered the many different ways a GLASS BOTTLE was infinately more dangerous than nail clippers. Security really is a joke...

    link to this | view in thread ]

  22. identicon
    MrWilson, 8 Jul 2011 @ 1:52pm

    Re:

    Yeah, but that was just for the subway. Ahnold was able to get to Mars wearing a prosthetic head. Apparently in the future the TSA gives up on the security theater for interplanetary travel at some point.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  23. icon
    Hephaestus (profile), 8 Jul 2011 @ 1:53pm

    Re: unreasonable

    Actually wanna read something funny ...

    lets follow the money and see who profited off of the naked scanners.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  24. identicon
    HothMonster, 8 Jul 2011 @ 1:53pm

    Re: Where does it end?

    your gun cotton stands will never pierce my spider-goat silk armor

    http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/End%20of%20the%20World/Genetics%20Nightmare/spider_goats.htm

    link to this | view in thread ]

  25. identicon
    trish, 8 Jul 2011 @ 1:54pm

    turn them inside out?

    If everyone on the plane is dead, noone can blow it up.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  26. icon
    Hephaestus (profile), 8 Jul 2011 @ 1:54pm

    Re: Re: unreasonable

    Ignore the previous link here is the correct link for

    Follow the money

    link to this | view in thread ]

  27. icon
    Chris Rhodes (profile), 8 Jul 2011 @ 1:55pm

    Re:

    Fantastic link. Thanks.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  28. icon
    Hephaestus (profile), 8 Jul 2011 @ 1:58pm

    Re: Re: Where does it end?

    Damn .... goats milk with drop line spider silk in it. I wonder if that would be considered ruffage? Also how hard would it be to cut a wheel of cheese made out of that stuff?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  29. icon
    :Lobo Santo (profile), 8 Jul 2011 @ 2:00pm

    Re: Re: Glass Bottle

    Naw, that was "government issue" glass, which is always overpriced and pretty much next to useless.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  30. identicon
    HothMonster, 8 Jul 2011 @ 2:06pm

    Re: Re: Re: unreasonable

    "Actually wanna read something funny ... "

    you have an odd sense of humor. The only thing funny in there is that the company is named Rapiscan, which continues to make me giggle

    link to this | view in thread ]

  31. identicon
    johnny canada, 8 Jul 2011 @ 2:07pm

    jee a bomb inside a person.

    Was that not covered by the Joker in a Batman movie?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  32. identicon
    CJ, 8 Jul 2011 @ 2:24pm

    so what we need to invent is a single occupant blast proof chamber which you step in briefly that transmits some sort of frequency that would trigger explosives and cause bullets to explode in smuggled guns to take care of those problems right there. Then no one would have to go through any imaging. You could just have a normal metal detector to look for knives, but locking the cockpit soves that danger. Also the oxygen pulldown masks on planes should be kitted out to protect you incase they moved from explosives to a toxic gas. Problem solved.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  33. icon
    Michael (profile), 8 Jul 2011 @ 2:26pm

    The Last Threat

    No kidding about them only stopping the last threat.
    Did they just now watch The Dark Knight? Will they try to protect us from exploding river ferrys next?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  34. identicon
    dwg, 8 Jul 2011 @ 2:30pm

    Re: Re:

    I WOULD like the army to go through airport security for me, if that's cool. Or, more likely, the Navy, I guess, given the invasiveness of TSA searches. Sailors are uniquely qualified to cope with that.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  35. identicon
    HothMonster, 8 Jul 2011 @ 2:36pm

    Re: Re: Re: Where does it end?

    I didnt actually read through the link I posted(past making sure a jesusfreak.com was actually talking about spider-goats and not how they are an abomination), I heard about this years ago.

    From my understanding the military was planning to make lightweight(like silk) bulletproof armor. So I imagine the cheese wouldn't be very tasty...or edible. I don't think its so much goats milk with spider silk in it, but rather they replaced the gene that makes milk with a gene that makes silk so its goats spurting pure silk.

