Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/20128
8B – Daily News – Monday, November 22, 2010 TSA chief: Screening should be minimally invasive WASHINGTON (AP) — The head of the agency responsible for airport security, facing protests from travelers and pressure from the White House, appeared to give ground Sunday on his position that there would be no change in policies regarding invasive pas- senger screening proce- dures. Transportation Secu- rity Administration head John Pistole said in a statement that the agency would work to make screening meth- ods ‘‘as minimally inva- sive as possible,’’ although he gave no indication that screen- ing changes were immi- nent. The statement came just hours after Pistole, in a TV interview, said that while the full-body scans and pat-downs could be intrusive and uncomfortable, the high threat level required their use. ‘‘No, we’re not changing the poli- cies,’’ he told CNN’s ‘‘State of the Union.’’ Pistole said that, as in all nationwide securi- ty programs, ‘‘there is a continual process of refinement and adjust- ment to ensure that best practices are applied.’’ Still, he pointed to the alleged attempt by a Nigerian with explo- sives in his underwear to try to bring down an Amsterdam-to-Detroit flight last Christmas. ‘‘We all wish we lived in a world where securi- ty procedures at airports weren’t necessary,’’ Pistole said, ‘‘but that just isn’t the case.’’ In his earlier TV appearance, Pistole appeared to shrug off statements by President Barack Obama and Sec- retary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton that the agency would look for ways to alter screen- ing techniques that some passengers say are invasions of privacy. Obama said in Lis- bon on Saturday that he had asked TSA officials whether there’s a less intrusive way to ensure travel safety. ‘‘I under- SMALL BUSINESS MANAGERS! SATURDAY –––– November 27! –––– SMALL BUSINESS Nationally promoted campaign supported by American Express, advertised in newspapers, magazines and online, urging Holiday Shoppers to “shop local” and support local small businesses! Will your business get its share of spending in Small businesses in Tehama County on that day? Discounted Holiday advertising packages available now in D NEWSAILY Advertising Deadlines for: RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY Thursday, Thanksgiving Day: Tues., Nov. 23, 10am Friday, November 26 Tues., Nov. 23, 3pm Saturday, November 27 Wed., Nov. 24, 10am _______________________ “There is always a volume of discretionary spending that will happen, however challenging the current economy. 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No. I mean, who would?’’ Clinton told CBS’ ‘‘Face the Nation’’ in an interview broadcast Sunday. ‘‘Clearly it’s inva- sive, it’s not comfort- able,’’ Pistole said of the scans and pat-downs during the TV inter- view. But, he added, ‘‘if we are to detect terror- ists, who have again proven innovative and SUNDAY SPECIAL!! 30% OFF Excluding basic Wranglers Boot or Clothing item! Expires 11/30/10 any one Crossroads Feed & Ranch Supply 595 Antelope Blvd. Red Bluff, CA 95080 530-529-6400 Shopcrossroads.net COMPLETE AUTO REPAIR All makes and models. We perform dealer recommened 30K, 60K, 90K SERVICES AT LOWER PRICES Smog Check starting at $ (most cars and pick-ups) 2595 + cert. Pass or FREE retest 527-9841 • 195 S. Main St. creative in their design and implementation of bombs that are going to blow up airplanes and kill people, then we have to do something that prevents that.’’ Rep. John Mica, R- Fla. who is set to become Transportation Committee chairman when Republicans take over the House in Janu- ary, differed with the approach. ‘‘I don’t think the rollout was good and the application is even worse. This does need to be refined. But he’s saying it’s the only tool and I believe that’s wrong,’’ Mica, a long- time critic of the TSA, said separately on the CNN program. With the peak travel- ing season nearing, air travelers are protesting new requirements at some U.S. airports that they must pass through full-body scanners that produce a virtually naked image. The screener, who sits in a different location, does not see the face of the person being screened and does not know the traveler’s identity. Those who refuse to go through the scanners are subject to thorough pat-downs that include agency officials touch- ing the clothed genital areas of passengers. Pistole was shown videos of people being patted down where the screeners touched the breasts of a woman, felt into the pants of another person and felt the crotch of a man. He said all three cases were proper and that the gloves of the screener who felt inside the pants were then tested for explosive residue. trace Pistole added that very few people receive the pat-down. People who go through the new advanced imaging machines available at some 70 airports are usually not subject to pat-downs, he said. Pistole said that while watch lists and other intelligence sources help the TSA pick out travelers who might pose greater risks, rules against pro- filing mean that some people who are less of a risk, such as the elderly The Electric Man For all your electrical needs • New Outlets / 220 • Fans / Fixtures • Pools / Spas • Code Corrections • Troubleshooting • Panel Upgrade • Telephone Wiring $10.00 Customer Discount FREE Estimates License# 826543 347-4441 22755 Antelope Blvd. Red Bluff, CA 96080 (530) 527-9166 Open Mon. thru Sat. 10am – 6pm November is get your room on! Come check out our new addition! Variety of • Ballasts • Reflectors • Bulbs Wide LASSEN STEAK HOUSE Full Bar • 9 Beers On Tap Big Screen TVs • Pool Room ANGUS STEAK Call 530 839-2838 Corner of Hwy 99E & Vina BLACK or the disabled, must sometimes undergo pat- downs. ‘‘I want to be sympa- thetic to each of the negative experiences. We’ve had extensive outreach to a number of different disability community groups, a number of different out- reach efforts to try to say, how can we best work with those in your community to effect security while respect- ing your dignity and privacy,’’ he said. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D- Md., appearing on CBS, said Congress would hold hearings on the ‘‘very controversial’’ issue of how to strike the right balance. Asked how he would feel about submitting to a pat-down, Hoyer said: ‘‘I don’t think any of us feel that the discomfort and the delay is some- thing that we like, but most people understand that we’ve got to keep airplanes safe.’’ Community Clip? e-mail: clerk@ redbluffdailynews.com or Fax: 527-9251 Have a news tip? Call 527-2151, Ext. 112 NOW OPEN oh yeah