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Government harassing blogger for source of TSA directive "leak"

by Scott Carmichael (RSS feed) on Dec 29th 2009 at 10:00PM

And now it is official - the stupidity of the TSA knows no limits. In the midst of the confusion regarding the Northwest Airlines terror attempt, blogs all tried their best to report on the latest news. They pretty much had to, because the TSA (or any other government agency) had nothing to say.

Thankfully, Elliott.org (from occasional Gadling blogger Christopher Elliott) was on top of things, and managed to produce one of the TSA directives that finally revealed what everyone was reporting as "rumors".

When Chris posted the actual TSA directives, he was the first one to do so. Incidentally, Air Canada had already posted part of the new directives (and was the only airline to do so).

Apparently, the TSA is more interested in catching leaks within its own organization than it is trying to actually stop terrorists, because Chris was visited by a special agent this evening, with a subpoena demanding to know who leaked this information to him.

Yes - you read that correctly. The agency that was part of the total meltdown of intelligence, and has wasted billions on trying to keep our skies safe, is harassing a blogger to find out who is leaking the information they should have provided the traveling public.

I wish Chris lots of luck, and hope the TSA comes to its senses and leaves him the hell alone. Perhaps they can then waste some more time trying to harass old ladies and babies at the checkpoint instead.

Update: Blogger Steven Frischling received a similar visit, minutes after Elliott. Apparently, the government even took his computer. This is really going too far.

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Christopher Elliott Dec 30th 2009 6:13AM

Thanks for your support, Scott. I appreciate it.

Nick Dec 30th 2009 8:35AM

Although the TSA is here for our safety, their actions appear to be totally misdirected in this case. The document (information) in question doesn't seem like it was top-secret - why so much fuss about its leakage? Just another example of illogical knee-jerk reaction after a scare. Christopher might want to contact the ACLU for support.

Mike Barish Dec 30th 2009 9:13AM

While I'm glad that Chris Elliot posted the document and hope that he keeps his source's identity secret, the TSA should be searching for leaks in their department. They may enact asinine policies and enforce them arbitrarily, but they are still a government agency and if someone is sharing information before it is approved for public consumption, that could lead to security risks in the future.

Ray Dec 30th 2009 8:55PM

Mike - Uhhh, dude - that's what TSA's DOING. They're not after Elliott to send him to jail - they need Elliott's cooperation in tracking down the spineless troll who betrayed the trust of their position as an authorized recipient of the TSA document. TSA had better find this leak before he/she starts shooting out other documents that compromise this country's aviation security system and we end up with a few smoking holes.

David Parker Brown Dec 30th 2009 10:35AM

This is just crazy. The TSA should be spending more time working on security than going after bloggers. Chris is not the only one too. Steven Frischling who runs Flying With Fish blog also got his computer searched by the Dept of Homeland Security.

http://www.airlinereporter.com/?p=2677

David