TSA Freaks Out, Gets Longtime Critic Bruce Schneier Kicked Off Of Oversight Hearing
from the congressional-security-theater dept
If you read this site, you probably already know who Bruce Schneier is. We've certainly mentioned the longtime security expert plenty of times. He's been one of the leading vocal critics of "security theater" from the TSA, and therefore a perfectly reasonable counterpoint to the TSA in a hearing by the House Oversight Committee looking into TSA reform. I don't think anyone has thought quite as much about how the TSA could do things better than Bruce Schneier. But, as you can see from the website of the hearing, Schneier was removed from today's hearing:On Friday, at the request of the TSA, I was removed from the witness list. The excuse was that I am involved in a lawsuit against the TSA, trying to get them to suspend their full-body scanner program. But it's pretty clear that the TSA is afraid of public testimony on the topic, and especially of being challenged in front of Congress. They want to control the story, and it's easier for them to do that if I'm not sitting next to them pointing out all the holes in their position. Unfortunately, the committee went along with them.As Tim Lee notes in reporting on this story, the TSA has done similar things in the past, and even been rebuked by Rep. Jason Chaffetz -- and yet it had no problem doing it again. The fact that Schneier is a part of that lawsuit is meaningless and shouldn't stop him from testifying at all. Schneier is a clear thorn in the side of the TSA, and if it's so afraid of having him speak to Congress, that really says a lot about the (lack of) confidence it has in its own arguments. If you can't stand to let a critic speak, it suggests that perhaps your own argument isn't very strong.
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Filed Under: bruce schneier, congress, darrell issa, house oversight committee, security theater, tsa
Reader Comments
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What kind of Congress would do that?...
*le sigh*
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TSA agents...
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Some things just aren't worth doing -- no matter HOW "tough" things get.
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If he didn't have a pending lawsuit, I am sure there would be no issue.
Sounds more like this guy wants the best of both worlds.
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He decided to sue. He can wait for the courts to get to him.
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And the defendant's lawyer can still prove it isn't true. Just because something is in print doesn't make it gospel. The Congressional "Record" is particular egregious in this regard since members can have stuff added, removed, or changed before it goes to press.
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This is a cheap shot from a cheap congress.
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The standard should cut both ways, right?
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Mr Schneier chose the venue, now he gets to wait his turn.
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You seem to be astroturfing for the TSA.
Do they pay you for that ?
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I realize that multitasking is no longer cool and has received scathing reviews, but tunnel vision is not a viable alternative.
Denying someone their right to an opinion simply because they have an opinion, is ridiculous. Doing it because they are defending their opinion displays obvious contempt. Due to their lack of decorum, the TSA should be removed from the proceedings.
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What is the TSA afraid off? The truth?
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I am sure this is wishful thinking.
Having someone on the panel who is a critical voice is important. Regardless, a roomful of sycophants doesn't lend credibility to the idea of an "oversight" committee, does it?
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Seriously?
Why not just hold up a sign to the world reading "Hi! We're TSA. And we're morons. We're such cowards that we can't even stand up to scrutiny or critics."
I don't know what's worse: TSA cowards or stupid politicians who actually allowed this to happen. No wonder the United States is seen by other countries as hypocritical, bullying, and led by morons. What an embarrassment!
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TSA gets BS banned at Hearing
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Also, why did TSA have any say in this, anyway? They get to pick and choose who criticizes them? How very convenient.
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If only...
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"Hi, I'm Dr. Bruce Schneier. I'm the person TSA had stricken from testifying. Here's what I would have said."
Pretty simple solution.
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Perhaps "delusions of grandeur" would be more appropriate?
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Freak out suggests exactly that, running around pulling their hair out screaming. It's exactly the misleading image Mike wants to paint here.
It's more proof that Mike is full of shit at times. The rest of the time, Marcus takes care of it.
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(For the non-Brits, this is a reference to prospective soldiers taking "the King's shilling" - now 5p/8 cents - as a token of having signed up for the Army.)
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Not having him on a panel devoted entirely to SECURITY is damning enough evidence against the TSA. Anyone who has any idea or the faintest clue about what security is or how it applies to the TSA has probably already written their guilty verdict on the matter.
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The Guy Has A Known Pro-Terrorist Record
I don't know why he doesn't just have "OBAMA BIN LADEN" tattooed on his forehead and be done with it.
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TSA Fears the Truth
They are so accustomed to boldly lying to Congress that they no longer show any discomfort doing this. Incredibly, no lawmaker has had the courage to hold them in contempt of Congress or withhold funding for the agency. Until Congress and the public demand that TSA adopt sensible and civilized security procedures it will continue to be a morass of corruption and criminal behavior.
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"TSA Freaks Out"
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