Lately there has been a lot of hoop-la surrounding the new full body scanners used by the TSA in airports across America. Don't get me wrong, I like knowing when I fly that I am safe and that those around me are, much like me, simply people enjoying that same comfort of knowing they are safe. With that said, where does it stop and has TSA crossed a line with the employment of these new scanners?
I love America! We are, if nothing else, resilient. We learn from our mistakes...hopefully...and after September 11th on that sad day of reckoning, we paid for our assumptions and ignorance that nobody wanted to hurt us. The cost was great as many lost their lives and all of us were changed from that day forward. Immediately following the attack on America, security buckled down on us in an effort to a. make the skies safe, b. make us feel safe and c. to cover the governments butt should it happen again. In other words, there is an argument that had the government been doing their job, this may have been avoided.
Still, we hear of the occasional attacks gone wrong or of the occasional terrorist who slips through security. Why does this continue to happen? I have to ask this? I have one suggestion, and I offer it with hesitation as I do not wish to offend anyone. The quality of TSA employees. First and foremost, there are a million of them, yet few of them seem to be doing anything! In fact, I included in this blog a sarcastic logo for the TSA which suggests it stands for Thousands Standing Around. I guess if these were trusting and competent individuals that would be a plus and put my mind at ease, but have you seen some of these people?! The late night corner store worker in the worst part of town seems to be an equivalent. Now I don't mean to judge and condescend to others, but I do not feel at all safer when I look at those whose hands we have placed our safety in. The average TSA worker can expect to earn between $28K and $39K annually. I know that is not going to make any of them wealthy, but in today's economy, I have to believe there is a higher caliber individual out there than many that I see donning the uniform of the TSA.
So, what is the big beef with the Full Body Scanners? There are several concerns. First and foremost the issue surrounding invasion of privacy. It is an electronic strip search. I have never been opposed to the concept of the strip search yet I have never caused warrant to need one. Now, whether I have or haven't created a cause, I am virtually stripped search. There have already been instances where TSA employees have been involved in altercations when their images have been shared or the cause of ridicule over their body's (specifically their genitals) parts. Secondly we have been lied to. They have said time and time again the images cannot be saved, yet it has been proven time and time again to be a lie. Thirdly, it makes an already uncomfortable and inconvenient process even that much more uncomfortable and inconvenient for some. Let's face it...the terrorists really did win with this situation.
I realize that many don't mind and that is okay. It would be nice if everyone didn't care or could push their concerns aside in an effort to just play along, but they can't. I have one friend who laughed at the situation when he stated on Facebook that he "gave the twirly bird during the full body scan at LAX". Of course he was reprimanded for doing so. It is good that he can laugh at it. I have another friend however that was reduced to embarrassment when she was singled out for not wanting to participate and was subsequently patted down, though she swears it was more of a feeling up.
This is where I have the biggest beef with it. I have had a post 9/11 pat down and while it was somewhat intrusive, it wasn't overkill and did not make me feel violated in any sense. The moron that runs the TSA has stated that those who refuse the full body scanner will be subject to a "purposefully much more thorough and intrusive body search" as a result. Why? Does this mean the pat downs up to this point were ineffective? Boy! That makes me feel safe! Of course, the administrator will tell you it is because the refusal to participate raises a higher probability that the traveler is hiding something; something that they do not want the body scanner to reveal. If that is truly the case, then why not a strip search or full body cavity search?!
I think the real reason is that this is a bully tactic. TSA WANTS to humiliate you to a degree and intimidate and scare you into not refusing the scanner the next time. Many groups are calling for everyone this holiday season to refuse the scanner and insist on the pat down as a statement. I am inclined to do that next time I travel. Why? The TSA has bragged that only 600 complaints have surfaced out of millions of travelers. I would venture to say they did not log those who opted out of the scanner as a complaint. Also, Americans have become very quiet and compliant whenever they are told to do something. I guarantee there are more out there who are not happy. I did ponder the thought that maybe those complaining were simply prudes and paranoids about this, but consider this. America is far more conservative when it comes to privacy, nudity and the like in comparison to our brothers and sisters across the pond. With that said, just about every major airport in Europe has refused to put these scanners in place as they have determined it is a violation of human privacy rights.
The other argument these scanners spawn is the safety issues. While the radiation is minimal it can still be somewhat dangerous to cancer patients, pregnant women, children and those with a low, weakened or vulnerable immune system. It has also raised some concern as it may cause sperm mutation adding to infertility issues. The low waves they use in these x-rays are argued to be absorbed in the skin and do not penetrate the body's organs. The chances of skin cancer are extremely low, but there still remains a chance. So, as one with a weakened immune system and wanting to add to my family, I think this is another reason to pass.
I don't like the concept or where this is headed. I am not an alarmist or a conspiracy theorist, but this causes me to wonder what is next? I believe we need to spend all that money on hiring competent and capable TSA employees and spend it on training them how to detect those who may be endangering our lives. The funds would be better spent in less intrusive techniques and strategies than they are with the scanners. I believe we have not yet reached the point where this is required. Then again, maybe that is just it...why wait until another tragic event to take this measure. My biggest question is this...if we go through these scanners can we at least leave our watches, rings, belts and shoes on?! If not....I AM PISSED!
