Thread: TSA targets special needs traveler

TSA targets special needs traveler with invasive pat-down, confiscates his 'comfort' item as security threat

Friday, June 17, 2011 by: Ethan A. Huff, staff writer

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/032728_pat-d ... z1PXOgdosY

(NaturalNews) The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) continues its reign of terror against innocent Americans, this time aggressively targeting a special needs traveler out of Houston, Tex., who was on his way to Disney World with his family. According to My Fox Houston, TSA agents patted down, questioned, and confiscated the "comfort" item of 29-year-old Drew Mandy, a severely handicapped man -- an act that the agency later admitted was a serious "case of bad judgment."

After giving Drew an invasive pat-down, TSA agents interrogated him about the extra padding in his pants, which turned out to be an adult diaper. They then proceeded to confiscate a six-inch plastic hammer that Drew had carried around with him for 20 years as a comfort item. Anyone who knows even the basics about special needs individuals knows that many many of them carry around comfort items -- but apparently the clueless TSA agents that targeted Drew did not, as they refused to let him keep the hammer, claiming it was a "security threat."

Worse, when Drew's father David tried to intervene and explain to TSA agents why his son was not understanding their instructions, or why he had the harmless hammer, they refused to listen to him and instead retorted, "Please, sir, we know what we're doing." They then took the plastic hammer, hit it against the wall, and said, "See, it's hard. It could be used as a weapon."

Sure, TSA agents know exactly what they are doing. They apparently knew exactly what they were doing when they frisked harmless high school prom girls in their formal gowns at a security checkpoint they set up at a Santa Fe High School (http://www.naturalnews.com/032499_T...), but failed to detect undercover agents with loaded weapons that slipped through airport security lines on numerous occasions (http://www.naturalnews.com/031529_T...).

Also this is evident from when they conducted an invasive pat-down on former Miss USA Susie Castillo in Dallas, TX (http://www.naturalnews.com/032282_T...), but helped sneak drug suspects through the security line in Buffalo, NY (http://www.naturalnews.com/031614_T...).

If terrorizing and molesting innocent travelers, failing undercover security checks, and aiding and abetting possible criminals is what the TSA is about, then yes, the agency really does know what it is doing, and it is doing it well. But if respecting individual liberty, using common sense, and acting professionally are the TSA's aims, then it is failing miserably.

Sources for this story include:

http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/new...

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Kathyet

TSA's Program to Spot Terrorists a $200M Sham?



CBS) Times Square bombing suspect Faisal Shahzad was arrested after he boarded a plane headed for Dubai, though the government is spending millions each year on a program that's supposed to spot terrorists before they reach the gate. As CBS News chief investigative correspondent Armen Keteyian reports, the program doesn't seem to be working.

There's a hidden layer of airport security most people don't know about. It's called "behavior detection," and involves specially trained Transportation Security Administration employees whose primary mission is to spot terrorists.

They look for unique facial expressions and body language that may identify a potential threat. About 3,000 of these officers work at 161 U.S. airports -- costing taxpayers nearly $200 million in 2009. This year, the TSA asked Congress for $20 million more to expand the program.

60 Minutes: Expert Says TSA Screening Is Theater

But CBS News has learned that the program is failing to catch terrorists. It's never even caught one.

In fact, sources tell CBS News a Government Accountability Office investigation is raising serious questions about the program.

The GAO uncovered at least 16 individuals later accused of involvement in terrorist plots flew 23 different times through U.S. airports since 2004. Yet none were stopped by TSA behavior detection officers working at those airports.

"It's a disgrace," said aviation security analyst Charles Slepian. "Why didn't they stop them? If it worked, you would catch them."

Scientists are split over whether it's even possible to recognize terrorists simply by behavior detection. A 2008 report found no evidence it works.

"TSA is doing a number of things in the area of behavior detection and I personally think that some of them are shams," said Stephen Fienberg, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University.

In a statement Wednesday, the TSA called the program a "vital layer" of security, "based in science," that has resulted in more than 1,700 arrests for "illegal activities" like drug smuggling.

The report based on the GAO investigation is due out Thursday. It will recommend across-the-board improvements in the program - ones the TSA is expected to accept.

More on the TSA from 60 Minutes:


Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/05/ ... z1PXQL3wiz

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