TSA to randomly swab passengers' hands to search for explosives

[Jenna]

Previously, screeners swabbed some carry-on luggage and other objects as they searched for the needle in the security haystack -- components of terrorist bombs in an endless stream of luggage.
But after the Christmas Day attempted bombing of Northwest Flight 253 over Detroit, Michigan, the TSA began a program of swabbing passengers' hands, which could be contaminated by explosive materials, experts say. The TSA will greatly expand the swabbing in the coming weeks, the agency said.

Stanley said the ACLU is chiefly concerned that the TSA does not discriminate when selecting people for enhanced screening -- something the agency said it does not do -- and that it treat people with dignity.
"We would not want to see it implemented in a discriminatory fashion, for example, in a disproportionate way against Muslims and Arabs or, for example, people with red hair or anything else. Security experts from across the spectrum will tell you that that's not just unfair and unjust and not the American way, it's also a terrible way to do security," Stanley said.
Swabbing also should not be used to test for nonsecurity-related contraband, such as drugs, he said. "Under the Constitution, searches in airports are only for the purpose of protecting the security of airline transportation; they are not general law enforcement stops. And so it wouldn't be permissible for the government to use these trace portal detectors to look for drugs," Stanley said.

More here: TSA to swab airline passengers' hands in search for explosives - CNN.com

[Captain America]

More hassles for 89 year old grandmothers while young Middle Eastern Males wearing turbans are exempt for fears of profiling complaints.

[KaiGywer]

I think I might start fondling my guns before I leave for the airport

[NC Bullseye]

I don't want ANY TSA agent rubbing something moist on my hands.....

[Captain America]

Smart move to publicly announce the new searches so that terrorist can take steps with the prior knowledge to defeat them. The TSA couldn't find thier collectives heads at a proctology clinic.

[TXCharlie]

I think I might start fondling my guns before I leave for the airport

Seems like a light dusting with gunpowder would be a great protest action if you don't mind cavity searches - A lot of false-positives would eventually stop the TSA from trusting the test.

[sgtbear111]

Captain America said it all.

[Bob Loblaw]

Smart move to publicly announce the new searches so that terrorist can take steps with the prior knowledge to defeat them. The TSA couldn't find thier collectives heads at a proctology clinic.

my thoughts exactly...what're you doing in my head?!?!?!?

[Odd]

Hmm...

Say they don't announce the swabbing. Forensic specialists trained by watching CSI determine the TSA is collecting DNA samples. Blogosphere ignites. Kevin Smith rallies a Twitter robot skeleton army. Alex Jones reports the real story is that the TSA is spreading H1N1 to boost vaccination demand and arranges a protest. CNN sends Anderson Vanderbilt to the scene to report. Flights are delayed, panic ensues, TSA Blogger Bob parachutes in to restore order.

Ok, probably not. Saved me from giving a serious thought to the TSA though.

Also, I predict a spike in the first week of the seventh month. Of course they could just back off on the program during that time...