Hello from a fellow San Diego Native but I have to disagree. Your statement is wrong on so many levels.

Do you really thing that allowing them to search you at will is going to shore up your right to bear arms or stop them from infringing that right?

If you were stopped for speeding and the cop wanted to do a full body search on you, would you consent? If he also wanted to search your car, would you consent? If he wanted to search your house?

I find it hard you take your right to privacy and to travel unimpeded so cavalierly.

By the way, I was born at Doctors Hospital down by Midway Drive on 1-4-52.

This is stupid. Put in the machines already. Who cares about "Seeing what's under the clothes?" Prudishness over life is insanity.

Besides, with those machines, you could walk through rapidly with no problem.

Actually it is a Republican from Utah who sponsored this bill. It's too bad that terrorists will use any means available to smuggle weapons or explosives on board and you can make a safe bet that they are counting on people like Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) making it easier for them to do so by taking away the high tech screening tools that the TSA needs.

Actually what I dislike most about conservatives is that they tend to stick their heads in the sand when challanged with a problem and they are not willing to embrace new ideas or look for new solutions to problems. The Republican party AKA "The Party of No" certainly defines that definition well.

What's a little radiation, right? With the number of times the average person flies or the average business person flies it is only going to shorten their lifespan by maybe 5 to 10 years..............the terrorists can either blow up the plane or scare us into irradiating ourselves until we die. Either way, it sucks. Can't believe that this situation has only an either or approach....surely there is another answer to the problem. I know, have everyone getting on a plane change into an orange jumpsuit with no shoes and have all their stuff go through the radiation peek a boo machine and they get their clothes back when they reach their destination, where they also return the orange jumpsuit. Or better yet..............just take the train or a car or a boat. Flying is highly overrated anyway and always pisses people off.

Wait until Orthodox Jewish women or conservative Christian women complain about this --- let's not forget that there are religions out there that will frown upon this. And we'll have to bend over and accommodate them...

the aclu is a conservative group? who knew? and I thought they just spent their time protecting child molestors' right to prowl schoolyards and parks. glad to know they're busy protecting terrorists too.

I could care less what political spectrum you all fall in! False modesty will get you killed. Just remember one very important point. When they do the autopsy, providing they find enough of you to do one, you will be buck naked anyhow. The way these systems are installed, only a fool or someone with something to hide on their person would object. Now, when they start giving enemas to detect explosives hidden in your rectum, I might complain. Till then, not a chance. Better safe and exposed that on the slab.

My guess you are the one who is going to be hanging around the monitor.

a) San Diego Native is a nut job.

b) I don't know why anyone but criminals and terrorists would have a problem with these machines.

Which do you consider more intrusive?

A back scatter image, a pat-down, or a autopsy??????

IMO - Everyone should be limited to ONE small carry-on, which is searched. No cameras, no computers, no make-up, nothing more than basic cell phones. Exceptions for people with infants and medical conditions, but they get extra attention also...

Every-one has their IDs verified, if your name is on ANY list, you and your baggage gets extra attention. If you; buy one-way tickets, check no baggage, pay cash for tickets, match profile, etc. YOU get extra attention. Make TSA do their job and throw the PC - BS out.............

Vanity v security? If I ever found out that a plane went down because someone was concerned about how they looked on a full body scan and alllowed a tragic act to take place, all hell is gonna break loose. If you don't like the way you look, take the necessary steps to change or learn to accept it. If its your looks over my security, you lose.

If you support the invasion of privacy/taking of civil rights, then you support the idea that the enemy won the war on 9/11. That makes you a traitor. I will not give into terrorism by having my clothing and liberty stripped away by white shirted savages! I'll take the pat down and swabbing, thank you very much!!!

I walked though one of these things as a road warrior and I can tell you, they aren't that big a deal. You don't really see body parts (I got to see my own photo BTW). It is more like an xray view than a "xray vision" view. ;-)

As long as I can come home safely today (and every week for the life I have left), I am willing to gamble that "all that radiation" might shorten my life.

