The TSA Is Coming To A Highway Near You

[Meg]

The TSA Is Coming To A Highway Near You - Forbes

OP/ED by By Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)

While TSOs may have the appearance of a federal law enforcement officer they have neither the authority nor the power. If a passenger brings a loaded gun or an explosive device into an airport screening area there is nothing a TSO can do until the local police step in to save the day.

If TSOs are truly our nation’s last line of defense in stopping an act of terrorism, then the TSA should immediately end the practice of placing hiring notices for available TSO positions on pizza boxes and at discount gas stations as theyhave done in our nation’s capital. Surely, this is not where our federal government is going to find our brightest and sharpest Americans committed to keeping our traveling public safe. I would contend that we can surely strive for a higher standard and may want to look first to our veterans returning home from the battlefield.

Interestingly enough, as TSA officials like to routinely point out, their agency’s acronym stands for Transportation Security Administration, not the Airport Security Administration. This fact has extended the TSA’s reach has far beyond the confines of our nation’s airports. Many of my constituents discovered this first hand this past fall as those familiar blue uniforms and badges appeared on Tennessee highways. In October Tennessee became the first state to conduct a statewide Department of Homeland Security Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR) team operation which randomly inspected Tennessee truck drivers and cars.

VIPR teams which count TSOs among their ranks, conduct searches and screenings at train stations, subways, ferry terminals and every other mass transit location around the country. In fact, as the Los Angeles Times has detailed, VIPR teams conducted 9,300 unannounced checkpoints and other search operations in the last year alone.

Words fail ME this time.

[WKUHilltopper]

They intend to do this everywhere because we're the terrorist, the enemy. And yet our borders are wide open and instead we're the one's being groped.

[Meg]

They intend to do this everywhere because we're the terrorist, the enemy. And yet our borders are wide open and instead we're the one's being groped.

Yup!

[NUmarcus]

Scary stuff, but not all that surprising given the general state of things. TSA is a burgeoning bureaucracy that is largely filled with individuals who would not qualify for employment with other Federal or State law enforcement agencies; backed by an "agent" status that allows them to directly threaten the general citizenry with detainment and possible prosecution for non-compliance at a federalized checkpoint. Slippery slope that does not end well. Sad watching the country head down this path with as little more than a whimper from those who are supposed to represent us.

[dave-o]

Hiring (recruiting?) notices in gas stations and on pizza boxes? Is it just me or do they sound a lot like Hitlers Brown Shirts?

[YeuEmMaiMai]

old news man KY has had this going on for a while now....\

The TSA Blog: Myth Buster: TSA Not Setting Up Checkpoints On Tennessee Highways


they call it exercises....I call it getting your foot in the door....

[SonSeeker]

They intend to do this everywhere because we're the terrorist, the enemy. And yet our borders are wide open and instead we're the one's being groped.

Hey Hilltopper,

Since you're in Tennessee, why don't you go tell 'em how much we appreciate their fine service.

[SonSeeker]

In fact, as the Los Angeles Times has detailed, VIPR teams conducted 9,300 unannounced checkpoints and other search operations in the last year alone.

Wow, that's a lot of checkpoints! I wonder how many station wagons full of nuns they pulled over and harassed. They probably just confused a burqa for a habit.

[Meg]

old news man KY has had this going on for a while now....\

The TSA Blog: Myth Buster: TSA Not Setting Up Checkpoints On Tennessee Highways


they call it exercises....I call it getting your foot in the door....

I find these claims by the TSA troubling, because this was reported by a Tennessee senator of all people.

[Kenny64]

Yup!

Hey, Meg.... I'll stand up! NO ONE will grop or feel me or my wife.

[WKUHilltopper]

Hey Hilltopper,

Since you're in Tennessee, why don't you go tell 'em how much we appreciate their fine service.

I would, but I'm in Kentucky--

[SonSeeker]

I would, but I'm in Kentucky--

Oh, my bad! And I knew you were in Kentucky. Your screen name gave me a clue. Wow, do I feel stupid.

How's this for an excuse? You may have seen a thread about my surgeries in the Prayer Request section. I am on pain killers and cannot drive or operate heavy equipment. Apparently this includes a keyboard.