NO BLASTERS!

Have you ever considered taking a train for travel around the USA?

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 13:26:00 -0500

I might in the future - I’ve always wanted to take a cross-country train trip. Although honestly, unless you are on a major route, it seems like it is slower, more expensive, and with more changeovers. I don’t understand how the industry survives.

Wednesday's Flight

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 16:50:00 -0500

Today, I’m flying out of Kentucky Bluegrass airport in Lexington. We are sitting in the plane right now about to start taxiing.

Kentucky Bluegrass Airport does not use the Backscatter imaging machines for its TSA checkpoint. It does, however, randomly select passengers for the enhanced pat-downs.

I was not chosen for the pat-down. As such, I’m flying home now to see my family!

Happy Thanksgiving,

Matt

The Daily Mail (UK)

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 14:27:06 -0500

The Daily Mail (UK):

I got a link from my boss today - looks like the story’s been picked up in the UK.

TSA: A Follow Up

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 09:32:00 -0500

Wow.

First, I want to thank everyone who has been writing me with personal messages of their own. I woke up to an inbox that was full of hundreds of positive, well-written, and well-informed emails. While the large majority were supportive of my actions, a few disagreed with them. But everyone, regardless of their position, was cordial and polite. That is one thing that our country definitely needs.

Second, I want to emphasize the fact that the police officers in this story were amazingly professional. They were polite, they were patient, and they were really interested in doing what was right. We need more officers like them. This story would not have been possible without their good intentions.

Our voices combined

Below, please find some just a few wonderful examples of the messages I’ve received. I think combined, these notes express our multifaceted concerns about this policy.

“Hi Matt. I’m a military veteran (20 years Air Force & Army.) Just wanted to say thanks for taking 2½ hours out of your life to defend our Constitutional freedoms (not to mention risking jail.) I am truly grateful.”

“My father has had 3 separate cases of skin cancer, my mother passed away last year from melanoma, and I myself have already had one documented case of skin cancer. Machines such as these “backscatter” scanners are deemed to be “safe”, but by the same token, none of the dermatologists I have talked with or read papers from can explain the growing numbers of people affected by (and dying from) skin cancer and melanoma. Yes, I am concerned.”

“My 15 year old daughter flew to my Dad’s in florida with my brother after Christmas. When she reported to me having a woman run her hands up her thighs at the airport, I told her that she would not be flying again.”

“I just wanted to say thank you for doing what you did. There are tears streaming down my face right now because I am so moved by your story. I was raped in college and am now terrified to travel.”

“The idea that this makes us “safe” is ludicrous, and you have to wonder what comes next…scans to get into the mall? Sporting events? The local mall? How about the terrorist hunkered over his missle launcher two blocks from the airport? Would this protect us from him?”

“I know that you’re just a man who was asserting his rights while he was doing what he thought was the right thing. Hopefully your example will be followed by tens of thousands of patient, informed and polite travelers who also value their rights more than their convenience.”

“I just want to show my appreciation regarding the airport issue. I am deeply impressed and I stand in awe of your determination. If all Americans were like you the world and your country would be a better place. I am glad there are americans like you. If any grammar may have been incorrect I apologise, I’m just a university freshman from Sweden.”

“I’ve flown for Delta - a pilot for 35 years and the last thing I need is more radiation, no matter how small and I certainly don’t want to be molested just to enter the country, especially when leaving a sterile environment. I admired your courage and efforts not to be bullied into doing something that you know is WRONG.”

“Thank you for that, Matt. Tomorrow I will call our TA and cancel a spring trip to the Baltic.”

And honestly, this might be my favorite:

“I guess I understand why you didn’t want anyone touching your balls (Cause they are HUGE!!)”

This is my interview with Jon Grayson from Overnight America, a...

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 08:05:00 -0500

This is my interview with Jon Grayson from Overnight America, a radio program on several CBS stations.

Thanks, Jon!

