Yeah!

"I hate to say this guy was asking for it, but this gesture was obviously meant to be provocative."

Provocative? Yes. Last I heard, provocative statements were still permitted in this county, even when they're directed against the government. The fact that he was "asking for it" in no way excuses the flagrant violation of his rights here.

It seems to be pretty commonplace for police and other security personnel to take the power granted to them in order to protect the public and abuse that power to retaliate against personal offenses. What I can't figure out is why the security screener got angry at an insult which was aimed at his boss. Are TSA employees unusually loyal to their employer?

What I can't figure out is why the security screener got angry at an insult which was aimed at his boss. Are TSA employees unusually loyal to their employer?

Yeah, this is pretty bizarre. If I'm wearing a t-shirt that says "Alberto Gonzales Is A Moron," do I therefore risk being detained and questioned by any FBI agent who happens to notice it? The TSA is supposed to be evaluating security risks, not harrassing its critics.

It's surprising they detained him, and idiotic of them. Although Kip Hawley has done more to make digging through people's bags tolerable than any other TSA head, it's still a job that generally has no future and has a microscopic (but still there) chance to end in a horribly violent death. Because really, the people that actually work at the checkpoint don't have any power beyond maybe making you miss your flight. A cop, though...