India's Ambassador Gets Pat-Down At US Airport

[Yeti]

Next time a US ambassador visits India he or she should be met with a good old fashioned pat down in a private room but it won't happen with our goverment who will bend over backwards to make Obama happy

 

[Bang Galore]

I dont believe that she told them she was a ambassador and being a diplomat she has certain rights they pulled her up because she was wearing a sari which is racist and ignorant.

She did & she was escorted by a local police officer who told them the same thing. They still picked on her, the only one among 30 odd people there. She didn't set off any alarm & she is supposed to have asked to be taken to a private screening area which they didn't do.(they are legally bound to do that if requested)

 

[gubbi]

She did & she was escorted by a local police officer who told them the same thing. They still picked on her, the only one among 30 odd people there. She didn't set off any alarm & she is supposed to have asked to be taken to a private screening area which they didn't do.(they are legally bound to do that if requested)

Reading about various complaints against the TSA on many forums and news pieces, it seems that the TSA seems to be going overboard with their security measures. Cant blame them though considering recent news about how scumbags managed to get contraband onboard some aircrafts.

But agreed, atleast they should have the knowledge of accepting and extending diplomatic courtesy to representatives of foreign governments, that too with the CONUS borders!

 

[somebozo]

Next time do it like this girl.
YouTube - Woman Wears Bikini At TSA Airport Security

Woman Wears Bikini Through LAX Airport Security - AOL Travel News

And she is ready to take off those tiny bits as well hiding the necessity!

 

[GentlemanObserver]

This incident was due to TSA rules, which is a FEDERAL agency. Perceived liberalism, or lack thereof, has NOTHING to do with application of federal authority.

I understand but under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations:

Article 31 sub section 3:

No measures of execution may be taken in respect of a diplomatic agent except in the casescoming under subparagraphs (a), (b) and (c) of paragraph 1 of this article, and provided that the
measures concerned can be taken without infringing the inviolability of his person or of his residence.

Therefore it is interesting to see that the body search could be deemed as a violation Article 31. Event the governor has apologised and is investigating.

Even the TSA Head at the airport said that she was searched because
A) She was wearing a Saree
B) They did not have a walk though gate
(This is America people...) An American Airport does not have a walk though gate

All this despite the City Administration Officer and Airport Security Officer having told the searcher she was an "Ambassador".

So much for Diplomatic Immunity.

 

[Bang Galore]

Reading about various complaints against the TSA on many forums and news pieces, it seems that the TSA seems to be going overboard with their security measures. Cant blame them though considering recent news about how scumbags managed to get contraband onboard some aircrafts.

But agreed, atleast they should have the knowledge of accepting and extending diplomatic courtesy to representatives of foreign governments, that too with the CONUS borders!

I have no issue, if as in India, everyone is searched. There need not be any exceptions made in such a case. However if you are allowed to use discretion as is the case, then it would follow that you would do so in this case after being told that the person in question was a senior diplomat by the local officials present. That they did not do so & singled her out is the problem here.

 

[indushek]

This thread is going off on a tangent.

Rules are rules, no matter how stupid they may seem, but need to be applied regardless of how "important" any individual might be in their own mind.

The TSA staff are required to follow procedure for someone with loose draped attire, and that is eactly what they did.

Until the TSA rules are changed, it will and should continue to happen this way.

Racism or any other "conspiracies" that people might seen it this incident are non-existent.

Sir i see the unbiasedness in your argument and i agree with the rules per se, however as an Indian this is humiliating first because our beloved Mr.Kalam was also not spared of this and now a lady i ask of you what a lady would conceal under a saree please tell me. Isn't the world aware of a Saree and particularly she wasn't a nobody, she is an ambassador and an invited guest!!! How she can be treated like that.

I am sorry to say sir but i feel agitated by this behavior which seems high handedness and an insult to this nation, particularly when a series of such incidents occur.

Over all this the spineless reaction of GOI during such episodes makes me saddened.

 

[VCheng]

Sir i see the unbiasedness in your argument and i agree with the rules per se, however as an Indian this is humiliating first because our beloved Mr.Kalam was also not spared of this and now a lady i ask of you what a lady would conceal under a saree please tell me. Isn't the world aware of a Saree and particularly she wasn't a nobody, she is an ambassador and an invited guest!!! How she can be treated like that.

I am sorry to say sir but i feel agitated by this behavior which seems high handedness and an insult to this nation, particularly when a series of such incidents occur.

Over all this the spineless reaction of GOI during such episodes makes me saddened.

I appreciate your point of view, and before I reply, let me just say that I HATE the scanners and the pat-downs, okay?

However, nobody can predict the next plan of attack by terrorists. This invasion of personal space is just one manisfestation of how we ALL are affected by terrorism, in big ways and small, and how it is EVERYBODY's fight to defeat this as quickly as possible.

 

[sanibhagwan]

I appreciate your point of view, and before I reply, let me just say that I HATE the scanners and the pat-downs, okay?

