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Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Pat-Down Techniques Would Have Caught Christmas Bomber, TSA Chief Says

Pat-down techniques are so thorough that they would have thwarted the suspected Christmas Day bomber, who allegedly hid an explosive device in his underwear, the head of the TSA told senators on Tuesday.

In response to a growing rash of public ire about new pat-downs and in anticipation of the large amount of airline travel expected on Thanksgiving next week, John Pistole, the head of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), told the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee that the new search methods were an essential component to ensuring airport security.

Pistole also said that had Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab been successful in his attempt to blow up a Detroit-bound flight last year with a bomb sewn into his underwear, Congress and American public would be much more accepting of the pat-down technique.

He added that the technique was being employed as a way to stay ahead of potential terrorist plots.

[That's what this is really about.. they got caught with their pants down, so now we're supposed to endure their hands in our pants-- more 'reactive' security from the oh-so-competent TSA. But I'm sure it's better to let them fondle our wives, children, and the occasional nun so they won't have to resort to profiling. Right? --Editor]
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9 comments:

smitty240 said...

None of this has to do with security. This is a measure to see how compliant the US public really are and whether they can take the next step in infringing on the citizens' rights.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, they'll scan and fondle a nun but they are considering giving muslim women in burkas a pass. Go figure!

Anonymous said...

Didn't he get on a plane outside the US bound for Detroit?

Anonymous said...

The next time hi-jackers kills thousands of people, don't blame the TSA. TSA is trying to keep flying safe. If America keep screaming about their rights and privacy against the rules set by the TSA, then the hi-jackers win. If you don't like the rules set to keep you safe while flying, "don't fly". Drive you way across the United States. Take ships to travel abroad. You people can't always have your cake and eat it too. Americans are spoiled. Remember 911.

Anonymous said...

Me thinks smitty is a loon.

Anonymous said...

xray scanners and/or pat downs would probably have detected the weapons that the 9/11 hijackers used.

Anonymous said...

1:02-- If we have to put up with our wives and children being groped and molested before they can get on an airplane, the terrorists have already won.

Anonymous said...

1:02 PM

TSA has NEVER caught a terrorist, including the ones on 9/11.

While they are wasting time and resources with this overly invasive policy there is a bomb sitting in the cargo area of the plane that was never scanned or searched.

It's just a dog and pony show to give an illusion that they are being effective which history has shown is not the case.

Anonymous said...

It will be impossible to catch the CIA's dupes not matter what technology is used. The CIA is far too smart and "ahead of the game" to ever get caught.