Texas Bans TSA Enhanced Pat-Downs

[Mad Dawg Wiccan]

Friday, May 13, 2011

The Texas House passed a bill late Thursday night that would make it a criminal offense for public servants to inappropriately touch travelers during airport security pat-downs.

The measure would make it illegal for anyone conducting searches to touch “the anus, sexual organ, buttocks, or breast of another person” including through clothing.

It also prohibits searches “that would be offensive to a reasonable person.”

The bill’s chief sponsor is Republican Rep. David Simpson, who said, “this has to do with dignity and travel, and prohibiting indecent, groping searches.”


www.prisonplanet.com/texas-house-bans-tsa-grope-downs.html

Good for Texas!

[Driftr]

I have my fingers crossed, but still needs to get through Senate and have Rick sign it. Only like 8-9 days left. Then we'll see whether a TSA policy trumps a state law.

[henryclay]

During the six months or so that TSA has been groping young girls and x-raying old ladies there has probably been a couple of million unauthorized entries into the United States across our southern border, nd not a single one of them has been searched.

I wonder why we haven't read or heard anything about the number of airplanes TSA has saved from being blown out of the sky. Is it possibly because they haven't saved any?

[AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP]

May 16, 2011 11:38:03 GMT -5 henryclay said:

During the six months or so that TSA has been groping young girls and x-raying old ladies there has probably been a couple of million unauthorized entries into the United States across our southern border, nd not a single one of them has been searched.

I wonder why we haven't read or heard anything about the number of airplanes TSA has saved from being blown out of the sky. Is it possibly because they haven't saved any?

We know of several attacks the TSA failed to prevent-- including the two recent 9.11-style islamic radical attacks that were stopped by passengers on the plane.

Shoe bomber- stopped on plane.

Underwear bomber- stopped on plane.

Exit door guy-- stopped on plane

Other looney toon-- stopped on plane.

[Deleted]

No more searching diapers for bombs?? What in the world is wrong with Texas???

Well, I hope the Justice Dept does not decide to sue them for trumping Fed law. We'll see.
I'm thinking the next attacks are pouring across the Mexico border as we speak, and will not involve planes.

[Driftr]

May 16, 2011 12:24:51 GMT -5 @krickitt said:

Well, I hope the Justice Dept does not decide to sue them for trumping Fed law. We'll see.

I'm pretty sure there's no Federal Law requiring the enhanced screening being done by the new machines, or if people opt out the enhanced pat downs. I believe that is just current TSA policy. From what I've read State Law will likely trump TSA policy, but it should make for an interesting discussion at least.

[stats45]

Good for them. I'm tired of 'security theater' that does little to actually stop people who might want to do the country harm.

[Bluerobin]

Bout time! At least some states still have stones!

[Politically_Incorrect12]

May 16, 2011 11:12:35 GMT -5 Mad Dawg Wiccan said:

Friday, May 13, 2011

The Texas House passed a bill late Thursday night that would make it a criminal offense for public servants to inappropriately touch travelers during airport security pat-downs.

The measure would make it illegal for anyone conducting searches to touch “the anus, sexual organ, buttocks, or breast of another person” including through clothing.

It also prohibits searches “that would be offensive to a reasonable person.”

The bill’s chief sponsor is Republican Rep. David Simpson, who said, “this has to do with dignity and travel, and prohibiting indecent, groping searches.”


www.prisonplanet.com/texas-house-bans-tsa-grope-downs.html

Good for Texas!

They may have a hard time in giving a definition for what would be offensive for a reasonable person.

[Driftr]

I thought so too, but I really liked the also before that. I can live with just the defined areas of no touchy/feely as described.

The measure would make it illegal for anyone conducting searches to touch “the anus, sexual organ, buttocks, or breast of another person” including through clothing.

[Deleted]

Could get tricky if a guy from Yemen with no luggage that paid cash for a one way ticket comes through the line.. yes or no?

[ladylove]

The only problem with this is Article VI clause 2 prohibits states from regulating the feds. I agree the TSA and consequently the federal government are violating the constitutional protection of unwarrented searches and we the people shouldn't tolerate it!

[Driftr]

May 16, 2011 13:04:12 GMT -5 @krickitt said:

Could get tricky if a guy from Yemen with no luggage that paid cash for a one way ticket comes through the line.. yes or no?

No. If that guy wants to do something he's going to and no amount of scanning or patting down is going to stop him. Scans and pat downs may force him to be a little uncomfortable in how he gets his merchandise on the plane, but they still have ways to do it if they're that bound and determined.

[Tennesseer]

May 16, 2011 12:03:53 GMT -5 AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP said:

May 16, 2011 11:38:03 GMT -5 henryclay said:

During the six months or so that TSA has been groping young girls and x-raying old ladies there has probably been a couple of million unauthorized entries into the United States across our southern border, nd not a single one of them has been searched.

I wonder why we haven't read or heard anything about the number of airplanes TSA has saved from being blown out of the sky. Is it possibly because they haven't saved any?

We know of several attacks the TSA failed to prevent-- including the two recent 9.11-style islamic radical attacks that were stopped by passengers on the plane.

Shoe bomber- stopped on plane.

Underwear bomber- stopped on plane.

Exit door guy-- stopped on plane

Other looney toon-- stopped on plane.

Shoe bomber- stopped on plane- Result: screening of shoes

Underwear bomber- stopped on plane- Result: full body scanners

Exit door guy-- stopped on plane- No TSA screening for crazy

Other looney toon-- stopped on plane- No TSA screening for crazy

[Tennesseer]

May 16, 2011 13:04:12 GMT -5 @krickitt said:

Could get tricky if a guy from Yemen with no luggage that paid cash for a one way ticket comes through the line.. yes or no?

This is now a red flag for all airlines, especially where the destination is the United States.

[Deleted]

True that terrorists will find a way. I've seen articles and videos about exploding boobs, tooth cavities with explosives, other fun things. You are right. Just changes their methods of attack.

[ladylove]

May 16, 2011 13:04:12 GMT -5 @krickitt said:

Could get tricky if a guy from Yemen with no luggage that paid cash for a one way ticket comes through the line.. yes or no?

That guy should be subjected to extra scrutiny given those circumstances. A 6 year old girl traveling with her family on round trip tickets to disney land paid for with a credit card should not be molested her private parts probed by some jack booted federal bureaucrat on a power trip!

[marshabar1]

Will TSA pay the $4,000 fines for the agents or will they have to pay their own way? ;D

www.boston.com/business/ticker/2011/05/tsa_to_texas_ha.html

[Driftr]

Class A misdemeanor in TX can also land you in the pokey for a year.

Class A Misdemeanor Range of Punishment - Texas Penal Code
12.21. CLASS A MISDEMEANOR.

An individual adjudged guilty of a Class A misdemeanor shall be punished by:

(1) a fine not to exceed $4,000;

(2) confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year; or

(3) both such fine and confinement.