In characterizing Rand Paul as "irate", the TSA continues the pattern

[Bonobo]

of blaming victims of their over-zealous procedures.

This is not the first time in recent months that the TSA has completely mischaracterized -if not outright lied- about the people who have come forward to complain about their treatment.

Rand Paul TSA video: Was he really "irate"?
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57367041-503544/rand-paul-tsa-video-was-he-really-irate/

Nashville International Airport on Thursday released video footage of Rand Paul's Monday run-in with the TSA, raising new questions about the security agency's characterization that the Kentucky senator was "irate" after he was asked to undergo a pat down.

The video, first released by the Tennessean, which does not really address the question of whether Paul was irate or not, depicts Paul alternately sitting and standing in a glass cubicle, and later being escorted out by an airport official. There is no audio, and Paul's face is almost entirely obscured. In some sections, Paul appears to be talking on his cell phone.

Paul was directed to the cubicle after refusing a full-body pat down while going through security at the airport. In an incident report surrounding the event, a law enforcement official said he had been dispatched to deal with an "irate" passenger, who turned out to be Paul.

"The police state in this country is growing out of control," the elder said. "One of the ultimate embodiments of this is the TSA that gropes and grabs our children, our seniors, and our loved ones and neighbors with disabilities. The TSA does all of this while doing nothing to keep us safe."

[davidpdx]

1. Fear mongering

Next thing you know Paul will be carrying his gun at the airport and claim he has the right to take it on a plane.

[Puzzledtraveller]

2. The TSA is overreach

regardless of the political affiliation of those who protest it.

[davidpdx]

5. I'm never happy about it, but it is necessary

I'll share my experience from last year. A week and a half before I was suppose to go on vacation to the US (I live in another country) I stupidly broke my ankle. After being even more stupid and walking on it for two days I finally went to the doctor. The doctor said it was a clean break but walking on it increased the swelling. I had to wear a splint and walk on crutches for two weeks. Meanwhile I'm worried that my trip (which I only go on every two years) is going to be canceled.

The week before I leave I get my doctor to agree to let me wear this giant boot brace thing so I can go. I bought the brace ($200) and packed everything. Checked in and got our boarding passes. When I went through security (this is in an Asian airport) I immediately let them know they were going to have to pull me aside to let me take the boot off. I sat down, unstrapped it and took it off and let them look in it, wand the boot my leg the whole nine yards. They were really nice and let me sit back down and get myself all put back together. When we got to SFO, they did bomb chemical tests and weird stuff but didn't make me take it off.

My point is I knew I was at a severe disadvantage having had this knee brace and was was as cooperative as I could be with them. It made all the difference.

[pmorlan1]

3. Fear Mongering?

What do you mean when you say fear mongering?

I'm glad that he protested the TSA. I live in Kentucky and of the two Senators we have at least Rand Paul occasionally does things that I can support. My other Senator, Mitch McConnell, never does anything that I can support.

[ProSense]

4. Paul

claimed that he was being detained, he was not: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/01/23/1057581/-Rand-Paul-was-NOT-detained



http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/01/23/1057579/-Sen-Rand-Paul-Detained-By-TSA-At-Nashville-Airport

Sen. Rand Paul: TSA Should Profile "Middle Eastern Students"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002214375

Rand Paul’s ironic incident
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002207091

[FSogol]

6. Rand Paul is a twitchy little freak. He probably gets moved aside for a second inspection

everywhere he goes. I'm glad the TSA is taking a closer look at him.