Time Columnist: New TSA Screenings a 'Minor Inconvenience'
Columnists Michael Crowley and Mike Barnicle seemed to agree on one thing on Monday's "Morning Joe" – the new TSA airport screening methods are not that big of a deal, in the scheme of things.
Early on Monday's "Morning Joe," Crowley, Deputy Washington Bureau chief for Time magazine, expressed muted criticism of the American public's reaction to the new screenings. "I think that people are getting very upset about something that's not that big a deal," he said of the new procedures which feature the choice of undergoing either a revealing body scan or a thorough pat-down.
"We talk about sacrifice in a time of war, it's not happening. There's this minor inconvenience that people are having to go through," the columnist continued.
Mark Halperin earlier flatly disagreed with Barnicle and Crowley. "It's not a minor inconvenience," he said of the new airport checks. "Wait 'till you've been subjected to it," he told Crowley. Barnicle said he had experienced the screening and admitted its controversy, but said it did not merit the backlash that has ensued.
"I understand the radiation thing in the machines, but what does it say about us as a culture that we get more bent out of shape about this issue then we do about massive unemployment?" he complained.
Co-host Mika Brzezinski seemed to echo the sentiments of Crowley and Barnicle. Later in the show, the panel interviewed the head of the TSA, John Pistole. After Mark Halperin pressed him on how he felt personally after undergoing the controversial new procedure, Brzezinski spoke up in the Pistole's defense, "Seriously. What is [Pistole] supposed to do, given the fact that people are hiding bombs in their underwear and anywhere else?"
With that, the live interview continued. Mike Barnicle channeled his sentiments from earlier in the show in criticizing the American people for reviling the new screening methods while the country is engaged in wars and real unemployment stands at 15 percent.
"Mr. Pistole, let me ask you this. What do you think it says about us as a culture, as a nation, where we are all up in arms over the past week or so about getting frisked at airports, and potential radiation from these machines, much more so than we are about the fact that we are engaged in two wars in Afghanistan, and have a 10 ½ – 15 percent real – unemployment rate in this country?"
A transcript of the segments, which aired at 6:03 a.m. and 7:45 a.m. EDT, respectively, is as follows:
MICHAEL CROWLEY, Time magazine Deputy Washington Bureau chief: I don't know the solution either, but it does seem like, you know, this is a country where we have one war – a hot war raging, and winding down another war in Iraq. There are terrorists coming at us from all directions, and our day-to-day lives have largely been unaffected, I mean, you know, we talk about sacrifice in a time of war, it's not happening. There's this minor inconvenience that people are having to go through. It's not idea, we should fix it. But I just – I think that people are getting very upset about something that's not that big a deal. And the general context of what is happening with America –
MARK HALPERIN: Have you been subject – (Crosstalk)
CROWLEY: I haven't --
HALPERIN: You haven't. ...Wait 'till you've been subjected to it.
MIKE BARNICLE: I have.
HALPERIN: It's not a minor inconvenience.
BRZEZINSKI: Barnicle went in three times.
BARNICLE: I ha – yeah, I did. (...) I understand the radiation thing in the machines, but what does it say about us as a culture that we get more bent out of shape about this issue then we do about massive unemployment –
BRZEZINSKI: Thank you.
BARNICLE: About less than one percent of the people in this country fighting two wars for us – what does it say about us?!
(...)
HALPERIN: Sir, let me ask you two questions about both of the new parts of the two pieces of this. You say the machines are safe for use. Would you be willing to have to go through it four times a week?
TSA chief JOHN PISTOLE: Yes. I travel quite a bit. I go through a security screening every time. I have full confidence that they are safe and secure.
HALPERIN: Okay. And have you been subjected, either as a test or as you've traveled, to the full pat-down?
PISTOLE: Yes. I have.
HALPERIN: And how'd you feel about it?
PISTOLE: Well I felt like it was thorough. I felt it was doing exactly what it was designed to do, to try to detect somebody who was trying to kill hundreds of people on an airplane.