The Cincinnati Enquirer

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 00:01:00 -0500

The Cincinnati Enquirer:

I interviewed with the Cincinnati Enquirer today. Click above for the resulting article.

A Clarification

Tue, 23 Nov 2010 23:57:00 -0500

In response to the frequently asked question:

“Why are they scanning you when you get off the plane?”

Cincinnati International is structured in a way that international passengers are dumped into the “sterile” zone. This means we could convene with other passengers leaving for other flights. Since the US apparently doesn’t trust foreign airport security agencies, we scan all incoming international travelers before they can enter this “sterile” zone.

TSA: The Audio

Tue, 23 Nov 2010 00:40:00 -0500

As promised, here are the (condensed) audio files of the whole episode. If you only have a short time, skip right to the one called “The Main Argument.” That is the most critical one.

The Lead Up: Pt. 1 (Introductions all around)

The Lead Up: Pt. 2 (More introductions, opening arguments)

The Main Argument (TSA refuses to answer my questions. Police change their moods)

The Walk Out (I leave the airport with an escort of 13 TSA people and 2 police officers. I am told by The Supervisor to “Have a nice day.”)

Enjoy!

My TSA Encounter

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 14:20:00 -0500

“You don’t need to see his identification.”

On November 21, 2010, I was allowed to enter the U.S. through an airport security checkpoint without being x-rayed or touched by a TSA officer. This post explains how.

Edit: For the sake of brevity, most of the quotes below are paraphrases. I have uploaded the actual audio and it is available here.

This past Sunday, I was returning from a trip to Europe. I flew from Paris to Cincinnati, landing in Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.

As I got off my flight, I did all of the things that are normally requested from U.S. citizens returning from abroad. I filled out the customs declarations, confirmed that I hadn’t set foot on any farmland, and answered questions about the chocolates that I had purchased in Switzerland. While I don’t believe that some of these questions are necessary, I don’t mind answering them if it means some added security. They aren’t particularly intrusive. My passport was stamped, and I moved through customs a happy citizen returning home.

But wait – here was a second line to wait in.

This new line led to a TSA security checkpoint. You see, it is TSA policy at the Cincinnati Airport that people (both citizens and non-citizens alike) from international flights are screened as they enter the airport, despite the fact that they have already flown. Even before the new controversial security measures were put in place, I found this practice annoying. But now, as I looked past the 25 people waiting to get into their own country, I saw it: the dreaded Backscatter imaging machine.

Now, I’ve read a fair amount about the controversy surrounding the new TSA policies. I certainly don’t enjoy being treated like a potential terrorist in my own country, but I’m also not a die-hard constitutional rights advocate. However, for some reason, I was irked. Maybe it was the video of the 3-year old getting molested, maybe it was the sexual assault victim having to cry her way through getting groped, maybe it was the father watching teenage TSA officers joke about his attractive daughter. Whatever it was, this issue didn’t sit right with me. We shouldn’t be required to do this simply to get into our own country.

So, since I had nobody waiting for me at home and no connecting flight to catch, I had some free time. I decided to test my rights.

After putting all my stuff through the x-ray, I was asked to go through the Backscatter. I politely said that I didn’t want to. The technician quipped to his colleague, “We’ve got an opt-out.” They laughed. He turned back and started to explain.

After he finished, I said, “I understand what the pat-down entails, but I wanted to let you know that I do not give you permission to touch my genitals or the surrounding area. If you do, I will consider it assault.”

He called his manager over, who again informed me of the policy. Throughout this event, this happened quite a few times. After raising my concerns regarding the policy to an officer, they often simply quoted back the policy. For the sake of brevity, I will simply say “Policy restatement.”

I said, “I am aware that it is policy, but I disagree with the policy, and I think that it is unconstitutional. As a U.S. citizen, I have the right to move freely within my country as long as I can demonstrate proof of citizenship and have demonstrated no reasonable cause to be detained.”

