The more likely possibility, given what Brennan, Napolitano, and Clapper have said is that the US–the entire government–was left out of the loop on this investigation. That’s certainly Britain’s prerogative. You never know when some Dick Cheney figure is going to sabotage a British investigation on them, after all.

The Electronic Privacy Information Center has been suing the Department of Homeland Security because it refused to engage in the public rule-making process before it adopted RapeAScan machines as part of the primary screening at airports. DHS responded to EPIC’s suit the other day. While I think their response will be largely successful as written, [...]

A 59-year-old rape survivor with a pacemaker refused a groping by TSA agents at Austin Bergstrom airport, and was subsequently arrested, pushed to the floor, dragged, and banned from flying from the airport. While the TSA’s pornoscanners weren’t involved in this incident, it shows the newfound prevalence of TSA’s aggressive new groping strategy for anyone who doesn’t clear the first round of security checks.

Know your rights this travel season - download our “Know Your Rights” flier, and visit our TSA coverage page for more on pornoscanners and groping.

After new START gets ratification today, we’re going to apparently get the first test vote on the 9-11 health care bill. With Tom Coburn committed to blocking or at least delaying the bill, there’s no chance of unanimous consent, but the leadership of both parties is working out some kind of agreement to consider it. The House is prepared to pass the measure as well, but they’re waiting to see what the Senate will do.

The new expensive backscatter x-ray scanners installed at airports are fairly worthless because they can’t stop a determined individual from smuggling contraband onto an airplane in a body cavity. But that’s not all; it appears the scanners can easily be defeated by a kitchen rolling pin and a roll of tape.

Senate Democrats want to pass the 9-11 health care bill. But the biggest enemy is not Republican votes, but the clock. Both Tom Coburn and Mike Enzi have signaled that they will force the maximum amount of time to block the bill. It’s fairly disgusting that time cannot be made during the holidays to care for rescue workers sickened through no fault of their own.

Based in part on the FBI’s own manufactured “terrorist attack” DC’s commuters will experience the job of random searches.

Who needs real terrorist threats when the FBI can invent their own?

It’s fallen to The Daily Show’s JON STEWART, of all people, to make an issue of the failure to pass the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which would provide needed funds to victims of the environmental and health hazards at Ground Zero.. He basically turned his show over to it last night.

According to DHS’ John Pistole, it’s up to him–his responsibility–to determine what the appropriate balance between privacy and security.

Now, I appreciate that, at some level, it is up to him. He’s in charge of TSA and he’s got to make the final decision whether to implement (or discontinue) a controversial scanning technology.

But it’s not up to him.

As TSA’s Blogger Bob says, “Don’t Believe It!” Except about your salary, Blogger Bob. That we’re gonna freeze.