1 Discredit those making the complaints and stretch the content of their complaints to paint them as extremists or incessant whiners.

Or extremists and incessant whiners. Sounds like Obama blaming Bush for rain on the parade.

Don't think about being creatively compliant, either. Offering to strip down rather than take the TSA grope doesn't prevent your being arrested and fined.

2 Well, who HASN'T tried to bring a penguin in through customs. I mean, it happens every day, right?

3 This is a common tactic on the left. To take your opponents argument and take it to the extreme. You want less government? Then you're an anarchist

Oh I love this one...

[lib reasoned argument]
You want to return government to its 2008 levels?!? WHY DON'T YOU JUST MOVE TO SOMALIA YOU LIBERTARIAN EXTREMIST!!!
[/lib reasoned argument]

4 Oh, they had to chase some cats?  Poor bastards.  Well, that totally justified federally-mandated frottage in my book.  Carry on, TSA.

Here's an odd observation: http://tinyurl.com/2c9dly3

5 CNN would like you to keep that in mind the next time you are in line at the airport and hesitant to spread you legs so a TSA Agent can pick at your dingleberries.

This is probably true for that last remaining CNN viewer who is not chained to a TV in an airport terminal which is the last place CNN is actually viewed.

6 You flyer's ain't exactly hot stuff either.

Err, fliers?

7

This is a common tactic on the left. To take your opponents argument and take it to the extreme.

No kidding. If I hear the words "unfettered capitalism" one more time ...

8 Uh-oh.  We seem to have a slang defect.  Contrary to popular misuse, dingleberries are not balls.  They are the little bits of poop that refuse to let go of your arse-hairs.  We now return you to you regularly scheduled thread.

9 Oh, and "gist" not "jist".

10

8

poop and toilet paper

11 You flyer's ain't exactly hot stuff either.

Flyers (or perhaps, fliers)?  I prefer the word "customers."  Or in my case, "former customers."

12

Jessica Ravitz?  Seriously?

13 Did the cat fondle the agent's balls and then run away?

14 bumper sticker on the back of a pilots car...avoid the hassle, fly naked

15 8 Uh-oh.  We seem to have a slang defect.  Contrary to popular misuse, dingleberries are not balls.  They are the little bits of poop that refuse to let go of your arse-hairs.  We now return you to you regularly scheduled thread.

You assume Ben made a slang mistake.  When the TSA authorizes colonoscopies, they will be picking at our dingleberries then. 

16 it would be interesting to find out how many of these agents are convicted sex offenders

17 Chasing cats, discovering penguins in coolers and discovering exotic pets was the worst the TSA had to do until now. Now they get to fondle people or take xxx-ray pics of them. Great, we gonna trust the people whose greatest accomplishment was the discovery of Fluffy the Persian terror (but then subsequently avoid capture by said TSA) to xxx-ray us? Oh yeah, i trust them to safely operate the xxx-ray machines.

18 5. This is probably true for that last remaining CNN viewer who is not chained to a TV in an airport terminal which is the last place CNN is actually viewed. Posted by: Vic I'm sorry to say that my libtard sister in law also watches CNN. I told my husband I wouldn't set foot in her house again, and he thinks I'm joking.

19 And the TSA agents get pissy when you tell them your gay, so you'd prefer a female agent. Then SHE gets pissy when you tell her to, "Work that fist like you're trying to telegraph the Gettysburg Address in 30 seconds. C'mon, baby, keep the homeland safe! That good, that's good... UUUHHHHNNNNHHHH! Federal employees: no sense of humor.

20 I stopped giving a flying fuck what the left thought about me years ago.

21 Actually, chasing cats, finding penguins in coolers and seeing exotic pets sounds like a perk to me. I mean, how many of us have actually seen a penguin close up?

As for chasing a cat, I have to give mine medicine right now, so lots of chasing is going on, and trust me, it takes time. Once again, that seems like a benefit rather than a problem.

22 So the CNN management decided to go with a piece of pro TSA fluff - to be broadcast to people who had just suffered under their tender mercies. Genius, it shows those neilsen numbers are all due to Fox's hottties.

23

Oh there was a young fellow named Shepherd/With a big hairy butt like a leopard/where all of the fairies/liked to pick dingleberries/and fry them up salted and peppered.

Never thought I'd be quoting Garrison Keillor on AOSHQ but that one's pretty good.

24 18-good lord, on African airplanes you could be sharing a seat with a goat. I was on a flight from Ethiopia once that had chickens and goats running through the cabin, while old bedouins decided to fire up their primus stoves to have tea. These TSA agents have it easy, believe me.

