There's also general discussion about Pistole's Sunday-afternoon statement in this thread.

I nominate Lance Armstrong.

Sorry, but I don't buy the idea that TSA is backing down. The frog analogy is perfect. Inside TSA and DHS, the mood is anger - towards the public for turning against them and the media for not taking their side of the discussion. They truly believe that what they are doing is right, and that the traveling public needs to be bullied into submission.

Still not good enough. They ought to be fired.
Yea, right. Do we forget who is the President? Probably going to take a bit more than two years to get rid of these louts.

We should not back down until the Porno Scan machines are removed completely.

There is no way Americans get their rights back until this system of assuming everyone is guilty of carrying a bomb is completely and utterly destroyed.

+1000 - get rid of the machines, get rid of sexual assaults, and ensure everyone involved in congress and DHS gets a thorough woodshed discussion about what the 4th Amedment means in this country.

I wouldn't doubt that. At the moment the anger is reciprocal and it's their political masters who are the ones also taking the heat. The political masters don't like that.

Those of us opposed to all this should be continuing to make contact with elected politicians to let them know of our adamant opposition.

But if they resign then they will have to go throught the check points as "ordinary people"

This would be over-reacting. WBI actually would be beneficial for some passengers: namely, those who consistently set off the WTMDs for medical reasons (e.g. surgical implants). Those passengers have to endure secondary screening every time they enter the checkpoint. Giving those passengers a choice of a WBI scan or a patdown would be a good thing, allowing them some small amount of control during the screening process.

The problem occurs when everyone is required to submit to WBI, whether or not probable cause for secondary screening has been established.

They made the bed so they can sleep in it.

+100000

If airports around the world, including Israel, can conduct reasonable "searches ;)" without the lackluster customer service, and theater that TSA is known for, we would be much happier!

I suggest that screening will evolve to be more acceptable to travelers or Pistole will evolve to the unemployment line.

They are convinced that if they could just explain it properly, any rational person would be for it.

No way. Passengers with implants have been carrying doctors letters with them for 9 years and it worked fine.

The Porno Scan supposedly does not penetrate the skin, so it wouldn't make a difference for someone with an implant.

The only reason for the change to the porno scans is that the technology is now available, and the TSA has placed a large contract for them. They must be removed.

I have no doubt that TSA is angry.

That tells me a lot. TSA has no concern for the public's values. TSA does not listen to the public concerns and TSA does not have the public's interest as their first priority.

These things are fatal flaws in any government agency.