Young Boy Strip searched by TSA .... REALLY?

[Henry Hawk]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSQTz1bccL4


This topic had not been brought much on here..

where is the outrage on this?

Will Obama put a stop to this kind of stupidity?

[Locutus]

What I find interesting is that the right wingers (the ones who are so big on national security and defeating the terrorists) are the ones screaming the loudest about the policies of the TSA.  Why is that?

Would you rather get on an airplane with someone who has a bomb?

[Palehorse]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSQTz1bccL4


This topic had not been brought much on here..

where is the outrage on this?

Will Obama put a stop to this kind of stupidity?

From the commentary beneath your video:

lukemtait | November 19, 2010 | 1,888 likes, 423 dislikes
Lets get the facts straight first. Before the video started the boy went through a metal detector and didn't set it off but was selected for a pat down. The boy was shy so the TSA couldn't complete the full pat on the young boy. The father tried several times to just hold the boys arms out for the TSA agent but i guess it didn't end up being enough for the guy. I was about 30 ft away so i couldn't hear their conversation if there was any. The enraged father pulled his son shirt off and gave it to the TSA agent to search, thats when this video begins.

******* THIS VIDEO OCCURRED AT SALT LAKE CITY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ON NOVEMBER 19TH AT AROUND THE TIME OF 12:00 PM **********

***Insertion of what happened after the video (full story)****

After I finished videotaping the incident I went through the check point myself. I collected my things and went over to talk to the father and son. Before I could get to them a man in a black suit who had been talking with the other TSA officials approached me. He asked to speak to me and I obliged, wondering what was to come. He then proceeded to interrogate me about why I was videotaping the "procedures of the TSA". I told him that I had never seen such practices before on a young child and decided to record it. The man being frustrated at this point demanded to know my plans with the video, of which I didn't respond. Repeatedly he asked me to delete the video, hoping his mere presence could intimidate me to obey, but I refused. By this point it became obvious that he felt TSA had done something wrong and that I caught it on tape. After the interview, I left for my gate. I called my brother who told me I should put the tape on YouTube because this had been a recent hot topic in the news.
My gate was a long way off, but about 15 minutes after arriving 2 TSA agents came and sat 15 feet or so away from me. I stood up and moved so that they were in front of me and then took a picture. A 3rd and then a 4th agent came and sat down with the others. They would occasionally glance at me and talk on their walkie-talkies. I don't know why they were there or if it was a huge coincidence but they stayed for 30-45 minutes and left just before I boarded the plan. Interesting to say the least, intimidating? Maybe a little...

So, it would appear the young boy's shirt was removed by his own father, not at the request of the TSA. He was not "strip searched" as the title would lead one to believe, which is purely sensationalism. . .

That being said, all this hoopla over pat downs is out of hand. If you don't want to be patted down then go through the full body scanner. If you don't want a TSA rep handling your junk, go through the full body scanner. If you don't want to go through the full body scanner, then stay the hell at home, or get behind the wheel and drive to your destination. (Chances are that thanks to the inflated airfares and luggage fees, it'll work out to about the same price if you drive and pay for the fuel anyway).

Anyone have a better way to detect a C-4 suppository and detonator up a terrorists rectum?

[Henry Hawk]

What I find interesting is that the right wingers (the ones who are so big on national security and defeating the terrorists) are the ones screaming the loudest about the policies of the TSA.  Why is that?

Would you rather get on an airplane with someone who has a bomb?

No, I would rather start using some common sense, and actually collect intelligence and profile those who pose a potential threat.....checking out strip searching and grooping grandma and five year old kids has got to be the most ignorant, insane thing our govenrment has ever instituted...

[Henry Hawk]

From the commentary beneath your video:

So, it would appear the young boy's shirt was removed by his own father, not at the request of the TSA. He was not "strip searched" as the title would lead one to believe, which is purely sensationalism. . .