BRZEZINSKI: Okay. I mean, that's the – I mean look guys, or fight me on it – what is he supposed to do?
HALPERIN: Well –
BRZEZINSKI: Seriously. What is he supposed to do, given the fact that people are hiding bombs in their underwear and anywhere else?
BARNICLE: That's what I would like to ask him. Mr. Pistole, let me ask you this. What do you think it says about us as a culture, as a nation, where we are all up in arms over the past week or so about getting frisked at airports, and potential radiation from these machines much more so than we are about the fact that we are engaged in two wars in Afghanistan, and have a 10 ½ – 15 percent real – unemployment rate in this country. What does that say about us?
(...)
BRZEZINSKI: TSA Administrator John Pistole, thanks very much. You're in a tough spot, and we appreciate it. We appreciate your coming on the show this morning.
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Comments
I'm sure it is.
Submitted by CobraMan on Mon, 11/22/2010 - 8:47pm.
I'm sure it is a minor inconvenience, for people like yourself who doesn't have to go though it.
I do remember, though, about 6 or 7 years ago when you, and others like you, DID have to submit to screenings. I remember how much YOU and other just like you complained about those screenings. I remember the numerous articles that were written, by people just like yourself, which highlighted how "inconvenient" it was, especially how "disrupting" it was to people in your "line of work," and that people, like yourself, should be given "special waivers" and "exemptions" for this type of "minor inconveniences." Exemptions that you got, remember?
What was it you were asking for at the time, a special permit that could be issued to people, like yourself, who travel frequently and who shouldn't have to submit to these screening because you're not an immanent threat? Is that the right term, special permit? I know it's the right description, you little hypocrite!
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
This one is really simple...
Submitted by The_Barrel_Guy on Tue, 11/23/2010 - 12:20am.
Require ALL who board Air Force One to go through the same level of screening as the rest of us....
The crap would end as soon as Michelle had a booby fondle or the daughters had a panty check!!!
It would go like this: Boy
Submitted by killa37 on Tue, 11/23/2010 - 2:59am.
It would go like this: Boy Blunder would want a nice looking young white boy to frisk him, and Mooochelle would need 4 screeners to cover her booty............and, well, I'm NOT going there with the kids, although obviously the TSA guys ARE!!!!!
Its just too bad the stoopid, useful-idiot sheeple of America...
Submitted by Dave. on Mon, 11/22/2010 - 10:29pm.
...are lining up like lambs to the slaughter and putting up with this tyrannical insanity.
In the America I once knew, this stoopid bullsh*t wouldn't be tolerated for even three seconds.
No wonder we are rapidly losing our freedoms and liberties.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
My son is an ex-Navy SEAL,
Submitted by killa37 on Tue, 11/23/2010 - 3:05am.
My son is an ex-Navy SEAL, and he is also a very serious MMA trainer who has been in a few events here in Hawaii. He also has a beautiful and sharp 4 year old Hawaiian son. I've seen videos of these TSA clowns doing perverted and illegal searches on innocent kids, boys and girls. I'd hate to see the condition of some dumbass TSA agent if he even TOUCHED my grandson, given my son's intensity and sense of freedom and disdain for these f**king morons!!!! He'd probably take an arrest, just to prove his point!!!!
Just think about what these TSA guys have to do.........in following their 'rules'!!! How could anyone with any sense of decency or fairness, or 'common sense', EVER do this kind of thing that they have been documented as doing???
Keep your hands on my teabag!!! And if you even THINK about touching my kids, or grandkids, I WILL own your ass!!!!!
Kudos to your son. I saw the
Submitted by Jer on Tue, 11/23/2010 - 3:44am.
Kudos to your son. I saw the SEALs training series several months ago on the Military Channel. It was an absolutely exhausting experience just watching from my sofa.
Jer
Yeah, I don't worry about too
Submitted by killa37 on Tue, 11/23/2010 - 4:32am.