25 To be fair the article isn't a total defense of the TSA. The writers stated goal is to give the reader the impression that the TSA see their fair share of crazy passenger antics. The difference being they are PAID to do this. And we, the public, are the ones paying. Last week I heard a whiney bitch phone in to Mark Steyn on you-know-who's radio program, wringing her hands about how her poor belabored husband in the TSA has to put his life on the line every day. I couldn't stop laughing for ten minutes. Note to Marines and Special Forces: Sniffing for roadside IEDs is no more perilous for you than what an overweight TSA goon faces when he yells at grandma to take off her orthopedic shoes. Hey, let's give some fucking Purple Hearts to the TSA. And a monument with a gift shop.

26 It's not the chasing the cat that is so hard, it is the catching of said cat. 

27 Hmmm.  We've got a huge mean-assed feral tomcat roaming around the neighborhood.  I think I have a fun idea for Atlanta Hartsfield TSA pervs.

28 Pet monkeys could be the answer.

29

You flyer's ain't exactly hot stuff either.

Err, fliers?

sorry. I am a hockey fan, a penguins fan to be specific. So I was thinking of Flyers, like the philly flyers.

 

Thanks for the correction.

30 Ah, screw it.  I'll just make sure I go through security wearing nuthin' but an ensemble like the dude Ace keeps putting on the sidebar.  Or maybe less....like something from Frederick's of Hollywood, since they want to get to third base with the traveling public....

31 Jane - I've got a outbuilding that needs that cat.

32 I'd say that your average waitress has to put up with more shit, especially on the night shift, not to mention the average crime in a city that comes with those jobs. No freaking kidding.

33 31-Wyatt Earp generally gives us daily updates of what it's like to be a cop in Philly. Again, these fracking TSA agents have it easy compared with most jobs.

34

 the CNN management decided to go with a piece of pro TSA fluff - to be broadcast to people who had just suffered under their tender mercies. Genius, it shows those neilsen numbers are all due to Fox's hottties.

 

Exactly. I've come to the conclusion that CNN and most other networks wait for a big story to gain momentum and then take the far less popular side of the argument and present it as the reasonable side.

35 here we go....their job is so tough they are going to need to go on disability.....forever!

36 So, the TSA gets paid to be morons. I pay to experience the airport and air travel and be a moron. Maybe it is us?

37 I know I feel a lot safer when that first TSA agent at the podium draws a short line on my boarding pass with a highlighter. With advanced security measure like highlighters and swatting my shit around with a backhand, I travel without worries.

38 "This is probably true for that last remaining CNN viewer who is not chained to a TV in an airport terminal which is the last place CNN is actually viewed. " i have a miniature universal remote that i always fly with. you can get CNN off the fricking airport TV and watch something newsworthy, like Teletubbies. i was at the airport in Frankfurt and got the TV at my gate changed to one of the German softcore porn channels. i had one person ask why the tv wasn't on CNN and i told her i couldn't jack off to CNN and she went away. had pretty much every guy in the terminal over watching my TV, though.

39 Link.

40

Oh, and "gist" not "jist".

thanks again. I hashed this out in between writing invoices at work.

41

According to the current administration and the MFM, it's ALWAYS us causing the problem.

The only "privacy" that they respect anymore is to have as many abortions as are wanted, whenever they're wanted, and for them to be free.

Otherwise?  We should shut up and take it.

42 This article had almost nothing to do with whether TSA scan-or-grope is effective or justifiable. It was an attempt at showing how today's airline passengers look to the people on the other side of the counter (not just TSA, but airline personnel and airport staff, too). And some passengers are beasts. It says something about the readership of this blog that some of them see a left-wing plot in this.

43 The left all too often is allowed to make our arguments for us and in doing so they take perfectly reasonable arguments, and through sophistry and artistic license, make them into extremist stereotypes.

You're exactly right.  And even the well-meaning non-snarky ones do this.  I think it is because they have this idealistic view of government in their head, that it is supposed to be this free uninhibited will of the people.  So in their minds, if you criticize ObamaCare, you are criticizing the very flower of government itself, which means you also want the government to stop paving roads.

It's nonsense but that is the best explanation I can come up with.  I'm at a loss trying to understand these people.

44 left wing plot? where?

45 So the next time I fly (there'll be airborne pigs), I should carry lots of checks from my husband's checking account?  (Re sidebar.) 

I'm still gob-smacked that TSA goons went through that woman's damned wallet.

46 42 give a little warning, man, eye bleach needed.

47 Heard a radio interview this weekend to the effect that the main shareholder in the company that has the contract to install all these backscatter scanning machines is none other than.... wait for it..... (drum roll...) GEORGE SOROS! (cymbal crash)

48 TSA Gangstaz

49 What's the big deal with you banjo-pickin' chawbacons & shitkickers?  How is this any more of a violation than when you're pokin' yer cousin?

50 i have a miniature universal remote that i always fly with. you can get CNN off the fricking airport TV and watch something newsworthy, like Teletubbies. i was at the airport in Frankfurt and got the TV at my gate changed to one of the German softcore porn channels.

that's just frickin' awesome dude

51 TSA thugs should fall on their knees and thank their lucky stars they'll never have to pat down our lovely first lady, Bigfoot.

