"When he first came to live with us, he was in the fetal position and chewed his fingernails all the time," she said.

But she said she thought he was improving, as he had gotten a job, a haircut and a girlfriend. However, she said Hawkins and his girlfriend had broken up in the last couple of weeks, and he had taken it hard.


Uh, no. That is not a terrorist.

But the terrorists have proved willing to take months or even years to plan an attack.

So a terrorist could easily be someone who has passed a background check and is wearing a blue uniform with a shiny badge. Because he will have passed a background check to get his job, he will be permanently above suspicion until he does something really really egregious - and then only if video of the incident makes it to youtube and the evening news.

If a pax observes the terrorist doing something suspicious and reports it, the entire organization will rally behind him and attack the pax's credibility, media bias, etc.

Unlike federal positions where security is really taking seriously, after his initial background check, he will not be subject to routine new checks.

If your cite is what you call "terrorism" it's your perspective that is really screwed up. It's more like "suicide by cop."

Do some of your infamous internet searches and find links to domestic (US) suicide bombers. Then come back to us.

During my trip to CLE, I encountered one of the bdo's. I am a white middle aged man, I am very much at home in an airport having flown as much as I have over the years who has no intent to cause harm to anyone. After I cleared security I was enjoying a cup of coffee nearby and was in a good mood having had a smooth trip thru the checkpoint when one of these highly trained bdo's with the skills that you say they have been taught approached me.

BDO: Good Morning sir, are you meeting someone today? (note I was in the secure area)

ME: No

BDO: So your flying out today?

ME: Yes

BDO: Where are you flying to?

I responded by not saying anything to her, gathered up my belongings and walked away in the opposite direction.

Yep, I sure do feel safe knowing highly skilled and trained bdo's like this one are on duty

An awfully ironic statement, considering your recent use of hyperbole (underlined below):

If you're going to criticize others for their debating tactics, you really ought to play by the same rules.

Notice how TSA is trying to make both adults and children comfortable with talking to complete strangers? We're supposed to think that anyone with a TSO shirt on has to be obeyed, no matter the circumstances.

I think we need to start rounding up these TSO's and put them in some kind of re-education camp. After all, that's what they'd like to do to us.

Is anyone disturbed that law enforcement is making a big deal about the Portland, OR "bomber", when they GAVE HIM the bomb and IT WAS A FAKE BOMB! It was pure and simple entrapment. How soon before they start using this as an excuse to further erode our liberties? Will TSA start slipping fake bombs on the aircraft and then putting us in prison for terrorism?

For the record, I'm not normally a wacko. That was my Dad, who served in two branches of our military and would have a few choice words to say to TSORon if he could speak from the grave. I just get more wound up the longer this stuff goes on.

At any time, any place. For example, if a blue shirt approaches me in the parking lot, at a train station, a bus station, a sports stadium and starts asking questions or threatening me, I have no way of knowing if that individual is, in fact, a TSO on legitimate business, a rogue TSO or an impostor.

We are already told we can be stopped and our bags searched at any time in the sterile area. It's a matter of time before a TSO approaches someone in the restroom and insists on a bag and body search.

I am for rounding up the TSO's alright, but I would would not put them in an education camp, how about putting them in the unemployment line, ALL OF THEM^

My Dad served in the army during WWII, and was a disabled veteran having gotten his wounds in combat, he like your Dad would have a few choice words for Ron if he were still with us on earth and able to speak out loud.

Ron has stated that he served in the military, I do not remember for how long or what branch it was, but I do believe IIRC that he said he served in some kind of security capacity, an MP or something.

Do you find it difficult to believe IF Ron indeed served in the military that he posts like he does in this forum?, what is he not saying about his experience in the military?,makes you wonder doesnt it?

What saddens me is how great the concept of TSA was at its birth and what it has came to be in its current form

He also claimed to have served his country by working as a foster parent (foster parents are paid, BTW). He alleged some knowledge of special needs people, but in fact if you read all of his posts on the matter, he is the last person I would want to have accosting my special needs passenger at a checkpoint.

I didnt say that he was a terrorist, I said his acts were terrorism.

Not at all. The statement was accurate, 100%. As such it cannot be hyperbole.

I'm sure granny, grandpa and the rest of america will be quite fine in letting you pinch our faces instead of our crotches.

As polite as I could, I tried nudging this to a dialogue of the topic, but some of those posting exclaim to be exempt. So, let me call in my friend, Mr. Hold Button, and see if there's a pause in this action that will allow some of you time to exhale. Thank you.