Everybody is so concerned about airport body scanners invading their privacy. So what do people do – start Facebook pages protesting these devices. Here’s my question – if these people are so concerned about privacy then what are they doing on Facebook? Does anyone else see the irony?
It just seems weird to complain about privacy on the place where people post every gory detail of their lives.
We’ve all had to live with beefed-up airport security since 911. The lines, emptying pockets, removing shoes, the hand scanner, and the baggage checks have all become a part of the air travel experience as much as peanuts and pretzels. And every time there is an incident (like the infamous underwear bomber) everyone screams “what are they doing to keep us safe”.
So technology provides a possible solution in the form of x-ray body scanners. At first there was some logical discussion about the effectiveness along with debates about the health issues. But like many security measures, it is impossible to determine how many possible breeches are stopped. The idea is that a potential terrorist will think twice about packing explosives in his underwear if he knows he was going to be body scanned.
The health issues are being addressed by deploying machines that operate in the millimeter wave region. This frequency range for x-rays is considered safe and no more of a risk than a chest x-ray at your doctor’s office.
Social media, camera phones, and GPS smart phones have almost made privacy a thing of the past. People post pictures on Facebook doing all kind of crazy things – making out with strangers, passed out drunk, and the famous scantily clad photos (both men and women).
So how can you honestly cry foul when in the name of security a trained TSA officer may see a blurry x-ray of your body?
Mr. Howington, I think your article is very disingenuous. But you knew that didn’t you. There is a HUGE difference between choosing what one posts about oneself online, and being techno-disrobed & molested by gov’t thugs high on power trips and perverted thrills. You go let your own grandchildren get molested all you want, but people who don’t have a screw loose in their heads are not going to put up with it.
OF COURSE we want the government and TSA to see our growing crescendo of protests. When I started, there was only one other body scanner protest group on Facebook, and now there are so many I can’t even count them, and most of them are not even in English. America is now the face of Fascist evil to the world. Ya like that?
Visit us sane people at
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/9YFK4B Twitter: http://bit.ly/aZSELx
AND on the web.
Of course there is some tongue-and-cheek in this post. However, I am trying to point out the underlying duplicity we see some much of today. People want lower defecits, but are not willing to pay extra taxes or willing to see the government cut their favorite program.
My question for you and others who protest these body scanners, what are your alternate solutions for airport security? It’s very easy to protest and be against something. But what we need today are solutions, not more protests!