# Spot Program on The No Agenda Show

Spot Program comes up in 3 chapters across 3 episodes of The No Agenda Show, from January 2008 to November 2011.

- **Chapters:** 3
- **Episodes:** 3
- **Discussed:** January 2008 – November 2011
- **Related topics:** [Behavioral Detection](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/behavioral-detection.md), [Tsa](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/tsa.md), [Congress](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/congress.md), [Profiling](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/profiling.md), [Radiation](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/radiation.md), [Susan Collins](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/susan-collins.md), [Tourette's Syndrome](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/tourette-s-syndrome.md), [X-ray Scanners](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/x-ray-scanners.md)

## Chapters 1–3 of 3

### TSA Health Concerns and SPOT Behavioral Profiling

- **Episode:** [359: First Buddy](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/359-first-buddy.md)
- **Published:** 2011-11-24
- **Time:** 1:13:05–1:16:38
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/359-first-buddy/chapter/tsa-health-concerns-and-spot-behavioral-profiling.md

The discussion continues with Senator Susan Collins' call for independent health studies on TSA x-ray scanners following reports of miscarriages. They also deconstruct the "SPOT" (Screening of Passengers by Observation Techniques) program, which the GAO found to be scientifically unvalidated and a failure in identifying threats.

Keywords: [susan collins](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/susan-collins.md), [radiation](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/radiation.md), [x-ray scanners](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/x-ray-scanners.md), [spot program](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/spot-program.md), [behavioral detection](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/behavioral-detection.md)

### TSA SPOT Program, Congressional Hearing Absence

- **Episode:** [297: Obama's Clutch Car](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/297-obama-s-clutch-car.md)
- **Published:** 2011-04-21
- **Time:** 1:53:57–2:02:11
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/297-obama-s-clutch-car/chapter/tsa-spot-program-congressional-hearing-absence.md

A House subcommittee evaluated the TSA's Screening of Passengers by Observation Techniques (SPOT) program, which has cost $1.2 billion despite a GAO report claiming it lacks scientific validation. The TSA refused to attend the hearing, leaving an empty placard at the witness table. Representative Paul Broun criticized the agency for rolling out expensive technologies, like "puffer" machines and backscatter scanners, before they were properly tested.

Keywords: [tsa](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/tsa.md), [spot program](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/spot-program.md), gao report, [behavioral detection](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/behavioral-detection.md), [congress](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/congress.md)

### TSA SPOT Program and Tourette's Syndrome Screening

- **Episode:** [11: 8 Pints of Lager please!](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/11-8-pints-of-lager-please.md)
- **Published:** 2008-01-04
- **Time:** 19:25–25:14
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/11-8-pints-of-lager-please/chapter/tsa-spot-program-and-tourette-s-syndrome-screening.md

The TSA has implemented the Screening Passengers by Observation Technique (SPOT) program, utilizing Behavior Detection Officers to identify suspicious travelers. Concerns are raised about how this program affects individuals with Tourette's Syndrome or other involuntary ticks. An anecdote is shared regarding a passenger with Tourette's being removed from a flight due to behavioral misunderstandings.

Keywords: [tsa](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/tsa.md), [spot program](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/spot-program.md), [tourette's syndrome](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/tourette-s-syndrome.md), behavior detection, [profiling](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/profiling.md)

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