This display of arrogance ...

.
... has shaken me out of my shell!!

Transportation Security Administration inspectors forced a wounded Marine who lost both of his legs in an IED blast and who was in a wheelchair to remove his prosthetic legs at one point, and at another point to stand painfully on his legs while his wheelchair was examined, according to a complaint a congressman has registered with the TSA.

I'm on record as not having much respect at all for the TSA; for the most part I think they're bullies who probably got shoved into lockers in high school and what they do has nothing to do with real security but everything to do with making the public think they're safe.

And even though the TSA says that the claim isn't true, it's instructive that there's any question about the incident at all. I mean, given what you've heard, what's more believable; that the TSA humiliated any random traveler (let alone a double-amputee Marine veteran) or they treated all travelers with complete respect and understanding?




Now, first ... if Cpl Gaal is still in the Marines, he's got a CO and the truth will come out. If he's not still in, he has an obligation as a Marine to set the story straight.

But beyond that, given that the TSA demonstrably doesn't give two shits about even showing a modicum of respect to veterans, it's time that the military services started sending grunt NCO's to escort all disabled personnel to and from all flights where the individual might have the opportunity to interact with these TSA fucks.

And when the TSA gropers ask what the NCO's are doing there, they need to answer honestly and forthrightly that they are there to observe any inspections, insure respect for the servicemember and report back to their command on what happened.

And I've got no problem with the military getting physical to ensure that nothing untoward happens.

And I've got another suggestion: if you're a disabled veteran, you should be able to call the local chapter of whatever retired service organization that you could belong to and get an escort to the airport for the same reason - to keep these TSA fuckers honest.

You know, it would only take a few widely scattered cases of jury nullification during assault trials to let these idiots know that the public is fed up.

pm