Senator Rand Paul Detained By the TSA

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Senator Rand Paul Detained By the TSA

Posted by samzenpus on Monday January 23, 2012 @05:19AM from the your-dad's-not-president-yet dept.

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."

35 of 941 comments (clear)

Well, there goes *that* heroin shipment by elrous0 · 2012-01-23 05:19 · Score: 5, Funny

"A senator would make a great mule," Simmons tells me.

--
SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
1. Re:Well, there goes *that* heroin shipment by networkBoy · 2012-01-23 05:22 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  This is a good thing, the more awareness about the TSA from lawmakers will bring about a much needed reigning in.
  -nB
  
  --
  whois gawk date unzip strip find touch finger mount join nice man top fsck grep eject more yes exit umount sleep dump
2. Re:Well, there goes *that* heroin shipment by nman64 · 2012-01-23 05:48 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  That is exactly what happened in this case. Paul was turned away, not held. SOP: anyone that refuses a pat-down is free to leave. Our rights haven't been eroded quite that far yet.
3. Re:Well, there goes *that* heroin shipment by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-23 05:51 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  No.
  No, No, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!!!!!.
  Standing up for your Rights is NOT "weird".
  It's people like you who are contributing to the downfall of America.
4. Re:Well, there goes *that* heroin shipment by TheCRAIGGERS · 2012-01-23 05:52 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  This smacks of "if you're not a terrorist you shouldn't mind not having privacy."
  Sorry, but no.
5. Re:Well, there goes *that* heroin shipment by cpu6502 · 2012-01-23 06:13 · Score: 5, Informative
  
  >>>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"
6. Re:Well, there goes *that* heroin shipment by Mister+Whirly · 2012-01-23 06:20 · Score: 5, Informative
  
  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!"
7. Re:Well, there goes *that* heroin shipment by galaad2 · 2012-01-23 06:20 · Score: 5, Informative
  
  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
8. Re:Well, there goes *that* heroin shipment by X0563511 · 2012-01-23 06:21 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  Should have been counting those things. Treat them like they are what they are: explosives with the detonator built in. I've never misplaced a cartridge.
  
  --
  For large sets, this will be our guide even unto death, for the LORD will work for each type of data it is applied to...
9. Re:Well, there goes *that* heroin shipment by element-o.p. · 2012-01-23 06:22 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  The fact that he would rather leave and rebook his flight than take a pat down is a bit weird.
  Are you serious?!?! It's no wonder our country is in such sad shape, if this mindset is any reflection of the attitudes of the American people. I don't even know where to start dissecting this comment, but I'll give it a shot, anyway.
  
  First, when faced with a choice of believing that a senator is doing something illegal or that the TSA is attempting to harass one of the few critics who actually has any kind of power over the agency, you side with TSA? Second, when someone actually shows some backbone and tells the TSA where it can shove it's (illegal) pat-downs, you think it's weird that he takes a moral high ground? Third, are you truly so focused on your goals that you are willing to give up the rights guaranteed by the Constitution to achieve them -- even if that goal is simply arriving at your intended destination at your intended arrival time, rather than taking a longer route rather than be a good sheep as you pass through a TSA check point?
  
  I acknowledge the possibility that you consider the pat-downs less onerous and less of a violation of civil rights than I do. And if that's the case, then it may truly seem like a simple choice between a pat-down and rebooking your flight for a later time. However, not all of us feel that way. Apparently Sen. Paul believes more like me than like you (possibly) do. That does not, however, suggest that Sen. Paul actually had anything to hide, nor does it suggest that he was up to anything weirder (i.e., "more suspicious") than taking a stand for something he obviously believes in.
  
  I also acknowledge that trying to decide whether a senator or the TSA is less corrupt is rather like arguing whether a pirhana or a tiger shark is more voracious. However, despite the fact that I think that most politicians are at least somewhat corrupt, I rather doubt that any of them are likely to smuggle weapons through an airport checkpoint so that they can hijack or blow up an airplane.
  
  --
  MCSE? No, sir...I don't do Windows. Yes, I am an idealist. What's your point?
10. Re:Well, there goes *that* heroin shipment by Beryllium+Sphere(tm) · 2012-01-23 06:24 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  I can't remember who came up with this thought experiment:
  - How many lives are being saved by the current system?
  - How many lives would be saved if there were no security measures at all, but instead free blood pressure screenings at the airport?
11. Re:Well, there goes *that* heroin shipment by nman64 · 2012-01-23 06:27 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  Well, they aren't going to make the flight go "boom", but they certainly are a threat. These are the people that damn near passed SOPA and PIPA, after all.
12. Re:Well, there goes *that* heroin shipment by Feyshtey · 2012-01-23 06:29 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  My point is that one can refuse the pat-down and leave. Our rights have been eroded, but we can still do that much.
  Try it and let us know how that works out for you. I'm sure they will simply let you walk away...
  
