Is TSA Worth Saving - Christopher Elliott

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christopher-elliott/is-the-tsa-worth-saving-p_b_1489915.html

Could it finally be?

 

If Janet Incompetano's bastard children at DHS are still involved, the reorg will result in an even worse situation than we have now.

There is no way to "restructure" the TSA into an actual working "security" organization with its current management and employees. They're all thieves, thugs, and morons.

 

Also at TSA News. Pile on at both places with comments.

TSA News Blog: Is the tSA Worth Saving?

 

This is a fantastic development, if true.

However, something that concerns me very deeply is Elliott's assessment of Sen. Paul's End TSA bill:

Now, while I personally have had nothing but pleasant interaction with CBP folks, my international returns are somewhat limited when compared to most (I've had 5, 6 if you count a day trip to Tijuana, in my lifetime). I'm also white, clean cut, and exceedingly polite. Certainly not the profile they tend to look for (arguments as to whether or not that is effective notwithstanding). However, I've heard absolute horror stories from others' encounters with this folks. It also deeply, deeply concerns me that border protection would hold oversight of internal travel. I certainly hope this isn't a case of better the devil you know than the one you don't.

 

I guess the mere fact that people are even talking about this is good. But remember, there are still millions of people out there who think the TSA is just fine as it is. Including people who have had ample opportunity to see that's it not (witness my friend the other day who hasn't flown in a while, who has seen umpteen stories on TSA abuse, yet who's more worried about packing enough clothes in her carry-on for an upcoming flight than that she might be groped -- I posted her email in another thread the other day -- this is a woman who hates to have anyone touch her).

 

"Jersey Shore" is in its fifth season. 'Nuff said.

 

Well, problem is she's highly educated, privileged, well paid, blah blah blah. She's not a Jersey Shore watcher. Neither are my other naysaying friends.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: this has nothing to do with social class or level of education. Denial is a potent force, for all people of all kinds.

 

Hey, now, there is nothing wrong with enjoying the schadenfreud of Jersey Shore.

Simply put, millions don't care due to inertia.

When and if the TSA is put out to pasture, these same people simply won't care either.

 

Whether or not she's a "Jersey Shore" watcher is irrelevant. "Jersey Shore" is simply one of the many indicators that "Vox populi, vox dei" usually means "Holy crap, how did we end up in this mess?" "Bud Light" is another.

 

Yeah, and if that ever happens and if the abuse ever ends, they'll have us to thank. But you know damn well they won't. They'll continue on their blithely ignorant way.

 

Story of my life...

You know, there's a fairly regular commenter over on Bloviating Bob's Wondrous Blog who states that there are sheepdogs among us who know what's up and are just waiting for the right opportunity to better manage the herd. I think it's a pretty apt summary.

 

Moreso when one realizes that the sheepdog occasionally gets a taste of the shepherd's mutton, too.

 

I think what is very clear is that Pistole and his perverts are on notice that either they change or just go away. No one at TSA can hide behind the many excuses any longer. No one believes that there are few complaints, few abuses, or that "proper procedures where followed".

I honestly believe that Pistole is an incompetent. There is nothing to be gained by keeping him around. Sad thing is that it appears that most of TSA is comprised of more incompetents so perhaps scrapping the whole mess would be the most efficient path forward.

 

Who might you be referring to?

 

They usually post as "Anonymous", so I have no idea...

 

Well, I'll go out on a limb here -- I think the creation of the TSA, and DHS for that matter, were an over-reaction to 9/11.

I'm glad, even though it's 10+ years later that we're finally having a discussion of whether we need the TSA (I know DHS isn't going anywhere). Particularly after the fiascoes of the last week-and-a-half, it's pretty hard to defend the TSA.

I don't know how I feel about Customs taking over - I've done a fair amount of international travel and I've never had any kind of a problem with them. Then again, I'm like barbell, white, polite, with the extra-added bonus that I have absolutely no sense of direction so I'm constantly asking people where I'm supposed to go. People usually bend over backwards to help me out. And I know this isn't everyone's experience. Also, I don't know whether or not Customs can even be involved in internal travel ... I'll have to look into that. It's an interesting question. I'd rather see security/screening go back to how it was pre-9/11. San Francisco has never used TSA screeners and planes are still flying and landing safely without them.

 

You know, I think it's his stubbornness, arrogance, and his general authoritarian manner more than anything else. He's used to everything being his way or the highway, and so he's become quite rigid.

 

I like this comment but would offer that he's always been rigid - that's how he got to where he is. OCPD.

 

I'm all for him becoming even more rigid. You don't tell American citizens to bend over and submit and then get to live a long and happy life.

 

You're probably right.