TSA Forces Child to Remove Braces. — This is all over the world press in an effort to show what a-holes Americans are. Good work Homeland Security!
SECURITY officers at a US airport have come under fire for forcing a disabled boy to remove his leg braces and walk through a checkpoint.
Four-year-old Ryan Thomas was flying from Philadelphia to Disney World in Orlando with his parents Bob and Leona when the incident occurred.
At the time Ryan, born 16 weeks prematurely with malformed ankles and low muscle tone in his legs, had only just begun to walk. His parents wheeled his stroller to the security checkpoint then broke it down and put it on the conveyor belt. They then walked Ryan through the metal detector. The alarm went off and the screener told them to take off the boy’s braces.
“I told them he can’t walk without them on his own,” Bob Thomas told the Philadelphia News.
“I said this is overkill. He’s 4 years old. I don’t think he’s a terrorist.”
Security also demanded Ryan walk through on his own.
Found by Steven Pelsmaekers.
How do I suggest a story? Here is a link.
http://www.timesleader.com/news/Man-charged-with-assaulting-wife-in-argument-about-paper-or-plastic-.html
#39. how did you do that upside down writing?
#36 Agree but having passengers act is already in place. You’re recommending to abolish the TSA altogether and go on the honor system. What about a bomb on board or a guns?
We should resume basic screening ala Clinton era and do away with the current Cheney designed police state. I would add plain clothes security agents that DO profiling.
#38 An AIR NINJA is an interesting idea but is not very practical. I think George Bush suggested something like that.
#43 said, “What about a bomb on board or a guns?” Allow concealed carry holders to conceal carry on airplanes. If you don’t like that then instead just metal detect people and bags. We did all that before September 11th. Guns and bombs were too hard for terrorists to bring, that is why they resort to box cutters and chemicals in their panties.
#43 said, “An AIR NINJA is an interesting idea but is not very practical. I think George Bush suggested something like that.”
Depends. It will only work if they are deployed with AIR PIRATES.
In loving memory of:
Common Sense
#43, You’re recommending to abolish the TSA altogether and go on the honor system. What about a bomb on board or a guns?
1) Put the security back in the hands of the airlines. Stop restricting their “right to associate” and let them deny service to whomever they wish. Would you fly an airline with know security lapses? No? Then why fly in an industry with know security lapses?
2) Let concealed carry citizens carry their weapons with frangible ammo to prevent structural damage. It’s one thing to think there are one or two armed people onboard who could stop you. It’s quite another to wonder if EVERYBODY could.
#46. Agree with one but not so much on two.
Going back to common sense screening makes sense (ie metal detectors, pat downs, etc). What I would add to the mix is Israeli style plain clothes security that profiles and has the authority to search and interrogate.
The idea of any bozo to enter a plane with a gun is not what I want. The idea of a plane load of gun toting bozos even less.
Rome is burning and the citizens of the Empire squabble about who lit the fire and the banning of matches.
This is a direct result of aggressive Warrior Cult foreign policy driven by nepotistic corporate greed. Cant you see this? Fix that and Rome might be saved.
That’s what happens when you use Cheez-whiz on a cheesesteak.
#40
Yea, fcking trash of the world should leave our country alone! Who the fck do they think they are!?
We came, we saw, we conquer the land fair and square dammit! Screw outsiders cause we were here first! See those poor natives in their “grounds”, that’s what going to happen to your sorry ass country if you piss us (US) off.
Lame-ass retarded reason if I ever heard on on DU.
Re #39: sargasso… “how did you do that upside down writing?”
… He was hanging upside down.
#47, The idea of any bozo to enter a plane with a gun is not what I want. The idea of a plane load of gun toting bozos even less.
Not every bozo gets a CCP. Thorough background check and required training.
If you know someone with their CCP, they probably got their head screwed on straight.
And I am not so sure about the Israeli style plain clothes security that profiles and has the authority to search and interrogate.
Sounds a lot like Gestapo to me.
Now, if you feel the airlines have the authority to search anything on their property (like luggage and passengers), I could ok that.
Profiling has failed us; we don’t need profiling to identify Individuals like the Christmas-Day Bomber or the Fort Hood Shooter! There is a better solution!