I'm sure if you asked most if not all of the people on the flight with this Nigerian kid would they have walked through this thing rather than having been put through the scare of their lives, I'm certain they'd say YES!!!

JBIRD: as long as you stay off my plane, I don't care what you do.

Backscatter has been around for a while, it is good technology for what it does. I agree that they should be deployed to airports as a primary method of screening. I also do not like to give up any freedoms, however, I do not see any constitutional or freedom issues in the deployment and use of this technology, other than someone may see your fat arse in all of its glory.

But the technology has raised significant concerns among privacy watchdogs because it can show the body's contours with embarrassing clarity.

Maybe these scanners can finally force fat Americans to lose weight. Thats right. All 70% of you.

I think I'm done with flying, just sick of all the hassles. At least in San Diego, we can drive to the dock and take a cruise for vacation. This airport business just sucks.

At least now the little old ladies in wheel chairs won't have to be searched, to get through security.

Airport security is getting really paranoid now, not to mention really creepy.

These things are just as fraudulent as the BS about taking off your shoes. They are just expensive ways to spend our money to make us THINK that something is being done. If they want to really do something, they do not need to see a body image, that by the way IS a big thing in that they can see down to the size of your nipples and whether you have a mole on your ass.

There is and has been technology available that is a LOT cheaper that can sniff you for any form of explosive chemical. But that would be a lot less showy and certainly would not provide tens of millions of dollars for peakaboo equipment that not only looks for what might be strapped to you, but also will define if you are carrying cash, or gems, or a private letter to your mother.

We are letting the A holes win by making all of US jump through hoops when all we need to do is profile, pre register, and deploy sniffers in every airport. We are sacrificing our liberty and freedom because we do not have the guts to accept the fact that there really is a very narrow group of people that are willing to blow themselves up to kill others.

Do the full body scan of anyone coming to the US from outside our country, because it is a PRIVILEGE to come to our country, not a right. But sending granny and her 12 year old grand daughter through a full body scan for a trip from Seattle to LA is just plain stupid.

I fly over 100 flights each year. Most of the stuff we all have to do for the TSA is just eyewash for your benefit so it looks like something is being done and to justify the number of people at the check points. Adding more scanners will not reduce all the other crap one bit. And a full body scan will not make you any more safe than if they did a sniffer for explosives, which would be a lot less intrusive and NO ONE would be opposed to that.

Bottom line, you will never be able to truly stop people that are willing to die in order to kill others.

No they can't be stopped but some effort should at least be put in to try and make sure that they don't get through and hurt or kill others.

Guns are the problem, not the solution. In any event, I opt for nude travel. Let's all just strip and check our stuff when we get on the plane. Then we don't have to wonder what's in your underpants. You won't have any. And it would certainly be a conversation starter.

San Diego Native.Hey man, don't care myself if you carry a gun as long as you have a permit for it...and if you do,.,,so what ...it should not matter to you one way or the other. Besides, if you did carry one you would have to put it in baggage on a plane ,,not on your person on a plane..that is the point of this... I see nothing wrong with safety first. If you do not want to be scaned then you better take your car where ever you go.

Gustoguy,

What I dislike about liberals is their ability to ignore what the majority wants and their inability to see that being politically correct is killing this country.

I have cancer, I do not need any additional exposure to radiation. There are many people with cancer that fly to other cities just to see specialists. We cannot continue to be exposed to unnecessary radiation.

Stop being politically correct and profile young, white male muslims boarding planes, especially those without passports; not 55 year old grandmothers.

This whole fiasco is disastrous. So many regulations for the airlines, and none will work.

All America wants, is a President who confronts Terrorism himself.

Making the airports shore up their Security Measures isn't going to help one bit. Something else will happen, then another time delaying, atrocious even will take place in air.

It could also be a mechanic who filtered into the Airline system, placing a bomb. What will be done about that. Fire all the mechanics?

We will never completely be 100 per cent safe. The Terrorists are here, right here in America. What's O going to do about that. He's tied the Top Intelligence Agencies in handcuffs, so they can't use the same tactics as before, he's meddled into everyone's business (average American), and now he needs to literally confront the War on Terror, and that doesn't include airports.

