TSA Nominee Faces New Problems

(CBS)  With heightened concerns over balancing airport security and the right to privacy, it could mean trouble for the president's pick to head up transportation security: Erroll Southers.

Southers had already admitted to a "grave error in judgment" 22 years ago: improperly using his position at the FBI to get a police official to run a background check on his then estranged wife's boyfriend, reports CBS News investigative correspondent Sharyl Attkisson.

In November, Southers assured Senators - under oath - it was an isolated lapse.

"Have you ever in the past misused your access to databases that the government maintains, other than the one incident that lead to this censure?" asked Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine.

"No, Senator, I have not," Southers replied.

But a week later, Southers contradicted that account. It was in a letter he wrote to the Senate Homeland Security Committee Nov. 20, as reported by the Washington Post Friday.

Southers admitted it wasn't someone else who accessed confidential government databases, but he himself. And not once - but twice. Southers also disclosed a third apparent breach: he downloaded confidential law enforcement records in 1987 or 1988.

"We don't have a 22-year-old problem, we have a current problem with this gentleman where he can't really be up front and tell the truth," said aviation consultant Mike Boyd. "We can't have that at the top of our Transportation Security Administration."

Peter Goelz, a top transportation official under President Clinton, says the public should not be concerned.

"I think Southers, from having gone through this examination of his mistake is going to be very tough on access to private records," Goelz said.

Southers isn't talking, but the White House stood behind him Friday. With Congress on holiday break, it is too soon to know whether these revelations will hurt his chances for confirmation.

[kkrant]

So, Sen. Diment doesn't believe that those who protect the nations transportation should have the bargaining rights that the rest of
us enjoy.

I don't believe that Senators who belive any workers shouldn't be allowed to collectively bargain, should be allowed to collectively
enact the laws of our nation.

[wyodutch]

Peter Goelz, a top transportation official under President Clinton, says the public should not be concerned... "I think Southers, from having gone through this examination of his mistake is going to be very tough on access to private records," Goelz said.
.
Good point... Maybe we hire ex-con child molesters to work for Child Protective Services for this very same reason. Or maybe hire convicted rapists as rape counselors.
.
My God... how low can this nation sink?

[wyodutch]

An apologist stated... "This is stupid. Yes, the guy researched the criminal record of his ex-wife's new boyfriend. But, the reason he did it was because HIS OWN SON was living with his ex-wife and this new boyfriend of hers, and he was worried about his son's safety. For the people condemming him for taking a peek in the files, if your own child was living in some other home, I think if you were in the same circumstances, you would go taking a peek at the files also."
.
Point remains, Bubba... what he did was illegal.. e.g., against the law. His actions were akin to an IRS employee using the IRS database to locate people to further his own, private, debt collection service.
.
He should have been canned on the spot.

[Freedomforever88]

I thought after 9/11 when the federal gov't decided to make all airport screeners gov't employees, this was suppose to make air travel more safe. Weren't the screeners in Boston before 9/11 already gov't employees?

[tmittelstaed]

This is stupid. Yes, the guy researched the criminal record of his ex-wife's new boyfriend. But, the reason he did it was because HIS OWN SON was living with his ex-wife and this new boyfriend of hers, and he was worried about his son's safety.
For the people condemming him for taking a peek in the files, if your own child was living in some other home, I think if you were in the same circumstances, you would go taking a peek at the files also.

[sunday42]

Maybe, but I would be smarter about it and that's what I see as the problem. Then telling a lie about it and placing the blame on a lapse of memory is just bunk. This guy is typical of the class of people BHO sorrounds himself with and is forcing on the American people to the detriment of our security.

[nearl451]

No Blocked, we think it should be OK because it was to protect someone - his offspring.

Or because Bush did it, hypocrite.

[fedupwithlies2]

freedom of speech is obama's next strike.

Do you want your internet shut off by Obama?
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/11/03/Senate-Bill-Would-Give-President-Obama-Authority-to-Pull-the-Plug-on-Your-Internet.aspx


boycott all news that does NOT let you Comment freely

[nearl451]

Everytime I read your handle, I become fed up with the latest hoax.

Yeah,you sure have been cut off with your random rants of God knows what next.

Although they do not CBS should permamently ban such lunacy, and it speaks to their ultimate repectof 1st amdmt rights that they don't.

So QUIT complaining.

[ludvig1-2009]

I voted for Obama. If the gentleman tried to get dirt through govt. files, he should find another non-government job.

[nearl451]

One picture and i can see why Jim Demint is blocking this nominee.

Cause he's black.

Otherwise Republicans SUPPORTED all violations of privacy invasion of the past Administration because theywere fighting "terra".

You can't have it both ways. Either the TSA is too lenient or too aggressive.

[nearl451]

On second thought, Obama could nominate Dick Cheney for this role and the Neocons would criticize his collusion with Haaliburton and call him too lenient.

Party of NO Party of NO.

[nearl451]

But Colin Powell definitely NOT (for obvious reason stated above -to Repubs/Demint).

[armyoftwelve]

One laps 22 years ago is no big deal. The more recent lapses ARE a cause for concern. Maybe he isn't the one for this job.

[FauxNews]

He abuses power and lies under oath. I guess the Obama Administration stands behind him because he's a perfect match.

[gboyd41]

FausNews-you are correct. He will fit in nicely with this admin. Appears you have to have a past history of tax evasion, abuse of power, ect., to be a member of the ruling OB elite. God help us all.

[nor-one]

Abuse of power? Lies under oath? You've got a short memmory Faux, the last crew in the white house wrote the book. They even lied us right into a war, stole our freedoms with their "patriot act" and then destroyed our economy just to cap it all off!! This guy is a boy scout!