  --
  "But we have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it,..." - Nancy Pelosi
13. Re:Well, there goes *that* heroin shipment by alexandre_ganso · 2012-01-23 06:29 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  Last time I asked if it was fine to have an erection while being patted down. They let me go.
14. Re:Well, there goes *that* heroin shipment by wealthychef · 2012-01-23 06:30 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  Yes, walking past the sign that says "anyone passing this point is subject to search" is waiving his fourth amendment rights.
  If I put a sign on my lawn that says "anyone passing this sign can be detained indefinitely" does that make it so?
  
  --
  Currently hooked on AMP
15. Re:Well, there goes *that* heroin shipment by locopuyo · 2012-01-23 06:34 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  This article is about Rand Paul. Ron Paul always refuses the scanners.
  
  --
  The Official Site of 1337 Pwnage
16. Re:Well, there goes *that* heroin shipment by Urza9814 · 2012-01-23 06:34 · Score: 5, Interesting
  
  anyone that refuses a pat-down is free to leave
  ...except when they aren't. I've heard of people being detained _at gunpoint_ for doing nothing more than refusing a pat-down. Here's one, slightly less extreme, example from _a freakin' pilot_ (if he wanted to bring down the plane, he wouldn't need a bomb to do it...):
  http://www.expressjetpilots.com/the-pipe/showthread.php?39523-Well-today-was-the-day
17. Re:Well, there goes *that* heroin shipment by AngryDeuce · 2012-01-23 06:36 · Score: 5, Interesting
  
  Believe me, I used to proctor the TSA exams, and you're far more right than you know. The vast majority of applicants looked (and acted) like they were driven to the test facility by their parole officer or drug dealer.
  The bulk of these people receive less training than the average assistant manager at Taco Bell...
18. Re:Well, there goes *that* heroin shipment by PortHaven · 2012-01-23 06:50 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  Yes we do....
  And let me explain to you why we are wrong. If an airline made such decision, it could do so. And it would suffer the consequences of capitalism; go out of business due to a lack of passengers as another airline would offer "ball groping free flights" (probably Southwest).
  However, the unconstitutional mandate requiring such of all airlines is just that. This is not the private airlines making an uncoerced decision. Rather it is a mandated and coerced affect by the government in violation of the government's Constitution.
  So yes, I have the right to choose to fly on an airline that does not grope my balls, and the government's interference in preventing airlines from offering such a service is illegal.
  Were it not illegal, someone would have already started a new airline to offer just that, ball groping free travel and would be selling more tickets than all the other airlines combined.
19. Re:Well, there goes *that* heroin shipment by Lumpy · 2012-01-23 08:44 · Score: 5, Interesting
  
  Then dont fly commercial.
  I fly group charter and return flight Corporate. It's the same price as a normal airline ticket. No, not the deep discount priceline prices. but I rarely get those as I cant book it months in advance.
  Company sent 10 of us out to Vegas for a event, They wanted us to fly Delta. I saved the company $1500.00 on the tickets by chartering a small jet for us. Worked great, we brought a lot of booze and none of us went through any security checks. Hell I drove the minivan up to the airplane to unload luggage.
  yes it takes more work to FIND the charters and fill them, but I already have a list of 5 companies that will give me a discount so I dont have to look hard.
  Plus a Learjet from Chicago to Miami, from stepping out of the cab to waiting for the cab you called for when on approach, in 3 hours is worth every penny.
  
