First, pilots and airline crew became exempt from the full body scanners. Now, a bill is being introduced to speed members of the military and their families through airport security.

“Common sense says they should not be viewed as potential terrorists in our airports,” said Rep. Chip Cravaack, R-Minn., a retired Navy captain with 24 years of service.

Yes, because there are no more Tim McVieghs or Nidal Hasans anywhere in our US Military. Also, because the spouse is in the military, their families also couldn’t possibly harbor any ill will against the United States so let’s just make an excuse for them too.

His proposal would give the TSA six months from the time the bill becomes law to develop and implement a policy for service members that doesn’t require an additional screening. To do this, the bill asks for guidelines to be established for the screening of military uniforms, including combat boots and other items containing metal.

TSA rules for service members require Class A uniform jackets and metal belt buckles to be removed. Also, as with other passengers, all metal must be removed from pockets.

Rules say that service members in uniform with valid military identification are not required to remove their footwear unless the shoes or boots set off the metal detector. They also recommend that service members check to make certain prohibited items are not in carry-on luggage.

Under the proposed bill, service members can keep their shoes and metal on because they’re service members and, automatically, not a threat. If this bill becomes a law, no one traveling on official orders would be required to complete additional screening, no matter what is detected. They will be free to move on their way.

After much controversy and media attention, the budget for the TSA is being slashed by $76 million next year. This money was specifically allocated to be spent on full body scanners. We now know that the scanners are not what was advertised and many have known from the start that they would not detect any of the current threats the USA is supposedly under right now.

Defending the program, Homeland Security Department spokesman Adam Fetcher said that since early 2010 the full body scanners have led to the detection of nearly 210 prohibited, illegal or dangerous items at checkpoints nationwide.

These machines cost about $2 million each, yet, Fetcher is defending the program over 210 found items? That’s less than one plane full of passengers. What must also be considered is how many of these items would have been found under the old system.

In the meantime, the TSA will feel free to continue robbing passengers, groping babies, and giving “trusted travelers” preferential treatment. Just how many more people need special exemptions to the TSA policies before everyone realizes that the TSA is security theater and a job scheme all rolled into one?