en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/518840 Comments by Trus http://www.newsrealblog.com/2010/11/15/tsa-airport-security-and-junk/#IDComment110108600 I do, indeed, concede the "obvious" as stated above. I also concede that I have, over time, become a bit hypersensitive after being, by association, the recipient of extensive criticism. While I am no longer with TSA, I still have many high quality friends who are not deserving of the slander. In much the same way police and military resent the constant barrage of written and verbal attacks. Today, the military is, rightfully, held up in praise. But, when I was in the service during Vietnam the public, not all, not most, took the liberty of attacking our compassion and mental capacity. For doing a job which is demanding physically and mentally. I hope no one dies, as you surely must recognize hyperbole when you see it. Your comments in your article seemed a bit too inclusive. Your "Do you want fries with that," comment had no qualifier attached. MOST of the others posted were also all-inclusive of the remarks like the "thugs." No pretense of even surgical excision of the majority of agents from their target. You seem to take some umbrage at my few remarks directed at you. Imagine 90% of all letters aimed at you, questioning your compassion and mental capacity. I have not seen many which delineate between the agents and policy. 90% of the remarks are addressed to the agents. The agents do not do their searches to "grope" anybody. They try and make sure there are no dangerous items headed for the plane. By the way, drugs and weapons are commonly found in diapers. Tue, 16 Nov 2010 18:41:14 +0000 http://www.newsrealblog.com/2010/11/15/tsa-airport-security-and-junk/#IDComment110108600 http://www.newsrealblog.com/2010/11/15/tsa-airport-security-and-junk/#IDComment110090221 You miss my point. The shoe bomber, Richard Reid was a white male not resembling a muslim. I could not agree more about Muslims being the problem, but there are also Muslim converts who do not look the part! As a matter of fact, I have seen old ladies also not looking the part who are Muslim, from which we have confiscated potential weapons! What the other agents are doing is looking for exactly what you say they should be looking for. The truth is, that VERY FEW passengers actually see what or who is actually removed from a bag/flight. Tue, 16 Nov 2010 16:23:59 +0000 http://www.newsrealblog.com/2010/11/15/tsa-airport-security-and-junk/#IDComment110090221 http://www.newsrealblog.com/2010/11/15/tsa-airport-security-and-junk/#IDComment110087381 The above was responding to Mark Meed. Tue, 16 Nov 2010 16:01:37 +0000 http://www.newsrealblog.com/2010/11/15/tsa-airport-security-and-junk/#IDComment110087381 http://www.newsrealblog.com/2010/11/15/tsa-airport-security-and-junk/#IDComment110086919 They (TSA agents) are a bit higher in caliber than as you referred to in your article. I considered it my job to welcome the passengers and received MANY laudatory comments from airlines and passengers. Quite honestly, I had some passengers return to me after screening with thanks for being "patient" with them. I say that not out of self congratulations but in defense of my position of defending my (former) fellow agents. They are not allowed to choose which security checks they will enforce, and that in itself would work to the negative...would it not? "Smart policies, rather than stupid ones," in itself invites qualitative analysis with the person making the statement placing themselves into the mix as a judge. WHAT should they check? Everything but my bags? WHO should they check? Everyone but me? Why are we reduced to calling those working to protect us "Thugs?" (See above comments. "...thugs at the gate") They are honest people doing honest work. The public would be astounded, perhaps even horrified, to learn of the things actually discovered and removed at the gate...by those "thugs." Tue, 16 Nov 2010 15:57:52 +0000 http://www.newsrealblog.com/2010/11/15/tsa-airport-security-and-junk/#IDComment110086919 http://www.newsrealblog.com/2010/11/15/tsa-airport-security-and-junk/#IDComment110078659 The "power play" is asinine. Some agents are much more sticklers for the protocol than others. How many times have we heard someone express surprise that some person they knew was capable of some atrocity??? Unless you've walked that proverbial mile in my shoes...be very careful who you call an idiot. Overkill? Would it have been overkill if they had found the underwear bomb? Or have you not heard about that one? Tue, 16 Nov 2010 14:55:19 +0000 http://www.newsrealblog.com/2010/11/15/tsa-airport-security-and-junk/#IDComment110078659 http://www.newsrealblog.com/2010/11/15/tsa-airport-security-and-junk/#IDComment110077354 There are more agents that you realize. They don't all wear uniforms. Your "sexual abuse" identifies you as a liberal feminist. "Only search the men and only above ??? age." And certainly no self