Congressman Blackburn: “Not on my watch”: 50 Failures of TSA’s TSOs
Jun 6, 2012, 9:11 am
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Congressman Blackburn: “Not on my watch”: 50 Failures of TSA’s TSOs
A new report from Congressman Blackburn, in PDF format, posted at house dot gov:
“Not on my watch”: 50 Failures of TSA’s Transportation Security Officers
CONGRESSMAN MARSHA BLACKBURN
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
112th Congress
May 30, 2012
“Not on my watch”: 50 Failures of TSA’s Transportation Security Officers
CONGRESSMAN MARSHA BLACKBURN
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
112th Congress
May 30, 2012
Jun 6, 2012, 9:18 am
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FedSmith.Com: Rep. Marsha Blackburn Demands Investigation of TSA Hiring Practices
Two news articles about the report:
FedSmith.Com:
Blackburn Demands Investigation of TSA Hiring Practices
By Ian Smith
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
A short quote:
NewsChannel 5:
Blackburn Calls For Investigation Of TSA Hiring
Posted: Monday, June 4, 2012 9:04 PM EST
Updated: Monday, June 4, 2012 9:04 PM EST
A short quote:
"TSA needs to immediately remove themselves from the human resource business. This report details highly disturbing cases where pedophiles and child pornographers wearing federal law enforcement uniforms are not only patting down unsuspecting travelers, but in many cases stealing valuables from their bags. Enough is enough. It's time for Congress to step in and demand accountability from Administrator Pistole," said Blackburn.
Also as part of the report she points out that TSA employees act as law enforcement officers, but have little training, and aren't screened as thoroughly as local police departments. She says the solution is to get the TSA out of law enforcement back to what they were originally set out to do.
FedSmith.Com:
Blackburn Demands Investigation of TSA Hiring Practices
By Ian Smith
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
A short quote:
Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) has released a report documenting crimes committed by some of the Transportation Security Administration's employees in an effort to demonstrate what it cites as failures to effectively screen the employees it hires.
"'Not on my watch': 50 Failures of TSA's Transportation Security Officers" details 50 arrests of TSA employees that have taken place since 2005. It notes that this is not an account of every TSA employee arrested during that timeframe, thus implying the actual number is much higher.
and"'Not on my watch': 50 Failures of TSA's Transportation Security Officers" details 50 arrests of TSA employees that have taken place since 2005. It notes that this is not an account of every TSA employee arrested during that timeframe, thus implying the actual number is much higher.
NewsChannel 5:
Blackburn Calls For Investigation Of TSA Hiring
Posted: Monday, June 4, 2012 9:04 PM EST
Updated: Monday, June 4, 2012 9:04 PM EST
A short quote:
"TSA needs to immediately remove themselves from the human resource business. This report details highly disturbing cases where pedophiles and child pornographers wearing federal law enforcement uniforms are not only patting down unsuspecting travelers, but in many cases stealing valuables from their bags. Enough is enough. It's time for Congress to step in and demand accountability from Administrator Pistole," said Blackburn.
Also as part of the report she points out that TSA employees act as law enforcement officers, but have little training, and aren't screened as thoroughly as local police departments. She says the solution is to get the TSA out of law enforcement back to what they were originally set out to do.
Jun 6, 2012, 9:23 am
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Heroin, lots of child porn, theft, the list goes on.
This should get its own sticky...
EPIC FAIL TSA
This should get its own sticky...
EPIC FAIL TSA
Jun 6, 2012, 10:39 am
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The "Recommendations" section begins with this:
In nearly all of the cases represented in this report, TSA has repeatedly responded with the same boilerplate response. “The unacceptable behavior of a few individuals in no way reflects the dedication of our nearly 50,000 Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) who work tirelessly to keep our skies safe." Unfortunately, what TSA fails to recognize is that the collective actions of TSOs repeatedly appearing in our national headlines and being arrested for serious crimes does in fact reflect poorly on TSA’s nearly 50,000 Transportation Security Officers.
Jun 6, 2012, 10:50 am
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Jun 6, 2012, 11:28 am
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Nice. A list of 50 terrorists found in airports. Guess what, they all wear the TSA uniform!
