TSA’s Abuse Of Power
Posted by Michelle Moquin on November 30th, 2010
Good morning!
Okay so I got this e-mail last week during the busiest week for air travel. I didn’t post it but I’m posting it now because it is still relevant. TSA. If you ask me, and I know no one is asking but I’m going to tell you anyway, TSA stand for “Tits, Sex and Ass”, and that is exactly what TSA gets when they scan people in this pornographic way, not to mention the amounts of radiation exposure. Ready to do something?
Michelle -
It’s the busiest week for air travel – and the biggest week yet for TSA to abuse our rights. More than 25,000 people have already signed our petition to Congress to investigate the TSA.
Here’s how else the TSA has abused its power since then:
- Made a breast cancer survivor flight attendant remove her prosthetic breast1
- Dislodged a urostomy bag of a bladder cancer survivor, spilling urine all over himself2
- TSA screeners themselves have come out against the aggressive patdowns3
This is insane – and it’s all just security theater to protect the TSA’s corrupt, ineffective porno scanners.
We need to stop TSA’s porno scanners and groping – sign the petition to Congress to investigate the TSA. Click here to add your name.
Thanks for standing up for dignity in our airports.
Jane Hamsher
Firedoglake.com
P.S. Are you flying this week? Know someone else who is? Download our “Know Your Rights at TSA” flier and make sure you and your fellow passengers know the risks and rights while dealing with TSA.
———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Jane Hamsher
Date: Tues, Nov 16, 2010
Subject: FWD: Welcome to the police state
Porno Scanners, Groping and Prosecution
Tell Congress to Investigate
TSA’s Abuse of Power
Click here to sign the petition
Dear Michelle,
John Tyner had two options when he got to the airport:
- Go through TSA’s expensive new “porno scanners” unprotected, which the Airline Pilots Association tells pilots to refuse.1
- Get an aggressive groping by a TSA agent that one woman described as being “sexually assaulted by a government official.”2
Tyner chose the latter option. But when he objected to the TSA’s plan to fondle his genitals, the agents refused to let him board his flight. Tyner recorded the incident in a now-famous video in which he told the TSA to “don’t touch my junk.”3
Okay, Let’s take a video break here. The Tyner video just didn’t hold my interest, but seriousness aside, I just couldn’t resist posting the “TSA hustle” video by Michael Adams – too funny – ya gotta watch it.
Now the TSA says they are “investigating” Tyner, threatening him with prosecution and $11,000 in civil penalties.4 It should be obvious why the TSA is investigating Tyner: to intimidate the rest of us.
Investigate the TSA, not Tyner. Sign our petition demanding Congress investigate the TSA’s porno scanners, aggressive groping, and abuses of power. Click here to add your name:
These new aggressive “pat downs” started on November 1, to punish people like Tyner who refuse to go through the scanners. Neither the scanners nor the aggressive pat-downs make us any safer.
Experts call it “security theater,” to insure the market for this new, expensive boondoggle doesn’t dry up when the public refuses to participate
The House of Representatives voted against funding the scanners because they are incredibly invasive and don’t keep us safe.5 So the Department of Homeland Security flipped them the middle finger and used $25 million in stimulus funds to buy machines anyway – creating just one job in the process.6
Now the TSA is further abusing its power, threatening a citizen’s most basic rights to intimidate the rest of us.
Say no to TSA’s intimidation, and demand Congress investigate TSA’s new porno scanners and aggressive groping. Click here to sign the petition.
There should be no question: the only thing the TSA’s new “groping” policy is meant to impact is people’s willingness to go through these machines, which render images of people’s naked bodies so graphic one mother called it “child pornography.”7
And the TSA’s decision to prosecute Tyner is nothing but an attempt to intimidate the public from following his lead and resisting this outrageous invasion of their personal freedoms. They want us to give up our rights for their latest abuses of power.
This has nothing to do with keeping us “safe.” It’s the product of outrageous government corruption and an invasion of our most basic ideas of privacy.
Time to shut down TSA’s abuse of power. Sign our petition to Congress demanding an investigation of TSA’s porno scanners and groping policies.
Thanks for taking action on this important issue.