    But since spider silk is as strong as steel and like a million times lighter (a strand that wrapped around the earth would weight about 18 ounces) if they are actually able to mass produce this stuff it would be awesome. You could literally build a skyscraper that you could pick up and dust under, or a spruce moose that can fly.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  36. identicon
    HothMonster, 8 Jul 2011 @ 2:39pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Where does it end?

    nevermind it appears it is still in milk

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BioSteel

    link to this | view in thread ]

  37. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 8 Jul 2011 @ 2:44pm

    In a word: "Profiling".

    Though it has been miscast as "politically-incorrect", it has been in use *continually* since the first peace-keeper asked the obvious question, "what did the robber look like?"

    The Israelis have proven it's effectiveness over and over.

    We should be DEMANDING that the TSA use profiling techniques overtly.

    But we won't. We have become a nation enslaved to the god of political correctness in most any aspect of our society. You fucking liberals demanded political correctness because you were too big of a pussy to defend yourself when you were offended. So, you had to have your nanny-state government (your true religion) outlaw being offended. That slippery slope led to the TSA mindlessly groping the 90-year old cancer patient because they aren't allowed to focus on the specific threats we face. We would offend rag-heads if we pointed out that *they* are 98% of all terrorists in the last twenty years (if not more).

    Fucking left-wing/liberal/demoncrats/progressives have done more damage to the U.S. than they could ever hope to help, and the bulk of that damage has been due to unintended consequences. Or maybe they intended to fuck it up for everybody. I can't tell anymore. They always seem to want everybody to be equally miserable. Fuck em.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  38. identicon
    HothMonster, 8 Jul 2011 @ 2:45pm

    Re:

    Yeah, I trust the TSA to find some new "safe" way to irradiate me. Despite my jokes I don't take the pat-down because I like grown men touching my balls.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  39. identicon
    HothMonster, 8 Jul 2011 @ 2:50pm

    look a bigfoot! oh, just another bigot

    First off let me guess you're a white male?

    Second, if we had a list of features that we profiled and everyone else was safe what do you think the next guy trying to blow up a plane wouldn't look like?

    "We would offend rag-heads if we pointed out that *they* are 98% of all terrorists in the last twenty years (if not more). "

    So do you live in a fantasy world entirely or does your racism just not allow you to view the whole truth?
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestic_terrorism_in_the_United_States

    link to this | view in thread ]

  40. identicon
    Jose_X, 8 Jul 2011 @ 2:50pm

    Return to good old days with modifications to add competition

    Why hasn't the US gov (with gains to the sponsoring Senator or Rep) created a competing system to the TSA to measure results?

    One example would be to keep the stronger cockpits and some other measures but revert to pre TSA days.

    Perhaps the flight routes could not pass near certain places in the US (not a problem for most air travel) or would have to avoid certain airports or entry angles.

    We have 21st century computers to resolve the logistics of this two-tier system.

    We'd get competitive data points by which to measure the TSA costs and effectiveness. We'd save tax dollars and have many happier flying customers.

    Pilots crashing on purpose (or by accident) would be no higher of a threat than is the case now, for example.

    Essentially, the people on board would know the risks ahead of time, and they'd have paid for this. The people would know to fight off on board attacks. We'd still avoid most threats as we did in pre-2001 days. AND, to neuter the only argument possibly against this, we'd do a great job or eliminating the threat altogether of using the plane as a controlled missile to create national chaos.

    This "revolutionary" addition basically already worked for many many decades, giving airplanes the reputation for being the safest way to travel.

    It's only a matter of time until we do the obvious. I wonder who will get credit.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  41. identicon
    HothMonster, 8 Jul 2011 @ 2:51pm

    Re: Re: Re:

    "Sailors are uniquely qualified to cope with that."

    that's only the submarine crews

    link to this | view in thread ]

  42. identicon
    Michael, 8 Jul 2011 @ 2:52pm

    Re: Re:

    Go to the front line? Do you actually think invading countries LESSENS the threat of terrorism? Seriously? That has NEVER been the case, it is in fact the OPPOSITE of what we know to be true. Since 9/11 there has been an exponential increase in "terrorism" and the more countries you stick your nose into, the more there will be. In my opinion the whole war on terror is just a construct to allow the military industrial complex to flourish. They don't want less terrorism, they want MORE.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  43. icon
    Hephaestus (profile), 8 Jul 2011 @ 2:54pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Where does it end?

