Houstonians fight back against TSA public bus searches

Who ever thought TSA raids on public buses was a good idea? When you've pushed Texans too far with so-called national security, you should know that you've gone much too far. (And yes, Houston is mostly a Democratic city though it's still conservative compared to other parts of the country.)

Frequent flyer strips naked to protest TSA

I recall an elderly French traveler doing this in the US shortly after the excessive policies started. The TSA policies are so ridiculously over the top and have not made us any safer. They have protected American flyers from dangerous cupcake icing They harass youngsters right up to seniors without regard for common sense. Even worse, the porno-scanners are not effective beyond lining the pockets of lobbyists like Chertoff. If anything, it's a surprise that this doesn't happen more often.

With the latest mission creep by the TSA, they're now doing searches on buses, trains and yes, even roads. What's also unfortunate is that the political class is too afraid of changing course from this bad policy for fear of being called weak on terrorism. What a sad joke.

TSA humiliates 95 year old Air Force Major, $300 missing

If only these stories weren't so common. Is it really making America safer when we're harassing elderly Americans and then having their hard earned cash go missing? Maybe someone at the TSA thinks this behavior is providing some benefit, but really, this is going nowhere and only hurting the country. If anything, these actions only prove that the bad guys have won.

This is disgraceful. It's even more of a disgrace that the political class finds it acceptable.

"When I was patted down, I've never before been touched in every part of my body before," Woodward said.

As the search went on, the couple — both widowed who met a few years ago at a bridge game and fell in love — became increasingly concerned about missing their flight.

Finally, they were released and told to retrieve their belongings. But only four bins were handed over to them. When Petti inquired about his $300, a senior security official was called over. Petti says this officer insinuated that they were mistaken about the missing cash, instructing the two to take off their shoes again, check their pockets again. "When I told him we were going to miss our flight he asked me if I was objecting or refusing his request." Petti says. "I said: 'No, I'd do anything I was asked, I would just like to know where my $300 went.' "

TSA uninvites TSA critic from Congressional panel on security

At least the TSA will get to avoid having to respond to public criticisms that might help to save lives. Why would Congress even go along with such a request? CNET:

Bruce Schneier, a vocal critic of security measures used by the Transportation Security Administration, was asked to testify before Congress about TSA's security screening initiatives but then was "formally uninvited" after the agency complained.

"On Friday, at the request of the TSA, I was removed from the witness list," Schneier wrote on his blog. "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."

A TSA spokeswoman told CNET she would look into the matter but did not immediately have comment this afternoon.