Policy restatement. “You have two options – the Backscatter or the pat down. It is your choice, but those are the only ways you can go through security.”

I asked if I could speak to his manager.

“I’m the supervisor here.”

“Do you have a manager?”

“Yes, but he’s very far away at the moment. And he’ll say the same thing I am.” Policy restatement.

At this point, I took out my iPhone, activated the voice recorder, and asked The Supervisor, “Per my constitutional rights, I am not allowed to be detained without reasonable cause for arrest. Now, am I free to go?”

He answered, “If you leave, we will call the APD.”

I asked, “Who is the APD?”

“The Airport Police Department.”

I said, “Actually, that’s probably a good idea. Let’s call them and your manager.”

The Supervisor turned and walked away without saying anything. I stood and waited, chatting to The Technician about how they aren’t allowed to wear radiation badges, even though they work with radiation equipment. He said, “I think I’m a couple steps ahead of you regarding looking out for my own health.”

I stood and waited for 20 minutes. Two cops showed up. Big ones. I admit, I did not want to be handcuffed by these guys.

One cop was older than the other, but they were clearly partners. Neither of them took the lead on answering my questions, and neither of them told the other what to do. They came over to me and asked me to explain the issue. I first showed them the iPhone. After I explained my position, they restated the policy to me.

I said, “Yes sir. I understand the policy, but I still disagree and I still don’t think that I can be made to do these searches in order to go home. Now am I free to go?”

They didn’t answer.

I repeated the question. “Since you are actual police officers and not simply TSA, I am sure you have had much more training on my rights as a U.S. citizen, so you understand what is at stake here. So, am I free to go? Or am I being detained?”

Younger Cop answers, “You aren’t being detained, but you can’t go through there.”

“Isn’t that what detaining is? Preventing me from leaving?”

“You can leave if you want, but it has to be that direction.” He points back towards customs.

Younger Cop asks, “Why are you doing this?”

I explain that I’m worried that the Backscatter has unproven health risks. And that for all he knows, I might be a sexual assault victim and don’t feel like being touched. I say that the policy is needlessly invasive and it doesn’t provide any added security.

He asks, “But didn’t you go through this when you left on your flight?”

“Yes,” I say, grinning, “But I didn’t want to miss my flight then.”

The cops leave, and I stand around and wait some more. It should be noted that throughout this time, no fewer than 10 TSA officers and technicians are standing around, watching me. I was the only one still waiting to go through security.

The cops, The TSA Supervisor, and another guy were standing behind the checkpoint deliberating about something. I explained this to my iPhone and The Supervisor shouted, “Does that thing have video?”

“No sir. Just audio.”

After a while, Younger Cop comes and asks me for my papers. My passport, my boarding pass, my driver’s license, and even a business card. I give him everything except the business card. He told me that he was just gathering information for the police report, which is standard procedure.

He left, and a Delta Airlines manager comes over and starts talking to me. He is clearly acting as a mediator. He asks what I would consent to, if given my options. I explain that I want the least intrusive possible solution that is required. I say, “I will not do anything that is not explicitly stated on recording as mandatory.” He leaves.

Let me pause and clarify the actors’ moods here, because they will soon start to change:

The Supervisor: Very standoffish. Sticking to policy, no exceptions.
The TSA Officials: Mainly amused. Not very concerned otherwise.
The Cops: Impartial observers and consultants. Possibly a bit frustrated that I’m creating the troubles, but being very professional and respectful regardless.
The Delta Supervisor: Trying to help me see the light. He doesn’t mind the work - he’s here all day anyway, so he’d rather spend it ensuring that his customer is happy.

After another wait, Older Cop returns, and asks me what I want. I tell him, “I want to go home without going through the Backscatter and without having my genitals touched. Those are my only two conditions. I will strip naked here if that is what it takes, but I don’t want to be touched.”

He offers as an alternative, “What if we were to escort you out with us? It would involve a pat-down, but it would be us doing it instead.”

