Congressional Herp Derp

On March 26, 2012, the House Committee on Oversight & Government Reform held a hearing titled “TSA Oversight Part III: Effective Security or Security Theater?“

Leading security expert, TSA critic, and coiner of the phrase “security theater,” Bruce Schneier had been formally invited by the committee to provide testimony. On Friday, Schneier was informed that his invitation had been revoked by request of the TSA. Supposedly the TSA objected to his testimony on grounds that he is currently involved in a legal suit against the TSA and this somehow disqualifies his testimony.

Well, surely wanting a fair and reasoned hearing the committee found some other security expert to provide testimony, right?

Wrong.

Here is the entire witness list of the day’s hearing:

Assistant Administrator for Security Operations

Transportation Security Administration

Assistant Administrator for Intelligence and Analysis

Transportation Security Administration

Director, Homeland Security Program

U.S. Government Accountability Office

Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security & Stewardship, U.S. Coast Guard

The fist three witnesses having direct interest in not only maintaining the status quo but expanding the program. And the fourth not having any obvious reason to be involved in a hearing on airline security.

Not one witness allowed to testify in a manner that might expose the ineptness of the program or support the protection of civil rights over theater.

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