TSA to block "controversial opinions" from employees The Transportation Security Agency, itself the subject of pretty much continuous controversy over its secretive and error-prone no-fly list and other tactics, has decided to block its employees from Web sites that present "controversial opinions" -- according to an internal memo obtained by CBS: http://bit.ly/cwByuj (CBS).
While the other topics on the TSA block list are not particularly unusual for conservative CYA organization block lists, including "chat/messaging," "criminal activity," and "gaming" -- the inclusion of "controversial opinions" on the forbidden list can't help but bring a definite Orwellian tint to the picture. In fact, one would hope that TSA employees, working for an agency that itself generates so much controversy, would *encourage* the exploration of controversial opinions -- whatever they are supposed to be -- not ban them. At this time, TSA has not detailed exactly what verboten controversial opinions include. Concerns about body scanners? Negative opinions of Air Marshall techniques? Op-eds that question the degree to which TSA procedures represent real security vs. just "security theater" and the like? Many observers are waiting for TSA's clarifications on this issue. --Lauren-- NNSquad Moderator
