So, I have some insight into Joseph Biden not shared by many.  On August 16, 2006, I flew form LAX to SFO on Alaska Airlines.  Since I bought the ticket at the last minute, a few minutes before departure, I wasn't surprised to receive the special SSSS treatment.

Anyway, a TSA agent noticed the SSSS and I was directed down the aisle of shame awaiting a pat down; the aisle is an area between the baggage belts and cordoned off from other passengers.  Who should appear behind me but none other than Senator Joseph Biden of Delaware, clearly amused at his selection!  (He has a very firm handshake, by the way!)

So let's look more closely at the man who could be a security risk for the USA. Here are some of his credentials:

• 2008 Vice Presidential nominee for the Democratic Party 
• Senate Democratic Steering and Coordination Committee
• Co-Chairman, Senate NATO Observer Group
• Co-Chairman, Senate National Security Working Group
• Vice Chairman, NATO Parliamentary Assembly
• Co-Chairman, Congressional Fireman's Caucus
• Co-Chairman, Congressional International Anti-Piracy Caucus
• Member, Congressional Air Force Caucus
• Member, National Guard Caucus
• Member, Senate Auto Caucus
• Member, Senate Biotechnology Caucus
• Member, Congressional Port Security Caucus

Apparently, according to the criteria applied by Alaska Airlines and the TSA, he might also be an Al Qaeda operative—who knew?  If he is part of a sleeper cell, those guys are really thinking ahead.

In fairness to the TSA, the agents clearly saw the humor in what the system had wrought.  When they saw him standing, waiting for a pat down, many started smiling, some even laughing.  Senator Biden, a little bemused at first, found humor in this senatorial inquiry; he grinning from ear to ear too: a  little light relief.  Senator or not, he didn't get off.  I was patted down.  I turned and watched as he received the same treatment.

While from a security perspective, the situation was clearly absurd, there's something reassuring about a US Senator getting the same treatment as everyone else.

I don't know where he was going.  He wasn't on my flight; however, all flights from LAX landed without incident that day!