TSA Admits to Keeping ‘Enhanced Screening’ Plans Secret

Also Declines to Provide Evidence of Effectiveness of Screening

TSA head John Pistole today admitted that he deliberately kept plans to conduct “enhanced pat-downs” of travelers secret despite warnings from aides that it might make public outrage to the program even worse.

In this instance my concern was … that we not publicize that beause it would then provide a roadmap or blueprint to terrorists.” insisted Pistole. The policy of groping passengers’ sexual organs has since become a matter of public record as travelers have condemned the policy.

Pistole has insisted the policy is never going to change, at least not for the better, but as officials hit back that the policy is “necessary” there is a growing question – do they even work? That too is a secret, however.

Though the TSA claims to have stopped “prohibited” items because of its procedures, they insist the question of whether they’ve actually stopped anything is a “national security issue” and even Congressional studies regarding the effectiveness of the controversial “full body” scanners have been carefully classified.

Faced with growing condemnation for its policies the TSA has threatened to arrest and fine anyone who refuses to submit, and Obama Administration officials have vigorously defended the practice, while making it a point to remind everyone that they themselves are exempt from the screening.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.