Jane Hamsher
Firedoglake.com
References (part 1)
1. “TSA Makes Cancer Victim Remove Prosthetic Breast.” CBS News, 11/19/2010
2. “TSA pat-down leaves bladder cancer survivor covered in urine.” The Political Carnival, 11/20/2010
3. “TSA Enhanced Pat Downs : The Screeners Point Of View.” Boarding Area, 11/18/2010
References (part 2)
1. “President’s Message.” US Airline Pilot Association (USAPA), 11/8/10
2. “TSA – Sexual Assault.” Our Little Chatterboxes, 11/12/10
3. “TSA Encounter at SAN.” Johnny Edge, 11/13/10
4. “TSA May Prosecute ‘Don’t Touch My Junk’ Guy.” Firedoglake, 11/16/10
5. “TSA to the White House on Whole-Body Scanners: Shove It.” Consumer Traveler, 10/2/09
6. “Project Summary: Rapiscan Systems, INC.” Recovery.gov.
7. “TSA Child Porn or Protection?” WMAR ABC2 News, 7/22/10
************
Readers: Did any of you experience someone touching your junk? Ick – Sick. Details, details, blog the details please. This has just got to stop.
Zen Lill, Honey, Delores Ellen: Hmm…I have to smile…I thought the article was very cute, a bit tongue in cheeky, not to be taken at “face value” – Ha! Pun intended. :) I liked it. We are obviously on opposite ends, though because I hear you loud and clear that you girls didn’t like it.
On another note, I rather liked that a guy wrote it. So many men trash their women once their looks start to fade, hinting at women to do this and that to look better. (That’s a nod to you Leo) And women fear that their man might go for a younger woman if they don’t keep themselves up; looking good.
This man, in my opinion, is saying accept yourself, and advising you to do something that is obviously not in his best interest. After all he is a surgeon. Okay so he’s telling you, you don’t need a facelift; he believes getting a dog is a better alternative. Whether he’s right or not, that’s up to you. And this has nothing to do with me being for or against facelifts; in fact I’m not against facelifts. Hey, do whatever makes you feel good.
That being said, I guess I stand alone on this one, and I don’t mind admitting it. I actually got a kick out of the comparison because it was so unexpected. To me, anyone that advocates saving a dog is okay in my book, even if he does compare it to something as crazy as facelifts.
What’s not to like? Perhaps I am just blinded by my love for animals. :)
Jackie: I agree with you. And all is noted. And like I’ve said before, “Common sense is not all that common.”
TP: I HOPE your princess is reading, and your fantasy becomes a reality soon.
I’m up and out of here early. So nice to see a few of you here lately. Keep coming – blog me.
Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)
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November 30th, 2010 at 6:54 am
Here’s what I got while trying to locate your blog. Error 404 – Not Found
These are indeed trying times.
November 30th, 2010 at 7:10 am
Michelle, I was going to write in and scream at the doctor for his insensitive article. But this morning when my husband, also a doctor pointed out that my GOAT (Guru Of All Things) his reference to you explained herself and she said EXACTLY what he said you meant.
Okay, when you explain it that way I get it.
Women should value themselves more than the physical. Once again you have proved you deserve to be the GOAT.
Now even my sarcastic husband is touting your genius.
Pearl
November 30th, 2010 at 7:14 am
Damn sick bastards. I travel several times a month. The sexual perverts will be running this thing in a year. Normal people will get fed up and leave.
This country is fucked up! What could one possibly see in that screening that would blow up a plane. If it is that small then it could only hurt the person.
November 30th, 2010 at 7:23 am
Michelle
I didn’t write in but I supported your article. I believe that the point was as you stated.
We women are forced to look our best because men are so superficial that they value the appearance of their partner over her character and contribution to the relationship she has contributed over their years together.
Thus she feels forced to consider a face lift, if for no other reason than the fact their is no operation available to correct funky thinking by men.
Rita
November 30th, 2010 at 7:30 am
Diseases You Get from Pets
Jon Geller, DVM
Veterinary Emergency Hospital
In recent years, the drug-resistant bacteria methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which used to be found exclusively in humans, has turned up in pets.
Humans can acquire MRSA (often pronounced “mersa”) during a hospital stay, then pass it on to their pets, where it can live for several months before being passed back to humans who have close contact with the pets.
Dogs and cats both appear to be potential carriers of the bacteria, which can cause severe skin infections, pneumonia and even death in both humans and pets.
For protection, always wash your hands after handling a pet, and don’t let a pet lick your face. Take your pet to the vet if he/she has any sign of a skin infection.
Other diseases that you can get from your pets…
DOGS
Roundworms. Toxocariasis is an infection acquired from the roundworm parasite that lives in the feces of infected dogs.
