Pro TSA article

In his article, TSA Turns 10: Examining the Agency's Strengths and Weaknesses, Rick Seaney asserts that the TSA should be recognized for the successes it has had and not just the failures.  First he argues that the weapons confiscated by TSA prove how vital airport security is. Next he argues that the increased security awareness of passengers facilitated by TSA has helped thwart terrorist attacks. Finally he makes the point that not a single airplane has been lost since the inception of the agency.

    

Seaney, Rick. “TSA Turns 10: Examining the Agency’s Strengths and Weaknesses.” abc.go.com. ABC, 18 Nov. 2011. Web. 18 Feb. 2012. .

               It is true that since TSA’s inception America has not had an airplane successfully hijacked, a fact seldom mentioned when TSA is discussed, however I am not totally convinced that they have performed their duty as efficiently as possible.  TSA, despite its troubles does manage to catch 4 or 5 guns per day and has acted as a deterrent against terrorism.  I think that one should bear in mind that airports, in this country, have been safe places when they evaluate whether or not TSA has over-reached its authority.

link to the article:  http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/tsa-turns-10

Washington Times vs TSA

               In its editorial, Government Pornography Ring The Washington Times asserts that TSA’s new body scanners inappropriately curb individual liberty and privacy. First the article states that the images from TSA’s new body scanners are pornographic in nature as the machines can see through a passengers clothing.  Next, the editorial argues that in other contexts TSA’s security measures, such as frisking the elderly and the very young as well as taking pornographic images would be considered felonies. Lastly, the author claims that TSA oversteps their authority and violates 4^th amendment rights and hides legally behind an appeal system that supports the governmental agency. 

 

“Government Pornography Ring.”  Editorial. The Washigton Times 22 July 2011: n. pag. Washington Times. Web. 16 Feb. 2012. .

 

     Although The Washington Post makes some valid points, some of the views they express seem a little paranoid.  The presentation of evidence effectively paints TSA in a negative connotation; however the conclusions drawn from this evidence do not completely make sense.   I, for one, do not buy the editorial’s argument that the appeals court that handled the legal implications of this is biased in favor of TSA because it ruled for the agency.That being said, I do agree with the article’s assessment of the body scanners.  I believe that the government has no right to take images that see the clothes of a traveler just because he or she wanted to get on an airplane.  Additionally given the unprofessional attitude displayed by many TSA agents I would be highly uncomfortable with these types of images, computerized or not, being in the hands of the TSA.  In all, this article evoked additional concern from me around TSA; however I was not convinced that the agency completely overstepped its boundaries. 

Link to the article:  www.washingtontimes.com