Invites Website Visitors To "Decide For Yourself"

The Transportation Security Administration -- apparently a bit singed from constant accusations of duplicity and incompetence -- responded in a most unusual way to a news story this weekend regarding an incident at Reagan National Airport last week.

Fox News reports Monica Emmerson, a former Secret Security agent, was traveling with her infant son June 11 when a TSA officer stopped her because her child's "sippy cup" had water in it. The officer reportedly told Emmerson she would have to dispose of the water, and pass through security a second time, if she didn't want the cup confiscated.

According to a TSA report, Emmerson flashed her credentials to the screener and told her she was exempt from the "stupid" policy that restricts liquids on planes.

Emmerson maintains what happened next was an accident. As she was fumbling with the cup, she spilled its contents onto the hallway floor.

The TSA maintains Emmerson spilled the water on purpose... and even took the unusual step of posted the security video that captured the entire incident online.

The video -- available on a special TSA webpage dubbed "MythBusters" (we wonder what Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman think of that title -- Ed.)-- shows three TSA screeners horsing around before Emmerson passes by. A fourth screener accompanies Emmerson, and places his hand in front of her face to stop her from proceeding to the terminal.

Emmerson fumbles with the cup, before apparently upending it completely. Several minutes pass before an employee brings a roll of paper towels, so that Emmerson can mop up the water. She reportedly missed her flight because of the incident.

The TSA told Fox it posted the video online to show its "officers display professionalism and concern for all passengers."

FMI: www.tsa.gov/approach/mythbusters/index.shtm