Roundworm eggs find their way into the soil and can be ingested after gardening in infected soil or petting a dog that has been rolling around on the ground.
Once ingested, the eggs develop into worms that migrate around the human body. Roundworm infections are more common in arid areas, where the eggs can survive in soil for years.
Human symptoms: Mild infections may not cause symptoms. More serious infections may cause abdominal pain, cough, fever, itchy skin and shortness of breath.
Human treatment: Antiparasitic drugs.
Dog symptoms: Diarrhea, weight loss.
Dog treatment: Deworming medication.
Prevention: Wash hands thoroughly after working in the garden or petting your dog.
Hookworms are in the feces of infected dogs. Hookworm larva can penetrate the skin and develop into worms that tunnel under the skin, creating itchy red tracks.
Human symptoms: Itching, rash, abdominal pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite.
Human treatment: Antiparasitic drugs.
Dog symptoms: Diarrhea, weight loss.
Dog treatment: Deworming medication.
Prevention: Avoid bare-skin contact with soil or beaches where dogs may have defecated.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that affects the urinary tracts of dogs and other animals that acquire the infection through their noses or mouths after spending time in habitats shared by raccoons and other wildlife.
Humans acquire it when an open sore or mucous membrane comes in contact with the bacteria.
Human symptoms: Some infected people have no symptoms. Others have high fever, severe headache, chills, vomiting and sometimes jaundice.
Human treatment: Antibiotics.
Dog symptoms: Lethargy, loss of appetite, jaundice.
Dog treatment: Fluids and antibiotics.
Prevention: Wear gloves when working around soil or a habitat shared with raccoons. Avoid swimming or wading in water that might be contaminated with animal urine.
CATS
Ringworm is not a worm but a fungal infection named for the circular rash it causes on humans. Ringworm is transmitted via direct contact with an infected animal’s skin or hair.
Human symptoms: Ring-shaped rash that is reddish and often itchy.
Human treatment: Antifungal ointment.
Cat symptoms: Hair thinning and loss.
Cat treatment: Antifungal ointment.
Prevention: Keep your cat inside to minimize the risk for skin parasites.
Toxoplasmosis. Some cats shed a potentially infectious organism in their feces that can be particularly dangerous if ingested by pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems.
Cats typically become infected when they eat infected prey, such as mice or birds. Humans can accidentally ingest the parasites after cleaning out a litter box.
Human symptoms: Most people never develop symptoms. Those who do may have headache, fever, fatigue, body aches.
Human treatment: Certain medications can reduce the severity.
Cat symptoms: Often no signs.
Cat treatment: Antibiotics.
Prevention: Pregnant women should avoid cleaning litter boxes. Keep your cat indoors.
Cat scratch fever. This is a bacterial disease caused by Bartonella henselae. The organism usually is carried by fleas that live on the cat.
Human symptoms: Swollen lymph nodes, fever and malaise.
Human treatment: Antibiotics.
Cat symptoms: Most cats don’t show any signs of illness.
Cat treatment: Flea medication.
Prevention: Promptly wash and disinfect any cat scratches.
BIRDS
Psittacosis. Some birds carry bacteria that cause a bacterial respiratory infection in humans, acquired when they inhale dried secretions from infected birds.
Human symptoms: Fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and dry cough.
Human treatment: Antibiotics.
Bird symptoms: Typically no symptoms, though some birds show signs of respiratory illness, such as lethargy and discharge from eyes and nasal airways.
Bird treatment: Antibiotics.
Prevention: Use extreme care in handling any pet bird showing signs of respiratory illness.
Personal interviewed Jon Geller, DVM, a veterinarian at Veterinary Emergency Hospital, Fort Collins, Colorado. Dr. Geller writes for numerous pet magazines and answers dog owners’ questions online at http://www.dogchannel.com.
November 30th, 2010 at 7:34 am
Michelle.
I am a frequent traveler and this reaction to a little scare by some clever people is ridiculous.
We need to stop calling them “Dumb-Ass-Arabs.” We need to get a better look at ourselves because those are some pretty smart “Dumb-Ass-Arabs.”
They spent about a hundred dollars to get us to spend billions to solve a problem that common sense would do just as well.
Now whose the “DumbAss?”
Clark
November 30th, 2010 at 7:35 am
What’s all the fuss? I say grope me baby as long as the groper is a man. My junk is here and ready.