“Would you touch my balls?”

“I don’t want to touch your – genital region, but my hand might brush against it.”

I clarify, “Well, like I said, I’ll do whatever you say is mandatory. If you tell me that you have to touch my balls—“

“—I said no such thing. You’re putting words in my mouth.”

“OK. I apologize. If you say that a pat-down is mandatory, and that as a condition of that pat-down, I may have my genitals brushed against by your hand, even though you don’t want to, I will do that. But only if you say it is mandatory.”

“I’m not going to say that.”

“OK. So am I free to go?”

“You are free to go in that direction.” He points back towards customs. Then he walks away to commune with the others.

My iPhone is running out of battery, so I take out my laptop, sit in a corner, and plug it in. I have some work to do anyway, so I pull up Excel and start chugging away for about 20 minutes.

This is where the turning point happens.

The cops come back and start talking with me. Again, they are asking me questions. Why I’m doing it? Don’t I have a connection to make? They are just curious at this point – they are no longer trying to find a contradiction in my logic.

I eventually ask what would happen if I got up and left, and just walked through security. They shrugged. “We wouldn’t do anything on our own. We are only acting on behalf of the TSA. They are in charge of this area.”

“So if he told you to arrest me, you would? And if he didn’t, you wouldn’t?”

“That’s right,” Younger Cop says.

“OK, well then I think it is best if we all talk together as a group. Can you call them over?”

The Supervisor returns, along with the Delta Manager. The Supervisor is quite visibly frustrated.

I explain, “The police have explained to me that it is your call on whether or not I am being detained. If I walked through that metal detector right now, you would have to ask them to arrest me in order for them to do anything.”

He starts to defer responsibility to the officers. They emphasize that no – they have no issue with me and they are only acting on his behalf. It is his jurisdiction. It is policy, not law. They won’t detain me unless he tells them to.

So I emphasize the iPhone again, and ask,” So, if I were to get up, walk through the metal detector, and not have it go off, would you still have them arrest me?”

The Supervisor answers, “I can’t answer that question. That is no longer an option because you were selected for the Backscatter.”

“Well actually, you can answer the question because it is a ‘yes or no’ question. If I got up and left, would you have them arrest me?”

“I can’t answer that question.”

The moods have changed. The cops are now frustrated with him because he’s pawning off his decision making responsibility to them. He’s preventing what is clearly a logical solution to the problem. Meanwhile, the Supervisor is just growing more and more furious with me.

In another deferment of responsibility (which he probably thought was an intimidation factor), he declared, “Well then I guess I’m just going to have to call the FSD.”

I ask, “What’s the FSD?”

“The Federal Security Director.” And he walks away.

I can see him talking on the phone to the FSD – a man apparently named Paul – and I can only catch parts of the conversation: “No, he’s been perfectly polite… We tried that… Constitutional rights.”

He walks over to Older Cop and hands him the phone. I can hear similar sound bites. They hang up, deliberate some more, and then wait some more.

Meanwhile, I’m typing away on my computer. Answering emails, working on my Excel model – doing things that I would have done at home regardless.

The Supervisor walks over and stands uncomfortably close to me. After typing for a bit more, I look up. His voice shakes, “I don’t know if I ever introduced myself.” He pulls out his badge. “My name is XXX XXX. Here is my badge. Now, I’ve shown you my credentials.”

Ah – he’s gotten the Miranda talk. I hide my smile.

“Here’s what we’re going to do. I’m going to escort you out of the terminal to the public area. You are to stay with me at all times. Do you understand?”

“Will I be touched?”

“I can’t guarantee that, but I am going to escort you out.”

“OK. I will do this. But I will restate that I still do not give you permission to touch my genitals or the surrounding area. If you do, I will still consider it assault.”

“I understand.”