respecting terrorist would disguise HIMself as a nun or woman...and for sure they wouldn't stoop so low as to plant weapons/bombs on a child." Tue, 16 Nov 2010 14:43:39 +0000 http://www.newsrealblog.com/2010/11/15/tsa-airport-security-and-junk/#IDComment110077354 http://www.newsrealblog.com/2010/11/15/tsa-airport-security-and-junk/#IDComment110076602 I have no idea what "reports" you read, but I seriously doubt their validity. Yet another "THEY say." There are different stages of security. Should we therefore, using your reasoning, cease all screening/searches because someone might get through anyway. "Throw open the gates and let 'em grab a seat." I was among the first to roll out as a "screener." We were accused by every race/ethnicity of profiling. A Catholic priest once berated us and said he was completely against what we did because we were profiling Arab/Muslims. He actually said that was the whole reason for TSA - to harass Muslims. If every one is screened in the same way, there SHOULD not be complaints. the "shoe bomber" looked nothing like what the public believes they all look like. What do you say if a white nut case blows up a plane? "Oh, that's okay. At least they didn't frisk ME." Tue, 16 Nov 2010 14:36:27 +0000 http://www.newsrealblog.com/2010/11/15/tsa-airport-security-and-junk/#IDComment110076602 http://www.newsrealblog.com/2010/11/15/tsa-airport-security-and-junk/#IDComment110070868 Another Saturday afternoon beer fest security expert. There are more security agents in the terminal than you realize. I seriously suspect that you would be the very first to scream at TSA were a disguised terrorist to make it through and blow up a plane. If you think the terrorists are above disguising themselves as nuns or planting explosives on children or women you are in a sad case of denial. From your statement I must believe you are of the mind that only men should be searched. Tue, 16 Nov 2010 14:07:53 +0000 http://www.newsrealblog.com/2010/11/15/tsa-airport-security-and-junk/#IDComment110070868 http://www.newsrealblog.com/2010/11/15/tsa-airport-security-and-junk/#IDComment110070034 As a retired TSA agent I know the pressure they are under. He was doing his job whether you appreciate it or not. I seriously doubt that he was getting his jollies as you seem to imply. Believe it or not, he, more than likely, is as adverse to do it as you are to have it done. Perhaps you are the one in need of a reassessment of respect. Happy 9/11. You do remember that, don't you? Tue, 16 Nov 2010 14:00:48 +0000 http://www.newsrealblog.com/2010/11/15/tsa-airport-security-and-junk/#IDComment110070034 http://www.newsrealblog.com/2010/11/13/janet-napolitano-to-opt-out-passengers-tsa-workers-must-buy-you-dinner-first/#IDComment109834988 I have no love loss for muslims. we watched them closely, even closer without making it obvious; they didn't skate as you and the author seem to think. The other bad guys hide many things, such as drugs and weapons ON children from babies on up! To say they don't is pure rejection of the type of morals we deal with. Richard Reid - the shoe bomber - was a white man, looked nothing like a muslem. Then there is the "American Taliban." Were someone to sneak a bomb aboard on the person of a child, you guys would be the first calling for TSA agents' blood. If they exempted children from searches, guess where the bad guys would hide the next bomb. I NEVER searched a child or adult in any way other than respectful. Parents got angry on occasion. Adults threatened us. Of course, I can't speak for anyone outside of Texas. Perhaps you don't have any bad guys in the other states. To say that Muslims don't come in any other race or dress than traditional Arab is untrue and unrealistic. The article implied that all TSA officers were/are worthy of no job but flipping burgers. I'll put myself and my fellow officers character and morals up against you or the author any time. I don't claim to be better, as he does...just every bit as good. I was a medic in the service and literally held lives in my hands. I have worked in legal work. I have done volunteer work. I am not ashamed of my life. Aside from that, who is the author that he can claim flipping burgers is not an honorable job. It beats belittling honest workers with smug arrogance. Mon, 15 Nov 2010 05:10:12 +0000 http://www.newsrealblog.com/2010/11/13/janet-napolitano-to-opt-out-passengers-tsa-workers-must-buy-you-dinner-first/#IDComment109834988 http://www.newsrealblog.com/2010/11/13/janet-napolitano-to-opt-out-passengers-tsa-workers-must-buy-you-dinner-first/#IDComment109790518 I retired from TSA and was one of the early hires. I took my job seriously and tried to give the passengers as much dignity as possible. We were constantly barraged by the public (Not all...not even most) with stupid remarks and even threats. If you could see what they actually take off of passengers you wouldn't complain so damned much. I suppose you would rather fly on a non-screened