Outraged by TSA

I'm grateful people take offense to this as a possible violation of our civil liberties. The point is not whether we can stand a pat down now, rather, the slow descent into more and more invasive procedures. For me, the cynicism is all about the lobbying the scanning company did to put them in place, and the fact they refuse to have an outside company provide us assurance of their safety (forget efficacy, that seems pretty questionable!)

I travel in countries with military presence in airports.  I'm much less concerned about that than our insidious capitalistic use of fear,and as I've stated, I believe this is what we are talking about here.  And from what I can see, breast cancer patients and survivors are being victimized by it.

I've spent the last 2 hours reading all these posts!  LOL

But I agree with so many of you.  I tell my grandson, you must stand for justice, even if you are the only one standing.

This is a travesty.  The TSA has way too much power and no checks.  I hope there is a huge protest going on. 

Seems to be our (USA) usual knee-jerk reaction.  There are terrorist sleeper cells in our country.  There are many, many ways to display an attack, besides flying a plane.  We have cargo planes that are not being watched. i.e. UPS, FEDX and other carriers.  We have water supplies that could be contaminated.  We have airborne virus's that could be let loose.  I would have to agree that the "terrorists" are just laughing it up over our meager attempt to plug a hole that can't be plugged.

I will not be going through a scanner.  And I will request a private screening with a female attendant.  But like the chef/server that would spit or worse in your food if you aggrevate them, what's to stop an agent from taking their time to come "frisk" you so that you don't make your flight. What's it to them?

Thanks for all the articles and opinions. 

I just spent about 1/2 hour writing my senators and representatives.  This is probably the most important thing you can do, these folks answer to us on these issues.  Please spend some time tonight writing emails or calling the House and Senate.  I spoke at length about how these new techniques unnecessarily victimize people with special needs and devices.

Scuttlers I'm LOL at your black body-underwear idea, that's been just my thought too if i ever have to fly during this "security" fiasco. Last time I wore a black catsuit (shimmying seductively down a spotlit theatre ramp to the tune of "The Minute you Walked through the Door, derrrum, I could See you were a Man of Distincton, a real Big Spender... Hey BIg Spender.. Spend a little Time with Me") it was a high-school assembly when i was 15 and it brought the house down, sadly not because of my stunning figure as i didn't have one, but because i was such a well-known tomboy...  ah, the memories! Now, where does one buy a catsuit in my present size I wonder, at sites that my family-friendly filter won't block?!

Thanks, Madalyn.  I was worried about that, too.

Well, I saw my rad onc. and I'm not sure I'm any more secure or informed about the dangers of backscanners at the airports. My rad onc gave me the quote the government has been saying. "The output of radiation is minimal." When I suggested to my rad onc that that is what we are being "told" should we "believe what we are being told?" she really didn't have a response.

My conclusion is until the government is a little more upfront about devulging information about the rad output from the machines being used, THEY are "suspect"! Why should they refuse to release information about this? 

I've got a hunch the "would be terrorists" are laughing their "underware" off watching from the sidelines at the financially ridiculous chaos they what successfully created.

Well, that's interesting. If they are safe, what 's his problem with going through them.

Thanks for the post, Deirdre.

Blessings...

I am very upset by the body scans and pat downs.  It is an invasion of your person and sexually abusive.  Noone has the right to view your body or touch you in a sexual manner unless it is your spouse. and maybe your doctor for examination purposes.  I will not fly anywhere if I am to be so abused.

MJLToday:  I HOOTED with laughter when I saw this!!!  Hysterical.

Obviously, this is a serious topic, but for me, humor helps!

Thanks for sharing.

Julie

hi ladies, loving that cartoon!

Again, tho, this is really exaggerated....no one is getting groped inside of their clothes...it is a big old feel up session tho.  Some of them are rougher, some very tentative, and barely make contact.  My buddy who hops the pond to britain every week says it's in no way invasive, the worst that she's gotten is someone who sort of lifted up her boobs, but no one goes into your pants or bra.  She's yell rape if they did.  Asked a shrink friend about kids; she suggested that the mom be with the child and explain that this is OK because of the bad people that want to hurt folks on planes and that hide weapons.  That this type of touching is alright IF mom or dad is with you.  (Not that it is, but if you want to take your child to Disneyworld, and you don't want the scanner, it is something to try)

We just saw Dr. Rosenfeld on TV talking about the radiation emitted from the wands and scanners....he says you are subjected to far more radiation in the first 15 minutes of any flight.

Since I am already well baked, that's rather good to know........

Not to pick on Presbyterians, but . . . yes, I *am* worried about radical Presbyterians (and others) blowing up planes and buildings. 

And I'm very worried about profiling. 

L

While I had a lumpectomy and do not wear a prosthesis, this whole issue is infuriating on many levels.  I flew to NY state this Thanksgiving, having bought a non-refundable ticket months ago.  I decided I would opt out of the scanner if I was asked to go through it.  That ended up not being an issue (I simply had to go through the metal detector).  The part that would make me laugh if it weren't so infuriating is this...I dutifully put my 3 oz. or less liquids in the required ziplock bag and put it through the x-ray machine along with my other carry-on.  I forgot that I had a FULL 20 ounce bottle of water in my purse.  Did they catch it?  NO.  I only realized it was there after I was waiting at my gate and went into my purse for something else.  Security theater at its best.

   I am off tomorrow for the Outer Banks where I am meeting up with SV, AmyJo and BarbA from this board and I am going to opt for the scanner since at this stage of the game I do not think the rads are going to affect me one way or another, I do not care if someone seems my naked image and I do not care if my rights are being violated. Since I have an artificial knee, pins and screws in my feet and toes, I always set off the alarm so was subject to the pat down and going over with the wand.   I am just happy it takes less time and I am still able to travel and go places. 

Two Harvard Law students are suing the TSA over the constitutionality of the scans and searches:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40469404/ns/travel-news/