Bennie Thompson, D-Miss in a letter dated August 12, addressed to Hizzonor Pistole, completely debunks the 20 questions gambit:
"It appears that TSA is 'doubling down' by using the SPOT model as the basis of another scientifically unproven technique which would require grater personal interaction with passengers," Thompson said in his letter
Full article
here.
and Rep. Thompson's letter
here. (pdf)
This letter, while old news, contains the following ominous statement from Rep. Thompson:
As explained to Committee staff by TSA representatives, the Assessor screening technique involves asking passengers personal questions. The responses to those questions will determine whether a passenger is sent for additional questioning, secondary screening or referral to a law enforcement officer. As the Assessor questioning protocol was not considered in the DHS Science and Technology validation study, there is no scientific validation, limited or comprehensive, of the efficacy of teh Assessor model of screening to detect persons who pose a security risk to aviation. In essences, instead of attempting to comply with concerns raised by the GAO, it appears that the TSA is "doubling down" by using the SPOT model as the basis of another scientifically unproven technique which would require greater personal interactions with passengers.
[emphasis mine.]
So, according to testimony by TSA before Congress, your response to Assessor Spotnik's questions will determine if:
1. You fly today
2. You will be felt today
3. You miss your flight today
4. You are referred to a cop.
By this I construe that they are once again going fishing for anything and everything, and the 4th Amendment, now being fully and finally trampled into oblivion, they have now set their sights on the 5Th Amendment.
Since they have testified to Congress that my response to their interrogation might result in me being referred to a law enforcement officer, I am afraid, I must refrain from speaking to them, at all, other than to provide my name, and destination. Beyond that, I might make small conversation, but if I am directly asked the purpose of my trip, my answer will be "to go to my destination because I want to go there."
'nuff said.