Whole body scanners are in use in at least 24 U.S. airports. That's your choice if you're "selected" for a secondary search. Or you can opt for the pat down. Some choice.As you can see, everything shows. What doesn't is thanks to some photo editing.
According to The Economist the British are just getting into trials for this invasion of privacy in the name of stopping terrorism. They've had some interesting problems arise.
One is what happens to the image. We're assured that the image is ghost like without identifiable glimpses of the face or hair. But a weapon can be detected. Now, here's the upshot. The screeners are in a separate room and thus would be unable to identify the individual! Then what's the point?
Excuse me? What if the person carrying an objectionable object bolts? If he/she can't be identified how would he be found? Besides, how many potential terrorists are stupid enough to try to get through security with a concealed weapon? Not many!
Then there is the question of children. Many parents aren't thrilled with the idea of a hidden stranger viewing their child in the buff. For that matter I don't imagine the parents are thrilled about having a hidden stranger view them in the buff either! Also, what happens to those images?
Now, I know the viewing of my tired old body would hardly be considered erotica. I'd still rather it not be done. As for kids, that's a whole different question. They have decided children under the age of 18 will not be x-rayed until legal consul decides if they may be breaking a law against creating indecent images of children.
To my way of thinking, viewing any person naked is indecent whether the image is or not. I'd like to know how many potential terrorists have actually been apprehended by virtue of pat downs, and now whole body scans. I also wonder when some person is going to sue the TSA for invasion of privacy for all this nonsense. Especially if it's an infant in arms or an 80 year old grandmother with a walker!
5 comments:
...and it will get worse.
I have stopped traveling by plane ever since this nonsense began. If I can't drive there, I don't go.
will they send a copy to my doctor, I can't afford a cat scan... lol...
Seriously, what good is this?
The bad guys aren't going to have guns, bombs and etc. on them.
This is a feel good (for the Gov.) to show the nation that they are on the job to make us safe.
so much BS... all show, no problems solved.
Did you happen to see the u-tube video of a man in front of the scanner who farted and it could be seen? Even though it has some sick humor to it, I wonder who the person was that "released" this photo. You would do a good blog on that one. If you haven't seen it, I'll go back and find it.
Good post by the way.
What I would worry about more than showing my fat, would be the excessive xrays. If you travel a lot, cumulative xrays will put you at risk, health wise. I remember the odl days when I was a kid and shoe stores used fouriscopes to assure fits. Doctors at the time also used instant imaging for shecking for broken bones.
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