Yeah, I don't worry about too much these days.........if some dummy wants to get stupid with me. (hey, it happens over here sometimes.......especially out in the water!!!) I just tell'um I'm a little too old for any confrontration, but either one of my sons would be happy to fill in for me!!! My other son is also a linebacker type - and an officer in the Coast Guard, and very highly trained!!! Plus......he's got the same attitude as my older boy.........he doesn't take any prisoners......
Oh........by the way.........BOTH of my sons have been 'waterboarded'!!! Do you think I should sue somebody????
Barnicle gets is wrong -- again
Submitted by Galvanic on Mon, 11/22/2010 - 9:41pm.
BARNICLE: I ha – yeah, I did. (...) I understand the radiation thing in the machines, but what does it say about us as a culture that we get more bent out of shape about this issue then we do about massive unemployment –
Wait a minute. We just had an election of historic proportions because people were upset about unemployment. No one has low-balled unemployment.The White House, Feds, Dims,
Submitted by danbo on Tue, 11/23/2010 - 7:41am.
The White House, Feds, Dims, and the Media we low balling Unemployment.
Unemployment is only important when they want to avoid other issues. Like disrespect for the citizens of the United States. Violating them,
"You lie!" Rep. Joe Wilson R-(SC)
I'm waiting for Michelle
Submitted by MidAmerica on Mon, 11/22/2010 - 10:09pm.
I'm waiting for Michelle Obama and her daughters to take a commercial flight before I accept that it's OK.
Hey that's a great idea, just
Submitted by Dan The Man 2 on Mon, 11/22/2010 - 10:17pm.
Hey that's a great idea, just like the left was asking for the President and congresscritters children to serve in Iraq as the Pres and his kin to subject themselves to scans.
Or San Fran Nan,
Submitted by UpNorth on Wed, 11/24/2010 - 1:17am.
now that she won't have access to her own private Air Force? I'll pay good money to watch her go through it. What's that, Mr. Pistole? She won't have to, based on her high profile and being a member of congress? Well, that's just ducky, glad she won't be inconvenienced. Or molested.
Minor inconvenience?
Submitted by jon_torlin on Mon, 11/22/2010 - 10:09pm.
Just like the Constitution in its current form is a minor inconvenience so it got thrown out the window.
-Jon
Ready to slide down the slope?
Submitted by Red Jeep on Mon, 11/22/2010 - 10:10pm.
We are at the top of the slippery slope now, of "love" pats. Next, all people entering court rooms will get love pats.. Next, all people entering public buildings will get love pats . Next, anyone entering schools will get love pats. This is a violation of the 4th Amendment. This should be halted.
People from past administrations like Michael Chertoff, former Homeland Security Secretary, are personally profiting off the sale of the body scanners. Also people like George Soros are profiting too.
Making a crisis to profit should be against the law.
Must have been non-sequitur morning on Morning Joe. Just because we are concerned over being felt up at airports, it does not follow that we may not be equally concerned about our 2 wars and unemployment. How these 3 issues are even remotely connected is puzzling though, but that is what liberal brain disease does for you.
At least this is not as
Submitted by MidAmerica on Mon, 11/22/2010 - 10:13pm.
At least this is not as intrusive as that dastardly George Bush who wanted the power to check on your library cards. Just because the TSA can now tear off your colostomy bags in a public forum that doesn't even begin to compare with having your reading habits investigated.
BARNICLE: About less than
Submitted by HypocriteHater on Mon, 11/22/2010 - 10:13pm.
BARNICLE: About less than one percent of the people in this country fighting two wars for us – what does it say about us?!
And who, pray tell, are we fighting in those 2 wars, Mike? What is the ethnicity of the people we are fighting? It sure as hell isn't 80 year old white women, or middle aged white men, etc. Just once, I'd like of these pinheads to be honest and admit that middleeastern, muslim men are blowing up planes. But no, let's stick our heads even further into the ground!
And do you think a terrorist would be so stupid as to try to hide a bomb in his underpants NOW?? Of course not!! He's figuring out a new way to sneek bombs onto airplanes. That's because the US gives itself a major handicap but not allowing profiling.