52 Sounds like some TSA agents deserve a free trip to the Crimea River.

53

This article had almost nothing to do with whether TSA scan-or-grope is effective or justifiable. It was an attempt at showing how today's airline passengers look to the people on the other side of the counter (not just TSA, but airline personnel and airport staff, too). And some passengers are beasts. It says something about the readership of this blog that some of them see a left-wing plot in this.

You're right to a point. This article is about how bad some passangers are, but it's over all goal is to show paint the passangers as the bad people.

I am not saying this is a left wing plot to sap or impurify our bodily fluids, but rather an consistent method used to paint people who legitimate complaints, often from the right, as nuts.

Are there a ton of assholes flying? Yes, of course. But this issue at hand is does the TSA or government have the right to be as invasive with their search techniques as they are. It's isn't a quesiton of whether the TSA is good or passengers or bad, but that is exactly what this article is trying to make it.

It's saying, passengers are buttholes and terrible people, so whatever the government needs to do is justified. 

It's trying to change the frame of the debate from, are searches violating any semblance of privacy, to a debate on the nature and behavior of people who fly.

54 I am a 70 yr old sociology professor and this is how I spend my time--trolling blogs.

55

Posted by: maddogg at November 22, 2010 12:52 PM (OlN4e)

Dude, next time a disclaimer would be nice.

56 Smuggling Weed into Jamaica? 
Why would you need to smuggle weed into Jamaica?
That's like taking a hooker to Las Vegas.

57 I've been looking for, and chasing after the right kind of cat for 30 years. It's not easy!

58 The solution is simple. I don't fly commercially any more.

59 Posted by: RNB at November 22, 2010 12:53 PM (fe/Mk)

Is that you Sanchez?

60

Sorry if I'm repeating anyone, but

http://tinyurl.com/2tj8hj

 

61

wow that last comment was filled with typing errors. sorry typing to fast and trying to do too many things at once.

 

My point is the whole reason this article was written was to try to change the debate from being about privacy to being about the passengers and their character.

I understand the TSA needs to inspect passengers. I understand there are passenger's who treat the TSA like crap, but the big debate going on in America right now is about the rigidity of government inspection policy at the airport and more specifically how far is too far.

 

62

archie

 

exactly....islam is the enemy...profiling is necessary..keep the tsa's hands off our kids, handicapped, elderly, non muslim religious...

63 Last week I heard a whiney bitch phone in to Mark Steyn on you-know-who's radio program, wringing her hands about how her poor belabored husband in the TSA has to put his life on the line every day.

Posted by: George Orwell at November 22, 2010 12:46 PM

Never took a kitteh on a flight, but a few of mine would have gone thermonuclear on any TSA asshole who wanted to do any more than look at them (from a distance).

The lib attitude that we should suffer inordinately for the Common Good needs to be banished along with incompetent jerks like Nappy and her boss in the White House.

If Dubya had had the balls to show the Muzzies exactly what we think of goons who fly aircraft into our buildings and kill our people, we wouldn't be in this mess.

I'm getting sick of hearing about this. Even Fucks News, while presenting plenty of outrageous outrage, seems to be tilting toward the "hey, we gotta live with it" attitude in its endless coverage.

64 palace guard media. BTW, anyone watch harry potter 7 and see the similarities of Nancy Pelosi and Delores Umbrage? Or the assault on the second amendment and them shutting down the wand shop? Rita Skeeter and CNN, MSNBC, et al.

65 And, as tons of columnists have pointed out already, this is all just "security theater" (I think that was George Will's term for it).  It's designed to give the impression that the skies are safe, not that they actually are safer or anything.

66 I teach in Brooklyn.

67 I hope Megyn Kelly isn't flying this week. 

68 Today, after several delays, Brad Childress pays a visit to this city.

69

#33, Jean, if you need a couple barn cats and are within a long day's drive of Nashville, I will deliver two to four of them over Thanksgiving weekend. No shit.

With my wife's illness and me being gone all the time for work, we're having a Feline Inventory Reduction.

Shoot me a note, e-mail in URL field.

 

70 As an Israeli security expert once quipped: America doesn't have a system for airline security, they have a system for bothering people.

71 Serious question: What do you think is the minimum amount of clothing an adult male can wear through an airport security line and not get arrested. Why do I ask? I think a good form of protest would be to Lady Godiva them. Just get in line completely naked. But that will get me arrested, and I've got a plane to catch. But what about Speedo's? Is that legal? Can they arrest me for showing up in Speedo's and nothing else? If so, what about Speedo's and a skin tight armless UnderArmour top?

72 I  happened to turn to CNN while they were doing a report on the TSA this morning and they were saying that TSA agents were complaining that most passengers had poor personal hygiene. So they're not just perverts and pedophiles, they're assholes too, congrats TSA, you pulled the hat trick of douchebaggery.

73

also check out the headlines section on the right side of the main page of this blog.

rdbrewer and andy have been updating TSA stories non stop.

