Reader comments
TSA backs up most of Chaffetz's account

Page:
1
2
Next >

Jason is a | 2:13 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

LOSER with a capital L!

Devan | 2:22 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Can we let this die? Let go Jason. This story is hearsay. Can you get back to your job?

Jim B. | 2:29 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

You are the loser for not recognizing that Chaffetz is standing up for all of our freedoms by opposing this type of invasive search. You might as well be saying, "Go ahead, abuse me!" This procedure is frankly too much.

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 2:29 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Somehow I believe 2 people over one congressman. This guy sounds like a jerk.

Madden | 2:29 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

So now that the tape shows the original TSA account is a complete lie, they back off and describe s story that cannot be contradicted by video evidence.

How rare to see a politician being the more honest party in an argument!

mix in a salad | 2:30 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Wow Jas.... the years have not been kind! I am sure he is too busy to hit the gym, but dang!

As far as the 'incident' I am not surprised the report backs him up. Also not surprised he used the S-bomb on them.

Anonymous | 2:33 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

So Mr. Morals Chaffetz was swearing and acting like a jerk, no surprise.

So many people believe and praise this foul mouth politician.

Anonymous | 2:35 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Looks like Jason deems it fit to swear at these people and treat them like non humans.

One of the officers is an Iraq war vet but I guess it is ok to treat veterans of our wars like garbage Jason?

Anonymous | 2:45 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Yes Jason, we know who you are, someone that likes to swear and throw a fit until he gets his way.

Anonymous | 2:47 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Some people don't know the definition of the word option. Going through that machine is an option. Even if they ask you to go though it you can say no

Pagan | 2:50 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

You know what I see? I see a congressman who does not feel he should adhere to the laws everyone else does.

He's against the 'strip down' machine? Fine. Submit to the pat-down.

(By the way, the 'strip down' machine? It xrays your body to enough detail so you apear almost nude. You don't have to take off any clothing and the TSA agents only see it. And it's optional.)

But, oh no! I'm Chaffetz. I'm special!

Sounds like the mayor who didn't want his son ticketed by a cop.

Lot's of Utah people in power seem to be abusing it.

Who votes for this idiot?

DAN TRIPP | 2:58 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

anonymous you need are stupid iraq are as dumb as you they are not so special just looser!!!!!!

Typical | 3:00 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

For those who are unfamiliar with the Steven Bierfeldt case, the TSA often plays Barney Fife, without the comedy.

The TSA previously claimed the House Rep voluntarily entered the body scan line voluntarily but is now acknowledging that he was taken out of a regular line by a TSA agent. Interesting--this is the only thing that can be verified without audio.

We need more airline travelers to be jerks to the screeners when they barrel over the line of decency.

Anonymous | 3:03 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Apparently sleeping on a cot in your office causes weight gain. Who knew.

knowledge | 3:06 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

I certainly know who this foul-mouthed liar is and will not be voting for him in the next election.

Anonymous | 3:08 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

The report backs up Chaffetz? No, it just confirms how high and mighty he thinks he is. He can't even control his temper or his mouth.

"Do you know who I am?"

Seriously? You have done nothing for the people of Utah but be an embarrassment.

Good on ya! | 3:10 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

The TSA is a big joke. Now not only do they get to go though everything I travel with, and through away my water and lip balm, but now they get to see me naked. When are we going to wake up?

I like what Benjamin Franklin said, "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."

I am glad someone is standing up to these airport thugs.

Earl | 3:23 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

We should all learn to do what we're told, just like the good little sheep we've been raised to be. Law enforcement and military are only one notch below deity. Do what you're told and nobody gets hurt.

Anonymous | 3:24 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

To Dan Tripp...sorry are you speaking english?

Anonymous | 3:25 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

"DAN TRIPP | 2:58 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009
anonymous you need are stupid iraq are as dumb as you they are not so special just looser!!!!!!"

You can say what you want about me but for heaven's sake, make some sense.

One of the TSA officers is an Iraq war vet and Jason deems it fit to act like a jerk to all of them.

This is it. | 3:29 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

The media is going to do what they can to make this guy look bad by painfully prolonging a story that is yesterday news.

They are scared because he doesn't really support any party, he stands for his constituents and doesn't fit in with the liberal agenda that is supported by the media.

Don't believe me that he is being attacked? I know. I went to that town hall meeting with him, and I later watched it on the news. They doctored that tape to look like we hated him, but we did nothing but cheer him on.

