Just to interject a little perspective here, I have to say that the TSA agents I've dealt with since 9-11 have been fairly professional. That doesn't meant that the antics depicted above did not happen; on the contrary, I'm sure they did. However, given the millions upon millions of screenings that take place annually, I have to believe that the TSA--on a whole--is doing an acceptable job.
Are we safer? Well, from the perspective of screenings only, I'd say yes. They do seem to stop a greater percentage of junk from making it on to the airplane. Overall security is a joke, but that issue is not destined for this thread, nor should the gaps be discussed in public.
More disturbing, I've heard some on this board proclaim that they don't even say "hello" to the TSA types at the screening point. What drives them to this point? I suppose our hapless aviators are fed up with the "process" and are fighting back, deciding to remain silent and ignore the TSA. In that world they both avoid antagonizing the screeners and manage to strike a blow against such totalitarian authority.
I just don't see it that way; I simply use the Golden Rule. Treat them just like you'd like to be treated. Say hello, give them a quick smile. You'd be surprised how well it works most of the time. If it doesn't, well, take it up--professionally--with the supervisor. It that doesn't work, write the TSA a letter explaining the situation.
Enough of those letters may, just may, result in change.