The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

Sen. McCain Fears Crazy Birds Dumping Whitewash On TSA Security Theater

Posted on | March 9, 2013 | 18 Comments

by Smitty

Are Piers Morgan and John McCain the New Hotness?

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is calling for congressional hearings to see if a new rule allowing airline passengers to carry knives and bats on flights should be blocked.
His intervention comes after the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) relaxed post 9-11 rules to allow blades up to 2.36 inches long. Razors and box cutters, which the terrorists used on Sept 11, 2011, are still banned.
“We need a congressional hearing on the whole issue of what is a danger to the entire flight,” McCain said in an interview with CNN’s Piers Morgan. “I think we need to call witnesses since they have made this policy change.”

Maybe McCain would have the integrity to get somebody with a clue to testify, despite the TSA, as noted in this post from right at a year ago:

I was supposed to testify today about the TSA in front of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. I was informally invited a couple of weeks ago, and formally invited last Tuesday:

The hearing will examine the successes and challenges associated with Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT), the Screening of Passengers by Observation Techniques (SPOT) program, the Transportation Worker Credential Card (TWIC), and other security initiatives administered by the TSA.

On Friday, at the request of the TSA, I was removed from the witness list. The excuse was that I am involved in a lawsuit against the TSA, trying to get them to suspend their full-body scanner program. But it’s pretty clear that the TSA is afraid of public testimony on the topic, and especially of being challenged in front of Congress. They want to control the story, and it’s easier for them to do that if I’m not sitting next to them pointing out all the holes in their position. Unfortunately, the committee went along with them. (They tried to pull the same thing last year and it failed — video at the 10:50 mark.)
The committee said it would try to invite me back for another hearing, but with my busy schedule, I don’t know if I will be able to make it. And it would be far less effective for me to testify without forcing the TSA to respond to my points.
I’m there in spirit, though. The title of the hearing is “TSA Oversight Part III: Effective Security or Security Theater?”

So, go ahead, Senator McCain: use public hearings as a means of exposing the waste, absurdity, ineffectual nature, and anti-Constitutional flavor of our shiny regulatory state. Such a non-choadtzpa move would go do a bit to walk back the tired-old-warhorse reputation that hangs over you, the way bricks do not.

Senator McCain, the adult, traveling public is sick to death of the TSA and the security kabuki. Take a cue from Senator Rand Paul and fight for our Constitution, sir.

via PoliticsOfFear

Category: John McCain

Comments

18 Responses to “Sen. McCain Fears Crazy Birds Dumping Whitewash On TSA Security Theater”

  1. CFronds
    March 9th, 2013 @ 6:50 pm

    RT @smitty_one_each: Sen. McCain Fears Crazy Birds Dumping Whitewash On TSA Security Theater http://t.co/zD5804H4V2 #TCOT #TGDN

  2. Evi L. Bloggerlady
    March 9th, 2013 @ 7:01 pm

    A few Republicans seem upset with all the attention Rand Paul is getting…

  3. Neo
    March 9th, 2013 @ 7:15 pm

    I once heard a story of somebody who bought a saber while in Spain. Upon inquiry with the airline for shipping instructions, they informed him that he could just put in the overhead compartment.
    Saber or small knife, what difference does it make ?

  4. hankpannell
    March 9th, 2013 @ 7:21 pm

    RT @smitty_one_each: Sen. McCain Fears Crazy Birds Dumping Whitewash On TSA Security Theater http://t.co/zD5804H4V2 #TCOT #TGDN

  5. Evi L. Bloggerlady
    March 9th, 2013 @ 7:40 pm

    “Saber or small knife, what difference does it make ?”

    The intent of the person using it.

  6. Cube
    March 9th, 2013 @ 7:46 pm

    THIS!!! Of course that means making judgments about people that carry moral weight. Wouldn’t want to hurt anyone’s self-esteem. Except of course for those you know won’t cut your head off in return: grannies, kids, vets, everyday people just going about their lives.

  7. Neo
    March 9th, 2013 @ 7:47 pm

    … But if a saber is acceptable as carry on, why not allow muskets and 18th century cannons ?

  8. K-Bob
    March 9th, 2013 @ 7:51 pm

    Only on the right must people qualify within six-sigma, the specific target before unleashing a fusillade.

    Wait, a fusillade is too imprecise for real targets. It must be a flechette.

    We get enough crap from the PC police on the left. If we can’t make fun of someone’s sloped forehead and puffy eyes without everyone on the right assuming we mean kids with down’s syndrome, then what good is comedy?

    I mean, fart jokes only get you so far. Aim at the correct target, people (and yes, I did use “gun” words, there, so FOADIAF if you’re offended). Either hit the left or join ’em.

  9. Evi L. Bloggerlady
    March 9th, 2013 @ 7:52 pm

    I don’t know about muskets, but 18th century cannons probably exceed allowable weight limits.

  10. Evi L. Bloggerlady
    March 9th, 2013 @ 8:19 pm

    Separated at Birth: John McCain and …?

  11. Quartermaster
    March 10th, 2013 @ 12:14 am

    Is that error circle 6 sigma in diameter or radius? We need to be a bit more precise about our error circles here.

  12. richard mcenroe
    March 10th, 2013 @ 12:18 am

    We ain’t got time for that fiddly shit. Just arc light the grid square.

  13. richard mcenroe
    March 10th, 2013 @ 12:19 am

    probly fit a four-pounder in the overhead.

  14. K-Bob
    March 10th, 2013 @ 1:36 am

    Heh.

    Maybe: Tight as my Great Grandmother’s purse strings.

  15. Scribe of Slog (McGehee)
    March 10th, 2013 @ 6:23 am

    Dunno about a saber, but for, say, a katana the tight quarters on a plane would make it hard to wield effectively.

    Or so I’ve heard…

  16. Wombat_socho
    March 10th, 2013 @ 11:26 am

    I would think a wakizashi or gladius would be more practical.

  17. Scribe of Slog (McGehee)
    March 10th, 2013 @ 12:03 pm

    And a medieval claymore is right out.

  18. Teeing it up: A Round at the LINKs: (political beliefs and your job edition) | SENTRY JOURNAL
    March 10th, 2013 @ 1:28 pm

    […] THE OTHER McCAIN: Sen. McCain Fears Crazy Birds Dumping Whitewash On TSA Security Theater […]