TSA Showdown a Watershed Moment in Battle For Freedom

A bill that would criminalize invasive TSA pat downs in Texas has risen like a phoenix from the flames, with Governor Rick Perry being forced to include the item on the agenda for the current special session of the legislature, setting the stage for what could potentially become a watershed moment in the battle to peel back a federal power grab that has characterized the advance of big government.

Despite initially shirking responsibility by erroneously claiming that the bill did not have enough support to pass, Governor Perry was forced to place the item on the special session agenda yesterday, meaning TSA workers could face a year in jail or a $4,000 fine if they “touch the anus, sexual organ, buttocks, or breast of another person, even thought that person’s clothing’ for the purpose of ‘granting access to a building or a form of transportation,” according to the text of the legislation.

Under the terms of the Texas Constitution, Perry has the authority to forward bills for the consideration of the special session, and that’s precisely what he did yesterday, announcing, “Legislation relating to prosecution and punishment for the offense of official oppression of persons seeking access to public buildings and transportation.”

Following Perry’s announcement, sponsor of the bill Senator Dan Patrick stated, “The people’s voice has been heard in Austin. Thanks for the literally thousands of calls & e-mails. This is a “Come & Take It Moment” again for Texas… Once again Texas will take a stand that will reverberate around the nation.”