Army of Dog

I’m highly sympathetic to anyone who has to deal with the unfortunate consequences of mindless bureaucrats who can’t manage to solve a simple situation without turning it into a publicity-whoring opportunity for Gloria Allred. That being said, why do we feel the need to give someone an award for being the victim of morons.

A North Richland Hills woman who challenged the Transportation Security Administration’s way of dealing with passengers with body piercings was honored Tuesday by a women’s business group.

Mandi Hamlin, 37, was given the Bold Spirit Award by the Women’s Leadership Exchange, a social networking and professional group that helps women with new or small businesses. The award honors women who take action that will have a positive impact on others.

Yes, now nipple-ring-wearing travelers the world over can sleep soundly at night knowing that our heroine has led the charge to make airport security safe. And of course, Gloria Allred has wrapped her tentacles around this situation and is no doubt preparing to milk it for everything she can.

“Mandi is a winner,” said her attorney, Gloria Allred of Los Angeles. “She has shown courage. She has stood up and been willing to reveal some private facts in order to achieve a greater good.”

A “winner?” What the hell did she win? Is this really the kind of thing we need to start handing out awards for? Why is Gloria Allred involved? Can you sue federal employees for stupidity? That sounds like a dangerous (not to mention expensive) precedent.

And please click on the link to the article and watch the video. If I didn’t speak English and had to rely on facial expression and tone of voice, I would think they were honoring someone for charging a machine-gun nest on Iwo Jima. On the flip side, after the inevitable announcement from the TSA about a change of policy regarding body piercings, al Queda will be working furiously to fit a bomb into a cock ring.