Airport TSA

In my Information Technology class I was introduced to the fairly new yet ongoing debate about the new airport security screening: X-rays. They are now asking you to walk through an X-ray machine where they scan you through your clothes, and are able to virtually see you naked. It's interesting though, they try to make this sound less heinous by giving you the option between a naked X-ray or a "pat down." So now you have the choice between someone looking at your naked body in the middle of the airport or being groped.

There are several things wrong with this. First of all, they don't tell you what they are doing. I recently went on a weekend trip and on my way home was asked to walk through the metal detector like usual (or so I thought), but instead of just walking through I was asked to stop and put my hands over my head for about 15 seconds. I had absolutely NO idea they were taking X-ray photos of me. I consider that an invasion of privacy and also health fraud. I was unaware that they were sending radiation into my body which could potentially cause cancer, or what if I had been pregnant? Not telling me or having any kind of signs hanging around security explaining what was about to happen is unacceptable.

I also think this is just completely unethical. You are asking me to give up my privacy on both levels. I either have to show someone my naked body or have someone touch me inappropriately in front of others (or, you know, I can ask to be groped in private). And it doesn't stop there, either. TSA has been repeatedly saying that the scans they take are not stored in the system and are deleted immediately after viewed. However, some 35,000 images from a scanner were saved and some were leaked to the public (see: HERE). This is absolutely mortifying. Not only does it become an invasion of privacy, but an invasion of trust. Other people are obtaining access to these scans which is completely humiliating.

When people come up with these new and improved ideas, they don't think about the big picture. They don't think about how these scans could get leaked to the media or how radiation can cause health defects. They don't consider a pregnant woman traveling and having no choice but to be groped because she can't go through radiation, or the children traveling who are in the midst of being taught that touching is inappropriate. They don't think about recovering cancer patients, or people in wheelchairs, victims of molestation or rape, or religious observances. Maybe they don't think about this, or maybe they just don't care? I don't know which is worse, but either way they are disrespecting and humiliating several groups of people.

I personally don't feel comfortable with either of the "options" they give us, and given the choice I don't know which I would choose. Airport security has gotten so tight that our privacy has been completely ripped from our grasp.

VOTE

It is extremely important as a member of a democratic society to make your voice heard through voting. Some people don't vote because they claim they aren't political or they don't think their one vote will make a difference, but it does. And not voting speaks just as loudly as voting.

People have fought endlessly for the right to vote in this country, so having that right is something we should all appreciate and take advantage of. This is our country and it is our job to exercise the right we have been given.

I voted, did you?