The problem with pride

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Saturday, November 20. 2010

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Well, another pride-driven lunatic has made national news again.

After John Tyner refused to get a full body X-ray while passing through a TSA security checkpoint he was asked by TSA officials to receive a “pat down” at which point he began arguing with TSA employees and warning them not to “touch his junk.”

The entire incident was caught on camera and raised attention on a national level.

This is a classic example of how an entire confrontation could have been avoided by the relinquishment of personal pride.

Obviously the TSA and other government officials are more concerned than ever about flight security. Many have gone great lengths to ensure the safety of everyone aboard flights within the U.S.

Although I can only imagine the reasons John Tyner refused a scan, the most obvious is the one I have already stated. While it may be true there could be several deeply held beliefs Mr. Tyner holds about X-ray machines it would seem that he just wanted to make a stand.

It would be useless trying to convince people of the need for heightened security measures these days, but when incidents like this occur I can’t help but wonder if everyone understands the reasons for them.

Should TSA officials let people through security checkpoints just because they don’t want to be scanned?

Imagine a terrorist boarding a plane and saying, “no thank you, I would prefer not to be scanned or patted down.”

What vexes me more than anything is that someone would take it personally just because they have to be checked by airport security. Yes perhaps the newest technology that was being used showed more than usual on the imaging screen, but it would also be more effective at spotting actual threats to security.

I am trying to figure out why Mr. Tyner, after standing in a line watching everyone else pass through the machine or getting patted down, decided to make such an objection after waiting all that time.

According to Mr. Tyner, he didn’t want the Government to “see me naked as a condition to move about the country.”

If this were truly the case perhaps he should have just opted, without anger, for the pat down.

This entire scene was nothing more than an ignorant, prideful passenger who wanted to cause a scene. He even videotaped the whole thing on his own phone. Why would anyone do that? If you guessed for attention, you are probably right.

Matt Wheeler is a reporter for the Barrow Journal. You can reach him at mwheeler@barrowjournal.com.

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#1 Charlie on 11/20/10 at 06:16 AM [Reply]

Because it is an UNCONSTITUTIONAL SEARCH! A VIOLATION of the 4th amendment...

I realize that it is difficult for some to understand that the CONSTITUTION applies all day every day, not when you think it would be convenient.

Mr Wheeler where would YOU draw the line? Shopping center, they are certainly targets, sporting events, they are targets. I think we should search everyone's HOUSE, I know there is crime or intent there...

TSA has NEVER interdicted a terrorist! They are complicit in taking illegally gained information and turning it over to law enforcement for criminal charges that are THROWN OUT due to tainted evidence!

THE searches are nothing more that a feel good, politically correct parade for STUPID SHEEP to believe that TSA is "protecting them"(I am an AMERICAN that served 31 years in the Army, I don't need this type of protection)

Israel has a simple system that DOES NOT touch or irradiate their citizens or visitors. It is quick, very effective and cheap. BUT it PROFILES... so it looks for TERRORIST and not weapons.

I submit that YOU sir should look outside the herd and see that Tyner was/is a patriot and has been able to get action on the TSA where no one else has...

Charlie

#1.1 Anonymous on 11/20/10 at 07:25 PM [Reply]

if one dosen't want a scan or a pat down I say let him drive where he's going ............

#2 Charlie on 11/20/10 at 06:19 AM [Reply]

Napolitano considering allowing Muslim women to pat themselves down at Airports

http://www.greeleygazette.com/press/?p=6687
I TOLD YOU SO!
Charlie

#3 Joe Christmas on 11/20/10 at 07:25 AM [Reply]

Well said. To quote Bob Dylan from the song Foot Of Pride. "Ain't no turning back when the foot of pride comes down, ain't no turning back".

#4 just curious on 11/20/10 at 07:53 AM [Reply]

First of all, not "everyone else" was patted down or scanned, but only those who set off the metal detector. Perhaps Mr. Tyner was hoping that he wouldn't set off the alarm.

