TSO Tom is out said [on February 21, 2008 9:45 PM]...

[quote begins]Anonymous said...
Francine, what about the idea that this is a public forum and the TSA (the government) has no right to moderate comments that don't endanger national security, employee safety, etc. Isn't racist, offensive, vulgar, off topic, and promotional speech clearly protected?[quote ends]

February 21, 2008 5:21 PM

***********************************
I disagree with you anon, you see, you still have the right to keep your name off this forum. This is a TSA sponsored site, created and maintained by same, as a result, TSA has the right and obligation to keep the postings on this site free of slander, obscenities and what not. personally, anon, I'm getting a little tired of the complaints. I hear them every day at the checkpoint, "don't want to take my shoes off" don't want to take my liquids out, etc. It's annoying but we TSO's deal with it, alot of us don't even come in here because it just makes us angry to see such an unappreciattive public. That's the problem with Americans, we complain too much! But it is our contstituional right to do so isn't it? I originally volunteered to become part of the blog team, but this shall be my last post. TSO Tom is signing off the blog permanantly. I don't have time for this nonsense. Kip, you opened a flood gate of complaints, with good intentions, but its not getting through. I shall continue doing my job 110 percent every day, but the more I read the nonesense in here, the more irritated I get.

It's annoying but we TSO's deal with it, alot of us don't even come in here because it just makes us angry to see such an unappreciattive public. That's the problem with Americans, we complain too much! But it is our contstituional right to do so isn't it? I originally volunteered to become part of the blog team, but this shall be my last post. TSO Tom is signing off the blog permanantly. I don't have time for this nonsense. Kip, you opened a flood gate of complaints, with good intentions, but its not getting through.

Anonymous said...

Ms. Kerner's statement is an absolutely correct statement of the law. When you're at a Customs or TSA checkpoint, the Supreme Court has effectively held that the entire Bill of Rights magically disappears. At the checkpoint, a passenger has no rights whatsoever, and is presumed guilty until the screener or officer decides you're not. The only law that applies is the whim and caprice of the officer who happens to be handling your screening or interrogation. Regardless of what any official "policy" says, if you give the officer any reason to dislike you, he or she has complete authority to inspect and your person and/or dismember or confiscate your belongings as he or she sees fit, and to make you as miserable and humiliated as he or she deems necessary. And there's nothing you can do about it, as any hint of complaining or disobedience will only give reason to escalate the humiliating treatment.

The only thing you can do is to be fully cognizant of the fact that you have no rights and you're entirely at the mercy of the officer you're facing. Approaching the checkpoint with the correct humble attitude, and with a demeanor that shows full respect, submissive docility, and above all complete and immediate obedience to their every word, MAY reduce the likelihood of giving them reason to assert their authority. But there are no guarantees of anything.

TSOs, Customs agents, and anyone with a badge deserves total respect and complete submission to their absolute authority. Many of these officials are highly competent and professonal and merit respect because they and have earned it through the respect they show. But those who aren't highly competent and professional merit even more respect because they're the ones most eager to inflict punishment for failing to show respect.