Dont you know its for your own good?

Why draw the line at full body scanners?  The first response to anyone questioning the implementation of the TSA’s newest toys, advance imaging technology (AIT) or full body scanners, is that the machines are in place to make us safer and why would you not want to be safer? 

The flaw in this logic is evident immediately to anyone asking the question at the beginning of this piece.  If the only prerequisite for the installation and implementation of a radically invasive procedure is that it is alleged to enhance safety, then why stop at full body scanners?  In fact, using that logic, it would be irresponsible to stop at anything short of full body cavity searches, requiring passengers to fly fully unclothed, and mandating that passengers be restrained at their seats with shackles during all flights.  After all, all three of the aforementioned measures would certainly limit terrorists’ abilities to kill air travelers, so why not go all the way? You do want to be safer don’t you? 

It seems that any question of whether or not this technology is A) effective and B) reasonable will immediately illicit one of several predictable responses.  By questioning your government’s actions in this matter you are either: self absorbed, worrying too much about your naked body; ignorant of what’s required to keep American air passengers safe; or simply have something to hide because otherwise why would you care?  The problem for those in favor of strip searching and sexually assaulting American citizens is that neither of these arguments have any merit.    

It does not require being self absorbed to worry about privacy when the technology in question is capable of producing images in sufficient detail that a screener can detect the color of a woman’s nipple or how you groom the hair around your genitalia.  The images floated by TSA are inverted and blurred to intentionally mislead the public about the capability of this technology.  Furthermore, whether or not you are self absorbed is irrelevant.   The fourth amendment provides Americans with the right “to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable search and seizure” without a warrant and probable cause.   What does it say about the effect terrorists have on our freedom when we are willing to violate the document our freedoms are founded on in order to stop them?  The TSA is adamant that these images will not be stored or shared.  Apparently, Americans are to believe that ordinary citizens cannot be trusted to not bring explosives on planes, despite the major consequences. Yet, ordinary people in blue TSA uniforms can be trusted to not disseminate these sensitive and potentially profitable images (in the case of celebrities) simply because its TSA policy?  Not the most reassuring response.   Make no mistake possession of the images produced by these machines of underage children is a felony and executing the “enhanced pat down” on a child would have you arrested.  That is of course unless you a member of the government. 

The jury is still out on whether or not these new procedures actually do keep anybody safer.  It takes less than a gram of many explosive substances to inflict major damage on a modern day airplane.  A substance of this amount could easily be smuggled within a committed terrorist’s body cavities.  Second of all, there is no consensus on whether or not these machines would have caught the underwear bomber, which was reported to be the major impetus behind their widespread use.  In actuality the American people are being asked to believe that we should be subjected to a potentially hazardous, invasive procedure because it may or may not have thwarted a single terrorist attack.   What is more startling about the underwear bombing incident is the major failure of government to use the tools it had at its disposal.  The underwear bomber was on the “No Fly List”, he booked a ticket to Detroit in December and did not bring a jacket or luggage, and his dad reported him to the CIA prior to him ever boarding that plane.  Better communication between agencies, actually using the “No Fly List” as described by its name, and agents that are trained to identify body language and profile passengers in line would all have stopped this attempt and neither of these involves the complete subjugation of 4th amendment.  

The TSA has also insisted that pilots be subjected to these same screening procedures.  Two pilots have already been grounded as a result of their refusal to participate.  How preposterous?  So, the TSA believes that if a pilot had the desire to bring down his aircraft, that preventing him from bringing explosives and weapons on board would solve the problem?  Pilots control the aircraft! Pilots are trusted with everyone’s lives.  A naked, cavity searched, and bald pilot could bring the plane down simply by choosing to do so!  What idiocracy.  The Government Accountability Office has released report after report stating that the TSA is employing expensive and invasive technology with no documented advantage and yet, the TSA marches on.

“I don’t have anything to hide, so why should I care?” This is perhaps the most dangerous of the arguments used in favor of eradicating American freedom.  It reveals an apathetic, uneducated viewpoint about the idea of freedom and why this country values it.  The premise behind this argument assumes that those exercising the power would never do so maliciously or for personal gain.  However this is the opposite of what history teaches us.   As the saying goes “absolute power corrupts absolutely.”  Currently, people are being threatened with fines as a result of refusing to submit.  As the power over our lives is yielded, the extent to which that power can be used for coercion is increased.  As it stands now American’s ability to fly on a private air carrier is determined by a government agent spouting gems such as “if you don’t like it, don’t fly”. It won’t be long before this type of police state mentality is applied to all forms of transportation in the name of safety and not long after that when the option of opting out is no longer offered.  You do want to be safe don’t you?

The welcomed outrage against the full body imaging is inspiring.  The fact that many Americans realize something is wrong gives hope that this country is not so far gone as to forget its roots.  The mortality rate as a result of terrorism is miniscule.  There is no need for many of these fear induced policies that simply serve to limit the freedom of “innocent until proven guilty” American citizens.  For those willing to trade freedom for security keep a couple things in mind.  First, it wasn’t government that stopped the terrorists on Flight 93, it was American citizens. Second, it wasn’t the “No Fly List”, being reported to the CIA, or not acting suspicious that stopped the underwear bomber, it was a faulty fuse.  Government has not been a good steward of the responsibilities and tools granted, or better yet, taken from the American people.  It is important as Americans to protect the liberty bestowed upon us. Stopping the use of these scanners is an excellent opportunity prevent further abuse of our precious liberty. 

As always, Protect Freedom First!