airplane. I don't know where you get off saying the background checks are meaningless. When I applied they were having trouble finding applicants who could pass the background and drug tests. My fellow officers were of the highest caliber. How dare you besmirch me or them with a mindless string of tripe when you have no idea who they are. I worked alongside a decorated (V for valor) Viet Nam vet and many other wonderful men and women. You have a super-size ego and an arrogance rivaling Obama. Who placed you in position to sit in your ivory tower and slam hard workers. I hope you have a first class seat on the very next unscreened flight . Sun, 14 Nov 2010 21:38:48 +0000 http://www.newsrealblog.com/2010/11/13/janet-napolitano-to-opt-out-passengers-tsa-workers-must-buy-you-dinner-first/#IDComment109790518 http://www.newsrealblog.com/2010/11/13/there%e2%80%99s-arrogance-then-there%e2%80%99s-obama-1/#IDComment109788492 Truly, he gives the word arrogance new depth of meaning. Sun, 14 Nov 2010 21:17:28 +0000 http://www.newsrealblog.com/2010/11/13/there%e2%80%99s-arrogance-then-there%e2%80%99s-obama-1/#IDComment109788492 http://www.newsrealblog.com/2010/10/30/leftist-sanity-nazi-glenn-beck-is-a-rapist-with-a-tiny-penis-and-911-was-an-inside-job/#IDComment107109309 Cannot argue with that! Mon, 1 Nov 2010 03:20:23 +0000 http://www.newsrealblog.com/2010/10/30/leftist-sanity-nazi-glenn-beck-is-a-rapist-with-a-tiny-penis-and-911-was-an-inside-job/#IDComment107109309 http://www.newsrealblog.com/2010/10/30/leftist-sanity-nazi-glenn-beck-is-a-rapist-with-a-tiny-penis-and-911-was-an-inside-job/#IDComment107071421 Hey, you're getting a bit too close to the truth. Sun, 31 Oct 2010 21:32:59 +0000 http://www.newsrealblog.com/2010/10/30/leftist-sanity-nazi-glenn-beck-is-a-rapist-with-a-tiny-penis-and-911-was-an-inside-job/#IDComment107071421 http://www.newsrealblog.com/2010/10/30/leftist-sanity-nazi-glenn-beck-is-a-rapist-with-a-tiny-penis-and-911-was-an-inside-job/#IDComment107071303 Probably...he sure wants to hurry up their availability through any abortion possible (insert from pregnancy through birth minus 12 seconds). Sun, 31 Oct 2010 21:31:51 +0000 http://www.newsrealblog.com/2010/10/30/leftist-sanity-nazi-glenn-beck-is-a-rapist-with-a-tiny-penis-and-911-was-an-inside-job/#IDComment107071303 http://frontpagemag.com/2010/10/27/the-demonization-of-pamela-geller/#IDComment106361042 "Insignificant percentage?" You are correct in pointing out that view - no pun etc. One should ask, "How many murders before they become significant?" Admittedly, were Whoopi and Joy to be among the victims of a militant non-Christian/Jew (can't say the "M" word in such a context) bomber, I would consider that as insignificant. Wed, 27 Oct 2010 13:34:58 +0000 http://frontpagemag.com/2010/10/27/the-demonization-of-pamela-geller/#IDComment106361042 http://frontpagemag.com/2010/10/27/the-demonization-of-pamela-geller/#IDComment106359842 You make a good point...up to a point. I, too, want "the unvarnished truth." However, I most often feel compelled to respond to the outright lies of the media and its "lapdog" readers. I like to take their premise of the moment and dissect it item by item. They are unable to respond with anything approaching accuracy. Probably why the liberal outlets do not print most refutations. Wed, 27 Oct 2010 13:26:01 +0000 http://frontpagemag.com/2010/10/27/the-demonization-of-pamela-geller/#IDComment106359842 http://frontpagemag.com/2010/10/18/obamacare-mandates-begin/#IDComment104629109 It depends on your idea of "protect." B.O. and his lackeys are making it incognito...unrecognizable and in hiding. Sort of a "witness protection plan." Mon, 18 Oct 2010 16:20:12 +0000 http://frontpagemag.com/2010/10/18/obamacare-mandates-begin/#IDComment104629109 http://patriotupdate.com/stories/read/4971/Is-it-okay-for-Christians-to-burn-the-Koran-#IDComment97870316 This entire thing has been blown completely out of proportion. The media looks for any and all things to throw gas on the fire. One church of 50 members in a tiny corner of the country. Muslims burn Christian churches and kill Christians every day in their world without reprisal or accounting. Scotland let the bomber get off and sent home...giving new meaning to the term "Scot-free." Personally, I would not burn their book of fables...at least not in the open. But, then, have I, myself, not bowed to the very same fear of islam as the rest of the world. Muslims don't need a reason to flare up. They hold the world captive in their threats. Thu, 9 Sep 2010 19:43:06 +0000 http://patriotupdate.com/stories/read/4971/Is-it-okay-for-Christians-to-burn-the-Koran-#IDComment97870316 http://patriotupdate.com/stories/read/4682/Thomas-Jefferson-and-the-Ground-Zero-Mosque#IDComment93538158 Not too much different from the "false prophet" of the Revelation. Hmmmm? Mon, 16 Aug 2010 23:57:44 +0000 http://patriotupdate.com/stories/read/4682/Thomas-Jefferson-and-the-Ground-Zero-Mosque#IDComment93538158