TSA On Fake Bomb Tests: No Comment

Federal inspectors were able to slip a fake bomb -- but not a bottle of water -- pass Transportation Security Administration screeners during tests at Albany International Airport, the Albany Times-Union reports.

What really gets me about this story is the statement by a TSA spokeswoman explaining her refusal to talk about the tests: "We don't discuss the results because they tend to paint an inaccurate picture of the competency of our work force." Come again? Assuming that the picture is in fact inaccurate, how could you possibly corect it if you refuse to talk about it?

What's worse, the essence of this statement is that TSA won't talk about something if it thinks the subject makes the agency or its employees look bad. That simply isn't a legitimate reason for refusing to comment on taxpayer-funded public services to media organizations who report on the government's activities.

There may be other legitimate reasons for taking a no-comment policy in this case -- for example, not wanting to let potential terrorists in on the details of how we test our security operations. But simply trying to avoid any subject that might paint the agency in a bad light doesn't cut it.