TSA behavior detection program

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Nov 14, 2013 | 7:42 am

#241

Schmurrr

Join Date: Jun 2012

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Quote:

But DHS disagreed with the GAO’s recommendation that the TSA administrator “limit future funding support for the agency’s behavior detection activities until TSA can provide scientifically validated evidence.”

In its response within the report, DHS faulted both the GAO’s findings related to the 2011 SPOT validation study, saying its use of different statistical techniques resulted in “misleading” conclusions, and that its review of the research literature omitted some studies that supported the use of behavior detection.

So DHS has yet to provide supporting, scientifically valid studies in response to the 2011 GAO report? What have they been waiting for? Oh, right: Congress has been funding SPOT anyway...

And someone from Congress finally read the 2011 GAO report? Why do we even have a GAO if Congress more or less ignores it?

I have to put the blame on Congress here for once again failing to make responsible use of taxpayer dollars. SPOT should have been validated before $1B was allocated to implementing it nationwide, and SPOT in its current form should certainly not have continued receiving funds after the 2011 GAO report was released.

Nov 14, 2013 | 7:43 am

#242

Schmurrr

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Quote:

Originally Posted by halls120

Could someone please explain to me how possession of illegal drugs, child pornography, fraudulent documents, being an illegal alien, subject of an outstanding warrant or possessing undeclared currency has anything to do with aviation safety?

Pathetic, isn't it? I miss the Fourth Amendment.

Nov 14, 2013 | 8:20 am

#243

Caradoc

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Quote:

Originally Posted by bdschobel

Congress funds all kinds of agencies (the military, for instance), but they -- and their employees -- do illegal things from time to time.

"Waterboarding" and "extraordinary rendition" spring to mind.

Nov 14, 2013 | 8:39 am

#244

FlyingHoustonian

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Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeMpls

The idea that federal employees are going to be prosecuted for being hired and trained and then doing what they were trained to do -- junk science or not -- is ludicrous.

While I get your overall point it is not completely ludicrous:
http://rt.com/usa/texas-tsa-bill-patdown-709/

Other states thought of it also. I get the fact some of it is a protest and whatnot but there are plenty of state cops and small town constables is this country willing to stare down the feds...

Nov 14, 2013 | 8:55 am

#245

Caradoc

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Quote:

Originally Posted by halls120

Could someone please explain to me how possession of illegal drugs, child pornography, fraudulent documents, being an illegal alien, subject of an outstanding warrant or possessing undeclared currency has anything to do with aviation safety?

And why is "being an illegal alien" a problem for the SPOTniks but not for issuing SIDA IDs?

Heck, the TSA hires felons...

Nov 14, 2013 | 9:53 am

#246

TheRoadie

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Quote:

Originally Posted by halls120

Passengers with those things *might* be "bad people" who think "bad thoughts" that might include thinking "badly" about the TSA. So they're valid harassment targets to bully back into conformance.

Nov 14, 2013 | 10:03 am

#247

MikeMpls

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Last edited by MikeMpls; Nov 24, 2013 at 10:16 pm Reason: removing all my recent TS/S content since any effort here seems to be unappreciated

Nov 14, 2013 | 10:08 am

#248

bdschobel

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OK, I agree with at least part of your point: Nobody is going to jail for merely asking questions, especially when the person being asked is under no legal obligation to answer. But somebody should pay a price for this huge waste of scarce government resources. You and I are paying the bill for this nonsense, so why aren't you as bothered as I am?

Bruce

Nov 14, 2013 | 10:35 am

#249

Caradoc

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Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeMpls

What's silly (and ludicrous) is suggesting that people will be jailed for being hired/trained/employed in a program authorized & funded by Congress.

Charles Graner served six-and-a-half years of a ten-year sentence for "just following orders" in a program authorized and funded by Congress - and is still on parole.

Nov 14, 2013 | 12:09 pm

#250

GUWonder

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Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeMpls

In this case they specifically funded the program being discussed. What's silly (and ludicrous) is suggesting that people will be jailed for being hired/trained/employed in a program authorized & funded by Congress.

Well, it's highly improbable indeed for run-of-the-mill TSA screeners at least and unfortunately probably even for their present and past management. For other current or former government employees -- including some on FT -- there is some risk of being jailed abroad for violations of law committed by those who were hired/trained/employed in a program authorized & funded by Congress and operating under official government guidance.

If I were to come across a job applicant who mentioned BDO/SPOT junk (or anything like it) in their resume or interview, I'd really like to get to know the mind of that con-artist before showing them the door.

Nov 14, 2013 | 12:26 pm

#251

MikeMpls

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Last edited by MikeMpls; Nov 24, 2013 at 10:25 pm Reason: removing all my recent TS/S content since any effort here seems to be unappreciated

Nov 14, 2013 | 12:38 pm

#252

petaluma1

Join Date: Aug 2012

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Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeMpls

*ROTFL* again!

The abuse at Abu Ghraib was scarcely authorized by Congress, and it also has nothing to with GAO review of the BDO program.

This forum is really going out to lunch.

The military isn't authorized and funded by Congress? Same as the TSA?

Nov 14, 2013 | 12:44 pm

#253

MikeMpls

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Last edited by MikeMpls; Nov 24, 2013 at 10:23 pm Reason: removing all my recent TS/S content since any effort here seems to be unappreciated

Nov 14, 2013 | 12:51 pm

#254

Caradoc

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Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeMpls

Try reading what I said: The abuse at Abu Ghraib wasn't authorized ...

Done with this thread & forum again, no point in spending time on these wacky tangents.

Except that the abuse at Abu Ghraib *was* authorized, and funded by Congress. Graner was just one of the most convenient scapegoats.

Just like the average SPOTnik would be the most convenient scapegoat when the "Behavioral Detection" nonsense finally falls apart.

"Teams" like the "Mexicutioners" don't exist in a vacuum.