What if the government eventually states that because journalists like you are presenting misinformation about security, all articles/editorials are subject to review/editing by a government official before publication? Would your "pride" keep you from subjecting yourself to this limitation of your liberty?

Wake up. The government is using fear and intimidation against us. We're not going to like the U.S. we find ourselves in if more people like Mr. Tyner don't say "enough is enough!"

#4.1 Jack Legg on 11/20/10 at 11:24 AM [Reply]

No, the TSAers only pull random people out of the line to be "scanned", if you opt out of the scan, which they allow you to do, they do the pat down. I think evryone else goes through the metal detector.
Its not relly about pride so much, or may be it is. What if you were the one they decided to pull out of the metal detector line to go through the "naked" scanner. They cant do profiling so they probably pull only the really good looking women and the goofy looking people for that scan . Both for obvious reasons, neither of which makes anyone safer.
Sometimes they just pull peolpe out to show them they have the "power"Ill give you an example closer to home. Last year here at good ole Barrow County courthouse, I was up there with my father in law, we both went through the scanner ans then had to remove our belts each time we went through, sometimes twice a day for about a week , so they got to know us .Why are we removing our belts every day I finall asked, and was told it was for my own protection, meanwhile I see two "suits" walk in through the metal detector but didnt have to remove their belts.I dont think it was for my own protection and I dont think the "naked" scans or the intrusive pat downs are for our own protection either. Its for small minded government "officials" to lord over he common folk.

#5 Get a Life on 11/20/10 at 09:49 AM [Reply]

Thats right, they have not caught a terroist. You know why Charlene? Its because the terroists KNOW they are doing their jobs.Yall need to get a life and stop with all that "the Government is out to get me". I am sure the passengers on the jets of 911 would have much preferred the government do what they are doing now as opposed to what they were doing then. Oh thats right, they cant ask for that now can they? There is a simple solution...Those of us that want to be protected from idiots go to the airport...the rest can drive. Easy...stop your crying. Good article Mr. Wheeler

#5.1 Charlie on 11/20/10 at 04:10 PM [Reply]

Typical MORONIC liberal response.. have to resort to distorting MY name or name calling because YOU cannot for a reasonable analytical thought!

Since you cannot get my name right you may call me SIR

Charlie

#5.1.1 MKR on 11/22/10 at 06:00 PM [Reply]

I'm not sure why you think this person is liberal. The kind of BS (s)he's spouting is typical "do as you're told" extremist conservative rhetoric.

#6 V a a m Y o b on 11/20/10 at 12:24 PM [Reply]

Mr. Wheeler,

The bar for reporters at Barrow Journal must be pretty low.

I took the liberty of correcting some mistakes in your opinion piece:

You said: "This is a classic example of how an entire confrontation could have been avoided by the relinquishment of personal pride."
You should have said: "This is a classic example of how an entire confrontation could have been avoided by giving up every bit of personal privacy, and sense."

You said: "It would be useless trying to convince people of the need for heightened security measures these days, but when incidents like this occur I can’t help but wonder if everyone understands the reasons for them."
You should have said: "I have no idea what the reasons are for these invasions of personal privacy, so I'll just state that such reasons exist, but not mention them in the article."

You said: "What vexes me more than anything is that someone would take it personally just because they have to be checked by airport security."
You should have said: "What vexes me more than anything is that someone would take it personally just because a stranger takes pictures of them naked, and grabs their genitals."

You said: "According to Mr. Tyner, he didn’t want the Government to 'see me naked as a condition to move about the country.' If this were truly the case perhaps he should have just opted, without anger, for the pat down."
You should have said: "According to Mr. Tyner, he didn’t want the Government to 'see me naked as a condition to move about the country.' If this WERE truly the case, it should no longer be, now that he has been subjected to even more humiliation by way of the new enhanced fondling."

You said: "He even videotaped the whole thing on his own phone. Why would anyone do that? If you guessed for attention, you are probably right."
You should have said: "He even videotaped the whole thing on his own phone. Why would anyone do that? If you guessed for proof, you are probably right."