That being said, all this hoopla over pat downs is out of hand. If you don't want to be patted down then go through the full body scanner. If you don't want a TSA rep handling your junk, go through the full body scanner. If you don't want to go through the full body scanner, then stay the hell at home, or get behind the wheel and drive to your destination. (Chances are that thanks to the inflated airfares and luggage fees, it'll work out to about the same price if you drive and pay for the fuel anyway).

Anyone have a better way to detect a C-4 suppository and detonator up a terrorists rectum?

Maybe the title of this video is sensationalized, but the fact is this is going on.....

Personally, I have no problem of scanning or a pat down...I want air travel to be safe.

But, I do have sympathy for those who do not want to go through this....and there are better ways to secure our safety....just look at how Isreal is handling it's airport security.

I think patting down certain people IS ignorant....they are so damn worried about being politically correct, they are wasting millions of dollars to NOT offend someone.

[Locutus]

No, I would rather start using some common sense, and actually collect intelligence and profile those who pose a potential threat.....checking out strip searching and grooping grandma and five year old kids has got to be the most ignorant, insane thing our govenrment has ever instituted...

Why? 

Terrorists adapt.  If we tailor our security measures to those who fit a certain profile, do you not think the terrorists would adapt to that?   Is it impossible for the terrorists to find a sympathetic grandma or parents of a young child who would allow said child to be used to smuggle a bomb on a plane?

[Palehorse]

Maybe the title of this video is sensationalized, but the fact is this is going on.....

Personally, I have no problem of scanning or a pat down...I want air travel to be safe.

But, I do have sympathy for those who do not want to go through this....and there are better ways to secure our safety....just look at how Isreal is handling it's airport security.

I think patting down certain people IS ignorant....they are so damn worried about being politically correct, they are wasting millions of dollars to NOT offend someone.

First of all, as far as I know the choices are - metal detector and pat down, or full body scan. There is a choice. Pick one and endure it or stay on the ground!

I'm telling you there is NO other way to fully ensure air travelers safety, and even with this there is still the very real possibility that terrorists will develop a work around, and may already have. That C4 suppository and detonator is not outside of the realm of possibility!

I have personally seen things confiscated by TSA screeners despite the high security measures prior to this initiative, and had you seen them yourself you wouldn't be contributing to the hyperbole out there surrounding this issue.

How comfortable would you be on any given flight if you suspected that the guy sitting two rows behind you had an American Express card in his wallet with a surgical steel blade as sharp as a scalpel hidden inside it? Or the old man with a cane up front has a very thin and very sharp plastic sword hidden inside that cane? Or the lady sitting right next to you has razor wire sewn into the seams of her undergarments? (Each of these situations have been encountered several times across this country, and quietly remediated).

[Henry Hawk]

so the next thing will be an anal probing?  seriously?

why is everyone ignoring what Isreal is doing...most security experts claim that they are the most secure in the world........not one person will comment on that.

Let's bring back some common sense PLEASE!....Let's let some REAL experts do their job. 

we don't profile in America, THAT is why we are doing what we are doing...and that is BS!

[Henry Hawk]

I have personally seen things confiscated by TSA screeners despite the high security measures prior to this initiative, and had you seen them yourself you wouldn't be contributing to the hyperbole out there surrounding this issue.

How comfortable would you be on any given flight if you suspected that the guy sitting two rows behind you had an American Express card in his wallet with a surgical steel blade as sharp as a scalpel hidden inside it? Or the old man with a cane up front has a very thin and very sharp plastic sword hidden inside that cane? Or the lady sitting right next to you has razor wire sewn into the seams of her undergarments? (Each of these situations have been encountered several times across this country, and quietly remediated).

Don't it make more sense maybe to pay less attention to objects, and more attention to people?

[Palehorse]

Nicki
Published:    11.22.10, 19:06 / Israel News

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I am a 24-year-old female Australian law student and first visited Israel last year. I had a really enjoyable trip visiting friends and as such, decided to return for a second trip to visit their newborn baby this year. However, I had an experience with Israeli security at the airport flying from Amsterdam that would make me think twice about traveling to Israel again in the future.

