5 ms·

Lots of good points. But he does state his disability in public on the web, no problem, while also complaining that he doesn't want to be outed at airports. I'm

Lots of good points. But he does state his disability in public on the web, no problem, while also complaining that he doesn't want to be outed at airports. I'm unclear on why being outed at airports is so bad if telling the whole world is ok. If he addressed this apparent contradiction I'd sympathize even more.

dthunt 14y ago
Context is important. Speech by choice is very different than being unlawfully questioned and to have your possessions, medical liquid or otherwise, held hostage contingent on your reply.
- coudron 14y ago
  I think it's safe to say juice is traditionally not considered a medical liquid. In that situation, he is asking for an exception. It is his requirement to justify the request that his juice should be considered a medial liquid. It's unreasonable to say that he shouldn't have to justify its reclassification as a medical liquid without a few facts and disclosing a few details of his situation. Otherwise, every person would claim their soda/juice is a medical liquid and say they don't have answer questions because it is a medical thing.
  - dthunt 14y ago
    I might agree, if juice were a regulated substance, and if people were required to walk around with documentation about their medical issues. As far as reasonability - he's correct in noting that the TSA is not entitled to your medical history. Moreover, TSA screeners are generally not doctors (some may be), they're not YOUR doctor, and they're certainly not in a position to decide what is or isn't medically necessary for you. Does this mean that you should be able to get your juice past security by claiming to have a medical condition? No. It means you should be able to do that without having to disclose anything about your health, and the only remedy that should be available is for the TSA to screen the liquid if they feel it is necessary to ensure passenger safety. Is that unfair? Maybe, but so is a ridiculous ban on a liter bottle of safe substances.
whathappenedto 14y ago
I think he means he doesn't want to be ostracized at airports. Just because you are out about something doesn't mean you should have to declare it at the airport and make a scene. Plenty of gay people are out but they don't have to be questioned about it at the airport.
steveklabnik 14y ago
Different contexts are different. While at an airport, few are likely to connect his face with his website and have it known that he has a disability. Even if he's talked about it on his site, that doesn't mean it's automatically known to every person everywhere, humanity is not a hivemind. Furthermore, he's attempting to advocate for others who may also not want their disability known. He gives up his privacy in a certain setting in order to (hopefully) allow many others to never have to give up theirs.
drivebyacct2 14y ago
Shame? Having to get patted down and trying to explain your disability and why you need exceptions in a place where TSA acts like God? It's entirely different. It's as different as choosing to come out or being outed. I sympathize with people with disabilities, they know that people are sympathetic and it's very awkward to have to make excuses for yourself for a disability you have no control over. On the other hand, in your own forum while making a point, it makes perfect sense to use that context to explain why it was embarrassing and is in need of proper training or policy modification.
rdtsc 14y ago
You fail to address the fact that it is him choosing to disclose it. That is very different from being forced to. The serious problem I see here is that even after he indicated he is not able to talk to them they refused him to use pen and paper. I also have a speech impediment and carry those with me. Taking them away and not letting someone use them when they are already frazzled and upset is like asking someone in the wheelchair to just "stop being a pussy and get up and walk" or accusing them of "being uncooperative".
mgkimsal 14y ago
I think he's fighting this on principle, and doesn't want others to have to out themselves either.

dthunt 14y ago

Context is important. Speech by choice is very different than being unlawfully questioned and to have your possessions, medical liquid or otherwise, held hostage contingent on your reply.

coudron 14y ago
I think it's safe to say juice is traditionally not considered a medical liquid. In that situation, he is asking for an exception. It is his requirement to justify the request that his juice should be considered a medial liquid. It's unreasonable to say that he shouldn't have to justify its reclassification as a medical liquid without a few facts and disclosing a few details of his situation. Otherwise, every person would claim their soda/juice is a medical liquid and say they don't have answer questions because it is a medical thing.
- dthunt 14y ago
  I might agree, if juice were a regulated substance, and if people were required to walk around with documentation about their medical issues. As far as reasonability - he's correct in noting that the TSA is not entitled to your medical history. Moreover, TSA screeners are generally not doctors (some may be), they're not YOUR doctor, and they're certainly not in a position to decide what is or isn't medically necessary for you. Does this mean that you should be able to get your juice past security by claiming to have a medical condition? No. It means you should be able to do that without having to disclose anything about your health, and the only remedy that should be available is for the TSA to screen the liquid if they feel it is necessary to ensure passenger safety. Is that unfair? Maybe, but so is a ridiculous ban on a liter bottle of safe substances.

whathappenedto 14y ago

I think he means he doesn't want to be ostracized at airports. Just because you are out about something doesn't mean you should have to declare it at the airport and make a scene. Plenty of gay people are out but they don't have to be questioned about it at the airport.

steveklabnik 14y ago

Different contexts are different. While at an airport, few are likely to connect his face with his website and have it known that he has a disability. Even if he's talked about it on his site, that doesn't mean it's automatically known to every person everywhere, humanity is not a hivemind. Furthermore, he's attempting to advocate for others who may also not want their disability known. He gives up his privacy in a certain setting in order to (hopefully) allow many others to never have to give up theirs.

drivebyacct2 14y ago

Shame? Having to get patted down and trying to explain your disability and why you need exceptions in a place where TSA acts like God? It's entirely different. It's as different as choosing to come out or being outed. I sympathize with people with disabilities, they know that people are sympathetic and it's very awkward to have to make excuses for yourself for a disability you have no control over. On the other hand, in your own forum while making a point, it makes perfect sense to use that context to explain why it was embarrassing and is in need of proper training or policy modification.

rdtsc 14y ago

You fail to address the fact that it is him choosing to disclose it. That is very different from being forced to. The serious problem I see here is that even after he indicated he is not able to talk to them they refused him to use pen and paper. I also have a speech impediment and carry those with me. Taking them away and not letting someone use them when they are already frazzled and upset is like asking someone in the wheelchair to just "stop being a pussy and get up and walk" or accusing them of "being uncooperative".

mgkimsal 14y ago

I think he's fighting this on principle, and doesn't want others to have to out themselves either.