[taligent]

> little-old-lady-molesting budget

How about a bit of maturity ?

The TSA performs a legitimate role that is required by EVERY SINGLE COUNTRY. Yes. Every country has a TSA. The difference is in the aggressiveness of their searches. So how about instead of this "abandon the TSA and let every gun toting idiot board the plane" why not focus on the specific policies.

[knowaveragejoe]

Yes, as soon as the TSA begins loosening its procedures like other countries(using your example), gun toting idiots will come out of the woodwork to board flights. Obviously this is what happens in every other country. The current TSA procedures are the only thing stopping the hoards of gun toting idiots attempting to board planes.

[brewdad]

To be fair, the US does have more than its fair share of gun toting idiots.

[mindcrime]

Look, just because you're another radical, misinformed anti-gunner, doesn't mean the rest of us should have to tolerate the abuse the TSA doles out. The simple facts are, the VAST majority of gun owners in the US never, ever use their firearm in the commission of a crime, and are just as lawful, peaceful and smart as you are. You could totally legalize carrying firearms on airplanes and you would still be just as safe as you are now. Worrying about a passenger with a gun causing a problem would make as much sense as worrying about getting struck by lightning.

[Karunamon]

>The TSA performs a legitimate role-

I'm going to stop you right there: bullshit.

The TSA shenanigans make us less safe by causing a false sense of security while being completely ineffective. The private screeners we had pre-9/11 did a better job. The one or two things necessary to prevent another airplane-as-missile attack are already done and don't require any government intervention. #1, locks on the cockpit doors, #2, passengers who will kick your ass if you try anything.

The "mature" thing to do is to disband the TSA. End of discussion.

[mattstreet]

Well when they quit molesting old ladies, we'll stop pointing it out.

[acheron]

You know, I flew quite a bit before the TSA appeared in 2002, and somehow those flights were free of the "gun toting idiot" you are so afraid of. Must have been magic, since apparently the TSA is the only thing standing in their way.

[jlgreco]

Seriously. I have to wonder if he even considered why the 9/11 hijackers had to use box cutters of all things. As we learned that day, box cutters only work if everyone expects to live if they cooperate. No adult flying today would have such an expectation.