Virtually all media outlets are discussing whether we should be profiling all Arab Muslims; I will in the one-page explain why we don’t need profiling. Over 15 years ago, we at the Center for Aggression Management developed an easily-applied, measurable and culturally-neutral body language and behavior indicators exhibited by people who intend to perpetrate a terrorist act. This unique methodology utilizes proven research from the fields of psychology, medicine and law enforcement which, when joined together, identify clear, easily-used physiologically-based characteristics of individuals who are about to engage in terrorist activities in time to prevent their Moment of Commitment.
The Problem
Since the foiled terrorist attack by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the Nigerian national on Northwest Flight 253 to Detroit, the President has repeatedly stated that there has been a systemic failure as he reiterates his commitment to fill this gap in our security. This incident, like the Fort Hood shooting, exemplifies why our government must apply every valid preventative approach to identify a potential terrorist.
The myriad methods to identify a terrorist, whether “no-fly list,” “explosive and weapons detection,” mental illness based approaches, “profiling” or “deception detection” – all continue to fail us. Furthermore, the development of deception detection training at Boston Logan Airport demonstrated that the Israeli methods of interrogation will not work in the United States.
All media outlets are discussing the need for profiling of Muslim Arabs, but profiling does not work for the following three reasons:
1. In practice, ethnic profiling tells us that within a certain group of people there is a higher probability for a terrorist; it does not tell us who the next terrorist is!
2. Ethnic profiling is contrary to the value our society places on diversity and freedom from discrimination based on racial, ethnic, religious, age and/or gender based criteria. If we use profiling it will diminish our position among the majority of affected citizens who support us as a beacon of freedom and liberty.
3. By narrowing our field of vision, profiling can lead to the consequence of letting terrorists go undetected, because the terrorist may not be part of any known “profile worthy” group – e.g., the Oklahoma City bomber, Timothy McVeigh
The Solution
Our unique methodology for screening passengers can easily discern (independently of race, ethnicity, religious affiliation, age, and gender) the defining characteristics of human beings who are about to engage in terrorist acts.
The question is when will our government use true “hostile intent” through the “continuum of aggressive behavior” to identify potential terrorists? Only when observers focus specifically on “aggressive behavior” do the objective and culturally neutral signs of “aggression” clearly stand out, providing the opportunity to prevent these violent encounters. This method will not only make all citizens safer, but will also pass the inevitable test of legal defensibility given probable action by the ACLU.
As our Government analyzes what went wrong regarding Abdulmatallab’s entrance into the United States, you can be assured that Al Qaeda is also analyzing how their plans went wrong. Who do you think will figure it out first . . . ?
Visit our blog at http://blog.AggressionManagement.com where we discuss the shooting at Fort Hood and the attempted terrorist act on Flight 253.
.uʍop ǝpısdn ǝʇıɹʍ p1noɔ ı ɥsıʍ ı
You know what I firstly notice about these comments? How some correspondents use the abuse of a four-year-old to publicise their objections to Unions, or to Liberals. Now where the hell does that connect? Why don’t we also hear their objections to other matters like Global Warming, or eating too much imported food or the like?
The REAL point of this should be – what happened – if anything – to the employees who perpetrated this totally unacceptable situation? Why are they still employed (if indeed they are)? Why doesn’t someone raise this with Obama, with Napolitano, indeed, even with those who depend on tourism such as Disney? By the way I’m also interested in just why Unionisation should result in a growth of these behaviours. I have never heard of a union which would link, or support such a violation of a child’s medical rights – have you?
#52 ..not so sure about the Israeli style plain clothes security that profiles and has the authority to search and interrogate…Sounds a lot like Gestapo to me…
I don’t expect conservatives to accept solutions readily because they “sound like ____ ”
This is a similar response to the healthcare issue. No, because it “sound like socialism”.
If you examine how Israel defends itself from terrorism in places like their airports, you might appreciate they have a pretty darn good solution – even if you think it’s sounds too “gestapo”.
#56, So where would it end? If you give someone the power to interrogate and search at will, what is stop them from doing that to you because you gave them a bad look because you are having a bad day?
I don’t expect conservatives to accept solutions readily because they “sound like ____ ”
There you go with your “two sides” ideology again. How about carrying on a conversation instead of resorting to name calling?
Hey wasn’t a big issue when Bush created the TSA that these guys could get fired easily? Is it any wonder why we can’t trust the government to do anything?
#57 are you afraid of the slippery slope airport gestapo security idea?
Just offering a solution that works well in Israeli airports that would work here to replace the current process.
America, GLOBAL LEADER IN A-HOLISM !!! Look, we made “W” pResident !!! We’re Number One! We’re Number one ! Nevermind !!!