Anonymous said...

Ms. Kerner's statement is an absolutely correct statement of the law. When you're at a Customs or TSA checkpoint, the Supreme Court has effectively held that the entire Bill of Rights magically disappears. At the checkpoint, a passenger has no rights whatsoever, and is presumed guilty until the screener or officer decides you're not. The only law that applies is the whim and caprice of the officer who happens to be handling your screening or interrogation. Regardless of what any official "policy" says, if you give the officer any reason to dislike you, he or she has complete authority to inspect and your person and/or dismember or confiscate your belongings as he or she sees fit, and to make you as miserable and humiliated as he or she deems necessary. And there's nothing you can do about it, as any hint of complaining or disobedience will only give reason to escalate the humiliating treatment.

The only thing you can do is to be fully cognizant of the fact that you have no rights and you're entirely at the mercy of the officer you're facing. Approaching the checkpoint with the correct humble attitude, and with a demeanor that shows full respect, submissive docility, and above all complete and immediate obedience to their every word, MAY reduce the likelihood of giving them reason to assert their authority. But there are no guarantees of anything.

TSOs, Customs agents, and anyone with a badge deserves total respect and complete submission to their absolute authority. Many of these officials are highly competent and professonal and merit respect because they and have earned it through the respect they show. But those who aren't highly competent and professional merit even more respect because they're the ones most eager to inflict punishment for failing to show respect.