TSA - Touch Squeeze Administration
TSA - Touch Squeeze Administration
TSA - Touch Squeeze Administration
By now, everyone has heard about the on going controversy over the new airport security procedures enacted by the Transportation Security Agency (TSA).
The TSA is now in the process of installing hundreds of scanning machines at airport security check-points that are used to scan the bodies of passengers. Now, instead of just scanning your personal effects, they scan your whole body.
There is still some controversy over whether the scanning machines are safe. TSA, of course, says they are safe, but there are plenty of detractors who say that they are not safe, or that, at best, their long-term, and continuing effects, are unknown.
They might be perfectly safe for someone who flies occasionally, but what about the poor souls, of which there are many, who practically live in the air, and, of course, what about airline pilots, and personnel who fly even more often. How safe is it to be scanned several times a week ?
In the olden days of my generation, it used to be very common for patients to be xrayed for almost any reason, even a routine physical, until they found out that it was causing cancer.
We could be facing the same thing with theses airport scanning machines. In twenty years, we could have a population with millions of cases of cancer.
Now that, by itself, should be controversial enough to cause angst among all airline passengers; but that is only part of the controversy.
Another part of the controversy is that these new scanners basically see through clothing, and the TSA screener's see an image of a naked person.
From what I've seen, it's not like they are seeing a bare-skinned naked person, but it does show details that are private to most people. As an example of the detail that can be seen, I heard an expert say that a screener could tell whether, or not, a man had been circumcised. It doesn't get much more detail, than that.
So, there is the issue of strangers seeing you naked. Not desire able, but, heck, it could be okay if it is anonymous, and if it increase my security. According to the TSA, the folks viewing the screens are not in the security area; they are in a remote viewing area. So, it's not like security personnel can view the naked pictures of the airline passengers as they flow through the security area. Obviously, it can be mis-used, but I think that is something that can be handled through disciplinary actions.
Now, as I understand the current procedures, passengers are randomly singled-out to go through the scanning process. If a passenger does not want to be scanned, for whatever reason, whether it be for health concerns, or modesty concerns, they must submit to a pat-down.
This is where the main controversy has arisen. This is no cursory pat-down. This pat-down is such, that the screener puts their hand in you groin area, and your genitals are touched.
I have read dozens of accounts from passengers in which their genitals were touched, and/or squeezed by screeners. This is a very invasive procedure.
If you don't submit to the scan, or the pat-down, you will not be allowed to fly. Also, you cannot leave the security area without permission, and you can be fined up to $ 10,000 (I've read that it is now $ 11,000).
So, we have a government agency who is forcing American citizens to undergo a scanning process that may be unhealthy, and which displays their nakedness, or, they must allow screeners to put their hands into our crotches, or be fined $ 10,000.
Wow.... is this really America ? I would have never dreamed that my country would be so stupid, and ignorant to assume that Americans are sheeple to be herded and corralled into submission.
If you are a parent, are you going to allow your kids to be scanned against your wishes, and then groped by a stranger if you don't comply ? I wouldn't allow that in a million years; they may as well arrest me right there, because no stranger is going to touch my kids in their genital area.
Judging from the response from TSA officials, they live in some other Bizzaro world where common sense is opposite of reality. Their response is, "if you don't like the new screening procedures, then don't fly".
It's just astonishing to me that TSA really thinks that they can intimidate Americans into submitting to their will.
Aside from the obvious issues, there are other concerns that are being ignored.
My understanding is that the scanners do not see inside of body cavities. If they can, then they must be much more powerful than they say, and dangerous.
So, what good are the scannners ? A terrorist bent of smuggling explosives aboard a airplane could simply insert the explosives in a convenient body cavity, and the scanners would be able to detect it.
Isn't it obvious that a terrorist on a suicide mission would not hesitate to stick something up his butt ?
The scanners serve no purpose other than convenience for TSA personnel. Just as our luggage is now scanned for contraband, so now our bodies are scanned in the same way.
There are better ways to provide security. TSA needs fins some folks with brains, and common sense, and re-think their Gestapo-like tactics.
The more I write, the more angry I get. This is so wrong, and such a boondoggle, I am amazed how obvious, and inept it is.
I've read that Chertoff, former head of Homeland Security has been lobbying for the scanners, and is making a bundle. I hate to sound like a pessimistic curmudgeon, but I'm sure that there are many other government/ex-government folks doing the same thing.
The American people are really being bent-over on this one...
And that is just my opinion
Twitter:AngryCalifornia
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