November 30th, 2010 at 8:00 am
Michelle
I just took for granted that most women agreed with you. For my two cents let me say I too would rather save an animal than let society force me into a face lift.
But if I felt I wanted one because it made me feel better. I could always make a small donation to my local SPCA and go get that lift :).
Love you
Brenda
November 30th, 2010 at 8:05 am
TP
I may not be your Princess, but I loved your poem. If she doesn’t know it, she is a lucky woman to have a man who fantasies about his fantasies about her even while he is having her.
My girlfriends and I will have a toast to a reading of our favorite lines from your poem this weekend. The list just keeps growing.
No men are invited. This girl’s night out will be with you alone because this weekend, we will all be your Princess.
Brittany
November 30th, 2010 at 8:08 am
Michelle
When I think that I’ve seen it all, you or one of your posters do a Robert or TP. WONDERFUL blog.
My opinion was the same as yours on the facelift. I thought the good Doc had a very relevant point. Where women put the value of their looks is where society tells them to.
Kimberly
an ex playboy pinup
November 30th, 2010 at 8:10 am
TP
Get a life. No woman is worth the sentimentality you weeped onto the page.
November 30th, 2010 at 9:12 am
I got his article drift and I’m neither for nor against facelifts either I just thought the comparison was too cutesy, whatever. Can’t say any other commentary makes me want to hold him high bc he says accept yourself… Methinks he’s probably had a few clients who thought it would change their life more and a face lift is nice but attitude is more important. I’m done now : )
TSa hustle is funny.
Usher, your response might indicate that you’ve never had it that good. It reminded of women who say what’s the big deal about sex, it only tells me that they’ve not had it good yet otherwise they’d never say that. Good luck in finding it for yourself bc everyone should experience that feeling at least once in life.
Luv, Zen Lill
November 30th, 2010 at 8:00 pm
I agree with Zen Lill Usher. If a relationship is really good anything is worth keeping it. TP your poem was so erotic that i came twice reading it.
Lucky, lucky lady she must be.
Perhaps if you write her a second, more explicit poem, she will be forced to answer. It is certainly worth a try.
Milly
November 30th, 2010 at 8:16 pm
When I was felt up at the airport i feigned an orgasm. The bastards tried to find a reason to arrest me. I told the cop that the guy touched my love button to hard. He looked stunned and said that that wasn’t the intention. And the next time I should go for the xray machine.
When I said Why, this way I get a free come. He threatened to have me arrested or banned from flying. I told him to kiss my ass. and he arrested me.
My lawyer is preparing a lawsuit.
Vera
November 30th, 2010 at 8:54 pm
I wanted to comment on an article, a misleading article title I found in Time magazine re: exercise and weight loss. In case you read it, he missed the entire point of exercise in my opinion, in case you did not read it, I’m here to give you the same info I’ll give to those who did read it (still with me?) – it all comes down to ‘reward’ systems (yours) and Zenisms : ) (I have mine and you will have yours) – many people exercise so they can ‘reward’ themselves, and I’m all for that, though the rewards we often seem to want aren’t in keeping with the spirit of exercise/health/well-being or mind/body/spirit if you will…if runnning on a treadmill is only a ‘cardio’ bc I have to ‘to be healthy’ and it ‘allows’ you to ‘reward’ yourself with a cheeseburger (or name a treat you know is not especially good for you), you will have to rethink your rewards if you really want to lose a few pounds along with all that healthy exercising…you could replace that reward with another more healthy reward, maybe not a food/alcohol reward until the reward is the feeling of feeling good all the time bc that truly is the only ‘reward’ worth having.
– and Zenism’s, well – today, a man I always see at the gym told me I always look focused and meditative while I’m there, then he asked what was I thinking about…hmm, at that moment I was just saying OM over and over in my head, I was busily chasing some minor stress straight out the window, sometimes I say it louder in there (my head) if there’s stress I just can’t bust, I might even scream ‘I said OM already, so shut up, OM, OM, OM….!’ I know that sounds not so Zen, don’t kid yourself, even Zen Masters have moments of non-enlightenment : )
Misch, Lucy looks so cute in those pics, what a cutie : )
- ZL
November 30th, 2010 at 9:54 pm
Michelle
They are selling the pictures on the net of the naked people.
November 30th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Thanks Zen lill. Michelle, I didn’t recognize you. So that is you with your dog. You are one HOT lady!
If you and Doug ever split, I’d like a shot. No, I’m not hitting on you, just keeping my options open.
Larry