Before checking-in for my flight, passengers were required to undergo a brief security interview. As part of this, I was asked what I was doing in Amsterdam and who I was staying with. My answer: "Visiting two Australian friends from law school currently living in Holland." Security asked for their names. I had nothing to conceal and neither did my friends, so I gave security their names as requested. This should have been a simple affair if it was not for the sole reason that one of my friends, born and raised in Australia, happened to have an Arabic sounding surname.

Held Up
American VIP humiliated at airport / Itamar Eichner
Prof. Donna Shalala, Clinton's secretary of health, arrives in Israel in order to fight academic boycott against Israel, claims she was held at Ben-Gurion Airport just because she has Arab last name
Full story
Immediately and without explanation, my bags and passport were taken from me and further security appeared demanding to know whether this girl was really Australian. I found this question offensive: she is as "Australian" as I am, just without my "stereotypical" blond hair and blue eyes. They started questioning her background, which made me think: if she or I were any type of security threat, would I openly say her name? Of course not. The situation didn't seem rational to me.

I was directed to a different boarding gate to all other passengers. A lady was waiting for me at the gate and ordered me to follow her into an isolated, underground section of the terminal where I was placed in the custody of approximately five security officers . Needless to say, a very intimidating and confusing situation.

There, security officers spoke between themselves in Hebrew, which I cannot understand, and provided me with no explanation of what was happening even though I kept asking. Again, without any explanation, I was ordered to a private room with two female security officers with the only English instructions being "move over there and bring whatever money you have with you."

This did not clarify things for me. I again tried to enquire what was going on because, but again, they continued to communicate only in Hebrew and still I received no response to my questions. Eventually I received a response when I asked, "Is this a random security check?" One lady paused and barked at me, "No." I was silent after this.

In this room, I was strip searched. I was ordered to remove my shirt, pants and bra. Again, no explanation was given as to why I was being ordered to remove my clothes. The security officers still spoke in Hebrew on radios between the rooms. I was ordered to put my clothes back on and join the other security officers in the first room. I was given a chair in the corner of the room behind a partial screen to sit and wait while every item of my backpack was examined in detail, my laptop was taken from my sight and the occasional question thrown at me across the room.


'I was ordered to remove my shirt, pants and bra' (Archive photo: Reuters)

By this point, I was feeling very intimidated and uncomfortable. I was alone in a separate underground area of the terminal and surrounded by security officers. I was being treated as if I was guilty of a crime, yet I did not even know what the allegation was nor did I have any idea of what was happening as everyone was speaking in Hebrew and still refusing to answer my questions.

Finally I was declared no risk to security. However, my laptop, camera, iPod were put in a separate box and taken away from me without explanation. I watched all my photos from three months abroad, my laptop with important documents on it and covered only by a small piece of bubble wrap in a cardboard box, and my Australian phone disappearing down the hallway without any explanation after I had just been told I was no security threat.

I boarded the flight, completely bewildered, confused and upset about the situation that had just occurred. I was not offered any kind of apology or explanation. This process had taken over an hour.

Unfortunately, this is not the only negative experience I have had with Israeli security. Upon leaving Tel Aviv last year I underwent a routine search and a keffiyeh I had bought as a souvenir in Jerusalem was jumped upon. A security guard held up the keffiyeh in the air and stated (I remember his exact words): "Do you realize what this is?" I replied, 'Yes it's a keffiyeh, they are being sold everywhere in Jerusalem." The disdain in his voice was clear as he asked again, "Yes, but do you realize what this represents? This is a symbol calling for the end of Israel."

I was taken to a separate room and searched extensively. I ultimately lost my laptop battery as I was not allowed to fly with it and it never turned up at my destination (hence my concern for my valuables this time). I was shocked at the way I was treated for buying a keffiyeh and I was shocked at the comments of the security officer in relation to the keffiyeh.

