US State Department officials are cheering tonight after TSA workers in Jackson, Mississippi subjected the Indian Ambassador to the United States Meera Shankar to an “enhanced pat-down” on the grounds that she was wearing a sari, traditional Indian garb.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano also defended the frisking of the Indian ambassador, insisting that it was “by the book” and that diplomats have to subject themselves to the same “basic screening” as everyone else.
But the sexually-charged pat downs are not “basic screening” in most of the world, and indeed have sparked a growing outcry from opponents in the United States, though officials maintain that the policy won’t change no matter how much popular opposition there is.
In the meantime, however, the US is going to have to contend with some serious fallout over Ms. Shankar’s groping, and India’s Foreign Minister has already pledged to raise the issue with the Obama Administration.
Indians are already upset by the TSA’s policies, and many have complained they are being singled out for being suspiciously dark-colored. The issue became prominent with many Indians after the 2009 detention of movie star Shahrukh Khan.
So there is no 'diplomatic immunity' from the TSA ?? How many US diplomats have been searched- or are they above suspicion?
Here's what will happen. Other countries will retaliate by pat downs of Americans in their countries.
hahahahahaha! wow, seriously, how stupid is our government?
Pat downs of Muslim women is offensive but compared to blowing them up with drones…………
I think the indian government as a matte r of policy should now pat down every American entering the country and lets see what happens from there.
No, just Hillary.
Have no illusions on this. The FedGov is perfectly willing to have its subjects groped to the last person. This system is clearly something the Empire regards as indispensably important, and it has expressed rare candor in denouncing criticism of its methods. The use of such harsh language is a sure sign of the willingness to employ ever higher levels of force should there be any challenges.
"This system is clearly something the Empire regards as indispensably important"
It's important to keep the serfs accustomed to their status.
I imagine that if every other country adopts TSA standards and practices and adds the body cavity searches necessary to insure a 'clean' passenger, travel will dry up overnight and the travel industry will get a big shipment of FAIL the next day. Then it's popcorn time when the US tries to explain why THIS procedure is necessary but THAT one isn't and why we haven't tried THAT ONE OVER THERE.
I'm just waiting for the day when the Rich and Famous ™ are subjected to TSA scrutiny when they go on their cruises on the high seas- does anyone have ANY IDEA how hard it is to search an entire cruise ship before each and every departure, not to mention dealing with the passengers? I wonder just how long the R&F will put up with the TSA treatment before it's cancelled or dropped.
Where is the part of the story where the U.S. officials "cheered"? That's the real story. What kind of journalism is this?
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eeYt1gOHtiQ/TP8cuzP2NQI…
I am embarassed our Country did this to the Indian ambassador. I also think that something like this did not happen as a normal course of business for tsa. I thought Ambassador's had Immunity. Can someone enlighten me about this.
I would not be surprised if because of this highly offensive insult to not only an Indian woman but an Ambassador that India will retaliate in kind or worse(body cavity search?).
And they will be justified! I would not advise travel to India in the near future.
The foreign minister should take a two stop flight to US one stop in, say Florida, for a day or two then fly to DC. If subjected to the groping goons, cut all diplomatic relations. If the female napoleon manages a trip to India, cavity search her in public wearing hazard waste gloves, she is toxic.
From my family and friends, I apologize to the Indian Ambaaassador and the whole of India for America's crude behavior. It will get worse until these faggot sons-of-bitches say out loud who really did 9-11-01 and then blew up the Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon oil well. Our government and national identity no longer has any class and has no balls.
Another very good reason not to go to America.
Your comment editing is inaccurate and misses important detail at the public's expense.