I feel bad, because we finally have a guy who could do some good and he didn't get the support of the media so he's toast.

Anonymous | 3:33 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

"I am glad someone is standing up to these airport thugs."

Interesting how people feel it is ok to dehumanize people trying to keep the skied safe after people flew planes into buildings on 9/11.

Keep demeaning the people including the officer that served in our military.

Anonymous | 3:43 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Republican lawmakers stepping all over people including veterans of our military? Nothing new here. Move along commoners, you are not like King Chaffetz.

jackhp | 3:47 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

"Chaffetz contends that people essentially appear naked through the imaging, and that it is an unnecessary invasion of privacy."

What a lame ending to a supposed "news" article. Gee, Mr. Davidson, do you think you could, uh, do some, you know, REPORTING or something and maybe tell us the FACTS rather than only what Congressman Chaffetz "contends"?

Pagan | 3:50 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

'...he stands for his constituents and doesn't fit in with the liberal agenda...'

Liberals vs conservatives?

I thought this was about Chaffetz refusing the 'strip machine' and the pat down, and the....

Anonymous | 3:53 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

The machine you are all talking about does not show a naked body. Just the outline of your body. ALL of you crying over the TSA would be crying more if their was another attack on US soil. I would choose that line any time its much shorter thanks to all of you that don't know what your talking about.

BGC | 4:07 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

How does Utah end up with such volatile people for Congress from that District? There was Chris "loose" Cannon; there is Rob "no clue" Bishop, and now we have freshman Chaffetz making a fool of himself on CNN, demanding instant respect because the loons of Utah County elected him, and now claiming he is a victim. An epiphany! Utah County is the countries victim. When we want some one to blame, it's in our own backyard.

We can market that to the rest of the country. Upsent with the economy, don't blame the President, blame Provo, the wars in Iraq and Afganastan, just look right there in Alpine; High unemployement in California? it's BYU's fault.

Representative Chaffetz, thanks for being our little whipping boy :) It feels so righteous to cast the rod so close to home.

Anonymous | 4:07 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

If you really saw what shows up on these scans and how anatomically correct they are you would be shocked.

Janet | 4:11 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

I'm confused. The report says Chaffetz used "profanity," but refers only to the "s-word," which doesn't really qualify as "profanity." People commenting here are all aghast at his "foul mouth." Really? Are you that prudish? He lost his temper and used "the s-word." Wow. That ought to bring on Armageddon. It's never cool to disrespect a public servant, which is what TSA employees are, but some people put on uniforms and think they're too important to be polite or reasonable. Is there a statistician out there who can figure the odds of finding one terrorist out of millions of passengers via random body scanning? Such practices just give us the illusion of increased safety.

Realist | 4:14 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

I have always felt like those TSA guys should be called TNA...great options if you are a women...you can choose to pose nude or get groped...

I agree with Chaffetz......

To Anonymous 3:53 | 4:17 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Apparently you haven't seen the images these things can produce. The images released to the media are not what this thing is really capable of. You can distinguish hair follicles in the pictures it generates. It's not just an outline.

Anonymous | 4:18 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Only in the DNEWS, Mostly. Common on, he is an embarassment.

James H | 4:21 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

I'm wary of anyone who has to pull the "Do you know who I am?" out of his sleeve. That, to me, just makes it seem like they're on a power trip.

Uptown | 4:22 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Judging by many of the comments thus far, it looks like there must have been a memo on the bulletin board in the TSA break room encouraging them to get online to comment on the story...

BTW, being a veteran is noble but does not entail special privileges in the workplace.

Anonymous | 4:22 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

shocked to see what the outline of your own body?

hmmm | 4:23 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

So, all this arguing about what words he said...the issue here is this - If it is a CHOICE to go through the machine, why is anyone, congressman or not, being forced to either go through it or submit to a full pat down?? A person should be able to go through normal security like everyone else.
Sounds like the "choice" we'll supposedly have with health care, hmmmm...

Huh? | 4:27 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

"anonymous you need are stupid iraq are as dumb as you they are not so special just looser!!!!!!"

Hey Dan Tripp, was that a real comment? I don't know how to react to that because I can't understand what you are TRYING to say...

Gayle R | 4:28 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Profane, vulgar, or crude language or gestures, as well as immoral jokes, are offensive to the Lord and to others.

Foul language is both degrading and harmful to the spirit. We should not let others influence us to use foul language.

Instead, we should use clean language that uplifts and edifies others, and we should choose friends who use good language. Setting an example will encourage those around us to use clean language.

