TSA, off topic and off target

[zach]

TSA screenings go beyond airports
December 27, 2011

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration isn't just in airports anymore. TSA teams are increasingly conducting searches and screenings at train stations, subways, ferry terminals and other mass transit locations around the country, according to the Los Angeles Times.

This year, 25 TSA “viper,” or Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response, teams have conducted more than 9,300 unannounced checkpoints and other search operations, the story said. The Department of Homeland Security wants to add 12 more teams next year.

There is no evidence that the roving viper teams have foiled any terrorist plots, but TSA officials say the random nature of the searches and the presence of armed officers serve as a deterrent and bolster public confidence.

“We have to keep them [terrorists] on edge,” said Frank Cilluffo, director of the Homeland Security Policy Institute at George Washington University in Washington. “We’re not going to have a permanent presence everywhere.”

[bocker3]

And your point is..............?

I find it a bit annoying when someone slaps a piece of a news article with no comments.  What is it that made you feel compelled to post this here?

Mike

[Basquo]

Link, please. I have no idea if this is the whole story or not.

[leatherman]

I find it a bit annoying when someone slaps a piece of a news article with no comments.

I positively hate it around here when people do that. I hate it on FB too. If you think the article is important enough to you to share, I think it's only proper manners to explain why you felt moved to share that information. The exception are some cartoons and funny pictures.


this was a story from ABC in Los Angles
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/national_world&id=8481493

to be honest, until all the agencies under the Homeland Security banner do something as easy and cheap as simple sharing no-fly lists, then all this other rigmarole is pretty useless posturing; but it makes millions feel happy that "something" is being done.

[Hoover]

Traveling is now a pain in the ass.... We have the option to just stay home I guess.

We have reports from other US citizens coming to Costa Rica of their laptops being seized and many other stupid things in the name of security.
It is also funny how many times I am picked out for special pat-downs as a middle aged blue eyed gay man. That doesn't exactly scream religious terrorist to me.

You don't know how bad inspections can be until you are stopped late at night by a large group of men wearing masks,  riot gear and holding machine guns. Add to that that they speak a language you do not speak well.... Welcome to paradise!

Cheers,
Hoover

[tednlou2]

Since we're on the topic, I found this interesting.  I believe I first saw the following story on the Today Show this morning.  If the story is true (and I don't doubt the gov't does this), the Feds monitor the internets for words like virus, strain, death, collapse.....and, the list goes on.  This task would seem impossible as so many use these words everyday.  But, the government has super computers that can scan through the web and make connections--use these words and also search about anthrax, and you may get flagged.  If going by the list of words, this site would be monitored regularly..lol.  These are all words used here very often.  Even the word, "drill" is probably used in the I love Porn thread quite often.  I probably just got flagged for using all these words and anthrax. 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2079283/Tweeting-word-drill-mean-Twitter-account-read-government-spies.html     

[leatherman]

I probably just got flagged for using all these words and anthrax.   

TSA, please take note that I have always suspected that Teddy actually IS a terrorist.

(love you and best wishes for the next year, Ted )

[tednlou2]

TSA, please take note that I have always suspected that Teddy actually IS a terrorist.

(love you and best wishes for the next year, Ted )

LOL.  Well, I did get the very personal pat-down flying home from Florida last winter.  I haven't had my crotch grabbed like that in a long time.  It was actually kind of nice.  I was also bringing home this seashell windchime.  They took it, so they could swab it for explosives.  They swabbed the shells and put the swab into this machine.  I never thought about small shells being used as explosives.  I guess I looked suspicious that day.  I've actually had small panic attacks going through security--with the crowds.  But that day, I was fine.  Perhaps just random. 

[odyssey]

When I was flying home from Seattle TSA decided to swab the two Buddha statues I bought that I had in my carry-on to prevent breakage for explosive residue. Apparently we've gone from Islamic fundamentalist terrorists to Buddhist ones. 

[GSOgymrat]

LOL.  Well, I did get the very personal pat-down flying home from Florida last winter.  I haven't had my crotch grabbed like that in a long time.  It was actually kind of nice.

We've all heard about your famous pocket rocket, Ted.