Extreme Islamic Muslims. Obama, say the words. They are here right in America. Do your job. Bush did.

It was a definite screwup by Homeland Security, the inadequate Janet Napolitano, inadequate Pres. to handle war, because you relaxed all the rules on Terrorism.. Take your responsibility; it's your fault.

Just like the TSA has no qualms about using x-raying your baggage to steal any valuable contents. Just like the TSA has no qualms about selling your confiscated items on e-Bay (go checkit out -- "tsa knives" "tsa scissors" "tsa perfume" etc). Just like the TSA has no problem harassing individuals as demonstrations of ill temper. You can bet your bottom dollar that you will be seeing full body scan images on youtube or TMZ. The scans won't be used to catch terrorists, they will be used to answer the age-old question, "Are those real?"

One more thought:

Look at all the "crashers" that came through the White House. Where is the Security there?

Obama has the idea that America can go back to it's old ways before the days of the assassination of John F. Kennedy.

He just can't grasp the severity of the War on Terrorism.

If it isn't a scanner for body cavities that he thinks will work, it will be something else, delaying Airline flying. If someone wants to get through, they will, always 1 step ahead of the Airports and their security measures..

If your too ashamed of your body to walk through a scanner then don't fly.

How people can justify endangering other peoples lives because of their own insecurities is just amazing. Guess what...even with your clothes on we can all picture what you look like naked if we want to... and much more detailed than these scanners display.

I agree with Yankee Boy. Have everyone fly naked, but if one wants to cover with a blanket, for example, then charge them $1,000 after boarding. (For an extra $500, you can keep the blanket.)

That way, no one will be sneaking bombs aboard, AND the airline gets more money!

I'm sorry Hawaii2, you just are not making any sense. How the hell do you make the connection that this is the presidents fault??? These people that are supposed to be protecting us (TSA) are not presidential appointments. They are bureaucrats that were hired, probably years ago, for one of thousands of similar jobs. The preseident does not personally hire each employee. He does not stand at each airport and personally review your information or inspect your luggage. Trying to somehow connect this with your continued anger over losing in the last election is really a stretch of the imagination.

Based on your repeated postings, we all get it that you do not like the president. However, your arguments of why he is not a good president are so convoluted and thinly disguised as just any excuse to bash him and all democrats or liberals or progressives, that any legitimate point that you have is relegated to being more of the same rantings.

I am not always in agreement with you, nor am I always in disagreement with you, but it is really hard to make some of the connections that you do and actually not be more amused (bemused?) than persuaded by your statements.

What a load of BS!

The explosive was sewn into the front panel of his underwear. Rather doubtful of anyone would pay additional attention to his undies. The 'puffers', which TSA recently abandoned, would have easily detected the PETN explosive.

Too many things 'slipped' through the cracks to allow this guy on the plane. Makes you wonder if there wasn't a reason ..... like an excuse to 'upgrade' the security measures for more control.

All of this smoke and mirrors results in virtually no increase personal security (on planes or otherwise) but it does allow the government to keep close track of you... therein is lies the terror.

Spare no expense or imposition on the common traveler or American. It's the terrorists that must be appeased. All of this to the cash paying customer and legal traveler so that we don't have to (gasp) PROFILE! the terrorist cockroaches that Obama is so concerned that we not offend. Your daily dose of Obamanure and another installation to raise the stench of government.

Let us all get naked and fly.

It is inane, rhymes with insane, to put forth arguments against the scanners based on privacy.

I do not mind being scanned as long as the aircraft is not blown up in the air.

Anyone who does mind is a ninniebutt in my opinion.

Or, maybe they should lose some weight and tone up before the big trip.

That said, I would retaliate vigorously against any and all terrorist or suspected terrorist sites. Send them on their way to their God. So what if a few innocent people are in the way, such is war. Wipe out the viper's nests.

Certainly, most of the people traveling going to scanners, have had doctor's or hospital visits who make patients "go naked"".

