Ashley Jessica TSA: Did Airport Security Molest an InfoWars Activist?

Impact
ByAlyssa Farah

It isn't news to anyone that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) isn't one of the most popular government agencies.

TSA came under fire earlier this week when an activist affiliated with Alex Jones's conspiracy site InfoWars.com, Ashley Jessica, circulated a video of her being "groped" by a TSA employee in a security line en route to Toronto.

Of the numerous videos circulating the web of TSA agents patting down airport passengers, Jessica's is one of the less invasive or disturbing. In 2011, a video went viral of former Miss USA Susie Castillo in tears on camera explaining that she felt "molested" after a TSA pat-down.

 Videos and pictures of children and the elderly being patted down have also brought about mass public outcry over the invasive searches.

Jessica's video is much less disturbing in nature than other videos of invasive search procedures that have gone viral. Perhaps this is because, as many have eluded, the video seems to be staged by the activist.

Regardless of the authenticity of Jessica’s video, it is a needed reminder that these invasive security protocols still exist, even though they have fallen out of the media spotlight.

It is a sad reality that we live in a world in which the degree of airport security that we currently have is even necessary. Due to the ever-evolving nature of the threats that we face, it is understandable why new procedures have been implemented. From 9/11 to the underwear bomber, Americans have had to adapt to whatever new threat arises.

This past week alone, the TSA found 65 handguns in airport passengers' carry-ons. 54 were loaded.

The TSA exists to serve and protect American citizens. It's a shame that cases of agency employees violating citizens' bodies and rights has permanently marred the organization.

It doesn't help the agency’s case that the Department of Homeland Security, under which TSA falls, took 20 months to respond to a 2011 court order to allow public comment on the use of full body scanners.

It's a shame that after years of public outcry over TSA abuse, it appears the problem has not ended. If nothing else, this case has brought the issue back into the media spotlight and may serve to reignite the discussion over how far is "too far" when it comes to security.