74 Wait a minute, they had to chase cats? What that means is that they were inspecting a pet carrier, opened it in an open area, let someones pet out of its cage to expose it to hazards and disease, and had to fix their own screw-up. And we're supposed to feel sorry for them for that? Next time, clever TSA agents, open pet carriers in a small room with no hiding places for small animals and the door closed, and bring along a second agent to control the animal while you rummage inside its cage looking for explosives. Truly, TSA agents are required to check their brain at the door before going to work.

75 74 - this reminds me of when my cousin was dating a Chippendales dancer he rode his Harley to a family picnic once, and after he got off he used one hand to "detach" his leather pants in one glorious gesture! (trick pants!) I remember we lost a few great-aunts that day . . . you need THOSE pants! pop-off pants

76
What's this?

There is a rumor floating around that Peloosi will step down as minority leader in January.

Anyone else hear about this wacky plan of hers?

77 Hey you want to see my Junk? Send me your cell phone number.

78

However, I can't shake the feeling that the main gist of this article is to defend the TSA by attacking the people complaining about violations of their privacy.

Zackly.  Matt Lauer led off the today show with an "interview" of the pr*ck who runs TSA, during which "interview" Lauer made it clear that passengers complaining are a tiny minority endangering the rest of America and making life hard for valiant TSA agents who are strip searching the airports "to keep us safe."  It was nauseating.

79 79 - THANK YOU! that was my first thought too. They got themselves into the situation with people's pets by being IDIOTS poor them!

80 54 TSA thugs should fall on their knees and thank their lucky stars they'll never have to pat down our lovely first lady, Bigfoot.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at November 22, 2010 12:56 PM (UOM4

Or Cankles Clinton

81 Posted by: RNB at November 22, 2010 12:53 PM (fe/Mk)

You got a real purty mouth.

82 Moron dress-code when flying:  assless chaps.

83 "TSA agents were complaining that most passengers had poor personal hygiene" Not only are the peasants revolting, they're stinky, too. Can you imagine a real cop complaining about the aroma of his clients? Next time I'm forced to fly somewhere I'm going to eat my weight in bean burritos the night before. I wonder if I could teach myself to vomit on command? I never thought that'd be a usefull life skill but now I wonder.

84 87 Moron dress-code when flying:  assless chaps.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at November 22, 2010 01:14 PM (UOM4

I'd show you mine, but photobucket took the picture down. Something about it being inappropriate.

85 I look forward to all my future business trips.  Seeing the country by car, stopping at diners, visiting more hotels than I normally would have, will be therapeutic.  Not only that, the $$ I would have wasted on airlines will be distributed as I see fit into the pockets of mom & pop diners, out-of-the way motels, and more gas stations.

I'll be helping the economy, visiting the nation, meeting people, and giving Obama and the TSA a big FUCK YOU.

86

jane

 

i was thinking pudding pants..........

87 I am applying to work as a TSA screener.  Lots of practice doing these searches, and very aggressively!

88

Any more than everyone who works with the public?  I doubt it, since people are reduced to nothing but their clothes and carry-ons by the time they get to the TSA brownshirts.  I'd say that your average waitress has to put up with more shit, especially on the night shift, not to mention the average crime in a city that comes with those jobs.

Night shift at the 7/11.  Now that's hazardous duty.

89 You have to be really out there to defend the TSA.  Even the most libby of my lib friends think this is awful EXCEPT for the ones that are employed in the government.  Hmm...

90
Posted by: cali grump at November 22, 2010 12:52 PM (hL0k



All hail the universal TV remote.

91 87 Moron dress-code when flying:  assless chaps.

I thought by definition, chaps were always assless

92 When are we going to hear the airlines raising hell about this?  I know several people who are canceling plans to fly on vacations during the holidays because of the TSA fondling. 

People are going to avoid flying if at all possible.  I feel for business travelers.  My husband used to be a Delta Platinum frequent flyer.  He's doing to happy dance he no longer has to travel on business.

93 88 "TSA agents were complaining that most passengers had poor personal hygiene"

Not only are the peasants revolting, they're stinky, too. Can you imagine a real cop complaining about the aroma of his clients?

Next time I'm forced to fly somewhere I'm going to eat my weight in bean burritos the night before. I wonder if I could teach myself to vomit on command? I never thought that'd be a usefull life skill but now I wonder.

Posted by: cali grump at November 22, 2010 01:14 PM (hL0k

Have you seen these degenerates that pass as TSA agents?  The look like rejects from The Office - How'd You get Your GED?

94 79 Wait a minute, they had to chase cats? What that means is that they were inspecting a pet carrier, opened it in an open area, let someones pet out of its cage to expose it to hazards and disease, and had to fix their own screw-up.

I think it's SOP for them to make you take your pets out of their carriers.  We flew with two cats, one of which is a complete twitch, and found out - much to our chagrin - that we had to take them out of the carriers in LAX at the passenger screening area.  Thankfully, we managed to grab them firmly enough, but the chaos was considerable since we also had laptop bags with us. 