If the Obama administration is so gung ho about treating terrorists as common criminals in our courts, then he should have enough sense to know that when a cop is looking for a suspect based on an eyewitness description, he doesn't bring in everyone off the street so as not to offend the race of the perp. But who said Obama had any sense, anyway.
It says that we're really good at it!
Submitted by CobraMan on Mon, 11/22/2010 - 11:40pm.
"About less than one percent of the people in this country fighting two wars for us – what does it say about us?!"
Thanks, HH, for using that quote, I didn't notice it before.
Do you know what that tells ME, Mike? it tells me that we're VERY good at fighting wars, so good that we don't NEED more than 2 percent of our citizens to actually win a fight, That's a GOOD thing, not a bad thing.
I HATE it when people claim that a 'real" war requires a substantial percentage of our citizens be in a battle for it to be justifiable, or that only those countries that resort to rationing are fighting a "real" war. Yea, they're fighting a "real" war when the majority of citizens are suffering. That's a very good indicator that those people are really fighting that war BADLY!
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
what's even worse...
Submitted by 3strikes on Tue, 11/23/2010 - 2:16am.
Is how the two wars are used as a rationale for these security checks against our own citizens (i.e. people who don't even look like the ones we are fighting). Yet, we supposedly attacked Iraq and Afghanistan "unjustifiably."
Oh, and now that people are complaining about these crazy security checks, these idiots are crying about people not paying attention to how bad the economy was. Yet, for the past few months we were paying too much attention to the bad economy and not giving Obama the proper credit for creating an economic rebound and saving us from another depression.
These people want it both ways and they get upset when the American people resist handing over their civil liberties.
"What do you think it says
Submitted by dculling on Mon, 11/22/2010 - 10:25pm.
"What do you think it says about us as a culture, as a nation, where we are all up in arms over the past week or so about getting frisked at airports, and potential radiation from these machines..."
Well, it says some of us still value what little freedoms we have left you dickhead!
These pat down gropes are a
Submitted by MidAmerica on Mon, 11/22/2010 - 10:46pm.
These pat down gropes are a perfect metaphor for the obama government.
It used to be said that a man's home was his castle. That is, the rights of the government ended at the doorstep.
Now we do not even have privacy rights for our bodies.
Anyone who thinks obama will win re-election in a nation that is getting angrier by the day is only fooling themselves.
The Grope Administration.
Submitted by danbo on Tue, 11/23/2010 - 7:48am.
The Groper Administration. Want some candy little girl?
"You lie!" Rep. Joe Wilson R-(SC)
This is what a Liberal 'Guv-Mint' looks like
Submitted by ChrisNH on Mon, 11/22/2010 - 10:46pm.
Liberal media hacks are rushing to defend the TSA because they know these episodes are an accurate portrayal of what a 'Lib-rul Guv-mint' looks and acts like: totally totalitarian.
You can not ask to see
Submitted by dmaley1714 on Mon, 11/22/2010 - 11:19pm.
a crimminals immigration status but a grannies boobs and bloomers are hey no big deal. Wait until this come to a subway or a ball game near you.
Aw... the poor TSA screeners...
Submitted by Slyrr on Mon, 11/22/2010 - 11:28pm.
I've seen a bunch of stories about TSA employees, whining and moaning that they're afraid of angry airline customers who take issue with the fact that the TSA is groping, fondling and abusing them in public.
What, then? The TSA now wants us to feel SORRY for them?
Here's an open message to all TSA screeners: If being a TSA employee has ceased being a respectable job - then QUIT. But if you stay with the TSA and elect to make your living by groping nuns, 3-year olds and cancer patients, then don't expect any sympathy from the American people.
If groping people's genitals, buttocks and breasts makes you feel bad - then QUIT.
You say you're 'uncomfortable' when airline customers get mad at your groping, fondling and playing with their genitals. IMAGINE HOW THEY FEEL. Stop crying for pity from the people you're abusing and groping. For pity's sake - wake up and own up to what your'e doing! THEN QUIT!
And quit hiding behing the pathetic excuses:
'We're just doing our job.'
