Slashdot Mirror
Senator Rand Paul Detained By the TSA
cervesaebraciator writes "Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) has been detained by the TSA in Tennessee for refusing a pat-down. Apparently an anomaly appeared when he received the full body scan. While he offered to undergo the body scan once more, he was informed that only a pat-down would be sufficient to clear him. He has since been detained and the story is developing."
(The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States.) (The preceding words in parentheses were modified by the 27th Amendment.) They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.
I love Jesus, except for his foreign policy.
Rand is Ron's son.
I used to get high on life, but I developed a tolerance. Now I need something stronger.
I LOVE IT! Not only is a nutjob getting harassed, but they finally decided to harass someone that can do something to shut their asses down.
Both Ron Paul and his son Rand Paul have been very vocal opponents of the TSA (I'm pretty sure Ron Paul is running on a platform to completely dissolve the TSA as well as a number of other agencies and departments of the federal government -- although that depends on where he's speaking and to whom). Even if you don't believe he would go that far, Ron Paul has introduced the American Traveler's Dignity Act which specifically addresses being treated like cattle. I would wager most of this was coolly calculated by his son as beneficial to Ron Paul's campaign efforts -- bringing attention to such policies and putting them on the debate table.
My work here is dung.
According the TSA, Paul was not detained at the checkpoint by the TSA, but was not allowed to proceed into the secure area because he refused the pat-down required by TSA procedure, and was escorted out of the checkpoint by police. He subsequently rebooked on a different flight and was rescreened without incident. This seems to be covered in most of the news stories on the incident (
CNN, MSNBC, Reuters.)
read TFA to be certain:
"Like his father, Rand Paul has libertarian leanings and has been a fierce critic of TSA’s pat-downs of passengers at airports, which he views as government overreach. The senator grilled TSA Administrator John Pistole last year after a 6-year-old girl from Paul’s hometown, was patted down by airport security."
Ron Paul has been groped, due to a metal brace from an old war injury. He says, "I HATE it, but what choice do I have?" - Other Congressmen have also bitched about it as well. One of them even called a hearing last fall to determine if the TSA is really necessary.
An ignorant person over on Facebook wrote:
"If you don't like TSA then don't fly. You can drive, take a train, or walk." Problem: The TSA has expanded their operations to trains and pulling-over cars along interstates. Also post offices and unemployment/social security buildings.
You. Can't. Escape. the police state.
My AC stalker: " I personally agree with your posts most of the time, but that won't keep me from modding you troll"
Congressman Justin Amash on his facebook wall:
Justin Amash
âZThe Senators and Representatives . . . shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same.
- Art. I, Sec. 6, Cl. 1 of the United States Constitution
Free Senator Rand Paul.
So, GP was right about how the Congress Critters would react, but that doesn't make the Congress Critters right. This one is both wrong (the clause does not apply) and misinformed (Paul is free and caught a later flight.)
The Pauls have always been opposed to the TSA, and I doubt this incident will change anything. I wish it would. There are certainly far better ways to protect the nation and its freedoms.
Incorrect. Speaking a the March of Life was on his agenda, but the Senate was reconvening a Session at 2:00 p.m. today and this was his return trip to D.C.
Learning HOW to think is more important than learning WHAT to think.
A former co-worker of mine did something innocent that aroused a lot of suspicion at a checkpoint a few years ago, she left an unused round of ammunition in a bag (following a hunting trip) and the TSA detected it. She was unarmed and it was an honest mistake. After a long ordeal she was let go, but she claims to have been put on a list that basically guarantees additional screening every time she flies.
I wonder if Paul will be put on the troublemaker list?
how's this?
http://articles.latimes.com/2011/dec/20/nation/la-na-terror-checkpoints-20111220
"TSA screenings aren't just for airports anymore
Roving security teams increasingly visit train stations, subways and other mass transit sites to deter terrorism. Critics say it's largely political theater."
>>>SOP: anyone that refuses a pat-down is free to leave.
False. The "don't touch my junk" guy was fined $10,000 for leaving the airport. The fine was later waived but that law still stands on the books. You are NOT free to leave unless you're prepared to be punished with that fine, and the subsequent inconvenience of fighting it in a court of law.
As for the TSA Spin on Senator Paul:
Remember the TSA is still claiming, "We never strip-searched three elderly women at Reagan Airport," even though all 3 women signed affadavits attesting to being stripped.
The TSA can not be trusted to tell the truth.
My AC stalker: " I personally agree with your posts most of the time, but that won't keep me from modding you troll"
Citations provided:
TSA expands to trains. Union Station in DC is popular, along with several of the larger subway stations. However, there were also high-profile incidents in Savannah, GA as well.: http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2011/12/27/from-planes-to-trains-tsa-expands-spot-searches-to-union-station/
TSA expands to bus stops in Maryland and D.C. Additional incidents have been noted in Indianapolis.: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/dec/17/tsa-comes-to-your-bus-stop/
TSA partners with Tennessee for portable scanners at Interstate weigh stations: http://www.newschannel5.com/story/15725035/officials-claim-tennessee-becomes-first-state-to-deploy-vipr-statewide
VIPR is versatile.
Learning HOW to think is more important than learning WHAT to think.
Last time I flew I had to get a pat down and the screener fully groped my balls. Please try to tell me getting your balls groped in public is not an erosion of our rights with a straight face.
"But this one goes to 11!"
according to this:
http://www.ronpaul2012.com/2012/01/23/ron-paul-campaign-statement-concerning-tsa-abuses/
the entire TSA just got added to Ron Paul's list of things to eliminate:
quote: "in additional to cutting $1 trillion dollars in federal spending in one year, eliminates the TSA."
woooot!
root@127.0.0.1
The fine is not automatically applied for refusing a pat-down.
I do, however, acknowledge that TSA employees have demonstrated that they cannot be trusted.