4 ms·

I think it he handled it pretty well, but I really hope he doesn't press charges. I'm as against the ridiculous new regulations as anyone, but I'm surprised by

I think it he handled it pretty well, but I really hope he doesn't press charges. I'm as against the ridiculous new regulations as anyone, but I'm surprised by the general lack of sympathy for the actual TSA agents on the ground, regardless of anything...just as a matter of course. As far as I can tell the agent in question made an honest mistake, they didn't notify Penn. I have a hard time believing anyone who travels could be unaware of the new regulations. This doesn't excuse the mistake, but it's important to put it in context. They definitely dropped the ball, and deserve some sort of chastisement... but is slapping them with an assault charge really fair? It seems to me it would be taking it out on the little guy... I don't envy these people...they're generally hated and I don't know if you've notice but the general American public is not largely composed of people I'd want to lay hands on. They probably have to frisk 1000's of people a day, and as many in Penn's story confirm this is all so new and up in the air. Everyone makes mistakes sometimes....it's unavoidable. Doctors sometimes make mistakes, and people die. Generally though, they are only punished if they really screwed up...and even then not with criminal charges. It's also worth noting Doctors are generally well paid for the responsibilities their position entails. TSA agents are probably not paid terribly well, but regardless are expected to be perfect machines. The problem is all this stuff about sexual assault clouds the issue....there is a lot of potential for a (and I hesitate to use the term, but I'm not sure how else to phrase it) "real" sexual assault to occur...where a TSA agent is clearly and deliberately overstepping the bounds...and when that happens it may be lost in all the other stories of people who are shrieking "sexual assault" just because they (rightly) disagree with this stupid policy. I have a hard time believing Penn really felt as if he was assualted, except perhaps a metaphorical assault against his dignity and personal liberties. That is a serious assault...but this agent is not the one responsible for that. The attitude some people have towards TSA agents strikes me as childish and incredibly entitled. We should be holding individual agents accountable, but I can't help like feeling people are holding them to a higher standard than is really realistic, and are misdirecting their anger....it should be directed at the policy makers not the poor shmoes who it falls upon to enforce it...people just trying to make a living and get by. I would say making a fuss, and even calling the Cops was a good idea as it really registers the outrage and puts a cost on keeping this stupid policy....ruining some poor shmoes life with actual assault charges? not so much...

araneae 16y ago
Right, so if a Jew was getting walked to gas chamber, they shouldn't get mad at the Nazi that was doing it because they were just following orders? OBVIOUSLY it isn't as bad, but you have every right to get mad at someone for doing something that's oppressive, even if they are a wage-slave.
- M1573RMU74710N 16y ago
  Well there's a couple problems here: 1) I'm not saying "don't get mad"...I explicitly said otherwise. I'm saying "we should punish appropriately" 2) The basis for this is not so much that they were following orders....the basis is they made a mistake while carrying out their job. There's a big difference between someone who is a murderer for a living and a Doctor who makes a (reasonable) mistake and kills someone. The Doctor shouldn't get off Scott-free, but neither should they be charged with first degree murder. The "just following orders" bit comes in because let's be honest: There seems to be an undercurrent here based on the fact that Penn has a disagreement with this policy. So Penn basically "has it out" for this guy in advance based on the fact that he disagrees with what the guy's bosses ordered. Like I said before, the guy screwed up...but it must be put in context. I think it's important to discriminate between someone who through circumstances does something oppressive, and someone who ACTS oppressive. In the case of the former, you should take issue with the act, and the circumstances. In the latter case, you also take issue with the person. I don't have much to go on, but I get the general impression that this was just some poor shmoe trying to do his job. He didn't set out to violate Penn's rights. Penn shouldn't just drop it...but neither should he ruin the guys life. It's very easy (and imho a little lazy) to say "well they should just quit their job instead of being a tool for the man. There's so much wrong with that sentiment I don't know where to begin. To answer your question directly: No, you should not as a matter of course. A lot of Nazis were practically kids. They may have been drafted...if they disobeyed orders, they might have been shot or sent to the Eastern Front. By staying, they might have been able to treat the Jews a little better than their replacement would...who knows. Again, this doesn't absolve them but it's important to put in context. Who you should direct your anger at is the people who ordered the Jews into the gas chamber...and the people who agreed with it.
16y ago

araneae 16y ago

Right, so if a Jew was getting walked to gas chamber, they shouldn't get mad at the Nazi that was doing it because they were just following orders? OBVIOUSLY it isn't as bad, but you have every right to get mad at someone for doing something that's oppressive, even if they are a wage-slave.

M1573RMU74710N 16y ago
Well there's a couple problems here: 1) I'm not saying "don't get mad"...I explicitly said otherwise. I'm saying "we should punish appropriately" 2) The basis for this is not so much that they were following orders....the basis is they made a mistake while carrying out their job. There's a big difference between someone who is a murderer for a living and a Doctor who makes a (reasonable) mistake and kills someone. The Doctor shouldn't get off Scott-free, but neither should they be charged with first degree murder. The "just following orders" bit comes in because let's be honest: There seems to be an undercurrent here based on the fact that Penn has a disagreement with this policy. So Penn basically "has it out" for this guy in advance based on the fact that he disagrees with what the guy's bosses ordered. Like I said before, the guy screwed up...but it must be put in context. I think it's important to discriminate between someone who through circumstances does something oppressive, and someone who ACTS oppressive. In the case of the former, you should take issue with the act, and the circumstances. In the latter case, you also take issue with the person. I don't have much to go on, but I get the general impression that this was just some poor shmoe trying to do his job. He didn't set out to violate Penn's rights. Penn shouldn't just drop it...but neither should he ruin the guys life. It's very easy (and imho a little lazy) to say "well they should just quit their job instead of being a tool for the man. There's so much wrong with that sentiment I don't know where to begin. To answer your question directly: No, you should not as a matter of course. A lot of Nazis were practically kids. They may have been drafted...if they disobeyed orders, they might have been shot or sent to the Eastern Front. By staying, they might have been able to treat the Jews a little better than their replacement would...who knows. Again, this doesn't absolve them but it's important to put in context. Who you should direct your anger at is the people who ordered the Jews into the gas chamber...and the people who agreed with it.

16y ago