    It's kind of creepy though. So does the goat have eight legs? ;)

    It reminded me of this story

    http://keboch.wordpress.com/2008/11/09/please-accept-this-spider-as-payment/

    link to this | view in thread ]

  44. icon
    Chuck Norris' Enemy (deceased) (profile), 8 Jul 2011 @ 2:58pm

    Passenger 51

    The only people that have stopped a plane bomber were passengers. As long as airlines still allow those then I think we're good.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  45. identicon
    HothMonster, 8 Jul 2011 @ 3:07pm

    sorry i need to feed this troll some more

    "Though it has been miscast as "politically-incorrect", it has been in use *continually* since the first peace-keeper asked the obvious question, "what did the robber look like?""

    That isn't profiling, that is trying to identify a suspect after he has committed a crime. Profiling is trying to identify a suspect, based on superficial characteristics, before he commits a crime.

    "The Israelis have proven it's effectiveness over and over. "
    I know I wake up every day saying, " I would sure feel safer if the US was more like Isreal."

    "You fucking liberals demanded political correctness because you were too big of a pussy to defend yourself when you were offended. So, you had to have your nanny-state government (your true religion) outlaw being offended."

    You realize how retarded these sentences are right?
    We were too afraid to do anything about being offended so we stood up and got government to do something. If we were so afraid wouldn't we have done nothing?
    Then we are so offended we outlawed being offended? So we made ourselves outlaws, so you won? Who is we by the way people that aren't racist?

    "That slippery slope led to the TSA mindlessly groping the 90-year old cancer patient because they aren't allowed to focus on the specific threats we face. Fucking left-wing/liberal/demoncrats/progressives have done more damage to the U.S. than they could ever hope to help, and the bulk of that damage has been due to unintended consequences. "

    Wait was this caused by liberal policy or the Republicans that profit from rapiscan machines? Also the TSA was a republican invention.

    "They always seem to want everybody to be equally miserable. Fuck em."

    I think its your psychological problems making you miserable, you ever see the beginning of die-hard 3 where Bruce Willis is wearing the sandwich board sign? I suggest you try that as therapy.



    On a lighter note, I got in a discussion with a Florida highway patrolman a few years ago about profiling. He said the group they were told to target the most, can you guess?, was 2 white males age 18-25 driving out of Florida and doing the speed limit. They are the most likely to be hauling drugs (because racists like this guy would probably just want to pull over everyone who isn't white) and the greatest suspicion is that when do young white kids drive the speed limit.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  46. identicon
    Christopher Gizzi, 8 Jul 2011 @ 3:10pm

    CT Scan

    It's a portable CT Scanner.

    That's the way there're going to find implanted devices.

    On the plus side, people with cancer who don't know it might be able to get that diagnosis... They might also get cancer from constant radiation exposure but, hey, that hasn't stopped the TSA before.

    For the record, the extra exposure is minimal but you know how the crazies are with their conspiracy theories about the harm these machines do.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  47. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 8 Jul 2011 @ 3:14pm

    I'm really afraid of the media's inability to attack TSA's faulty logic:
    Fliers: Do we have to feel up the elderly, handicapped and infants?
    TSA: No, a single hole is what will get exploited by the terrorists, rendering the system useless.

    Fliers: These scanners don't get for internally planted bombs, or bombs inside fat rolls, etc. Your invasive system has weaknesses in it.
    TSA: These scanners are necessary for the security of our nation....

    I heard a guest on NPR (Diane Reahm) this morning stating this same BS logic, and his argument was the argument against these scanners didn't hold much water. WHAT!?

    Damn them, what they're doing to us is wrong. Damn them to hell for stepping on the constitution and getting away with it.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  48. icon
    Paul (profile), 8 Jul 2011 @ 3:21pm

    Terrorists routinely bomb security check points

    We know this. This is done every day. It doesn't require any surgery or any complex planing. It is done all the time, so it is quite understood by the terrorists we intend to thwart.

    But despite this knowledge, TSA forms large lines that wind about themselves to make dense groups of people prior to screening.