'We're just following orders.'
That's exactly what Hitler's Nazis said, right down to the soldiers who worked the levers in the gas chambers.
TSA - quit. You know what you're doing is wrong.
Right
Submitted by CommanderTaya on Tue, 11/23/2010 - 12:54am.
Great Point. Janet Imcompetano suggested if we don't like the procedures we are free to find another means to get to our destinations. If the TSA folks don't like the heat.............get out of the kitchen! BTW. I must have missed the scans of the Muslim man's "junk". They are being screened and randomly searched, right?
What bothers me is that with
Submitted by mostlymoderate on Mon, 11/22/2010 - 11:29pm.
What bothers me is that with each passing year, we are slowly losing all of the rights that made this country great. I was no fan of the 'alleged' wiretapping that 'might' have occurred during G.W. Bush either; however, at least there was public outcry over it because Bush was a Republican. Here, the media is sweeping the TSA predicament under the table simply because O-Bama is in office and nobody wants to say anything about his highness.
Enough to make a grown man sick. "Obama is doing it so it MUST be ok."
Duh One has already stated
Submitted by Dan Diego on Mon, 11/22/2010 - 11:44pm.
Duh One has already stated who his "enemies" are and it was not Moslems. And all those intel systems could easily have flags reprogrammed to key words like Freedom, Constitution, Tea Party...How to STOP Terrorists 101:
Submitted by Slyrr on Mon, 11/22/2010 - 11:47pm.
Here's a novel idea to stop terrorism attacks on airlines: Occam's Razor. The simplest solution is the correct one. For example:
Problem: Some cars squeak.
Smart Solution = Fix Squeaking cars.
Dumb solution = randomly stop all cars to check for squeaks.
TSA = DUMB.
Check the squeaky wheels (i.e., profile Muslim Terrorists) = SMART.
Leave innocent citizens alone = SMART.
Ignore all accusations of racial profiling = SMART.
Exactly! I can't say that it
Submitted by mostlymoderate on Tue, 11/23/2010 - 12:04am.
Exactly! I can't say that it would be easy to identify who IS a terrorist; however, I do know that it would be easy to identify WHO IS NOT a terrorist. Can't you just tell? Especially the little old ladies. How about anyone over 60. We have given up all common sense so we don't "offend"
Just curious, when was the last time a bomber was over the age 60? And American, nicely dressed and spoke English.
Probably in a movie....
Submitted by Chris Norman on Tue, 11/23/2010 - 12:07am.
Probably in a movie....
So true about movies.
Submitted by mostlymoderate on Tue, 11/23/2010 - 12:11am.
So true about movies. According to most television shows I have seen lately, white people run the crips, the bloods and most gangs in prison too. :)
To believe Law & Order, it
Submitted by Chris Norman on Tue, 11/23/2010 - 12:27am.
To believe Law & Order, it seems half the murders in NYC are committed by rich white prep school boys and the other half by rich white businessmen. They're running wild in the streets! :)
I know this is very "un-P.C."
Submitted by mostlymoderate on Tue, 11/23/2010 - 12:31am.
I know this is very "un-P.C." of me but I swear, a girlfriend of mine that moved here to the U.S. from Australia for a year asked me before coming over why we have so many black judges in the courts. It was because she watched too much American television.
mostly moderate,
Submitted by Chris Norman on Tue, 11/23/2010 - 1:40am.
I think it's all part of the soft racism of the media that they feel the need to build up the intellect and status of minorities by putting them, over and over and over again, in fictional roles of prestige and authority (with very few lines, by the way) - to the point that it's so obvious of what they're doing that it should be an insult.. Have you ever noticed that the electronics or computer whiz in movies and on tv is over-frequently a person of color? Even an African American friend of mine laughs at this practice. It's so obvious that you just know that it was intentionally done. It's like the media's over-praise of Barak and Michelle Obama and everything they do. It's all just a little too much to be natural and is downright condescending.
Muslims
Submitted by BBallleaper on Tue, 11/23/2010 - 9:10am.
