Over confidence ...

Gaius Publius haz it. If you think the American people, sheep that they are, will stand up to this, aside from a few isolated incidents, it's time to change the color of your glasses:

...

Look, no cop with confidence, when challenged, says "Please go away." The cop puts you instantly on the ground with a baton across the back of your neck; or you get Tased. Rules of engagement.

These TSA cops, however, do not have confidence, not yet. The issue is new, and they haven't pulled their act fully together. Is what they are doing really sexual assault? No one is sure, yet. Thus, when a big enough light (a celebrity flashlight, in this case) is shining, they back away.

...

But, as I said the other day, we are a cowardly bunch. We'll take it and ask for more. As long as life here doesn't emulate Soviet Russia (i.e. standing on line for 36-grit toilet paper), ain't nobody in this country gonna stand up, en masse, to anything. Before long (a month or two), the TSA is gonna be another boot-on-the-neck, Gestapo-type police agency just like the local cops.

Dear America,

On 12 September 2001, the terrorists won.

Regards,

Fixer