http://rt.com/usa/double-amputee-marine-tsa-506/ It’s bad enough that a US Marine lost both his legs in combat. But after TSA agents forced the wheelchair-bound man to stand up, walk and remove his prosthetic legs at an airport in Phoenix, he was publicly humiliated for his disability. Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) sent a letter to the Transportation Security Administration this week, condemning TSA officers for mistreating the wounded soldier on March 13. The Marine, who is still on active duty, had lost both of his legs in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast while deployed. The man is now confined to a wheelchair. He showed up at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport with an escort that helped him get around. In his complaint addressed to TSA Administrator John Pistole, Hunter said that the agency made the Marine feel “humiliated.” “The individual escorting this Marine asked the TSA officer which of the two checkpoints to enter and received the response, ‘either one,’ only to be told moments later they should have entered a different way,” Hunter explained in his letter. Moments later, TSA officers ordered the wounded Marine to get out of his wheelchair and subsequently remove his prosthetic legs, subjecting him to immense pain while he struggled to get out of his wheelchair. Read More: http://rt.com/usa/double-amputee-marine-tsa-506/
I wonder if this incident is covered by any other media outlet. I find that "Russia Today" sometimes lacks impartiality, and their reporting is not always properly attributed to original sources.
If this is a true incident, it is beyond disgusting. The marine sacrificed limbs to protect others and should be treated like the hero that he is. Shame on TSA for another episode of callous stupidity.
Did other (than RT) media outlets cover this incident? Maybe my Google abilities are not as great as others'. Reading that did make my blood boil though... I've gone through PHX many times and never had a problem. I've been told racism stories and stuff by others, but I've personally been treated very cordially and professionally every time.
MSM probably doesn't think this is "news" or anything wrong worth reporting -- after all, he was a white male, probably a Republican. But it appears to have been covered in the Washington Times. http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog...ents-humiliated-wounded-marine-aggressive-in/ See also: http://reason.com/blog/2013/03/19/covered-at-reason-247-tsa-forced-wounded/print
How do you know the marine's race? I could not find find in the articles any identity info about the principals in this incident. Btw, the photo in "The Washington Times" is unrelated to the article. I'm guessing that the congressman's letter is the original source of this story. It'd be important to hear directly from the people involved, perhaps see CCTV footage.
I am surprised somebody was able to take pics. Usually at TSA or CBP checkpoints they do not allow cameras or cell phones out.
Well, they try... but it's not illegal to photograph them. I know this from personal experience that involved a TSA supervisor, the Charlotte airport police, and an apology from a TSA employee to me in front of said group.