Texas Takes on TSA?

        Although Christina Hastings, author of the Texas Outlook blog, made some valid points about the TSA's “pat-down” policy, I am going to have to disagree with her. To begin with, the TSA is technically not violating the 4^th amendment due to the “9th Circuit Court of the United States ruling on the search of passengers in airports back in 1973, which effectively suspends limited aspects of the Fourth Amendment while undergoing airport security screening.” Even though a person may feel violated by the TSA, they are not violating the 4^th amendment (as long as they follow all protocol).

         The examples she used were very compelling, but they weren't exactly viable. For starters, just because the woman was old, terminally ill, and wearing a diaper doesn't mean she couldn't be carrying a weapon or planning an attack. This goes for each example she made. Anyone that is planning to fly on a commercial airline should be aware of all airport policies, including TSA's passenger security 3-step process. If these people and/or the responsible guardians of these people had taken the time to read and understand all airport policies, they would have known what they were subject to if the metal detector went off or if there was a refusal to be searched. For instance, the “71-year-old man that set off an airport metal detector because of his metal knee.” He could have asked for a private search by a same sex officer, but apparently he did not. As for the “former Miss America,” she was probably just trying to get press by “playing the victim.”

         I really don't think TSA or the federal government are abusing their power (at least not concerning this topic). I've already stated, in the 1^st paragraph, why TSA is not abusing their power. Now I will explain why I think the Federal government is not abusing it's power. First of all, even though “the House passed the bill with a large majority,” doesn't mean it's a sure win in the Senate. That's the way politics work. Secondly, the so called “threat” wasn't a threat at all. If she had done her research she would have known that TSA can not allow anyone who refuses to go through ALL security checks to board the plane, therefore if House bill 1937 became a law it would “protect” citizens' privates from being touched, which would prevent TSA from being able to fully protect everyone that boards the plane. Ironic, don't you think?

         She claims she “doesn't want terrorists to have free reign on airplanes to bring explosives and weapons aboard a plane,” but then she says that TSA's “pat-downs” are invasions of a “normal citizen's privacy.” What is she calling a normal citizen? Is she claiming that all six year old girls are “normal citizens?” If so, she might want to think about all the country's that train children to use weapons and to be decoy children who set off bombs. Who's to say this isn't happening in America or that a child won't be sent from another country as a bomber? TSA is just trying to protect every single person that boards the plane. For example, last week a friend was stopped in the Denver airport because he had a few coffee mugs in his bag (they were souvenirs from his brother's new law firm). Apparently, the inside liner can be taken out and explosive materials can be put inside and resealed with only traces of residue. I never would have thought that was possible, but crazy people have actually tried to do this. We should all be thankful TSA does so much to ensure our safety, instead of trying to get rid of precautionary security.

         To everyone, that wants to get rid of TSA's 3-step security process, you might want to get reconsider the alternative. If House bill 1937 gets passed there might be more and more incidents like the tragedy that happened on September 11^th, 2001. These “pat-downs” are for the safety of America and every single person that gets on the plane. Do yourself a favor, America, read and understand all airline protocols and procedures before you chose to step foot in an airport. Following all procedures would help ensure a speedy check-in and a safe flight as well as your dignity and privacy.