TSA Accepting Public Comments On Whole Body Airport Screening 223
New submitter trims writes "The TSA is now in the public comment stage of its project to roll out Advanced Imaging Technology (i.e. full-body X-ray) scanners. The TSA wants your feedback as to whether or not this project should be continued or cancelled. Now is your chance to tell the TSA that this is a huge porkbarrel project and nothing more than Security Theater. You can comment at http:///www.regulations.gov and reference the docket ID TSA-2013-0004." Note: the backscatter X-ray machines are being phased out, in favor of millimeter-wave systems; the linked documents give the government's side of the story when it comes to efficacy, safety, privacy, and worth. The comment period runs until June 24.
Re:Ah, now the delays make sense (Score:2, Interesting)
I'd like to see a new program put into place:
Forget "air marshalls" Start handing pistols to people with willingness and a profile that works when you board a plane. Screw searching people for weapons and dangerous items. Make sure a deterrent is available. So far, the only REAL terrorist threats have been defeated by civilians beating the crap out of assholes. The people believe the threats are real and so far, people have demonstrated a willingness to take action against those threats. Proof that there are not quite as many sheeple as the government seems to think is right out there for everyone to see. Someone will be there to step up. And presently... those are the people the government is watching. That's military/ex-military (like me) and Christians. It makes sense if you think about it.
Re:Ah, now the delays make sense (Score:4, Interesting)
98%+ of all domestic deaths are caused by a gun in the house, not by external gun
To give some context for how dumb this remark is, in 2000 in the US, accidental firearms discharge killed 776 people. Falls killed over 13k people. Drowning in a bathtub killed 341.
It's also worth noting that the presence of so many guns in homes discourages the kind of activities that would result in external gun deaths. After all, the usual goal for breaking into homes isn't to get shot. I guess an analogy would be accidental deaths in the military. It's not a good thing for your military to be suffering more deaths from enemy action than from accidents and friendly fire because it means you're in a serious fight.
Re:Yes but... (Score:5, Interesting)
Frankly, my largest problem (aside from the constitutionality of said pat-down) is the fact that the TSA agents seem to ask a lot of questions that they haven't thought about and don't really seem to want honest answers to. For instance, after opting out, I was once asked if I was I understood what would happen to me and if I was "comfortable with this process". When I answered "No, I think it's a waste of time and a violation of my Constitutional rights," that started a bit of a scene.
Another favorite is when they ask if I have any medical devices or implants on my body and I answer "Yes" and then they stand there looking at me in silence. Oh, you want me to describe them, well in that case, you shouldn't asked it as a yes/no question then!
Then we get to "Do you have any areas on your body that are sensitive to the touch?" "Yeah, mate, my whole body."
I realize I'm being difficult and something of a jerk, but I have no reason why I have to make it EASY to take my rights away. Sigh, now I'm probably on some list.