The TSA’s Number One Enemy: Rand Paul

By Brent Daggett
theintelhub.com
June 6, 2012

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) in 2009 (Image credit: Gage Skidmore)

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) could be permanently grounded if freshman libertarian-minded Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky has his way.
While Rand’s legislation is not yet complete, his bills will included a passenger’s bill of rights as well as a bill to privatize the TSA.
Editor’s note: previous proposals include the creation of “consumer advocates” although nothing has been done to begin to push back against the expansion of the TSA outside of airports.
Rand’s online petition released last month, which can be viewed on dailypaul.com, reveals the rationale behind the opposition to the TSA other than the fact that he was detained in January for refusing a pat down.
However, Rand is no stranger to brush ins with the TSA.
On June 22, 2011, Rand spoke at a Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee meeting about invasive TSA searches and questioned TSA Administrator John S. Pistole.
The video can be seen here:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/r-elwtnWyYU
PETITION TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS

Whereas: Our constitutional rights are being violated every day by an out-of-control agency that was created in a misguided attempt to interject the government into a place it was not needed; and
Whereas: The TSA does not make us more secure; it simply wastes time and money; and
Whereas: The TSA has set up rules and procedures that harass ordinary citizens at the expense of actually finding terrorists; and
Whereas: More outrageous cases of abuse by the TSA continue to be reported; and
Whereas: Private security should handle airport checkpoints; and
Whereas: Toddlers, mothers with small babies, grandparents, and the disabled are all being harassed while simply trying to board an airplane; and
Whereas: The TSA is expanding even beyond airports to train stations, bus terminals, and other checkpoints, all beyond the scope of their authority;
Therefore: I urge you to support the END THE TSA bill, sponsored by Senator Rand Paul.

Rand is not the only politician who is being critical of the organization.
Rand Paul’s father, libertarian congressman and presidential candidate Ron Paul, has pontificated some harsh words towards the TSA.

“The police state in this country is growing out of control. One of the ultimate embodiments of this is the TSA that gropes and grabs our kids and our seniors and does nothing to keep us safe….my ‘Restore America Plan,’ in additional to cutting $1 trillion dollars in one year, eliminates the TSA.”
“We must restore the freedom and respect for liberty that once made America the greatest nation in human history,” he continued. “I am deeply committed to doing so as president of the United States.”

Before, I elaborate upon the poor procedural choices some TSA employees have made let’s explore the history of the TSA.
History of the TSA
Continues