Category Archives: Security Theater

The GOP Response to TSA Strip-Searches

Posted on December 12, 2011 | Comments Off on The GOP Response to TSA Strip-Searches

The TSA has allegedly strip-searched an elderly woman for wearing a back brace. They suspected it was a money belt; turns out it was a back brace, just as the woman said. Two points to make here:

One, how degrading for the poor woman. Life is hard enough with a bad back.

Two, this strip-search was security-unrelated. Suppose the woman was wearing a money belt. Even the crispest of $100 bills can’t bring down a plane. Currency does not pose a safety threat of any kind.

The TSA is also explicitly disallowed from searching for criminal evidence unrelated to passenger safety. And there isn’t even anything criminal about carrying hidden cash. If anything, it’s probably safer to carry it that way.

Fortunately, the GOP is stepping in with a strong response that cuts to the heart of the problem: a new bill that would remove badges from official TSA uniforms. Agents might also lose the stripe on the side of their pants.

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Regulation of the Day 200: Flying Food

Posted on November 23, 2011 | Comments Off on Regulation of the Day 200: Flying Food

Millions of Americans are taking to the skies to spend time with their families over Thanksgiving. Many of them will be carrying leftovers on their return trips. Fortunately, the TSA is fully prepared to defend the airways against terrorist turkeys and rogue desserts. Here is a list of food and other holiday-themed items that run afoul of the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule:

Cranberry sauce, creamy dips and spreads (cheeses, peanut butter, etc.), gift baskets with food items (salsa, jams and salad dressings), gravy, jams, jellies, maple syrup, oils and vinegars, salad dressing, salsa, sauces, soups, wine, liquor and beer.

That means you’ll have to put them in checked baggage if you have a decent amount. They are far too dangerous to bring on the plane in a carry-on.

There are also specific guidelines for pies and cakes:

Note: You can bring pies and cakes through the security checkpoint, but please be advised that they are subject to additional screening.

I feel safer already.

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Posted in Regulation of the Day, Security Theater

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Fear Bathtubs, Not Terrorists

Posted on November 21, 2011 | Comments Off on Fear Bathtubs, Not Terrorists

Your odds of drowning in a bathtub? About one in a million. Your odds of dying in a terrorist attack? About one in 3.5 million. If you’re not scared of taking a bath — and you shouldn’t be — then you shouldn’t be scared of terrorists. The Department of Homeland Security’s post-9/11 buildup is the result of literally irrational fear.

John Mueller and Mark G. Stewart make that point crystal clear in this video. Click here if the embedded video doesn’t work.

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Posted in Security Theater

Mission Creep

Posted on October 20, 2011 | Comments Off on Mission Creep

In Tennessee, the TSA is now patrolling interstate highways.

“Where is a terrorist more apt to be found? Not these days on an airplane more likely on the interstate,” said Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons…

Tuesday’s statewide “VIPR” operation isn’t in response to any particular threat, according to officials.

Black swan bias lives.

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Posted in Security Theater

Parts of PATRIOT Act Declared Unconstitutional

Posted on September 30, 2011 | Comments Off on Parts of PATRIOT Act Declared Unconstitutional

In yesterday’s Los Angeles Times, Jonathan Turley blasted President Obama’s record on civil liberties:

Historically, this country has tended to correct periods of heightened police powers with a pendulum swing back toward greater individual rights. Many were questioning the extreme measures taken by the Bush administration, especially after the disclosure of abuses and illegalities. Candidate Obama capitalized on this swing and portrayed himself as the champion of civil liberties.

However, President Obama not only retained the controversial Bush policies, he expanded on them. The earliest, and most startling, move came quickly.

Today brought better news. MSNBC reports that the U.S. Circuit Court struck down two PATRIOT Act provisions dealing with probable cause-less searches. The case centered around Brandon Mayfield, an attorney in Portland who was falsely linked to the 2004 Madrid bombings.

Mayfield was arrested and fingerprinted. His fingerprint was falsely matched to a print found in Madrid. After that, the FBI put him “under 24-hour surveillance, listened to his phone calls and surreptitiously searched his home and law office.” This , according to Judge Ann Aiken, crossed the line.

Two provisions down, many more to go. Until then, President Bush’s third term continues.

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Posted in Law, Security Theater

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Time to Abolish DHS

Posted on September 27, 2011 | Comments Off on Time to Abolish DHS

Gene Healy makes a good case in his latest column:

In a new book, “Terror, Security, and Money,” professors John Mueller and Mark G. Stewart closely examine that question and, using a set of assumptions weighted in favor of the government, conclude that, to justify the increased post-Sept. 11 spending, we “would have to deter, prevent, foil, or protect against 1,667 otherwise successful [attempted Times Square car bomb-type] attacks per year, or more than four per day.”

Terrorism is rare. Much rarer than 4 attacks per day. We already have military and police forces to deal with that rare threat. DHS is redundant at best. It would be both good policy and good politics to shutter the department and hand its legitimate functions over to other agencies.

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Posted in Security Theater

TSA Saves Country from Diabetic, Pregnant Terrorist

Posted on August 5, 2011 | Comments Off on TSA Saves Country from Diabetic, Pregnant Terrorist

A pregnant woman who suffers from diabetes got into trouble with the TSA in Denver. They allowed her to take through her needles and syringes. But they confiscated her insulin, claiming it was an explosives risk.

The woman and her husband have filed a formal complaint with the TSA. She spoke to Denver’s ABC affiliate on condition of anonymity; as a frequent traveler, she fears retaliation.

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Keeping the Skies Safe

Posted on July 19, 2011 | Comments Off on Keeping the Skies Safe

Chicago Cubs manager Mike Quade was detained by the TSA for 40 minutes and patted down twice on his return flight from last week’s all-star game in Phoenix.

This Brewer fan has little love for the Cubs. But even I don’t think their manager is a terrorist.

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Posted in Security Theater, Sports

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It’s Only Alright When the Government Does It

Posted on July 18, 2011 | Comments Off on It’s Only Alright When the Government Does It

A Longmont, Colorado woman spent a night in jail and is being charged with felony sexual assault for returning the favor during a TSA pat-down.

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Posted in Security Theater

TSA Pats Down 6-Year Old Boy

Posted on July 11, 2011 | Comments Off on TSA Pats Down 6-Year Old Boy

Twice.

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Posted in Security Theater