It's not the government that is getting slammed, it is TSA!

I actually think that the TSA could make major strides with a few simple steps. They've been stated on this board in several ways, but let's see if I can boil it down.

1. Registered traveler. Just like Global Entry. Or--better yet--just use the extant Global Entry system. If you have a GE sticker, you have a quicker line with less hassle. It's a common sense measure, and the TSA looks foolish because they still can't seem to get this together.

2. Whole-body x-ray as secondary search only. MMW as primary only if it's a stick figure system. There is no need to see a naked image of every flying passenger. There are serious questions about safety, ethics, and costs. It's time for the TSA to be honest and acknowledge that maybe this really isn't the best aproach.

3. End the war on liquids. The plastic bags are of no use from a counterterrorism perspective, and this wastes everyone's time. The liquid rules distract screeners, slow down the lines, and are of highly questionable scientific merit.

4. Likewise for shoe removal. Everyone agrees that it's a waste, but the TSA is too cowardly to reverse its rules. Perhaps it's fair to screen large, bulky boots. But taking the booties off of babies, removing flip flops, swabbing bare feet... all of the stories we read here... the TSA makes a mockery of itself.

5. No more gate screening. It's an obvious charade, it's humiliating, and it leads to delays. It showcases the TSA's incompetence while embarrassing passengers who have already been screened. The "stare downs" in particular seem to be for the entertainment of passengers rather than the protection of passengers, crew, or cargo.

6. Strict rules about barking. Things have been pretty tame lately in my experience. But it's inexcusable. The TSA and the IRS are most citizens' only interaction with the Federal Government. Any politician who wants to make an administration look good would be wise to ensure that TSA employees are unerringly polite, kind, professional, and organized. They are the face of the Fed, so they better mind their manners.

Just like everyone has said: the TSA needs to start focusing only on those passengers who present a threat. I know; easier said than done. But if ICE can do it, so can the TSA. They're part of the same branch of government; I'm sure they can figure this out.

Writing closed letters to politicians about political issues does no good. A few letters are easily ignored. When they get on TV and are asked hard questions that make them look like jack-a**es then they take notice. That hurts their re-elections chances and that is really all they care about.

I am not saying writing to your politicians is useless, if you have a non-political issue they might be very useful.

prove it...

Would we hear them over the cacophony of mindless drones using the memory of the victims to oppress the American people and erode the Constitution?

It's the underlying assumptions behind this that are wrong -

a) that there are domestic terrorists
b) that the intelligence network identifying potential terrorists - foreign & domestic doesn't work.

The only reason that it all exists is that no politician wants to be the one "responsible" for letting Evul Duers kill people by reducing the level of "security", thus the panicked reactions every time a terrorist thinks up a new way to deliver a bomb.

In the U.S. the legislative Branch does not have the power to make unconstitutional laws. If they want to amend our Constitution, they have to go through a rigorous legislative process.

Obviously, the TSA has been operating in gross violation of our Constitution. Their violations of our Constitution are illegal, regardless of any subversive collusion with our legislators or negligence on the part of those same legislators.

Our legislators are on the clock as far as I'm concerned. We flushed quite a few turds on our last election cycle. We'll be flushing again in 2012. (When the stench is bad enough, flush twice!)

The law only becomes unconstitutional when SCOTUS says so. Until then it's law regardless of how many "freedoms" are trampled on.

I don't think they're actually doing it just to erode the Constitution.

I think they're doing it because they enjoy being the bullies and getting paid for it (and the ability to supplement their incomes by stealing stuff from the passengers, either to resell it or simply keep it and not have to go out and buy it themselves.)

I'm confused by your statement, Eyecue. While the statement may be factual (You have never...), what is its purpose? Are you saying that the actions of terrorists against innocents justifies the abominable actions of the TSA against innocents?

Nope. Unconstitutional laws and behaviors are unconstitutional, even when the SCOTUS says they're constitutional.

The Homeland Security Act was enacted in 2002 and supported by members of Congress, right? That Act allows the DHS to operate in the manner that it does and also DHS reports back to Congress. Laws have not been "changed", as such, but DHS has obviously been given the power to do what they have to in order to provide security for the country. It is the same in Canada -- Parliament has given approval to Transportation Canada to head up security for the country and it does not matter what is written in the "Charter of Rights and Freedoms" about "unreasonable search and seizure".

BTW, have you read this speech by Nappy?

http://bit.ly/aKbCXy

Again, I just see no point in blaming the TSA (or it's front-line employees) for eroding the Constitution when, in truth, the fault lies directly with elected representatives. This organization is only doing what they have been mandated to do by DHS and, ultimately, by Congress and the President.

I disagree. First of all, I am not saying that the letters have to be closed. If you wish, send a copy to the editorial page of whatever newspaper(s) you desire so that it gets more exposure. In addition, every time a person receives an intrusive pat-down at the airport, they should contact the media.

BTW, letters are not ignored by politicians because they know that, for every complaint letter they receive, there are approximately 500 other people who have the same opinion. Phone calls get ignored, but trust me, letters do not.

Those poor people were so grief stricken, so big brother government stepped in, patted them on the tops of their heads, gave them lots of hush money and pretended how sorry it was.They pretended to be the friend of these familes, so why would these people say anything bad? I can almost hear them all whispering to themselves that they had better pay these people off or they will have huge lawsuits.

Talk about taking advantage of people! Oh yes, your organization knows full well about that, now doesn't it?

There are indeed domestic terrorist.

They wear blue gloves, blue shirts and stalk innocent people in airports. Those that they can't irradiate, they molest.

I couldn't speak to what you've seen or not seen, but I think the response of Christina-Taylor Green's father to her shooting is interesting: "In a free society, we are going to be subjected to people like this. I prefer this to the alternative.”