Programs: AA EXP/2MM, QF WP, DL PM, US Conscientious Objector, TED Boycotter, SPG PLT, TSA Disparager Diamond
Posts: 37,445
Outstanding! I hope DHS/TSA goes down big time on this one.
"Airport searches are the most common encounters between Americans and law enforcement agents. That's why it is so important for TSA agents to do the job they were trained to do and not engage in fishing expeditions that do nothing to promote flight safety," said Ben Wizner, a staff attorney with the ACLU National Security Project."
That pretty much sums up the entire experience at the checkpoint:
fishing expeditions that do nothing to promote flight safety
__________________
You cannot uphold American ideology with un-American actions. It's time for change.
I applaud this. I look forward to the court decision. I don't think we ought to focus our efforts on cash when there are many legitimate reasons for passengers to possess large amounts of cash.
Sorry to disappoint you, Spiff, but this won't bring down DHS or TSA.
Cute comment, though. You score a 5 on the laugh-o-meter!
I can't wait to see how this plays out. With the entire incindent recorded the TSA legal staff is going to have hard time justifying this as national security. I have no doubt that Francine will be searching Google around the clock for answers.
Last edited by magellan315; Jun 19, 09 at 4:50 am.
Sorry to disappoint you, Spiff, but this won't bring down DHS or TSA.
While Spiff may want the demise of DHS and the TSA in general, he did say "I hope DHS/TSA goes down big time on this one" in his post. (emphasis added).
I, too, await Francine's answer-- this time I don't think a blog post plus hiding will suffice.
Programs: AA EXP/2MM, QF WP, DL PM, US Conscientious Objector, TED Boycotter, SPG PLT, TSA Disparager Diamond
Posts: 37,445
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bart
I applaud this. I look forward to the court decision. I don't think we ought to focus our efforts on cash when there are many legitimate reasons for passengers to possess large amounts of cash.
Sorry to disappoint you, Spiff, but this won't bring down DHS or TSA.
Cute comment, though. You score a 5 on the laugh-o-meter!
Hope that's out of 10. It's hardly my best material.
With every misstep, TSA gets closer to the death it so richly deserves.
__________________
You cannot uphold American ideology with un-American actions. It's time for change.
I have no doubt that Francince will be searching Google around the clock for answers.
The Complaint quotes Francine, the Googling lawyer:
Quote:
The treatment Mr. Bierfeldt received reflects TSA policy. As TSA’s general counsel has stated on the agency’s official website, it is standard practice for TSA agents to “ask a passenger who is carrying a large sum of cash to account for the money.” Because TSA believes that its mission includes detecting “signs of criminal activity,” a TSA officer who observes “a large sum of money . . . will frequently engage in dialog with the passenger to determine whether a referral to law-enforcement authorities is warranted.”
__________________ We cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home.
We can hope that the LEO and TSA screener involved are found personally liable for a huge award. There's nothing like seeing a collegue lose his hours, car and retirement fund to focus your attention on following the law, rather than making it up on the spot. It may also help the front-line screeners question some of the nonsense that comes down from HQ.
The only better outcome would be a criminal prosecution for civil rights infringement under color of law.
We can hope that the LEO and TSA screener involved are found personally liable for a huge award. There's nothing like seeing a collegue lose his hours, car and retirement fund to focus your attention on following the law, rather than making it up on the spot. It may also help the front-line screeners question some of the nonsense that comes down from HQ.
The only better outcome would be a criminal prosecution for civil rights infringement under color of law.
Only one person is sued and that "person" is DHS. (Napolitano is sued in her official capacity). This is not one of those sue-everyone-in-sight lawsuits. Since the screener and police were "following orders," it is nearly impossible (in this case) to attach any personal liability, criminal or otherwise.
Only one person is sued and that "person" is DHS. (Napolitano is sued in her official capacity). This is not one of those sue-everyone-in-sight lawsuits. Since the screener and police were "following orders," it is nearly impossible (in this case) to attach any personal liability, criminal or otherwise.
The TSA SOP and the LEO SOP will show that they were not following orders. Once that is established the individuals can be sued for infringing on the man's rights.
Best in Class 