We had called the airlines well before flying and read as much as we could to make sure we understood the routine, but still were treated to this surprise.  Had we known, we would have put them into harnesses with leashes prior to loading them into their carriers. 

95 @97  They are.  I believe the morons enjoy saying "assless"

96 Anybody catch the clip on Fox this morning of Hillary cackling at the idea of TSA body searches?

She is enjoying barry's problems way too much, almost as if she is planning to run against him.

My theory is that (as a former Goldwater girl) she is taking the strategy of being drafted. Yes, you heard it here first. Expect a Draft Hillary in 2012 campaign to start in the spring.

97 "TSA agents were complaining that most passengers had poor personal hygiene"

They need to send their story to Mike Rowe from Dirty jobs. Then we could all watch an hour of how dirty their job really is.

I would also tend to discount this claim that "most passengers" have poor hygiene since in the many times I flown the people whom I've sat next to didn't stink.

98

buzz

 

you know how long the line would be to be groped if mike rowe were the groper?  endless............

99 I was flying home a few years ago and seated next to a SCAD student who had a kitteh in a purse-style carrier.  It was small enough to fit under the seat in front of her.  I've never seen a calmer animal on a plane.  And the girl said it wasn't drugged, just enjoyed flying.

100
You read that right. They had to chase cats.



Chasing pussy? That's no different than millions of college boys after dark.

101

90 I look forward to all my future business trips.  Seeing the country by car, stopping at diners, visiting more hotels than I normally would have, will be therapeutic.  Not only that, the $$ I would have wasted on airlines will be distributed as I see fit into the pockets of mom & pop diners, out-of-the way motels, and more gas stations.

I'll be helping the economy, visiting the nation, meeting people, and giving Obama and the TSA a big FUCK YOU.

If you could do it in a classic Business Coup it would be even more therapeutic.

102 Once upon a time I was considering a flight to visit the parents however, in these times of Post Office rejects taking their job way to literally (and getting a free grope without the tag-back) I prefer the 20 hour drive.

103 This article had almost nothing to do with whether TSA scan-or-grope is effective or justifiable. It was an attempt at showing how today's airline passengers look to the people on the other side of the counter (not just TSA, but airline personnel and airport staff, too). And some passengers are beasts. You know what? You're right. In fact, not just some airline passengers, but some percentage of the population is always going to be objectionable on close inspection. Which is exactly why societies have evolved to create spaces between people, especially strangers, in day-to-day interactions that are unavoidable -- to create a buffer zone between them so that close inspections, and their associated unpleasantness, is avoided. The TSA has violated that buffer zone, and is now surprised some of them aren't nice to grope? The surprise would have been if they hadn't found that. The fact that they find it worth complaining about shows how ignorant their "experts" are about the real world. Either that or what pussies they are for creating this entirely predictable situation and then whining about it.

104 a kitteh that enjoys flying?
sure this wasn't some alien being impersonating a kitteh?

105 Isn't this the same regime that sued Arizona to stop cops from asking for ID's from suspected illegal immigrants? But it's okay for the Government to grope people at airports? WTF?

106 Wade1970, I'm with you - I was planning on flying to visit some friends after the holidays, but now I think I will drive even if it will take twice as long

107 Sgt Dan, I'm in DC and my farm is about 3 hrs from here. The fox have taken a liking to Chinese food, but seem to ignore the mice. I am not there enough to properly trap and poison, so I was looking for an organic alternative that would be able handle the fox. The city cats from the pound didn't. Can't make the drive to Nashville, though - thanks.

108

112

 

who is this gregory of yardale?  put him on the no fly list but only after a thorough cavity search has been performed...

109 chemjeff, D'oh and I were flying to the Virgin Islands when we were dating, flying on Eastern (remember them?).  There was a kitteh on the plane on a leash, sitting in his owner's lap.  The woman told us she and her husband owned a home in the V.I. and the cat was used to flying regularly.

We once had a cat who loved to ride in the car.  The two we have now carry on in their carrier on the way to the vet like they've been set on fire.

110 It was a good question and it bears repeating: Why is anyone smuggling dope INTO Jamaica???

111 The only way any of this gets changed is for the airlines to take over security screening. Am sure they have an industry lobby group. I wonder that a ton of emails to that group would do any good. All the major carriers, bitching about losing money: take over screening and ticket sales would go up by at least 10% overnight.

112
You know what's funny? Despite the leftists jumping to TSA's defense in print and the 'tubes lately, I'll bet that the vast majority of actual complainers in the airport security line are libs. It fits the profile.

113 This article had almost nothing to do with whether TSA scan-or-grope is effective or justifiable. It was an attempt at showing how today's airline passengers look to the people on the other side of the counter (not just TSA, but airline personnel and airport staff, too). And some passengers are beasts. It says something about the readership of this blog that some of them see a left-wing plot in this. 
Posted by: RNB at November 22, 2010 12:53 PM (fe/Mk)

Oh really?

