Deseret News | No fracas shown in TSA video

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No fracas shown in TSA video

Anonymous | 10:08 a.m. Oct. 17, 2009

You know that strings were pulled, maybe the governor, maybe a Utah senator, to get the more salacious parts removed from this video. It's nice to be in high places!

Frequent Traveler | 10:18 a.m. Oct. 17, 2009

If the TSA union lied about which line the Congressman chose and about whether or not he threw his business card, I think it stands to reason that they may have lied about everything else.

Wee Jason | 10:41 a.m. Oct. 17, 2009

This guy will do anything for publicity. What is wrong with scanning machines anyway ? Is Congressman Jason a wee bit small in some areas ? Is that what bothers little Jason about these machines? I'd rather go through the whole body scan than play this game of taking the shoes, belt ,watch and everything else off . Seems much a better way to do things but then I have nothing to hide . What does Wee Jason have to hide?

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 10:41 a.m. Oct. 17, 2009

who cares...move on Jason! Like when you missed kicks at BYU...move on...
the rest of us have learned to moved on regarding both the missed kicks and this TSA incident.

@ Anonymous | 10:43 a.m. Oct. 17, 2009

A lot of speculative comments were made when the story first came out. The video that has been posted shows that many of those comments were unfounded. More speculation such as yours does nothing helpful. How about waiting until more details come out?

Suspicious | 10:45 a.m. Oct. 17, 2009

Please notice that the TSA released only part of the video and that Jason Chaffetz seems pleased. Anyone want to bet that they agreed in advance what sections of the video would be edited out, because it showed neither of them in a good light?

Mc | 10:47 a.m. Oct. 17, 2009

TSA was the one that removed parts of the film, not Chaffetz. It stands to reason they would more likely edit out what made them look bad, not what made Chaffetz look bad.

bob tanner | 10:52 a.m. Oct. 17, 2009

this is the kind of thing that happens when one loves in a theocracy...so be it.

Anonymous | 11:20 a.m. Oct. 17, 2009

I would bet that most of the people who are making unfounded speculations on this are wearing their tinfoil hats right now!

Anonymous | 11:39 a.m. Oct. 17, 2009

TSA is a disgrace. They only provide the appearance of security, add little to overall safety, provide an extensive jobs program (their leadership is conposed of retired government agent types now double-dipping on government salaries) which increases the federal payrolls and lots of contracts for firms inventing new "puffer machines" and other security apparatus. It's an entire industry ecosystem that thrives on continously keep the public in fear and compliant.

Defund the TSA and go back to accountable local airport security now (under increased and enforced FAA standards).

Other countries have safe airport security and service with a smile. The blue shirts at TSA aren't the only way to keep our planes safe.

TSA = buffoons | 12:00 p.m. Oct. 17, 2009

I'd say the TSA has egg on its face over this one. First, the allegations they claim are NOT born out. Second, any further evidence that might support their claims (or Chaffetz's) was removed. ...And removed by whom? The TSA. Done.

Folks, this is a lesson in power and control. The TSA has it and the TSA wants to keep it. To have their power checked by a congressman who finds the imaging machines intruding on privacy is naturally viewed by them as a threat.

If this agency didn't have the power it does, this incident would be laughable. But the fact that they do makes it scary. It's damnable that someone seeking to check the TSA's power could be singled out by the TSA like this and lied about.

Very funny comments | 12:06 p.m. Oct. 17, 2009

Mc and Frequent Traveler have made some interesting assumptions!!!
I know if my business could be harmed by a very vindictive, out of control, power hungry, loud mouth exaggerator, I'd be very wary as well and try to smooth his feathers as best I could...
Even to the point of deleting the parts of a tape that defines what kind of person he really is.
He is laughed at in Washington DC with his cot sleeping arrangements and attempt to appear to be saving money.
What a total embarrassment to the state.. why doesn't he get a shopping cart and a blue tarp and sleep against the outside wall of the Rayburn Building and represent the homeless and save even more money.

AK Utahn | 12:33 p.m. Oct. 17, 2009

Ease up on Chaffetz. TSA is a buracracy interested in protecting its power, people and policies. They do a poor, yet expensive job of providing weak security. Waste and abuse is rampant, and accountability is nil. Airport security should be privatized. Chaffetz knows this. They took the opportunity to hassle him.

lost in DC | 12:36 p.m. Oct. 17, 2009

I've been through airport security 32 times in the last 12 months, and have not had to go through these enhanced machines once. I ahve no problem with them if they leave them optional.

If they are so crucial, why don't we have them in San Francisco International, Atlanta, Reagan National, or O'Hare?

I know I'll get shredded for saying this, but I think Chaffetz was right to draw attention to these machines and TSA abuses.

firestorm | 12:42 p.m. Oct. 17, 2009

Go Getem'Jason. I am very encouraged to find a representative who stands up for the average citizen. There is such a thing as the constitution and the fourth ammendment. When Govt keeps chipping away at your rights, either someone like Jason has to stand up for their return or we we all will loose them in the process of "safety" and
" what's good for us".