We can take simple and effective action to reduce the amount of terrorists freely roaming our airports--all we have to do is get rid of the TSA.
We can take simple and effective action to reduce the amount of terrorists freely roaming our airports--all we have to do is get rid of the TSA.
Jun 6, 2012, 11:41 am
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Two news articles about the report:
FedSmith.Com:
Blackburn Demands Investigation of TSA Hiring Practices
By Ian Smith
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
A short quote:
NewsChannel 5:
Blackburn Calls For Investigation Of TSA Hiring
Posted: Monday, June 4, 2012 9:04 PM EST
Updated: Monday, June 4, 2012 9:04 PM EST
A short quote:
"TSA needs to immediately remove themselves from the human resource business. This report details highly disturbing cases where pedophiles and child pornographers wearing federal law enforcement uniforms are not only patting down unsuspecting travelers, but in many cases stealing valuables from their bags. Enough is enough. It's time for Congress to step in and demand accountability from Administrator Pistole," said Blackburn.
Also as part of the report she points out that TSA employees act as law enforcement officers, but have little training, and aren't screened as thoroughly as local police departments. She says the solution is to get the TSA out of law enforcement back to what they were originally set out to do.
FedSmith.Com:
Blackburn Demands Investigation of TSA Hiring Practices
By Ian Smith
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
A short quote:
Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) has released a report documenting crimes committed by some of the Transportation Security Administration's employees in an effort to demonstrate what it cites as failures to effectively screen the employees it hires.
"'Not on my watch': 50 Failures of TSA's Transportation Security Officers" details 50 arrests of TSA employees that have taken place since 2005. It notes that this is not an account of every TSA employee arrested during that timeframe, thus implying the actual number is much higher.
and"'Not on my watch': 50 Failures of TSA's Transportation Security Officers" details 50 arrests of TSA employees that have taken place since 2005. It notes that this is not an account of every TSA employee arrested during that timeframe, thus implying the actual number is much higher.
NewsChannel 5:
Blackburn Calls For Investigation Of TSA Hiring
Posted: Monday, June 4, 2012 9:04 PM EST
Updated: Monday, June 4, 2012 9:04 PM EST
A short quote:
"TSA needs to immediately remove themselves from the human resource business. This report details highly disturbing cases where pedophiles and child pornographers wearing federal law enforcement uniforms are not only patting down unsuspecting travelers, but in many cases stealing valuables from their bags. Enough is enough. It's time for Congress to step in and demand accountability from Administrator Pistole," said Blackburn.
Also as part of the report she points out that TSA employees act as law enforcement officers, but have little training, and aren't screened as thoroughly as local police departments. She says the solution is to get the TSA out of law enforcement back to what they were originally set out to do.
http://www.govexec.com/oversight/200...ontract/27424/
Maybe if the HR contract wasn't dictated by the intended future careers and or portfolios of the decisionmakers, it might work for once.
Also, an independent IG would also be a great help in cleaning up the ranks, as when we report problem behaviors, nothing happens unless the person was already on the list of management's targets.. (however, showing a willingness to report illegal and/or inappropriate behavior will put you on such a list- integrity threatens the fiat of our local command structures)
Jun 6, 2012, 11:42 am
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Hate to tell you, Rep. Blackburn, but as your list shows, this has been happening on your watch - did you just wake up? You've been in office since 2003 and it has been happening for 9 years now and you just noticed?
And it will continue to happen on your watch until you and/or some of your fellow Congresscritters choose to actually earn your salary and do something about it.
What exactly have you done? Have you introduced and fought for specific legislation (riders to other bills will do, we all know how that works) to rein in TSA? Have you addressed the media and told them you have asked for a meeting with the President to discuss your concerns? Have you started documenting passenger experiences (those of your staff, for example, or family, particularly the elderly or handicapped) at checkpoints? Have you tried taking a photograph at a checkpoint? Have you personally actually solicited feedback from your constituents, in Town Meetings, for example?
Did you use some of your fat Congressional budget to mail out copies of your pdf to all of your constituents, asking for feedback and providing a dedicated phone number with a live person at the other end?