...she continued, moving the back of her hands up my inner thighs to the "point of resistance. See that wasn't so bad now, was it?"

Indeed it wasn't. And the passengers I met along the way didn't seem to mind either.

"Whatever keeps us safe," I heard more than once.

So except for her part saying the  grope wasn't so bad, and people mostly don't complain, and it wasn't really that intrusive... it wasn't in defense of that?

114 Here's today's Moron Conspiracy Theory®©:


Pre'sent Toonces administration enacts draconian TSA strip searches in an effort to hurt the airline industry enough, so as to make a GM/Chrysler style bailout and governmental takeover the industry possible.

115 Am I the only one who thinks this entire TSA groping story is just Slow Joe Biden's devious plan to increase ridership at Amtrack?

Or they want to bankrupt the airlines so the government can swoop in and take control of them.

116 We're going to bankrupt the airline industry so King Hussein can nationalize it; - For The Good Of The People^©.

117 Do away with the TSA goons and hire military vets.  Especially good looking, professional young men and women.  Ones who've had lots of experience with doing roadside checks and dealing with the Tolleebon.

118

a kitteh that enjoys flying?
sure this wasn't some alien being impersonating a kitteh?

 

It's not so far fetched.  I've had cats get just as excited as a dog to go riding in a car.  Didn't even need a carrier.  Left the window open a little so it could stick its head out and sniff the air.  The behaviour of pets depends on familiarity with different enviroments and how secure they feel with their owners around.  If the animal doesn't feel secure around you, it'll definitely not feel secure in a strange place. 

119 About getting the airlines involved in this: Found the lobby group for the airlines, Air Transport Association... But I don't think it'll do any good: lead article is about how the airlines want themselves some of that wild 'bama stimulus money. Has every freaking body in the world become a whore? (Apologies to real prostitutes everywhere.)

120 You know what's funny? Despite the leftists jumping to TSA's defense in print and the 'tubes lately, I'll bet that the vast majority of actual complainers in the airport security line are libs. It fits the profile.

Yup.  I can see it now:

drooling liberal: "I'm outrageously outraged that I got groped by the TSA.  But those teabaggrz, they're CRAZY!!!111!!!!111!!!!"

121

And when the Catch the CAT, or the Penguin, they would then have probable Cause to search them....

ME? who is just trying to go about his legal business??? Not so much.

122

It's not so far fetched.  I've had cats get just as excited as a dog to go riding in a car.  Didn't even need a carrier.  Left the window open a little so it could stick its head out and sniff the air.  The behaviour of pets depends on familiarity with different enviroments and how secure they feel with their owners around.  If the animal doesn't feel secure around you, it'll definitely not feel secure in a strange place. 

Heh. If I turned my squirrel loose in an airliner, they would make a movie about it.

123

No, the REAL problem is you pesky Americans, and your Constitution...

How can we implement our one world Government made up of Citizens of the World, if you keep getting in the way?

124 106 I was flying home a few years ago and seated next to a SCAD student who had a kitteh in a purse-style carrier.  It was small enough to fit under the seat in front of her.

Yep, ours flew in carriers under the seat.  The grey boy was completely quiet.  The Siamese had to "talk" a bit - natch.  She wasn't upset, just wanted to let us know she was in her carrier. 

125

Err, fliers?

sorry. I am a hockey fan, a penguins fan to be specific. So I was thinking of Flyers, like the philly flyers.

If only Bob Probert were still playing hockey against Philadelphia (and alive)...those headlines would write...nah, the J-school grads still couldn't figure it out. 

126 Forgive me if this has been touched on.

http://tinyurl.com/24hn933

"But thatÂ’s (war against AmericansÂ’ civil liberties) not the approach those networks took when it was the Bush administration taking steps to protect citizens against potential attack. Instead, as a 2006 analysis by the Media Research Center documented, the networks firmly aligned themselves with those who saw the Patriot Act and the electronic surveillance of international phone calls as a dire threat to civil liberties."

127 a kitteh that enjoys flying?
sure this wasn't some alien being impersonating a kitteh?

Posted by: chemjeff at November 22, 2010 01:25 PM (PaSAU)

Nah, she was arrested for shooting her boyfriend, so she can no longer be my kitteh

128 I have a real problem with the x-ray scanner and I think they are full of shit when they say the levels are lower than what you are exposed to with 3 minutes of flying. Although i think the microwave one is probably safe.

Also i have a real problem being groped. I would prefer to strip down to a speedo or my tighty whities. Is that legal? I'll bet the creeps would grope me anyway just to assert their athoritayyy.

129 121 Here's today's Moron Conspiracy Theory®©:


Pre'sent Toonces administration enacts draconian TSA strip searches in an effort to hurt the airline industry enough, so as to make a GM/Chrysler style bailout and governmental takeover the industry possible.

to help kick start the flying car industry where GM already has invested billions of secret TARP money.