You said: "This entire scene was nothing more than an ignorant, prideful passenger who wanted to cause a scene."
You should have said: "This entire article is nothing more than an ignorant, prideless man who wanted to cause a scene."

You're welcome.

#7 Charlie on 11/20/10 at 05:22 PM [Reply]

Israelification

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/744199---israelification-high-security-little-bother

THE way!
Charlie

#8 Charlie on 11/21/10 at 09:37 AM [Reply]

Guess this DAD was not proud enough to WHIP that A$$ for STRIP SEARCH OF HIS SON

Charlie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSQTz1bccL4

#9 MKR on 11/21/10 at 11:20 AM [Reply]

You confuse pride and dignity. The threat from airborne terrorism didn't change on 9/11.

Only one successful attack on this country has occurred in a century of flight, and that was due to a failure of intelligence and action.

The bigger threat is what could be carried in any of the millions of cars on our roadways. Do we have to stop all of them for an inspection?

Sturdy cockpit doors and armed pilots have done more to prevent another 9/11 than any amount of security theater.

The rest failed due to incompetence on the part of the terrorist. Anyone competent enough and who has the will is being watched. They wouldn't make it as far as the airport.

#10 Charlie on 11/21/10 at 12:33 PM [Reply]

When Replies start not being posted then I am not gonna play.. I responded to #5 DIRECTLY yesterday and "somehow" it is not posted.....
CHarlie

#10.1 MKR on 11/21/10 at 03:54 PM [Reply]

Sometimes they process the queue in a weird order. Seems to be there now.

#10.1.1 Charlie on 11/21/10 at 07:36 PM [Reply]

Thank you
Charlie

#11 Cathy on 11/22/10 at 01:14 PM [Reply]

The last time I checked...flying IS NOT a right! It is a paid service. If you don't want to be scanned/patted down...DO NOT FLY!!! Hit the road...I here it's beautiful this time of year. BTW, being that the terrorist use children as suicide bombers EVERY DAY...SEARCH THEM TOO!! Again, if you don't like it...don't fly. For those of you who prance in the airport acting like a bunch of incompetent, ingnorant, selfish idiots...Delta should give you a refund and kick your butt straight out the front door!! Have a peachie day =)

#11.1 MKR on 11/22/10 at 01:28 PM [Reply]

Do customers not get to complain about bad service?

It's not a right to get groceries either, but I'm going to the service desk to file a complaint if I find a rat in the dairy section.

#11.2 MKR on 11/22/10 at 01:29 PM [Reply]

And how are you going to drive internationally?

I don't think you've thought this through.

#11.2.1 Capt on 11/22/10 at 02:43 PM [Reply]

Ever heard of a boat??

#11.2.1.1 MKR on 11/22/10 at 05:47 PM [Reply]

This introduces so many logistical problems for holiday and business travel that you can't possibly be serious. You have to be trolling.

#11.2.2 Charlie on 11/22/10 at 03:33 PM [Reply]

Liberal + thought(thinking) does not equal anything.. they "feel" that is why they are so emotional, incapable of forming an intelligent response with out calling names

Charlie

#11.2.2.1 MKR on 11/23/10 at 08:12 AM [Reply]

I'm liberal. I think things through and am careful not to call people names (even when the name fits).

How do I fit in to your generalization?

#11.2.3 Cathy on 11/22/10 at 03:54 PM [Reply]

Yes...I've thought it through. I'm not the one who has a problem being scanned/patted down to hopefully insure my safety and the safety of others. Therefore flying internationally won't be a problem for me =). My comment is for those of you who like to bring politics into EVERY situation, whine and complain about every little thing...because "it goes against your constitutional rights." With that being said...let TSA do their job and you do yours.

#11.2.3.1 MKR on 11/22/10 at 05:45 PM [Reply]

The suggestion that it prevents anything is something people like you tell themselves so they don't have to think about what their government is doing.

It doesn't.

