And if they had done the smart thing and lawyered up instantly, then let the rest of the story play out, there would have still been a media storm, saner heads would have stilled prevailed in 24 hours, and they still would be getting off consequence free. Except they'd have working computers and no data in the hands of possibly vindictive TSA agents.<p>I love cops. Don't ever talk to them.
After they imaged the blogger's hard drive in its entirety and also downloaded the contents of both his phones?<p>And then intimidated the other by claiming they would get him fired from KLM?<p>Each of these guys should go after the goons, attaching their personal assets if he wins, using a "Bivens" claim.
I'm not sure that merely apologizing is good enough. The TSA needs to explain how they're going to ensure that these sort of heavy handed tactics won't be used again and what disciplinary actions the agents involved will be facing.
We don't make the rules, but we should play by them. In the USA, there is no good outcome to believing, or cooperating with, any police authority at the federal level. Its not a matter of political views, its just the way the system works. Even at the local level, when in doubt, or if their the slightest bit threatening or intimidating, shut up and lawyer up.