Congressman Bennie Thompson demands Pistole prove that SPOT is not racial profiling
Nov 29, 2011, 8:06 pm
#1
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Congressman Bennie Thompson demands Pistole prove that SPOT is not racial profiling
Bennie G. Thompson, the Ranking Member of the House Committee of Homeland Security, is demanding that Administrator Pistole explain how the Spotting Passengers by Observation Technique (SPOT) program is not racial and ethnic profiling. Here's the link to the November 22, 2011 letter that Rep. Thompson sent to Administrator Pistole:
Rep. Bernie G. Thompson's November 22, 2011 Letter to TSA Administrator Pistole (PDF)
I am not a Democrat like Representative Thompson, but I still found his letter well worth reading.
Rep. Thompson begins by describing media reports of racial profiling by SPOT at HNL and NEW and explains how those media reports underscore his earlier concerns about SPOT.
He then quotes from a letter that Pistole sent to Thompson, using "(sic)" to highlight spelling and grammatical errors in four of the six sentences quoted!
Next comes this paragraph:
^ ^ ^ ^ to you, Rep. Thompson!
Rep. Bernie G. Thompson's November 22, 2011 Letter to TSA Administrator Pistole (PDF)
I am not a Democrat like Representative Thompson, but I still found his letter well worth reading.
Rep. Thompson begins by describing media reports of racial profiling by SPOT at HNL and NEW and explains how those media reports underscore his earlier concerns about SPOT.
He then quotes from a letter that Pistole sent to Thompson, using "(sic)" to highlight spelling and grammatical errors in four of the six sentences quoted!
Next comes this paragraph:
Unfortunately, events described in June at Newark and in November at Honolulu do not support the contention that training and supervision insulate the program from racial profiling by BDOs. Further, TSA's internal investigation of the Newark incident, which led to disciplinary action against a SPOT manager, retraining of the entire Newark BDO staff and the appointment of new management officials at Newark stand as clear testament to the flawed nature of this program despite explicit statements contained in the training manuals and "hands on" supervision by officials.
Rep. Thompson concludes his letter by demanding that TSA provide seven different items to him. ^ ^ ^ ^ to you, Rep. Thompson!
Last edited by RatherBeOnATrain; Dec 1, 2011 at 4:03 pm Reason: Corrected Spelling of Rep. Bennie Thompson's first name, per gnorwost2's post below.
Nov 29, 2011, 8:09 pm
#2
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Don't hold your breath. If the TSA responds at all, chances are it will be a fluff letter signed by a GS-14 in the Congressional Affairs office, which is even more insulting than not responding at all.
Nov 30, 2011, 1:40 am
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How about showing that SPOT is more effective than flipping a coin?
Nov 30, 2011, 9:15 am
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Nov 30, 2011, 6:26 pm
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Dear Bennie,
Thanks for your letter.
I am personally confident that SPOT works and that our training is sufficient to prevent any racial profiling. I believe this answers all your questions.
Please send more a LOT MORE money.
Love and kisses,
John
Thanks for your letter.
I am personally confident that SPOT works and that our training is sufficient to prevent any racial profiling. I believe this answers all your questions.
Love and kisses,
John
Last edited by RadioGirl; Dec 1, 2011 at 2:08 pm Reason: spelling of name
Nov 30, 2011, 8:35 pm
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The Honourable Congressman forgot to include item 8...
8. The committee demands your immediate resignation. If your letter of resignation is not received by 3pm, you will be arrested and forcibly removed from the premises.
8. The committee demands your immediate resignation. If your letter of resignation is not received by 3pm, you will be arrested and forcibly removed from the premises.
Last edited by bluenotesro; Nov 30, 2011 at 8:35 pm Reason: typo
Dec 1, 2011, 12:04 am
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If these Congressmen were serious about calling TSA on the carpet for their racial profiling, budget overruns, etc., they would subpoena Pistole, then have him arrested for contempt of Congress when he doesn't show up for the hearing. Until that happens, this is all window dressing.
Dec 1, 2011, 4:06 pm
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Dec 3, 2011, 6:22 am
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AP Article on TSA release in response to Rep. Thompson's letter
Actually, the Associated Press is published an article by Jennifer Sinco Kelleher that describes the statement TSA released. Here's the article on the website for ATL's fishwrap:
Associated Press article (ajc.com):
TSA probes profiling allegations in Honolulu
8:21 a.m. Friday, December 2, 2011
Here's a short quote:
Associated Press article (ajc.com):
TSA probes profiling allegations in Honolulu
8:21 a.m. Friday, December 2, 2011
Here's a short quote:
HONOLULU — The Transportation Security Administration said Thursday that it is investigating allegations that screeners at Honolulu International Airport have targeted Mexican travelers for extra screening.
The allegations "resulted in launching an immediate and thorough investigation of the behavior detection program at HNL," the TSA said in a statement, referring to Honolulu's airport code. "Pending the completion of the investigation, TSA also provided HNL Behavior Detection Officers refresher training to ensure the program is focused solely on identifying suspicious behaviors."
The statement was in response to a recent letter from U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, a ranking member of the House Committee on Homeland Security.
The article also contains this interesting news:The allegations "resulted in launching an immediate and thorough investigation of the behavior detection program at HNL," the TSA said in a statement, referring to Honolulu's airport code. "Pending the completion of the investigation, TSA also provided HNL Behavior Detection Officers refresher training to ensure the program is focused solely on identifying suspicious behaviors."
The statement was in response to a recent letter from U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, a ranking member of the House Committee on Homeland Security.
On Thursday, a group of 38 civil rights organizations led by the Sikh Coalition called for an independent audit of the TSA to determine whether the agency engages in racial profiling.
Their letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said the groups, which include the NAACP and American Civil Liberties Union, are "concerned that the latest reports from Hawaii and New Jersey represent the 'tip of the iceberg' and that TSA officers are engaged in a wider pattern or practice of profiling racial and religious minorities instead of focusing on actual criminal behavior."
Their letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said the groups, which include the NAACP and American Civil Liberties Union, are "concerned that the latest reports from Hawaii and New Jersey represent the 'tip of the iceberg' and that TSA officers are engaged in a wider pattern or practice of profiling racial and religious minorities instead of focusing on actual criminal behavior."
Dec 3, 2011, 7:26 am
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Thanks. I needed a good laugh to wake up this morning.
Dec 3, 2011, 3:26 pm
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TSA is not only the most disliked federal agency, it is one of the most arrogant.
