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TSA causes two international incidents by searching Indian diplomats
It seems we common folk aren't the only ones who find TSA's security checks intrusive. Transportation Security Administration officials have recently caused not one but two international incidents with India by searching diplomats.
India's ambassador to the U.S. Meera Shankar got frisked at an airport on December 4. She was pulled out of the line because she had brown skin and was wearing a sari in a random search. When she revealed she was a diplomat, security officials were unimpressed and frisked her anyway.
Now it turns out this wasn't the first incident, the BBC reports. Two weeks ago India's UN envoy, Hardeep Puri, who is Sikh, was asked to remove his turban. Sikh men think it is immodest to remove their turbans in public. Once again, the diplomat mentioned his special status and was ignored. He was taken into a holding room so the turban could be checked for whatever it was the TSA thought he was hiding in there.
Hey, at least they didn't have to go through a body scanner like Baywatch actress Donna D'Errico.
Filed under: Asia, North America, India, United States, Transportation, Airports, News, Travel Security
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Wimpie Dec 13th 2010 10:31AM
So now the airlines are a tiny bit safer, but the determined terrorists will move on to "softer" targets, like Times Square, Xmas tree lighting ceremonies and cargo bombs.
Next attack - shopping centers, schools, cruise ships, sports events, subways, tunnels, buses, airport security lines to name but a few.
We cannot possibly catch every attempt by screening, but we can humiliate millions of people and help bankrupt already hurting commercial aviation companies.
Fire 25,000 TSA clerks, dump the scanners and pat-downs, bring in dogs, and give the saved money to the FBI & CIA, who can actually catch terrorists (maybe).
I, for one, won't fly until this travesty is lifted.
Ankur Dec 13th 2010 4:51PM
India cannot stoop to the standards of the xenophobic US agencies by humiliating foreign dignitaries. The common people have to show their displeasure. Avoid all connection flight in the US if there is an alternate route possible for your onward journey. Find other locations for vacations if you are not visiting family in the US. Hurl the shoe where it stings the most, their hapless economy.