Thursday, November 29, 2012

Top 10 websites holding the TSA accountable

While the general public blindly accepts the U.S. Transportation Security Administration, a number of websites and individuals have stepped up to question the TSA, its policies and very existence.
Criticism of the TSA cuts across party lines. Those on the left say the TSA’s policies infringe on the rights of everyday U.S. citizens. Those on the right say the TSA is an enormous waste of federal resources.
Here are the top 10 websites that are leading the charge to hold the TSA accountable right now.

1. TSA News

The TSA News blog provides level-headed reporting and criticism of the controversial agency. It’s become the go-to source for the latest TSA controversies, which seem never-ending.
The writers of the year-old TSA News understand that they’re chronicling an historic and disturbing shift in U.S. government policy.
Writer Lisa Simeone keeps a running master list of “TSA Crimes and Abuses.”
Consumer advocate and journalist Christopher Elliott is a frequent contributor.

2. Infowars.com

Radio commentator Alex Jones has been relentless in his attacks on the TSA. His conservative websites, including Infowars.com, provide an impassioned critique of the TSA on a regular basis.
Some might say his commentary on the TSA is over the top, but at least it gets people’s attention. He’s trying to wake people up to what’s happening in the U.S. government today.
Infowars sponsored the recent “Opt Out and Film Week” of airport TSA protests.

3. The Drudge Report

Few websites have the influence and reach of Matt Drudge’s Drudge Report. When the Drudge Report posts an article on TSA scandals, it gets disseminated wide and fast.
Conservative pundit Drudge gives TSA news top priority on a frequent basis. Bravo for that.

4. Schneier on Security

Security expert Bruce Schneier has been an outspoken critic of TSA policies and procedures. He coined the term “security theater” to describe the TSA’s ineffective screening process. His website is Schneier on Security.

5. Ashley Jessica

Activist Ashley Jessica has waged a crusade against the TSA’s invasive pat downs and full-body scanners.
The Toronto-based PhD student was instrumental in the Opt Out and Film Week protests, which ran Oct. 19 to 26. She tweets about TSA abuses at @AshleyJessica and posts videos of her encounters with TSA agents.

6. TSA Out of Our Pants!

Jonathan Corbett documents TSA abuses and his own legal case against the agency on his blog TSA Out of Our Pants.
He made national news earlier this year by showing how easy it is to smuggle weapons or contraband through the TSA’s expensive nudie scanners.

7. Amy Alkon

Columnist and author Amy Alkon has slammed the TSA for its sexually abusive pat downs in numerous articles. She was among the first to stand up to the TSA publicly for its degrading pat downs and get the media talking about the agency’s procedures. She writes a blog called The Advice Goddess and is an active Twitter user at @AmyAlkon.

8. Agent Smith

The Twitter account @TSAgov by “Agent Smith” draws attention to TSA abuses through humor.
Smith’s posts knock the TSA for sexually assaulting passengers, stealing their valuables and other abuses.

9. Freedom to Travel USA

A group of citizens concerned about the actions of the TSA formed Freedom to Travel USA. The organization was founded by Wendy Thomson, Renee Beeker and Jeff Pierce to shine a spotlight on the unconstitutional actions of the TSA. It hopes to force political action to reform the agency.

10. Wikipedia

The Wikipedia entry on the Transportation Security Administration extensively details criticisms against the agency and controversial incidents. It provides a central repository for people to collect information and news articles on the TSA.

Honorable mentions

Other websites that report frequently about TSA activities include Reason; Boing Boing, especially co-editor Cory Doctorow; Techdirt, edited by Mike Masnick; and LewRockwell.com.
Did I miss anybody? Let me know.

Gone but not forgotten

Many TSA protest websites have come and gone over the 11-year existence of the agency.
Defunct sites include Homeland Security Theater and I Made the TSA Feel My Resistance.
Other anti-TSA websites remain online but haven’t been updated in some time, including The Daily Patdown, StopGropingMe, We Won’t Fly, TSA Felt Me Up, TSA Nightmare Stories, TSA: WTF? and TSA Tyranny.

Photo: T-shirt worn by Ashley Jessica from her Twitter feed.

1 comment:

Amy Alkon said...

Thanks so much for posting this. I only wish more people would do more than wordlessly obey.