    Really smart. I feel so much safer, knowing that my security is in the hands of idiots.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  49. identicon
    Prisoner 201, 8 Jul 2011 @ 3:28pm

    Re:

    Wow. Just wow.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  50. icon
    Shane C (profile), 8 Jul 2011 @ 3:40pm

    Who is on the plane doesn't necessarily solve the problem either

    I understand that the rest of the world deals with airport/airplane security by concentrating on "who is flying" instead of "what they bring on-board." However, in the U.S. that probably won't work as effectively. Specifically because, it will still be a government ran agency making the determination.

    For example, would you agree to a credit check before you boarded a plane? The first time it appears that someone who was in "massive debt" (ie: most everyone in America) took payment to bring something on a flight, it will happen. Are you unemployed, and flying to a job interview somewhere? Sorry about you luck, you're now a security risk!

    How about your driving record? Get a speeding ticket on the way to the airport? Sorry, you're reckless and distracted. You must be a terrorist!

    Taxes? Are you about to be audited? What do you have to live for? You must be a terrorist!

    How about medical records? Just diagnosed with a fatal condition, and want to spend your remaining days with family? What do you have to live for? You must be a terrorist!

    No, "who" over "what" doesn't solve the problem, as long as the deranged puppet masters of this security theatre are still making the rules.

    Government has to solve the problem, that's what government is there for. However, the mentality and approach used to determine who is a threat has to change. Ignoring humanity, and liberty to appease the paranoid will achieve nothing.

    Shane

    link to this | view in thread ]

  51. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 8 Jul 2011 @ 3:42pm

    The jews do security right and they haven't lost any planes in a long time.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  52. identicon
    Prisoner 201, 8 Jul 2011 @ 3:43pm

    Re: CT Scan

    Actually, every ionizing particle you recieve is like a lottery ticket - each carries a tiny chance you will "win" a DNA damage that causes cancer.

    Statistically, it takes doses well over the safety thresholds to have a reasonable chance of getting cancer. Just as statistically you need to buy a lot of lottery tickets to have a reasonable chance to win.

    But just as with lottery tickets, you could get it on the first ticket, or any one ticket after that.

    So it is a good idea to, when reasonable, avoid any form of radiation capable of breaking the molecular bonds in DNA.

    Unless you are feeling lucky.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  53. icon
    freak (profile), 8 Jul 2011 @ 4:03pm

    Re: Re: Re:

    I believe the frontline mentioned is the frontline of a civil war, given the context from Deane

    link to this | view in thread ]

  54. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 8 Jul 2011 @ 4:26pm

    So they may start implementing brand new security procedures which they won't tell anyone about just yet.

    Based on the fact that they refuse to say what it is they're going to do, I'm going to assume that it involves performing surgery on people at random to "check for bombs".
    Sounds insane? So does groping little girls, but they're already doing that.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  55. identicon
    Anthony, 8 Jul 2011 @ 4:27pm

    People are far more likely to die in a car crash on their way to the airport than being blown up in a plane. So why hasn't the US Government banned cars yet?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  56. identicon
    chris, 8 Jul 2011 @ 6:04pm

    Nothing in what's being done suggests that the TSA is even close to focusing on who is getting on flights, and instead continues to focus on what is being brought on flights
    It's interesting that you mention Schneier because what he often points out is that identity-based security, what you're suggesting, doesn't work.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  57. identicon
    arcan, 8 Jul 2011 @ 6:09pm

    Re: unreasonable

    first TSA employee who tries to stick his/her hand up my rear is gonna be missing a hand the next time they show up for work

    link to this | view in thread ]

  58. icon
    Hephaestus (profile), 8 Jul 2011 @ 6:38pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Where does it end?

    Silly HothMonster ... spruce moose ..... its "goose".

    link to this | view in thread ]

  59. icon
    Any Mouse (profile), 8 Jul 2011 @ 8:01pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re:

    100 men go out, 50 couples come back? That what you're getting at?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  60. icon
    BeeAitch (profile), 8 Jul 2011 @ 8:02pm

    Re:

    No need. From this Wired article:

    "Already, airport security companies cackling at the chance to develop new detection tech for surgically implanted bombs. An Indiana company claims to have developed an imagery machine that can find “explosive materials, narcotics, and low-density plastics hidden inside or outside of the human body,” according to its CEO, by analyzing X-rays scattered or refracted from the body’s soft tissue."