However, nobody can predict the next plan of attack by terrorists. This invasion of personal space is just one manisfestation of how we ALL are affected by terrorism, in big ways and small, and how it is EVERYBODY's fight to defeat this as quickly as possible.

True. But TSA has gone totally insane. Just check their outrageous stories, some of them with video evidence.

Bladder cancer survivor left covered in urine.
4-year-old forced to remove — and walk without — his leg braces
8-year-old on TSA’s watch list
A 3-year-old’s pat-down
Left with pants down due to knee implant
Security leaves woman roughed up
Singled out, cuffed, boarding pass destroyed
Arrested over applesauce
Breast cancer survivor forced to show prosthetic breast
Woman forced to remove nipple ring with pliers.

10 of the Most Outrageous TSA Horror Stories | Raw Justice

 

[GentlemanObserver]

True. But TSA has gone totally insane. Just check their outrageous stories, some of them with video evidence.

Bladder cancer survivor left covered in urine.
4-year-old forced to remove — and walk without — his leg braces
8-year-old on TSA’s watch list
A 3-year-old’s pat-down
Left with pants down due to knee implant
Security leaves woman roughed up
Singled out, cuffed, boarding pass destroyed
Arrested over applesauce
Breast cancer survivor forced to show prosthetic breast
Woman forced to remove nipple ring with pliers.

10 of the Most Outrageous TSA Horror Stories | Raw Justice

Like i said in the first page. It's a sad world we live in. This reminds me of the results from the Stanford Prison Experiment.

Abuse of power... Nothing more

 

[VCheng]

True. But TSA has gone totally insane. Just check their outrageous stories, some of them with video evidence.

Bladder cancer survivor left covered in urine.
4-year-old forced to remove — and walk without — his leg braces
8-year-old on TSA’s watch list
A 3-year-old’s pat-down
Left with pants down due to knee implant
Security leaves woman roughed up
Singled out, cuffed, boarding pass destroyed
Arrested over applesauce
Breast cancer survivor forced to show prosthetic breast
Woman forced to remove nipple ring with pliers.

10 of the Most Outrageous TSA Horror Stories | Raw Justice

Yes, those stories are horrible.

But, my point is this: The process of amending the screening process is already underway and will be refined to reduce such abuses. Part of the reason these are ocurring is that generally, LAW IS BLIND, and therefore sometimes acts like a JACKASS, but it is NOT a reason to SELECTIVELY apply it.

Therefore, the US system will correct these issues itself with DUE PROCESS, and that is one of the biggest qualities of this great nation.

 

[Kinetic]

Is it a thing to discuss? This is their country's procedure and GoI should accept it because they have more important issues with US to discuss not 'pat-down' diplomat!!! lol Its enough that they have made some sounds and now left it.

 

[sanibhagwan]

Yes, those stories are horrible.

But, my point is this: The process of amending the screening process is already underway and will be refined to reduce such abuses. Part of the reason these are ocurring is that generally, LAW IS BLIND, and therefore sometimes sometimes acts like a JACKASS, but it is NOT a reason to SELECTIVELY apply it.

Therefore, the US system will correct these issues itself with DUE PROCESS, and that is one of the biggest qualities of this great nation.

I perfectly understand your POV.

Just because of this obsolete system, people have to endure this humiliation and pain. It could also cause a long term stress for people with disabilities.

Like paladin said, its a cruel world we live it. No sensitivities towards women, children and disabled.

 

[Irfan Baloch]

In Heathrow, a woman with large breasts was singled out for the pat down.. she said that as she appraoched the security zone .. she noticed 2 male security personal sizing her up and checking her out and then one smugly approached her asking for further checking although she was clear from X ray machine.

she maintains that while checking her both male staff members kept their eyes fixed in her blouse. the people in the que could see what was happening but no one dared to speak up as these security people can abuse their powers by delaying the passengers and causing undue stress.

moving to the subject now
regarding this incident (Indian Diplomat in USA) I am not sure what those racist cow boys were looking for from a respected elderly lady. these red necks have no respect for other cultures and then they wonder why the world hates them.

 

[VCheng]

I understand but under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations:

Article 31 sub section 3:

No measures of execution may be taken in respect of a diplomatic agent except in the casescoming under subparagraphs (a), (b) and (c) of paragraph 1 of this article, and provided that the
measures concerned can be taken without infringing the inviolability of his person or of his residence.

Therefore it is interesting to see that the body search could be deemed as a violation Article 31. Event the governor has apologised and is investigating.

Even the TSA Head at the airport said that she was searched because
A) She was wearing a Saree
B) They did not have a walk though gate
(This is America people...) An American Airport does not have a walk though gate

All this despite the City Administration Officer and Airport Security Officer having told the searcher she was an "Ambassador".

So much for Diplomatic Immunity.

Well, the Fourth Amendment of the US Constitution states that:

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

and thus offers the same protection to ALL its citizens, not just diplomats.

However, the government has to protect critical transportation systems from attacks which are being attempted.

It will take some time and refinement to get it right.