At least you had the wisdom to use muslim as an adjective. Are TSA procedures anti-liberty? Of course they are. Are TSA agents nazi thugs and goons? Of course they are. Do the procedures make airline travel safer? Of course they don't. But this controversy is merely the symptom of a vile, murderous disease - islam. Christians aren't trying to kill me. Jews aren't trying to kill me. Muslims are trying to kill me because I am an infidel. Should we be angry at our politically-correct leftist government for imposing this torture on us? Of course. But why no outrage against the real cause, islam?
I actually don't mind the new
Submitted by cc1975 on Tue, 11/23/2010 - 12:12am.
I actually don't mind the new methods. On a physical level it's not a big deal to me... but I know I'm in the minority. HOWEVER, the whole thing is incredibly stupid! None of this works and would still only detect the obvious. Terrorists are getting craftier and craftier. Even though it'd probably slow things down even more I think an interview of some sort for each passenger is in order.
I think the fear is that a terrorist will plant something in your clothing or baggage when you're not looking, so everyone has to get checked. While this is totally possible, it's very unlikely.
I wonder if offering each---
Submitted by matthewdean on Tue, 11/23/2010 - 12:16am.
potential passenger - boarder a bite of a well cooked pork chop would reveal any interesting excuses or maneuvers?
MD
Hell, they will be
Submitted by mostlymoderate on Tue, 11/23/2010 - 12:21am.
Hell, they will be handcuffing us all to our chairs on the plane before we know it. If a Democrat like Obama is in the Presidency when it goes into effect, it will be OK! If somebody like Bush is in office, all hell will break loose.
Head of the TSA...J Pistol(E)...Not Reality, Actuality!
Submitted by gruyere cheese on Tue, 11/23/2010 - 12:22am.
I could not believe it when I saw his name on the TV screen....but, seriously, the idea of screening the wannabes of the " Morning Joe Show" at the airport is quite frightening. Specially, Mike Barnicle...simply disgusting!
Just a minor inconvenience
Submitted by big.league.slider on Tue, 11/23/2010 - 1:36am.
Just a minor inconvenience eh?
These are the same people who get apoplectic about being required to show ID at the voting booth.
What part of "The right of the people to be secure in their persons...." do these people not understand?
I think it is incredibly
Submitted by Ruths husband Ben on Tue, 11/23/2010 - 9:31am.
I think it is incredibly healthy that the citizenry is pushing back against being fondled by the government. Can you imagine living in a country where folks would just accept it? I think the government has completely forgotten who they work for and many Americans have forgotten how many people died to secure for us our liberties. One of the main liberties is the right to be free from illegal searchs. I know that the courts have decided that you give up your rights when you travel, but that is a mistake by the courts.
If there's a wrong way......
Submitted by Tomorama on Tue, 11/23/2010 - 10:54am.
Basically in my view........................ this is just about our governments reluctance to use methods that are used all around the world and especially by Israel that have been proven effective.
All of this reluctance is in the name of as usual kissing the arse of a group of people whose stated goal is to RANDOMLY kill us for no reasons whatsoever.
Should we not then be profiling them and leave the 80 year olds and 4 year olds alone?
Realizing we need some measures to "screen" all passengers, we as usual went overboard when the easy solution is right in front of us, but it would take some balls to do it and Hillary isn't going to loan Barack either of hers.
Many have posted and I AGREE TOTALLY, IF this were Bush doing this the libtards would be screaming from the high heavens.
This Pistole guy reminds me of Niedermayer in Animal House
Submitted by SickofLibs on Tue, 11/23/2010 - 11:51am.
A hall monitor gone crazy.
found their problem
Submitted by wizardjr on Tue, 11/23/2010 - 12:58pm.
TSO to Barnicle at airport check-in while giving anal cavity check:
"I've found your myopia problem sir... and your head."
Let those who fit the discription of terrorists be inconvenience
Submitted by Funbowhunter on Tue, 11/23/2010 - 5:23pm.
PROFILE them. Let the minority be inconvenienced, not the majority, because of political incorrectness.