    Sorry, no joy for you! ;)

    link to this | view in thread ]

  61. icon
    BeeAitch (profile), 8 Jul 2011 @ 8:08pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Where does it end?

    Goose moose?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  62. icon
    BeeAitch (profile), 8 Jul 2011 @ 8:12pm

    Re:

    It's being worked on as we type. I posted about it above.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  63. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 8 Jul 2011 @ 10:07pm

    I guess we're now going to start seeing "routine" disembowelings at airports. For our own protection.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  64. icon
    Black Patriot (profile), 8 Jul 2011 @ 10:08pm

    Re: Re:

    Well I certainly feel safer, nothing quite like radiation to ensure people's safety.

    /s

    link to this | view in thread ]

  65. icon
    someone (profile), 8 Jul 2011 @ 10:47pm

    pucker up

    Do I at least get a kissed?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  66. identicon
    HothMonster, 8 Jul 2011 @ 11:21pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Where does it end?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  67. icon
    Bergman (profile), 9 Jul 2011 @ 1:47am

    False Positives, anyone?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  68. identicon
    HothMonster, 9 Jul 2011 @ 1:48am

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Where does it end?

    thats from this guy:
    http://www.27bslash6.com/

    all his shit is hilarious, but i recommend this one
    http://www.27bslash6.com/massanutten.html

    link to this | view in thread ]

  69. icon
    Bergman (profile), 9 Jul 2011 @ 1:49am

    False Positives, anyone?

    Blow a few soap bubbles to entertain your grandkid before the family leaves for the airport, then change the kid's diaper.

    Congratulations, you are now a walking false positive for nitroglycerin, able to set off every explosives detector in the airport!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  70. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 9 Jul 2011 @ 2:21am

    But... the terrorists!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  71. identicon
    Lawrence D'Oliveiro, 9 Jul 2011 @ 5:50am

    Re: out_of_the_blue's pattern: Rant, then play up the fear.

    You need to add more reader comments. Expound at length on your points, or any other points, for that matter. Each new comment can take up where the previous one left off. Or even go off in a completely different direction. It might not make your position clearer, but you can make up for that with voluminous prolixity.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  72. icon
    Eileen (profile), 9 Jul 2011 @ 6:03am

    Re: Déjà-vu... all over again...

    Agreed.

    More practically, there is almost no way this is a credible threat. I read some years ago that the amount of explosive you would have to implant would be MUCH larger than you woulds, say, wrap around yourself, because of the damping effect of the human body getting in the way. Some guy who has just been surgically implanted with C4 is not going to feel well or act normally, and I even wonder if it's possible to put enough in a person to actually bring down a plane (vs tearing a small hole, or killing a few very nearby passengers).

    At this point the "terrorists" must just be jumping up and down giggling at how stupid we are...

    link to this | view in thread ]

  73. identicon
    SomeGuy, 9 Jul 2011 @ 8:23am

    Re: Re: Déjà-vu... all over again...

    But what if it's only "implanted" a few inches inside a convenient orrifice? Deep enough to avoid detection but able to be retrieved before detonation?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  74. identicon
    abc gum, 9 Jul 2011 @ 9:00am

    Re:

    that's funny ... oh wait, you're serious?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  75. identicon
    abc gum, 9 Jul 2011 @ 9:04am

    Is there any correlation between the increase in TSA anal probing and the decrease in alien abductions?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  76. identicon
    Androgynous Cowherd, 9 Jul 2011 @ 3:57pm

    How do they propose to find these hypothetical implanted bombs? They already X-ray everybody that's going to get on a plane. If that isn't considered good enough, what is? Exploratory surgery?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  77. identicon
    Ed C., 9 Jul 2011 @ 9:55pm

    Re: So thats how ObamaCare saves us money!

    No agent McDuggle, I wasn't planning to fly today. The plane ticket was just cheaper than what my doctor charges for a prostate exam.

    link to this | view in thread ]


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