Michael Bennett - Hero
On a number of occasions I have written about airport security. If you would like to read some of my previous postings go here or here.
I've known about Michael Bennett, the ExpressJet pilot who finally had enough of the TSA's overreach, for several days. I haven't written about it until now because I wanted to hear the TSA's side of the story. Now that I have read their statement, here goes...
Mr. Bennett's side of the story is the first posting here. Basically, he was going through the checkpoint on his way to his flight (he was piloting). He went through the metal detector and it did not alarm. Regardless, they directed him to go through the porn-o-scope. He refused. Keep in mind that pilots can legally take guns into the cockpit. So, the porn-o-scope, as it pertains to the flight crew, is pure "theatre."
But, the bigger issue, for all of us, is giving up our liberties for little or no gain. The porn-o-scopes (which provide a detailed view under the clothing of airline passengers) add little to security, slow down the screening process and, in the process, violate our rights pertaining to "unreasonable search."
Now that the TSA thinks its mission has expanded to school buses and intercity buses, I view the TSA and DHS as genuine threats to our liberty. We have rights to a peaceful bus ride without 60 TSA and local law enforcement boarding and demanding ID from innocent people.
If we don't draw the line, where does it stop?
I've written my letter to ExpressJet supporting Mr. Bennett. I hope you will consider doing the same.
I've known about Michael Bennett, the ExpressJet pilot who finally had enough of the TSA's overreach, for several days. I haven't written about it until now because I wanted to hear the TSA's side of the story. Now that I have read their statement, here goes...
Mr. Bennett's side of the story is the first posting here. Basically, he was going through the checkpoint on his way to his flight (he was piloting). He went through the metal detector and it did not alarm. Regardless, they directed him to go through the porn-o-scope. He refused. Keep in mind that pilots can legally take guns into the cockpit. So, the porn-o-scope, as it pertains to the flight crew, is pure "theatre."
But, the bigger issue, for all of us, is giving up our liberties for little or no gain. The porn-o-scopes (which provide a detailed view under the clothing of airline passengers) add little to security, slow down the screening process and, in the process, violate our rights pertaining to "unreasonable search."
Now that the TSA thinks its mission has expanded to school buses and intercity buses, I view the TSA and DHS as genuine threats to our liberty. We have rights to a peaceful bus ride without 60 TSA and local law enforcement boarding and demanding ID from innocent people.
If we don't draw the line, where does it stop?
I've written my letter to ExpressJet supporting Mr. Bennett. I hope you will consider doing the same.
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