(If your gonna wear tin foil, go with the restaurant grade)

130 I asked up-thread why we haven't heard anything from the airline industry. 

131 All of this was caused by politcal correctness.  PC is the destroyer of freedom.

132 #137: The scanners are from RapiScan, who are tied up with Michael Chertoff (former TSA head).  There was a story in the sidebar a few days ago detailing the various corrupt ties between them and TSA.

133 Heh. If I turned my squirrel loose in an airliner, they would make a movie about it.

I'M TIRED OF THESE MOTHERFUCKING SQUIRRELS ON THIS MOTHERFUCKING PLANE

134 No airport or airline would dare take over security from the TSA. See, the fucking feds have a trump card in all this: Civil Rights.

The first airline or airport to conduct it's own screenings will be sued out of existence in two weeks as black and moslums file suit after frivolous suit.

To which should ask yourself: "Why are not these groups suing now?" ('cause they agree with it for their own reasons; the blacks because "whitey got it commin" and the moslums 'cause they support their brothers in jihad and they know the feds won't do fuck-all to stop a real terrorist.)

I've been beating this drum for a while now: The right needs to start deploying lawfare against the left, use their own rules against them. Why aren't these people who've been molested filing federal civil rights claims against the feds? The seriousness of the allegation--it was only because of my skin color--is more important than the facts and law.

135 No mention of Muslims and their affinity for Jihad being THE problem.

136 My husband was watching Iowahawk's Comply With Me and especially enjoyed the hottie flight attendants.  We talked about the good ol' days when flying was fun.  I remember him calling me from Nawlins one afternoon and suggesting I hope on Delta when I got off work and join him.

I made a call, ran home, threw a few things in a bag, got to Delta less than an hour before takeoff, upgraded to first class for $35 (and double miles), hurried to the gate (no security hassles) and enjoyed a cocktail as soon as my butt hit the seat.

Damn, I miss those days.

137 @145  hope = hop

138 jimmuy, I agree - sue them into oblivion

139 Just traveled with my mom in her 70's.  They made her go through the enhanced screening.  Pulled open her underwear.  Felt her breasts and between her legs completely.  All of our elderly with their hip and knee replacements will now have to endure this gate rape.

140

"Ma'am, that's a protected species. You'll have to take the penguin to the zoo."

Next day: "I've seen this penguin before! What are you doing with it now?"

"Well sir, you said to take him to the zoo, and he enjoyed it so much, I thought perhaps we'd go again today!"

 

When you take it in hand to "govern" the Americans, you're not chasing cats.

You're herding them.

 

 

141 141 #137: The scanners are from RapiScan, who are tied up with Michael Chertoff (former TSA head).  There was a story in the sidebar a few days ago detailing the various corrupt ties between them and TSA.

Posted by: Ian S. at November 22, 2010 01:50 PM (p05LM)

There are also people pointing out that Soros was a major investor of the company too.  And that he also might have just sold his stock a few days ago.  So he got his money out of it and now is getting out.

142 Really a little dude in a tux how cute.I bet they have counselors for that don't they ?

143 The person who raised the point about them not changing their gloves between searches is right, especially in light of the ABC news staffer being groped inside her underwear. 

144 Posted by: cali grump at November 22, 2010 12:52 PM (hL0k

Comment of the week!

145 Posted by: IllTemperedCur at November 22, 2010 01:24 PM (DZVrI)

And before dark too.

146 Instead, you have prominent libtards (Gloria Allred) saying that the pat downs were enjoyable.  I'm sure it was enjoyable. I bet no one's touched Gloria's leathery piss flaps in quite some time.

147
opened a cooler to find a live penguin

Did the cooler belong to Mario Lemiux?

*doobie*doobie*doo* Don't fear the penguin, baby!

148

I have to travel a lot for my job, but I will ask to drive in all feasible cases (any trip that's less than a 15-hour drive).

If I am forced to fly, I will opt out of the scans. A machine has no conscience--it doesn't care that it's violating your rights. I want the TSA person to feel conscience--I want them to know that they're making a living by sexually assaulting innocent Americans. Eventually it will sink in and they won't be able to rely on the "I was just following orders" excuse.

149 Flying is a privilege that you shouldn't take lightly.  And groping is a privilege we certainly won't take lightly either, IYKWIM.

150 #114, Jean, if you're on the Virginia side, look up Barn Cat Buddies dot org, they're down that way.

151

Meh

The OMG LOOK AT WHAT TSA DID THIS TIME!!!! frenzy is getting a little monotonous.

 

152

Did the cooler belong to Mario Lemiux?

*doobie*doobie*doo* Don't fear the penguin, baby!

+10000 for the reference.