  --
  Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
20. Re:Well, there goes *that* heroin shipment by amiga3D · 2012-01-23 08:59 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  The beauty of it is that by flying airliners into buildings the 9/11 terrorists effectively ended hijacking. Now when someone tries to take over an aircraft the passengers leap over seats to attack them. It used to be they flew you somewhere, might kill one or two people during negotiations, then eventually it all settled out maybe with a gun battle and the majority of people on board made it home a few days late. Now, knowing the fuckwads are gonna fly you into a building, it's in your best interest to rip the fuckers head off or die trying.
So what they've done is... by Gordonjcp · 2012-01-23 05:23 · Score: 5, Funny

... they've pissed off a Southern Man and a Republican, in a position of political power.
Yeah. I can't see this ending well whichever way you slice it.
Standard Procedure by KhabaLox · 2012-01-23 05:24 · Score: 5, Insightful

I know we all hate the TSA, but under the existing rule structure, his detention should not be surprising or treated with contempt. The alternative is that the TSA screener decides on his/her own who gets to walk through without a pat down if the scan shows up something suspicious. I'm not commenting on the overall efficacy or "correctness" of the procedure; if we're going to have rules, they should be enforced fairly and consistently. That said, I am in favor of some types of profiling, but I don't think being an elected official gives you any sort of waiver. They've already proved that they can't be trusted.

--
Ceci n'est pas un sig.
US Constitution Art 1 Section 6 - Compensation by trout007 · 2012-01-23 05:26 · Score: 5, Informative

(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.
1. Re:US Constitution Art 1 Section 6 - Compensation by Mr+44 · 2012-01-23 05:38 · Score: 5, Informative
  
  Maybe you should think about it some more.
  That clause is designed to prevent situations like what recently happened in the Ukraine, where leaders of opposition factions in the government are arrested:
  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/09/world/europe/09ukraine.html
Re:Unconstitutional to Arrest a Congressman by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-23 05:26 · Score: 5, Funny

He's not arrested, just "indefinitely detained"
This is a Huge Violation of the Constitution by McGruber · 2012-01-23 05:26 · Score: 5, Interesting

US Constitution Article I section 6
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.
Senator Paul was apparently on his way to Washington, where the Senate has votes scheduled for this afternoon. It appears that the Executive Branch (TSA) just violated Article I section 6 of the Constitution.
1. Re:This is a Huge Violation of the Constitution by Hatta · 2012-01-23 06:09 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  Yeah, except for the part where he was. He wouldn't have missed the flight if he wasn't detained. A detention is merely a euphemism for arrest that allows the cops to circumvent your constitutional rights. Therefore, he was arrested. QED.
  
  --
  Give me Classic Slashdot or give me death!
Re:knee metal from previous injury by Penguinisto · 2012-01-23 05:28 · Score: 5, Insightful

In this case, being 'confrontational' when standing up for your rights is certainly not a bad thing.

--
Quo usque tandem abutere, Nimbus, patientia nostra?
Re:Both Pauls Have Been Trying to Do Just That by kelemvor4 · 2012-01-23 05:34 · Score: 5, Informative

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).

It doesn't depend on who he's speaking to, the guy's one of the more consistent politicians ever in Washington. Here's the plan you're talking about documented in writing: http://www.ronpaul2012.com/the-issues/national-defense/
You may not like his ideas, but he doesn't flip flop on them.
According to TSA, Paul was not detained by DragonWriter · 2012-01-23 05:37 · Score: 5, Informative

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.)
Re:An anomaly?! by GameboyRMH · 2012-01-23 05:40 · Score: 5, Funny

He was carrying a Crystal for -30% radiation damage and a Spring for +30% impact resistance, good combination for today's air travel experience.

--
"When information is power, privacy is freedom" - Jah-Wren Ryel
Re:MUAHAHAHAH by chill · 2012-01-23 06:15 · Score: 5, Informative

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.
Re:Both Pauls Have Been Trying to Do Just That by chrb · 2012-01-23 06:55 · Score: 5, Insightful

"Flip flopping" just means changing your mind, right? Changing your mind should only be viewed negatively when it is done with dishonest intent - to deceive and manipulate others, or to act against one's own core beliefs. We live in a complicated world, and there are genuine, complex issues that educated adults can disagree on. The ability to comprehend and reason from multiple points of view, and modify your own position accordingly, ought to be seen as a strength rather than a weakness.
"When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, sir?"
Vacation in US? No, thanks! by mar.kolya · 2012-01-23 07:07 · Score: 5, Insightful

I was thinking about spending vacation in US, like sunny beach in California or Florida... Or visiting Kennedy Space Center. Or God knows what else - US is an interesting country for tourism. I even was offered a job in the US, but that just was wrong timing... And now I'm regularly readying these scary stories about TSA on /. Would I spend my vacation in US? No! Vacation is not the right time to be harassed at the airport. Would I move to US because of work? Well... nothing is certain here but I'll think more than twice for sure! What I do not understand is where is that tourism industry lobby when US needs them so desperately?