TSA wants to expand its jurisdiction to searching people on sidewalks
FOIA documents show that the TSA has plans to expand its jurisdiction to searching random people on city streets. More here.
Tag: security
Armed TSA agent gets through TSA airport body scanner
And the TSA exists for what reason again? In a test, a TSA agent with a handgun slipped past TSA security at Dallas-Fort Worth airport, despite being scanned by the enhanced-image body scanner.
U.S. military turns to private sector for its satellite communications needs
Now, was that so hard? The U.S. military is turning to the private sector to fill its satellite communications needs.
Two TSA agents busted at JFK for stealing $160,000 from checked bags
Homeland security strikes again! Two TSA agents were busted today at JFK for stealing $160,000 from checked bags.
Walmart fires Layton guards for disarming shoplifter
Here’s some corporate madness: Walmart has fired four security guards because they disarmed a shoplifter who pulled a gun on them.
Stay Classy, TSA
Government in action: “Hey, I thought she was mine! I was gonna do her!”
Should the U.S. agree to the European code of conduct in space?
Should the U.S. agree to the European Union’s space code of conduct?
The space war between China and the U.S.
The military space war between China and the U.S.
Looser gun laws proposed in Arizona
Here’s the right way to respond to the Tucson shootings: Less restrictions on gun use proposed in Arizona.
US removes Indian firms from Entity List
The federal government has lifted the import security restrictions that existed against India, which will give that country better access to America’s most sophisticated technologies, and thus be a boon for its space industry.
Man faces charges for defying TSA agents
Man faces charges for defying TSA agents. Key quote:
“ What’s really at root in this case is whether travel is a right that we have under the Constitution – an ability to move about the country without having to show papers – which has been one of the defining characteristics of American freedom, “ Hasbrouck said.
New TSA Scanner Procedure Is Dumb in a New Way
The new TSA scanner procedure: Dumb in a new way. The quote below actually isn’t the point of the article (which notes other idiotic things about TSA procedures), but I found it telling nonetheless:
For the most part, it has been possible to avoid the scanners just by picking the right line to stand in, which I assume means that the government has determined that terrorists have poor line-picking skills.
TSA Pays Off In Breast Exposure Suit
TSA pays off for exposing a woman’s breasts during security clearance.
We need more such lawsuits against the TSA.
Has The TSA Gone From Touching Your Junk To STEALING IT?
Has the TSA gone from touching your junk to stealing it?
TSA: Living on Borrowed Time?
TSA: Living on borrowed time? Key quote:
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) spends hundreds of millions of dollars a year. At TSA headquarters alone, there are 3,526 staff whose average salary tops $106,000. And while the TSA has gotten very good at groping airline passengers and undressing them with full body scans, the organization has yet to prevent a single terrorist attack. A Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigation released last spring revealed that at least 17 known terrorists have been able to pass through TSA security totally unhindered. [emphasis mine]
TSA bans bikini woman for ‘unusual contour’ around buttocks
A woman in a wheelchair — whom the TSA had previously interrogated for an hour then denied her entry when she arrived at the airport in a bikini — was later refused entrance when she arrived fully clothed because of an “unusual contour” around her buttocks. Key quote:
Banovac offered to strip for the agents to prove that she’s not hiding anything. However, since TSA agents aren’t allowed to fully undress a passenger, they had no choice but to deny her access to her flight.
Does one get the feeling that the TSA agents are out to get this woman because she makes them look like fools?
US, Germany developing secret spy satellites
According to Wikileaks cables, the United States and Germany plan to develop a secret constellation of spy satellites. Though Germany denies the story, their denial is somewhat puzzling:
German Aerospace Center spokesman Andreas Schuetz said that such a project for a high-resolution optical satellite has been in discussion for the past two years under the name HIROS. “HIROS is neither a spy satellite, nor a secret project,” Schuetz said. He insisted that the project was to be used only for government purposes, “for example crisis management during natural catastrophes and for scientific uses.”
He refused to give any further details, saying the plan was still in the project stage and could not be discussed.
TSA scanners in use
Want to know what airports are using the new backscatter body scanners, and thus avoid them? TSA Status has the answer.
rape-survivor arrested for refusing an enhanced pat-down at airport
More TSA abuse: A rape-survivor is arrested for refusing an enhanced pat-down at Texas airport.
Maryland uses prisoners, some with fraud and theft convictions, to process Social Security numbers and other personal information
Our government at work: For the past seven years, Maryland has used prisoners, some with fraud and theft convictions, to process Social Security numbers and other personal information of low income residences.