Cats | 12:55 p.m. Oct. 17, 2009

To Bob Tanner: I have a really important question for you...HUH???

and to Anonymous 10:05...the governor has absolutely NO power over the TSA.

I can't believe some of these absurd, off-point and uninformed comments that show up on these blogs!

Sterling | 1:26 p.m. Oct. 17, 2009

Kudos to Congressman Chaffetz for standing up to the TSA. What does the TSA have to hide? Is the TSA just another govt. bureaucratic machine that answers to NO ONE? Yet another reason why Americans have lost ALL trust in their own government! Its these types of government agencies that have caused Americans to mistrust ANYTHING that comes from the govt. (especially the feds). If/when Uncle Sam decides to "take care of our healthcare" will they have this same type of attitude? i.e. "we're denying your healthcare claim and its none of your business why"!!

Ex-Traveler | 1:29 p.m. Oct. 17, 2009

As someone who used to fly 2-3 times a week I am fed up with the abuses of the TSA. I now drive any time I can just to keep from flying. I was in Dallas one time and they told me I didn't have to remove my shoes if I didn't want to. So I didn't. I was then pulled out for a hand search and held up for 15 minutes and had to remove my shoes anyway. The rules they put in place do not protect us in any way, they are just for show. Like we can't carry on more than 3oz containers of liquid but I CAN carry 10 of those 3oz containers, what a joke. TSA is a joke.

I had the same experience | 1:49 p.m. Oct. 17, 2009

I had the same experience with the TSA at Salt Lake Airport as Chaffetz did. The TSA agent went so far as to make fun of me.

I have no had few to no problems in the several other airports I have been through in recent years.

Mistreatment of the public and abuse of power is what you get when we surrender control to a government-run union.

Union At Work Here | 2:00 p.m. Oct. 17, 2009

I think the TSA union at SLC International had it in for Chaffetz becuase he had dared to criticize TSA in the past in use of these Orwellian machines. Everyone knows that Unions tend to be made up of Democrat sympathizers and are an arm of the AFL-CIO, which is totally in line with Democrats and donates millions for Democratic candidates nationwide, including Obama. Not surprising they'd target Chaffetz as a Conservative Republican. Of course they knew who Chaffetz was. Congressmen and Senators fly back and forth from DC to Utah several times a month. This is the most plausible explanation.

TSA | 2:36 p.m. Oct. 17, 2009

does not need to do anything to make Jason Chaffetz look bad. He manages it every day, with no problem.

Remember, some approaches to politics see no moral difficulty with creating false events in order to highlight extremist positions. These approaches deny that these fake events display any kind of public immorality because they serve a nobler purpose.

Chaffetz has shown himself to be of this ilk.

Tinfoil is Passe | 3:09 p.m. Oct. 17, 2009

No, tinfoil went out the window with high button shoes. No, conservatives in exile wear normal clothes, and are clear-minded, deeply principled and care deeply about the future of this country. Chaffetz may have a lot of self-promoter in his blood, but don't most politicians? That doesn't make him a bad person nor does it mean that what happened at SLC International was his fault.

Anonymous | 5:48 p.m. Oct. 17, 2009

Wee Jason:: The scan shows you naked. it is optional at the airport. by the way you do still have to remove your shoes. belt etc. to go through it. Jason had every right to be upset and the edited tape shows that the tsa agents lied.

Naive Assumptions | 9:15 p.m. Oct. 17, 2009

Hmmm, let's see. The TSA released only part of the video (and refused to release the pertinent section), and Jason Chaffetz purports to be OK with this partial release. What are the odds that the omitted section makes Chaffetz OR the TSA look good? Answer: Nil. To think otherwise is very naive.

LOL | 9:21 p.m. Oct. 17, 2009

Well, that just shows our federal gov't at what they do best. Aim all things at another person or thing or whatever they can. How convenient that they can edit out anything that shows THEIR actions. If there would have been something that Chaffetz did, you can surely bet that would have been on the video. This is amazing how the people who work for us can do that to the people they are serving. Letting them unionize? That's a no-brainer. While a lot of the TSA are great people who care about their jobs, you get these rental cop attitudes from some others who will ruin it and make it an us against them fight before long. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE HAVING THE TSA DEFENDING ME AGAINST TERROR OR ANY OTHER EVIL! Let's get some professionals in there, not attitude starved and power hungry rookies.

Chuckles55 | 9:39 p.m. Oct. 17, 2009

To "Union At Work Here", Jason Chaffetz in not a conservative Republicant, he is a Righ Wing Wacko. He is a laughing stock in DC who has pretty much alienated himself from any real power base. He is a waste for Utah (probably even more so than the do nothing he replaced) and, hopefully, will be a one termer...

Voter | 9:51 p.m. Oct. 17, 2009

What is TSA STILL hiding?

These clowns think if they release part of the tape they can make the evidence of their harassment go away.

Thank you Jason Chaffetz for refusing to be bullied by union thugs!

When Congressmen get mistreated, what can mere citizens like me expect? I guess I better just shut up and pay my taxes and surcharges and be grateful for my government "keeping me safe."

geedub | 11:29 p.m. Oct. 17, 2009

Just go through the machine ya big whining baby.

