When I first heard of the advertisement in the bins story, I started thinking about the ethics involved in this practice. Then, I saw it for myself recently at LAX. Having seen it go public now nation-wide, it's time for me to send in a letter to the DHS IG stating my objection to this practice based on ethical grounds. If the local airport authority is selling the advertising space, I can see no legal issue, but advertising at a checkpoint sends a perception that the TSA and, by default, the DHS and the US government, endorses the products being advertised. In the LAX example, one could conclude that the government ensorses Rolex watches and Rolex Corporation and that Rolex paid the US government for advertising. This is a whole lot different than "Boeing" and their logo on the side of a B-52, which Boeing built for the Air Force under a contract. Commercial advertising at a US government location is completely out of bounds as far as I am concerned. I'm going to ask the IG about the rationale the DHS OGC used to allow this and declare this practice ethical -- might take a FOIA, but why not? I've got a new senator here in VA & this might be his first opportunity to be responsive to the guy who voted for him.

I know I'm anal when it comes to government ethics and I'm proud of it! (Comes with the territory of being in government since 1976.)