153 Meh The OMG LOOK AT WHAT TSA DID THIS TIME!!!! frenzy is getting a little monotonous. I keep forgetting some people enjoy this stuff. So, CJ, in your opinion, who has the best ball-handling skills in the TSA? Do you wait to get patted down, and then say, "Ooops! I forgot something in my car. Again. Guess I'll have to come through security again. See you in a few minutes, Mike!"

154 The TSA...where USPS employees go to complete their public service.

155 Eventually it will sink in and they won't be able to rely on the "I was just following orders" excuse.

Posted by: Palandine at November 22, 2010 02:27 PM (g7D8V)

Hey...it worked for me.

156

Meh

The OMG LOOK AT WHAT TSA DID THIS TIME!!!! frenzy is getting a little monotonous.

Yes and no. It does seem like this stuff comes in waves with the media, but this is in reaction to recently impletmented rules. And people fly all the time for business and pleasure. This is affecting a large percentage of the population.

Moreover, this is an issue about how far is too far. At what point have we given up to much freedom in the name of security.

American citizens are being subjected to physical inspection as though we were entering an authoritarian country.  Actually, having flown into and out of china, I can attest that they are much more lenient than we are.

157 Probably been posted before, but I've been out for a few days:

This as an alternative to the screening equipment.

158 My ultra-liberal, left-coast cousin posted on her Facebook some article from PuffHo: "Groped by the TSA? Blame a Republican." ARGHHHHH. No, it's you liberal bleeding heart assholes who claim that profiling is raaaaaaacist, thus Grandma Ethel from Hoboken must be molested by the TSA in the name of political correctness. Effing hell. I'm currently trying to decide whether the picture updates of her extremely cute baby outweigh the constant stream of lefty rhetoric.

159 And some passengers are beasts. It says something about the readership of this blog that some of them see a left-wing plot in this.

Posted by: RNB at November 22, 2010 12:53 PM (fe/Mk)

I just wanted to point out the Double Layer Retardedness here.

You see, Ravitz is helping the TSA distract attention from their horrific record by engaging in what any complete failure does - blame the victim.

RNB is doing for Ravitz what she's doing for the TSA - blaming us because we noticed what she was doing.

Because they're all assholes. If the TSA wanted respect, they would stand up, admit failure, and say what they were doing to correct it.

Whining about how bad other people are, blaming those subject to your mandated assholery for it, and crying when you get caught are NOT "signs of greatness."

I think Cee Lo Green wrote a song for you guys.

160

If I were a more frequent flyer, I'd be a helluva lot more concerned about some of the IFEs I've been hearing about.  The pilot can barrel roll the a/c or put it into a dive, and the passengers can (and have) subdue some chucklehead, but there's not too much you can do when your engines flame out.

TSA hanky panky -> fewer passengers -> decreasing revenues -> less money for a/c recapitalization + layoffs -> shoddier maintenance -> dude, where's my engine?      

161 88 "TSA agents were complaining that most passengers had poor personal hygiene"

Oh, I'm sure that all the flunkies who got their jobs through nepotism, favoritism, and affirmative action smell like Chanel perfume and daisies, and their breath smells of the finest bottled water.

162

I keep forgetting some people enjoy this stuff. So, CJ, in your opinion, who has the best ball-handling skills in the TSA?

Dang. Straight to da gay Empire o' Jeff?

You don't sense just tinsy bit of mindless ME TOO-ing afoot?

163

Yes and no. It does seem like this stuff comes in waves with the media, but this is in reaction to recently impletmented rules. And people fly all the time for business and pleasure. This is affecting a large percentage of the population.

Ben, and I admit one clear bias: with two young kids and a fixed budget, my family isn't flying anywhere anytime soon.

Overall, if we're to debate security, I'd rather take the Ann Coulter, and address the real problem - the fear of profiling:

You have to search for the terrorists.

Fortunately, that's the one advantage we have in this war. In a lucky stroke, all the terrorists are swarthy, foreign-born, Muslim males. (Think: "Guys Madonna would date.")

This would give us a major leg up -- if only the country weren't insane.

164 Cry me a river.

Try workin Taco Bell drive-thru at 3am. I've hadta put up with weirder shit that this.

165

I never watch CNN, so I don't know anything about this report, but I have to say I would not want to work for TSA. You would have to put with being called nazi or being fired. I mean it is a lousy job in a crappy economy and I think some of the personal and nasty comments that have been directed toward these people are kind of unfair really.

 

166 Sorry CJ. Been offline a few days. Had to point the. Homo Finger at somebody.

167 At least it is better than the NBC article (Drudge headline) quoting Stewart Baker that we should "thank" the TSA for touching us. Uh, how about no.

168 Just as the TSA agent kneels down to examine your junk, let fly a nice long rip of methane for  his/her enjoyment while performing their duty. I mean a rip tear asser..not a church house creeper.

169  Sorry CJ. Been offline a few days. Had to point the. Homo Finger at somebody.

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at November 22, 2010 05:28 PM (B7dyo)

Kids today.....