Originally published August 22 2015
TSA agents miss 96% of weapons going through airports, spend time sexually assaulting Americans and stealing luggage instead
by Daniel Barker
(NaturalNews) Among federal agencies, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is easily one of the most despised by the average American citizen. The NSA is probably right up near the top of the list because of their unconstitutional snooping activities, but in terms of sheer annoyance and inconvenience -- especially among those of us who fly often -- the TSA is virtually unrivaled.
The TSA has become notorious for establishing ridiculous rules dictating what can be carried on a plane and making life miserable for those who are simply trying to board without being humiliated and harassed, and they are also getting flack for a number of more serious misuses of their nearly unchallengeable authority.
For example, there have been numerous allegations of TSA employees groping and sexually assaulting passengers. We're not talking about one or two isolated incidents; there have been dozens of cases involving credible accounts of sexual misconduct and abuse of power carried out by TSA screeners.
The problem seems to be more widespread than most would have imagined possible. As the saying goes, "Absolute power corrupts absolutely," and it's becoming evident that the TSA has absolutely too much power.
Singer files complaint
The latest such allegation comes from popular singer Morrissey, who claimed that a TSA screener sexually assaulted him as he passed through security at San Francisco International Airport to board a flight to London in July.
Morrissey, who has filed a formal complaint, said of the incident:
Before I could gather my belongings from the usual array of trays I was approached by an 'airport security officer' who stopped me, crouched before me and groped my penis and testicles.
This is just one of the more recent cases to be reported. The incident made international headlines because of the singer's high profile. It can be assumed that many other such incidents either go unreported or don't make the news, but it has become obvious nevertheless that there are widespread examples of TSA screeners who routinely assault passengers in a sexual manner.
In April, two TSA screeners at Denver International Airport were fired for "engaging in what one confessed was a groping conspiracy." Again, these are just the more recent and high-profile cases; the problem seems to be occurring everywhere on a regular basis.
Referring to the Denver case, Douglas Kidd, President of the National Association of Airline Passengers, said he wasn't surprised:
Groping takes place all the time, at all airports...It happens at Denver, it happens at Phoenix, it happens at Washington...
TSA misconduct isn't limited to sexual assault. There have also been numerous instances of the ransacking and theft of passengers' luggage, among other offenses.
All in the name of security
Aside from the more egregious violations of the law and basic human dignity - for which there are no excuses - American citizens, for the most part, have been willing to endure the inconvenience and bullyish behavior because they were led to believe it was necessary for their safety and for national security in general.
However, recent investigations of the agency revealed that the TSA missed 96 percent of weapons that were carried through airport security checks by undercover agents who were testing the system's effectiveness.
This proves that the agency and its "mission" are part of a useless and expensive sham that has subjected innocent citizens to inconvenience, humiliation and criminal violations of their rights - and all for nothing.
The TSA is a spectacular failure.
It will be interesting to see what, if anything, can be accomplished by Peter Neffenger, the new head of the agency, who has promised to "ensure solutions to the recent covert testing failures."
That would be a start, but a whole lot more needs to be accomplished before the TSA can justify its existence and begin to regain the American public's trust and respect.
Sources:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk
http://www.chicagotribune.com
http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-33731489
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