John Tyner at San Diego: $10,000 Fine or Groin Grope

There's common-sense security, and there's what Americans have to deal with from time to time. Like deciding whether they'd rather be subjected to debatably-safe X-ray screening, or get groped. (Apathetic Lemming of the North (November 13, 2010)) My guess is that the TSA would rather have what their new thing called a "pat down." They probably also wish that the Masses wouldn't fuss so much.

After all - getting their groins checked is 'for their own good.' (Aww, come on: you know you'll like it?)

Maybe there is a reason for the, ah, "pat-down" checks. Maybe.

Groin Grope or $10,000 Fine? It Could be Worse

Or maybe this is another instance of the sort of lunacy that comes up from time to time, when TSA and other government agencies forget that their subjects have cell phones - and aren't afraid to use them.

Not that Americans have as much trouble with crazies in government as, say, Iran does. ("Journalism in the Information Age, Or Nothing Says 'No' Like a Brightly Burning Motorcycle" (June 24, 2009))

So, yes: It could be worse.

I have some sympathy with competent, well-intentioned folks in the TSA and other organizations, who presumably are trying to keep air travelers safe in America. They're in a difficult position, caught between

• Insane rules that insist on treating everybody 'equally'
• Racist jerks who made those insane rules seem sensible
  
• Uniformed nitwits who seem to think that nipple rings are a threat

Nipple rings?! As I said about two years ago: "I am not making this up." (March 27, 2008)

Maybe this week's attempted groin grope was an application of 'equal opportunity?' I doubt it: My guess is that what happened in San Diego was just more clueless (mis)use of authority.

From today's news:

"TSA ejects Oceanside man from airport for refusing security check"
SignOnSanDiego.com (November 14, 2010)

"John Tyner won't be pheasant hunting in South Dakota with his father-in-law any time soon.

"Tyner was simultaneously thrown out of San Diego International Airport on Saturday morning for refusing to submit to a security check and threatened with a civil suit and $10,000 fine if he left.

"And he got the whole thing on his cell phone. Well, the audio at least.

"The 31-year-old Oceanside software programmer was supposed to leave from Lindbergh Field on Saturday morning and until a TSA agent directed him toward one of the recently installed full-body scanners, Tyner seemed to be on his way.

"Tyner balked.

"He'd been reading about the scanners and didn't like them for a number of reasons, ranging from health concerns to 'a huge invasion of privacy.' He'd even checked the TSA website which indicated that San Diego did not have the machines, he said in a phone interview Saturday night....

"...He also did something that may seem odd to some, manipulative to others but fortuitous to plenty of others for whom Tyner is becoming something of a folk hero: Tyner turned on his cell phone's video camera and placed it atop the luggage he sent through the x-ray machine....

"...During the next half-hour, his cell phone recorded Tyner refusing to submit to a full body scan, opting for the traditional metal scanner and a basic 'pat down' -- and then refusing to submit to a 'groin check' by a TSA security guard.

"He even told the guard, 'You touch my junk and I'm going to have you arrested.'...

Okay: maybe this air traveler was "asking for it." Maybe.

I remember the 'good old days,' when "she was asking for it" might work as a defense for rape. Which is one of the reasons I don't miss the 'good old days' all that much. And that's another topic.

Leaving the cell phone camera on might suggest that Mr. Tyner was trying to provoke an incident. On the other hand - demanding $10,000 or a free grope? That seems - just a trifle unreasonable, given the information I've seen.

And refusing a groin check is - in my opinion - not as silly as what some air travelers have done. ("T-Shirt Story 2: Civil Rights vs Common Sense" ((August 13, 2007))

Solution to Air Travel Hassels (1): Don't Fly

My son-in-law does quite a bit of traveling for his business: and bought an RV this week. We'd discussed the pros and cons before the purchase. He'll be spending a bit more time going from one place to another, but will be spending a great deal less money doing it.

Not everybody travels enough to justify buying an RV. On the other hand, in another blog I suggested that families might consider buying webcams and webconferencing for the holidays, as an alternative to being, ah, "searched" at the airports. (Apathetic Lemming of the North (November 13, 2010)

Solution to Air Travel Hassels (2): 'Clothing Optional'

I can't say that I'd recommend this. Remember: I live in central Minnesota, and there are very practical reasons for wearing clothing here during the winter. On the other hand, Mr. Tyner's response to the TSA's "pat down" reminded me of this discussion of a really old science fiction magazine cover:

"...The Mizarans live far above their world; never going to earth and always able to enjoy the spectacular views of their world and the great fleets of airships that are their sole means of transportation.

This idyllic form of habitation is so original, so picturesque that it is universally regarded as the stupidest idea ever hit upon. Yes, the view is very pretty, but the price is a major pain in the arse, as popping next door means a three-hour wait at airport security both ways. The average Mizaran has had his person searched so many times that they now travel stark naked and without baggage to save time and aggravation...."
("Mizar," Tales of Future Past, Davidszondy.com)

A few more outbreaks of bureaucratic nitwittery from the TSA, and Mr. Zondy's Mizaran scenario might start looking good to America's air travelers.

Here's an excerpt from what I wrote about this get-zapped-or-get-groped nonsense, in another blog:

There's Common-Sense Security: And There's Moonbat-Crazy Stuff Like This

"That said, I've opined about the TSA, security, and common sense in another blog. Before someone has a stroke, let the Lemming point out that, in the Lemming's opinion, the safety of the flying public is one thing - the sort of weirdness I've discussed is something else:

• "TSA: Our Tax Dollars at Work; Protecting the Public From Flash Cards"
  Another War-on-Terror Blog (September 12, 2009)
• "Muslim Family Talks Safety, Gets Booted From Flight"
  Another War-on-Terror Blog (January 2, 2009)
• "TSA: Our Tax Dollars at Work; Protecting the Flying Public from Nipple Rings"
  Another War-on-Terror Blog (March 27, 2008)
• "Oakland Airport Apologizes to Detained Marines: as much as can be expected"
  Another War-on-Terror Blog (October 5, 2007)

"Like the fellow said, 'you can't make this stuff up, folks.'..."

"...As for the airlines and the TSA? Like I said: the Lemming doesn't envy folks in the TSA who are trying to do their jobs. As for airlines and everyone else who makes a living flying other folks from on place to another? I've been laid off, fired, let go, and lost jobs in a few other ways. I hope that the TSA and the air travel industry work out some way for folks to fly without risking their health - or getting groped."
(Apathetic Lemming of the North (November 13, 2010))

Related posts:

• "TSA's Latest Options for Air Travelers: Zap or Grope"
  Apathetic Lemming of the North (November 13, 2010)
• " 'The System Worked' - Napolitano and an Unscripted Interview"
  (December 28, 2009)
• "Northwest Flight 253: Near Miss on Christmas Weekend"
  (December 27, 2009)
• "Thanksgiving, the War on Terror, and the American Traveler"
  (November 23, 2007)
• "If You Hear Someone Speaking Arabic, GET A GRIP!"
  (September 1, 2007)
• "T-Shirt Story 2: Civil Rights vs Common Sense"
  (August 13, 2007)