Maybe we should all just walk. 

wow… i wonder how he feels about their implementation. :)

So, upon quick internet research (I know), it seems “deafie” is primarily a term deaf people use within their community.

So, with that, I’m really wondering if a hearing person (in Kentucky) used the word as a slur against this guy.  Therefore I’m gonna question whether they said “USO” as well.

None of this releases the TSA from their constant offenses, of course.  I’m just not fully on board with this one happening as reported.

there, fixed it for ya.

There weren’t many agents available and I had to wait a while, my husband was already through and  wondering where I was. About a dozen people passed me as I stood near the entrance to the scanners, (a couple of families with little kids) and it probably would have taken longer if I hadn’t been paged over the intercom (my credit card had fallen out of my husband’s bag, I asked him to hold onto it while I dug for my passport in the line up). The TSA agent was clearly annoyed and finally asked another agent to take me to the secondary screening area where I was to get patted down.I had gotten pat downs before and had no problem with it, but this was prior to the more aggressive pat down policies that were recently put in place. The woman was indeed aggressive, barking questions at me  about medical devices (I told her I had an internal implant on my spine and she didn’t seem to understand what that meant until I explained that it was UNDER the skin); she didn’t pat down but pressed hard, almost pushing me over a few times as she flattened her hands on my butt and back. And of course, the genital area thwack. I thought I was braced for this, thought I had all the right things to say, but after it was done I was physically shaking, in shock. And I was angry.I bitched about it on Twitter and when I got home, wrote complaint letters to both the TSA and Alaska Airlines but the responses were disinterested at best. TSA: “we did everything proper”,  Alaska: “Sorry, nothing we can do, you should complain to the TSA.”And every trip to the US since has been a massive stress fest. In fact, I’ve actively avoided going to the US by air unless absolutely necessary. It’s also why a part of me is glad to be missing SDCC this year.I just can’t understand why so many are okay with this happening. Police aren’t allowed to do half of this shit but jumped up security guards can?  What the fuck is happening to the country?

Karma is a bitch… 

The whole organization seems to be run by psychopaths: No fear of punishment or retribution, no desire to normalize behavior to the level of human decency, constant manipulation of others, preying on the elderly, the very young and the infirm and the disabled

If we really want security and the preservation of human dignity at the same time, we’re not going to get it at wage levels that compete with fast food labor.

TSA screeners are paid a lot more than fast food workers. They’re fully-benefitted, good jobs in the current world economy.

Pay Band Minimum Maximum
A $17,083 $24,977
B $19,570 $28,546
C $22,167 $33,303
D $25,518 $38,277
E $29,302 $44,007
F $33,627 $50,494
G $39,358 $60,982
H $48,007 $74,390
I $58,495 $90,717
J $71,364 $110,612
K $85,311 $132,237
L $101,962 $155,500
M $120,236 $155,500

The above rates are basic pay rates and do not include locality pay. 2011 and 2012 basic pay rates are limited to $155,500. 2011 and 2012 adjusted pay rates (base pay plus locality) are limited to $172,550.

This is for ALL TSA employees. Most people will not be in those bottom few tiers, and minimum pay is usually a probationary rate.

In addition to rewarding work, you will be eligible for numerous benefits during your career with TSA.

- A wide choice of health insurance programs
- Personal leave days for vacation, illness, and family care
- Ten paid holidays per year
- Paid training
- Fully portable Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401(k))
- Non-taxable Flexible Spending Accounts for out-of-pocket medical or dependant expenses
- Transportation subsidies
- Defined benefit retirement plan
- Flexible work schedules
- Employee recognition program
- Life and long-term care insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Uniform allowance
- Telework

These kind of benefits generally add 25-50% to the value of base pay.

From what he wrote, part of his concern is the intense anger that other people are having.  He says:

“Honestly, I want an apology from these people and an opportunity to educate them. That’s it. 
This has turned into disability porn because these people are crying over it, talking about how they want to “move to canada”, and honestly just…..wanking over it and making it more dramatic than it really was. They’re angrier than I am. They’re sadder than I am. They’re calling for vengeance while I’m not. The guy it actually happened to. What the shit, people. This is not ok.”

It’s definitely a difficult situation the information has been released into the wild and there is no way to stop that. Presented with the same information, at the time I would have done the same thing you did.

What I would love now is to encourage people to be mindful about how and why they’re sharing this person’s  story. 

The shirt he’s wearing says: “nothing about us without us” is the idea that policies should not be made about marginalized groups without their direct & full involvement. I would strongly suggest people read his own words and try to be guided by what he wants to happen to his own case .  He says he wants an apology & an opportunity to educate. 

http://teaandtheatre.tumblr.com
http://thelegalizeddeafies.tumblr.com/

A different person in a different situation might want all the viral righteous anger of the internet (which is a powerful and amazing force). It’s just in this specific case, this person would prefer people act on his behalf (creating petitions, organizing complaint calls, etc) without asking him first.

I think it’s more, “create a job that only douchebags would enjoy doing, get douchebags.”