The American Spectator

Reader Mail

p> MILITARY PROFILES br> Re: Jim Woodward's letter (under "Line 'em Up") in Reader Mail's Haylie's Comment and Doug Powers's Profilers in Discourage : /p>

Jim Woodward's letter on Doug Powers's "Profilers in Discourage" makes the valid observation that it is possible for anyone to obtain a military uniform with full regalia, which can then be used for nefarious ends. I recall many years ago a foreign national at one of our overseas bases did just that and cashed fraudulent checks at the Base Exchange for several weeks before being caught.

p>On the other hand once a military member 1. in uniform, 2. shows a valid DOD identification card, and 3. a set of official travel orders, to a screener there should be no justifiable reason for further investigation. The issue here appears to be one of abuse of authority, excessive zeal and/or lack of judgment on the part of some (not all) TSA screeners. As it is impossible to set rules to cover every situation the solution might be hiring people who have the mental capacity to be trained to exercise judgment and restraint. This, unfortunately, is difficult because unlike in the private sector the public sector often lacks the customer service culture. It is also much more difficult to dismiss a public sector employee for substandard performance or rudeness to customers. br> -- Paul DeSisto , Lt Col, USAF (Ret.) br> Cedar Grove, New Jersey /p>

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