There's a lot been said -- and left to say -- about the new TSA screening procedures. The right is, predictably, discovering a hitherto-unmentioned concern for civil liberties and using the issue to attack Obama. Equally predictably, they're pushing privatization, as if it's who issues the paychecks and not what the policy is that matters. But while many of the objections from the right are disingenuous at best, there are legitimate questions, such as those about whether naked pictures and enhanced groping make us safer or are security theater and an expansion of the police state.

But as you travel this holiday week, here's something to keep in mind: The TSA screener monitoring the scanners, or touching your body, did not make the policy. They're just doing their job, and not one they have a lot of control over:

Unlike their counterparts elsewhere in the civil service, the agency’s employees don’t have collective-bargaining rights yet, which means it’s more difficult for them to negotiate with TSA over working conditions and policies and procedures.... Salaries for TSA screeners start at $17,083, plus locality payments depending on where screeners are stationed.

Nor are they necessarily happy about their part in the new procedures:

I am a professional doing my job, whether I agree with this current policy or not, I am doing my job. I do not want to be here all day touching penises.

And they're taking a lot of abuse for it:

Molester, pervert, disgusting, an embarrassment, creep. These are all words I have heard today at work describing me, said in my presence as I patted passengers down. These comments are painful and demoralizing, one day is bad enough, but I have to come back tomorrow, the next day and the day after that to keep hearing these comments. If something doesn’t change in the next two weeks I don’t know how much longer I can withstand this taunting. I go home and I cry. I am serving my country, I should not have to go home and cry after a day of honorably serving my country.

If you’re traveling, remember that while it’s understandable to be upset at the new screening procedures, the TSA officers screening you are not the ones who decided this is how it’s going to be. If you’re going to complain, complain to the management level people who can change things.