Anonymous | 12:05 a.m. Oct. 18, 2009

I love it how the anti-American anti-freedom comments are just mindless mudslinging. They have nothing that resembles a rational thought.

The gov cant run any organization at an efficient level. keep it in the private sector and keep a true free market system.

Demand a government that fits inside the constitution.

Re:Chuckles55 | 12:07 a.m. Oct. 18, 2009

Dear Chuckles,

If indeed he is a "Righ Wing Wacko" out of step with the "Republicant" power base of Washington, should't that be the best reason of all to vote for him? Anyone who brags about their influence and/or power in DC should be run out of town on the next rail. It is a corrupt, vile center of greed and corruption. I would wear it as a badge of honor that I wasn't accepted by the elite king-men of our nation's congress.

Good job Mr. Chaffetz. The last thing we need is another government union and invasion of personal freedom in the name of safety.

Mike Ridgway | 12:27 a.m. Oct. 18, 2009

A presumption of innocence is mandatory anytime you are dealing with law enforcement agents.

The number of police officers that I have personally encountered here in Utah who are willing to lie against innocent citizens is stunning.

TSA is wrong.. | 1:45 a.m. Oct. 18, 2009

If this was edited, it was to protect the TSA. It looks like Chaffetz is patted down by 3 different people extensively and then left to wait forever.

It shows that Chaffetz was told to move to the line that they knew he didn't want to go through.

This is and was a TSA setup/bullying move.

I hope the Senate passes what the House did and TSA can take their new strip search scanner and go home.

What happened to bomb sniffing dogs?

tigerlily | 7:48 a.m. Oct. 18, 2009

geedub:: What part of optional don't you people understand?? One does not HAVE to go through the machine.

Mike Ridgway: The TSA agents are NOT law enforcement officers

Make a choice Chaffetz | 9:06 a.m. Oct. 18, 2009

Either demand that we keep the country safe or that we have individual liberties. Your views seem to advocate keeping the country safe until it is you who suffers the denial of individual liberty and freedoms. Curious that you thought you were entitled to someone's badge number, is that what you think we should all do when we get mad at TSA?

DR Don | 11:10 a.m. Oct. 18, 2009

Isn't it fascinating how people, when the facts don't support their position, either attack the person in question or put forth a conspiracy theory?

Madden | 12:26 p.m. Oct. 18, 2009

The video proves that TSA lied about at least parts of the situation. Much of the rest can remain up for debate, but since TSA isn't showing the full video, I'd presume given the evidence so far that it only further damages their reputation. Now let's move on past this dumb issue and leave the childish name-calling behind.

Anonymous | 4:46 p.m. Oct. 18, 2009

But i'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm fr fr fr....

Are we still free or has the choice land become like other countries, the illusion of freedom.

Ryan W. | 4:54 p.m. Oct. 18, 2009

The TSA did the same thing to me they did to the Congressman. Several months ago I was in security line one at the airport and the TSA official told me I must go in line two and go through the machine. When I resisted and said I did not want to go through the machine they then let me go through line one, but did a pat down search on me because if refused to go through the "voluntary" machine. The lady TSA officer was rude and aloof.

I find it offensive that TSA can use retalitory measures just because the average citizen chooses not to participate in what is supposed to be the optional machine. If it is optional, why are TSA officials telling people they must go through it?

Lastly, I think TSA should just get rid of these machines and go back to the standard machine. Going through security is already bad enough without having to deal with TSA officers who want to make something voluntary become involuntary.

I like Chaffetz | 6:56 p.m. Oct. 18, 2009

I could not vote for him because I live in Logan, but I like him for many reasons stated here. He is not afraid to do the right thing. He is not afraid to buck a good old boys club in Washington DC. The tax and spend government (does not matter the party, they all seem to do it) needs a deep flush.

In my opinion he is a breath of fresh air. He may be a little crazy on some things, but I do not consider him a right wing wacko. That is left to Limbaugh and company. Keep up the great work Jason.

Blaine Nay | 10:29 p.m. Oct. 18, 2009

As a frequent traveler (about 20 days & nights away from home per month) I get to experience TSA a lot. Generally, they are arrogant and condescending. Their perception self-importance far exceeds their ability, education, and authority. There are few exceptions (Cedar City is one). I am pleased to see another congressman impacted by the inability of TSA screeners and supervisors to use common sense. (TSA policies and procedures are written based on the well-based assumption that screening staff have no common sense.) I know of one senator (for whom a major airport is named) who had problems with TSA. TSA staff at that very airport refused to accept his senate ID as a valid "government photo ID"! Security screening by TSA screening is no better whatsoever than it was when performed by private enterprise -- it is only more expensive. Establishing the TSA was nothing more than a way of further growing an already too large and too powerful and too expensive government. TSA must immediately be abolished and the role returned to the airlines and their contractors.

api | 9:41 a.m. Nov. 16, 2009

How long does it take for Desert Nest to obtain the full video?
Will you take the freedom of information request to court?
Is there a chance for a punitive judgments against the TSA if it is found they edited the film and only releasing information favorable to themselves?

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