I do understand the importance of airport screening and security measures. However, I am offended that I would be subjected to such degrading treatment solely because I am friends with an Australian woman of Arabic dissent and I was provided with no explanation or apology for this treatment. Furthermore, I found it incredibly inappropriate to refer to the keffiyeh I had in my bag an item of disdain and danger.

Despite having some of my closest friends in Israel and having an enjoyable visit both times, I walked away from the security area simply thinking, "I never want to go through that again even if it means not coming back to Israel." Sure I could have not said my friends' Arabic sounding surname and it would have saved a lot of hassle. However, when asked a question by security and I have nothing to hide in any way, why should I have to conceal my friends' name?

The only positive experience in the flight from Amsterdam was one of the young trainee security officers standing uncomfortably to the side during this whole process. After I was declared not a security risk and we were alone, she took one look at me and learned forward and whispered, "I think you need a cup of tea after this."

I hope that in the future, Israeli security officers show more respect in their work. Indeed, my time at the airport heading out of Israel was uneventful and an example of the fact not all security officers are behaving in this way but those that do are indeed having a negative impact on visitors to Israel.

El Al: Security our guiding principle
Tens of thousands of tourists are familiar with Nicki's negative experience on her way to the Holy Land. According to figures released by the Prime Minister's Office about half an year ago, some 300,000 people are detained every day while entering Israel, just because their name or personal profile are similar to those of a suspicious person.

A total of 100,000 tourists are detained every year, some of them having to go through the same experience Nicki went through during her two visits.

Amy Cohen's parents, for example, were detained based on "intelligence information" received by the Immigration Authority. "They told them that they were missionaries and had to leave Israel," says Amy. "They were released after 13 hours in custody, not before they were forced to sign a document promising not to engage in any missionary activity."

Apart from potential missionaries or terror activists, airport security has also detained people who seemed to be trying to immigrate to Israel illegally, including some foreign sportsmen who arrived in the Holy Land to join Israeli teams and were deported instead.

"Nicki and I have been good friends for years, and she really loved Israel on her first visit," says Yahli Shereshevsky, 28, a fellow researcher at the Hebrew University's Faculty of Law. "I was amazed and shocked by the treatment given to such a lovely, innocent and kind girl.

"Beyond the shock, such an incident has a negative impact on the State's image and character. I am a proud citizen of the State of Israel, and many times I find myself praising the country in conversations with friends from abroad. I served in a combat unit in the army and I fully understand the State's need to defend itself.

"But the need for security checks has nothing to do with the humiliating way they are implemented. In what way would the State's security have been harmed had they answered Nicki's questions, apologized from the bottom of their hearts for the discomfort she suffered, and considered the need to undress her and invade her privacy by examining the pictures and files on her computer?

"Nicki's case illustrates the damage one single person can cause in his treatment of those arriving at Israel's gates. Unfortunately, in this case it was more than one person, and after I began investigating I discovered that this is a much more widespread phenomenon.

"I don't think this is an intentional policy of the State or airlines, but they are responsible, and in the current situation they are helping damage the State's image and hurting its visitors."

An El Al spokesman said in response, "The passenger was checked in accordance with all security orders. Security is El Al's guiding principle, and the security officers are doing an excellent job under difficult conditions."

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3988184,00.html

   
American VIP humiliated at airport
Prof. Donna Shalala, Clinton's secretary of health, arrives in Israel in order to fight academic boycott against Israel, claims she was held at Ben-Gurion Airport just because she has Arab last name
Itamar Eichner
Published:    08.06.10, 13:17 / Israel News

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This is not how she imagined her visit to Israel. Prof. Donna Shalala, who served as the US Secretary of Health and Human Services for eight years under Clinton and is currently the president of the University of Miami, was held for two-and-a-half hours at Ben Gurion Airport during which she underwent a humiliating security debriefing because of her Arab last name – all this despite the fact that her hosts notified the airport ahead of time that she is a VIP.

