“Please, sir, we know what we’re doing.” – TSA

Our crackerjack airport “security,” just this week, singled out a developmentally disabled man for an enhanced patdown.

Drew Mandy, 29, has the mental capacity of a 2-year-old.  He was traveling with his family to DisneyWorld when his adult diapers got the attention of a TSA agent.  When his father tried to explain, the agents waved him off, saying “please, sir, we know what we’re doing.”

They then decided that a six-inch-long plastic toy hammer Mandy had carried as a comfort item for more than 20 years was a security threat, so they confiscated it.  Don’t worry, though.  Calling it an “isolated case of bad judgment,” they’ve “reached out” to the family.

So, see?  It’s all better now.  No need to be upset.  They apologized.  I’m sure Drew is fine now, aren’t you?

How are we doing on airport security reform?  I’ve floated and/or recirculated lots of good ideas in this space before.  Israel, easily the country with the greatest sustained interest in getting it right in the world, gets it right.  Are we studying their methods for possible implementation?  Or how about that whole express/voluntary background check thing for frequent travelers?  The guy who’s flown from Chicago to Boston once a week for the past ten years isn’t a security threat.  Can we get him a pass that says so?

Or do you even care anymore?  Or did you ever?  An enraged electorate is the only thing Our Betters understand (sometimes not even that; see the 2010 midterms), and we’re not enraged.  The Fourth Amendment has essentially perished.

Wonder which one is next?

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