#11.3 Charlie on 11/22/10 at 03:30 PM [Reply]

So where do YOU draw the line? where should the 4th amendment "start" to apply..... THis is not asking for you to continue to rant.. form an analytical answer and try again

Charlie

#11.3.1 Charlie Please.... on 11/22/10 at 05:50 PM [Reply]

Charlie please know the difference between a pat down and a search. The pat down you rant about is legally acceptable, justified and has been for decades. Why are you just now complaining about it?

#11.3.1.1 MKR on 11/22/10 at 06:04 PM [Reply]

"It's always been this way" is never acceptable justification. A lot of terrible things in history have were done for too long before someone did something about it.

I don't care how many years this has been done. This ten year accelerated slide has gone on too long.

#11.3.1.2 Oh Really. on 11/23/10 at 07:11 AM [Reply]

So for decades people who have been traveling and paying for this service have been subjected to being treated like criminals. Thank you for clearing that up. I was under the misperception that they only treated people like that who were being arrested. I will be sure to make sure my child gets a good pat down from a complete stranger in the near future. It will be so educational for them.
One more point of note. They are patting down because you set off the metal detector but then are not looking for what set it off. They are looking for explosive that would not set off the metal detector. huh?

#11.3.1.3 Charlie on 11/23/10 at 04:05 PM [Reply]

LEAR about items BEFORE YOU say something! The "Terry Search" is only allowed in SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES... and TSA DONT MEET THEM!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_v._Ohio

#12 Odins Eye on 11/22/10 at 01:48 PM [Reply]

I could see it in the title to this article/opinion.
"The Problem with Pride".
the problem is not pride, but the lack of it.
People like Mr.Wheeler lack pride and courage.

[[If you want a vision of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face - forever.
-George Orwell]]
The boot belongs to Fedzilla ...the face belongs to Mr.Wheeler

#13 Cathy on 11/23/10 at 07:45 AM [Reply]

Far from Liberal, Charlie. What I am is; open minded, and level headed about the situation. From a business owners perspective...these airline companies have a right to protect themselves, their passengers, and their employees. Violating your 4th Amendment right..is an officer coming into your personal space; whether it be at home, work, or driving down the road and demanding you be searched. We're talking about something that you know ahead of time is going to occur. You know when you buy your ticket you have a choice to make...scan or pat down. If neither of them suit your fancy...don't fly. There are American borned citizens who Pledge Allegiance to Al-Qaeda right here amongst us (for crying out loud). Lord forbid that "they" be profiled. So...in order to keep us all safe, we all get scanned or patted down. Personally I don't think TSA is doing enough to protect us. Sorry that my safety, your safety and the safety of others offends you. I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

#13.1 Charlie on 11/23/10 at 04:09 PM [Reply]

Sooo if I as a police officer decide that the nitrate odor coming from your residence threatens my safety due to nitrates being used in making a bomb... I can come and SEARCH YOUR residence to prove that you are not.. (coulda just been fertilizer)We all want o keep our neighborhoods safe fight... So when Al-quaeda places explosives in his rectal vault... you going to be up for that search?

Exercise FIND ONE verifiable example of TSA stopping ONE bomber or bomb....

#14 Non on 11/25/10 at 01:05 PM [Reply]

OK, so let's say that sometime in the future, an airplane bound terrorist decides to "body pack" explosives and is caught prior to any successful attack. Do we then concede to submit to random body cavity searches as a condition of air travel? Clearly, a line needs to be drawn most ricky tick.
The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution and subsequent court rulings prohibit government agents from performing searches such as these unless there is reasonable suspicion that the specific individual is in violation. Planning a trip out of town alone should not constitute reasonable suspicion.

#14.1 Edwin Gravitt on 11/28/10 at 11:10 PM [Reply]

We can presuppose what if, and, something might happen in the future, but we can't presuppose that, the TSA is an illegal agency of the federal government bent on the final destruction of the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 9th and 10th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. It is an illegal government jobs created program. How about we the people go about our business of reducing our government to its Constitutional restraints?

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