The fact that Shalala arrived in Israel as part of an official delegation of the heads of universities fighting against the academic boycott against the Jewish State also seemed not to help her.
Invasive Welcome
2 siblings humiliated at airport after false drug accusation / Raanan Ben-Zur
Oren and Mor Guy return from soccer match in Spain, end up in investigation room at Ben-Gurion Airport, naked and banned from visiting lavatories. 'When they saw that they made mistake, they didn't even bother to apologize.' Police: Information received against them
Full Story

Shalala, 69, was born in the US to Lebanese immigrant parents. She is considered a true friend of Israel and has visited the country many times in the past.

She recently arrived in Israel as a guest of the American Jewish Congress with the objective of increasing collaboration among universities in Israel, the US, and the Palestinian Authority. During their visit, members of the delegation met with President Shimon Peres, Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon, and Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.

The official visit ended on July 12, but Shalala stayed on for another two days for a private visit.

The AJC claims that it notified the Israel Airports Authority of Shalala's VIP status as is customary prior to her departure. However, the IAA claims that it has no record on file for Shalala prior to her arrival.

When Shalala arrived at the airport, she was not recognized as a VIP and was even afforded what she claims to be "special" treatment because of her Arab last name. She claims she was held for two-and-a-half hours during which she was asked invasive and humiliating personal questions. Despite the delay, she managed to board the flight to the US. Officials who spoke with her said she was deeply offended by the treatment she received.



An IAA spokesperson reported in response: "This incident is unknown to us. We performed a thorough check. There was no contact made with us or any other body. No unusual events were registered at Ben Gurion Airport, and we have no idea about this incident, which, from our perspective, never happened."

IAA officials said that root of the problem is that the host organizations don't bother accompanying their guests to the airport.

The incident was raised Wednesday during a discussion convened by Deputy Foreign Ministry Ayalon to discuss treatment of VIPs at Ben Gurion Airport. During the discussion, it was agreed that a new protocol will be drafted that will keep incidents to a minimum.

Shalala preferred not to comment on the article.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3931210,00.html

[Henry Hawk]

first of all she claims she was held at Ben-Gurion Airport just because she has Arab last name...

There will always be stories like this...hell, we are hearing about stories like this here, in the last couple of weeks...

My opinion tells me we need to rethink this latest TSA stance, and we need to get serious about security, and let the "intellegence" guys to their thing...LIKE ISREAL.

[Palehorse]

first of all she claims she was held at Ben-Gurion Airport just because she has Arab last name...

There will always be stories like this...hell, we are hearing about stories like this here, in the last couple of weeks...

My opinion tells me we need to rethink this latest TSA stance, and we need to get serious about security, and let the "intellegence" guys to their thing...LIKE ISREAL.

I strongly suspect "your opinion" is based upon the appearance of this issue being something else to beat the POTUS about the ears with; and/or the talking heads use of it as just that. . . 

A total of 100,000 tourists are detained every year, some of them having to go through the same experience Nicki went through during her two visits.

And that is just ONE airport. Can you imagine the resulting gridlock and turmoil resulting from multiplying that number by 450? 

Yeah, let's adopt this policy right now! 

As for your intelligence commentary: Aren't those the same jackasses that told the POTUS that Iraq had WMD????    What will you do when they tell the TSA you have a C4 suppository and detonator up your ass?

[Palehorse]

Besides, you want to stop the TSA rep from handling your junk? Smile or moan while they are doing it! 

[Henry Hawk]

Besides, you want to stop the TSA rep from handling your junk? Smile or moan while they are doing it! 

What is that new saying....if the TSA keeps on doing their job this way, they are going to have to buy dinner first! 

[Palehorse]

What is that new saying....if the TSA keeps on doing their job this way, they are going to have to buy dinner first! 

Or prostitution busts are going to increase substantially at major metro airports!