In fact, have you at any time since you were first elected in 2003, spoken out about TSA and its practices?
Or is this just all about elections (she is up for re-election this November)? Will we still be hearing about your indignation and 'your watch' after November?
And it will continue to happen on your watch until you and/or some of your fellow Congresscritters choose to actually earn your salary and do something about it.
What exactly have you done? Have you introduced and fought for specific legislation (riders to other bills will do, we all know how that works) to rein in TSA? Have you addressed the media and told them you have asked for a meeting with the President to discuss your concerns? Have you started documenting passenger experiences (those of your staff, for example, or family, particularly the elderly or handicapped) at checkpoints? Have you tried taking a photograph at a checkpoint? Have you personally actually solicited feedback from your constituents, in Town Meetings, for example?
Did you use some of your fat Congressional budget to mail out copies of your pdf to all of your constituents, asking for feedback and providing a dedicated phone number with a live person at the other end?
In fact, have you at any time since you were first elected in 2003, spoken out about TSA and its practices?
Or is this just all about elections (she is up for re-election this November)? Will we still be hearing about your indignation and 'your watch' after November?
Last edited by chollie; Jun 6, 2012 at 11:50 am Reason: add facts
Jun 6, 2012, 12:34 pm
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Hate to tell you, Rep. Blackburn, but as your list shows, this has been happening on your watch - did you just wake up? You've been in office since 2003 and it has been happening for 9 years now and you just noticed?
And it will continue to happen on your watch until you and/or some of your fellow Congresscritters choose to actually earn your salary and do something about it.
[snip]
Or is this just all about elections (she is up for re-election this November)? Will we still be hearing about your indignation and 'your watch' after November?
And it will continue to happen on your watch until you and/or some of your fellow Congresscritters choose to actually earn your salary and do something about it.
[snip]
Or is this just all about elections (she is up for re-election this November)? Will we still be hearing about your indignation and 'your watch' after November?
“Among these public servants are TSA's workforce, men and women who report to their posts each day motivated by the motto, "not on my watch."… Perhaps the next time you are going through airport security, taking a moment to convey respect and thanks to the Transportation Security Officers, the folks in the new blue uniforms, would offer well deserved recognition. After all, your safety is their priority.”
Jun 6, 2012, 12:42 pm
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My thoughts still stand, though - Blackburn was elected in 2003 - and she's just now taking action to clean up TSA?
I should say, is she taking action, or is she just shooting her mouth off until after this November's elections.
Jun 6, 2012, 2:43 pm
#12
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Posts: 627
What we need is for a report from a Member of Congress to not begin with praise and worship for the TSA's mission. We need someone with the stones to include something in a report like this:
The only two things that have effectively prevented the September 11 attacks from being repeated are hardened cockpit doors and policies to resist hijackers; the attacks did not occur as a result of terminal security failure, or even by allowing box knives in carry-on bags. The TSA has done absolutely nothing but waste billions of taxpayer dollars on ineffective security theater. It needs to be eliminated in its entirety, and terminal security needs to be returned to exactly the way it was before the September 11 attacks.
Jun 7, 2012, 8:14 am
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Perhaps my favorite paragraph: Furthermore, as earlier highlighted in this report, TSOs and BDOs have zero federal law enforcement training despite their federal law enforcement titles, uniforms and metal badges. In many cases, TSOs and BDOs have less training than security guards in most states. For example, in California, security guards may receive permits to carry firearms, tear gas and batons. Due to their lack of training and abuse of power, TSOs and BDOs should return to the previous title and uniforms that were in use prior to the TSA administrative reclassification in 2005
Jun 7, 2012, 12:44 pm
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Perhaps my favorite paragraph: Furthermore, as earlier highlighted in this report, TSOs and BDOs have zero federal law enforcement training despite their federal law enforcement titles, uniforms and metal badges. In many cases, TSOs and BDOs have less training than security guards in most states. For example, in California, security guards may receive permits to carry firearms, tear gas and batons. Due to their lack of training and abuse of power, TSOs and BDOs should return to the previous title and uniforms that were in use prior to the TSA administrative reclassification in 2005
We don't have these.