And then came the most ridiculous scene of which I’ve ever been a part. I gather my things – jacket, scarf, hat, briefcase, chocolates. We walk over to the staff entrance and he scans his badge to let me through. We walk down the long hallway that led back to the baggage claim area. We skip the escalators and moving walkways. As we walk, there are TSA officials stationed at apparent checkpoints along the route. As we pass them, they form part of the circle that is around me. By the end of the walk, I count 10 TSA officials and 2 uniformed police officers forming a circle around me. We reach the baggage claim area, and everyone stops at the orange line. The Supervisor grunts, “Have a nice day,” and leaves.

In order to enter the USA, I was never touched, I was never “Backscatted,” and I was never “metal detected.” In the end, it took 2.5 hours, but I proved that it is possible. I’m looking forward to my next flight on Wednesday.

You can email Matt here.

Krugman: The Angry Rich and Taxes

Thu, 23 Sep 2010 00:04:00 -0400

Krugman: The Angry Rich and Taxes:

Another great one from Krugman. The real kicker, really, is the second-to-last sentence:

“But when they say ‘we,’ they mean ‘you.’”

If I were asked to give the main reason behind America’s current stagnation (where by current I mean the last few decades), I would cite this attitude. We are all becoming reform freeloaders. We call for change, but we want that change to be from others. While this is true in the tax reform discussion or the “balanced budget” discussion as a whole, this attitude also permeates every other level of our society:

The rich American who wants a balanced budget, yet won’t pay a percentage point more on their highest income.
The sick American who wants better health care benefits, yet won’t get off the couch or eat healthier.
The green-conscious American who demands environmental protection, yet is unwilling to reduce their own energy consumption in a meaningful manner.
The jobless American who wants faster employment growth, yet balks at the idea of reeducation, training, or a slightly less-dignified manner of work.
The poor American who wants better protection from loan sharks, yet is outraged when they are denied a loan under tighter credit regulations.

I could go on and on, but it comes down to this: we want to have our cake, and eat it too. It is time that we realized that “we” means “we.” I am reminded of a different quote:

“If every man would sweep his own doorstep, the city would soon be clean.”

"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship,..."

Sat, 18 Sep 2010 16:12:43 -0400

“A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.”

- Robert Anson Heinlein via Rules for My Unborn Son

The Economist: Jay Rosen on the Media

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 07:44:30 -0400

The Economist: Jay Rosen on the Media:

Suppose the forces that want to convince Americans that Barack Obama is a Muslim or wasn’t born in the United States start winning, and more and more people believe it. This is a defeat for journalism—in fact, for verification itself. Neutrality and objectivity carry no instructions for how to react to something like that. They aren’t “wrong”, they’re just limited. The American press does not know what to do when neutrality, objectivity, balance and “report both sides” reach their natural limits. And so journalists tend to deny that there are such limits. But with this denial they’ve violated the code of the truth-teller because these limits are real. See the problem?

It’s quite possible this industry is not entirely stable.

"This is not a recovery"

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 12:56:00 -0400

"This is not a recovery":

This is an excellent piece from Paul Krugman that essentially states the obvious:

This isn’t a recovery, in any sense that matters.

He rightfully points out that GDP growth means nothing at this point. Whether GDP is at +2% or -2% does not matter because our unemployment numbers are not coming down. We need jobs, not “productivity.”

I’d like to add that many of his proposed ideas are (obviously) smart, but they are all short-term strategies. We can toy with interest rates and change perceptions on inflation, but at the end, those are just numbers games. If we want to spur real growth, we need to invest in long-term assets: infrastructure and human capital.

We need to invest in infrastructure because such investment not only creates jobs in the short term, but improves our societal quality of life in the long term. Not to mention that businesses flock to communities with stronger infrastructure.

Also, we need a more productive education system that will make our citizenry smart and competitive again. Without this, jobs will continue to head overseas.

Unfortunately, these may not spur GDP growth in the near term, so our myopic policy-makers are most likely considering other options.