If friends and acquaintances use profanity, we can good-naturedly encourage them to choose other words. If they persist, we can politely walk away or change the subject.

jwp | 4:29 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

I am appalled by the sniping of so many people over the civil rights of a U.S. Congressman. I would have been angry if I was in the place of Rep. Chaffetz. He has been one of the most vocal opponents of the TSA imaging system, and out of hundreds of people going through screening he was picked out. Even if it was random, it is something I would have seen as suspicious. Someone mentioned that he had a right to say "No", which he did, and then was told he would receive a full Pat down instead. Then he accepted the TSA screening (involuntarily), and officials forced the full pat down as well. There was lying and betrayal on the part of the officials. the imaging may produce an outline of the body, but it is a detailed outline, and I for one believe it is indecent to force it on the public. Chaffetz has led out in opposing this aspect of government invasion of privacy, and I cheer him on for his efforts.

Terror Attack | 4:30 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

This is the top story for D-News??? On a day when a military base is attacked by a terrorist and we have to go against TSA for doing their job. I think that Chaffetz needs to get out and sell magazine subscriptions. It is this kind of thinking that makes me KNOW that our politicians are NOT in our best interest. You're on your way out Chaffetz. It was fun while it lasted.

video vs audeo | 4:31 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

TSA claim:
Chaffetz entered scanner line on his own.

Truth: video shows TSA pulled him from regular line.

Now TSA claims:
Chaffetz cursed and yelled, "Do you know who I am?"

Truth: no audio to prove TSA wrong this time.

Alex | 4:32 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

The self-centered, self-promotng, video-blogger, cot-user (cheap) is unfortunately the congressman I DIDN'T vote for. I'm glad that those who voted for him just because he was Republican have a taste of what's accomplished by just voting party rather than individual. Chaffetz with his populist-red-neck approach antagonizes every minority and now pretends to be treated in a special manner offending and dimining a war veteran. I wonder if he understand what's a "public SERVANT" or he simply thinks the public has to serve him? I think the later! Only one year left to this populist redneck.

"Do You Know Who I Am?" | 4:35 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Yup, a freshman congressman who is spending most of his time embarrassing his constituency and the state of Utah by acting like a spoiled brat!
"We know exactly who you are."

Steve H. | 4:37 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

I am amazed the Deseret News would allow comments like those from anonymous and pagan... oh sorry, 1st amendment for fools and idiots also. At least put you name up instead of hiding like a coward.
Gutless wonders.

Anonymous | 4:38 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

"BTW, being a veteran is noble but does not entail special privileges in the workplace."

No, but it doesn't mean people on this board should savage them as though they are worthless scum. People should be ashamed of themselves.

It happened to me | 4:49 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Oops you go to the shortest line not realizing what it is. The next thing you know you are either a porn show or being violated.

I chose neither but I didn't have a choice at that point.

Chris P. | 4:59 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Hey Steve H., what horrible things has anyone said on this board that the D-News would not allow their comments to be heard? You think they shouldn't be allowed on here simply because they don't agree with you.

TSA counterdicts themselves | 5:02 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

From their own mouths they first said they chose Chaffetz because he was next in line. Then they changed their story and said it was random.

So we get two different stories regarding Chaffetz behavior which is really irrevelent. Who wouldn't be upset. The bigger story is Chaffetz chose not to go through the machine which is his right and he was forced to do so and then a pat down in addition. TSA clearly in the wrong on the bigger issue.

Anonymous | 5:02 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Why is everyone against the passenger--from the video it is obvious that TSA told a falsehood about one part of the story, so what makes you think they are telling the truth correctly about any other part of this story?

"Absolute power corrupts absolutely", and TSA has absolute power; it's obvious Chaffetz had no power. I genuinely wonder if TSA people aren't some of the commenters on this board who would like to silence the voice of anyone who opposes their power.

I know I haven't been pleased with the "police state" treatment I've received at the airport.

denny Mackerell | 5:06 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

"Steve H. | 4:37 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009
I am amazed the Deseret News would allow comments like those from anonymous and pagan... oh sorry, 1st amendment for fools and idiots also. At least put you name up instead of hiding like a coward.
Gutless wonders."

So, "Steve H" please tell me how your incomplete name is any better than anonymous?

Quite hypocritical but somehow not putting your full name gives you some kind of superiority?

Chaffetz needs to apologize for his childish behavior. Swearing does not invite the Spirit.

Page:
1
2
Next >

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.