It's the same thing. The Airport Security is just doing their job, and do not care WHAT your insides look like. One body looks the same as the other.

Intrusion? Better to be intruded upon than being blown up. What's the alternative.

My core belief is that if it's going to happen, it's going to happen, Fate.

Guns are the problem, not the solution.

People are the problem.

Let's all just strip and check our stuff when we get on the plane. Then we don't have to wonder what's in your underpants.

What about what's in your ass?

san diego native

who in the hell is after your precious guns - maybe one day one will go off and blow your damn head off. i love you gun freaks ''nra nuts'' big brave hunters shooting defenseless animals but too damn afraid to join the military and take the chance of a life time - one on one with another person with the same guns that you have - i have a couple guns, a .44 magnum and a walther ppk 9 mm but i do not go around making a damn fool out of myself like you fools do and i will never join that idiotic group in the n.r.a. and yes, i am a vietnam veteran, i know how to kill - hands, knife and gun but prefer a knife because it is much quieter

damn liberals ?? only a fool will actually believe that nonsense

Here's another idea- don't fly! Then, you don't have to worry about any scanners.

With the latest in technology available, it's hard to see what reasonable "Right to Privacy" would be violated by using these machines.

The kook from Nigeria could have killed 289 people with a little over 3 ounces of explosives. If these machines could have prevented it, I say use them, especially on high risk groups, like young, male Islamists.

Political Correctness is not worth allowing mass murder.

San Diego Native I am laughing my arse off. CitizenX doesn't get it. Maybe you should have said penis and not "virtual dingus" or "nobody touches my guns" (should have been gun (singular)). "This is for fighting this is for fun".

And CitizenX

By the way, I was born at Doctors Hospital down by Midway Drive on 1-4-52.

There were anchor babies back then too. So your point.

GustoGuy according to the news these are the reasons (not the added baloney from the Congressional Committees): "could easily be programmed to record images" with those TSA (who do not do their job anyway) putting these images on the internet (with your name attached). will prohibit the use of the devices as the sole or primary method of screening aircraft passengers, as it has been proven that these are not 100% effect in their testing at Prisons (translation you still must have secondary, thirciary, etc. means of searches).

Then there is the little matter of create the need, justify the need (to the potential buyer), and make the sale. Such scanners "provide the best protection for the widest range of threats," said Joe Reiss, vice president of marketing for American Science & Engineering Inc. L-3 Communications Holdings Inc. Rapiscan Systems, a unit of OSI Systems Inc. Smiths Detection. Let see, buy the machines, need training to use, maintenance, upgrades, more training to use the upgrades, maintenance to maintain the upgrades, etc..

So now there are your new Halliburton, KBR, Blackwater (Xe), Triple Canopy, etc..

In May, TSA abandoned "puffer machines" made by General Electric Co. and Smiths Detection, which blew air onto passengers to dislodge trace amounts of explosives. The government said the machines cost too much to maintain and regularly broke down when exposed to dirt or humidity. There are still 18 puffer machines deployed at U.S. airports.

It might have helped if they bought the maintenance contracts or had training to perform maintenance. Including pushing the button to "clear" or "clean" the detector (blow out the dirt and moisture).

How about all of you letting me put my boot up your arses and other body cavities. Literally, guess why this is another purchase then justify. Ask the Saudi Prince that could afford anything that almost got blown up.

Al Qaeda Bombers Learn from Drug Smugglers
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/09/28/eveningnews/main5347847.shtml?tag=pop

Not mentioned in the above reference, the Drug Smugglers were the Mexican Drug Lords, who's sideline business is human trafficking, forgery, as used by the Terrorist to get into the US, with a support base of over 23 Million Illegal Aliens (who cooperate or are killed or ratted out to INS, ICE anonymously by the Drug Lords (or Hispanic Drug Related Gangs) for not cooperating).

So to be effect women bend over twice for a check of both "body cavities".

Ask American Science & Engineering Inc. L-3 Communications Holdings Inc. Rapiscan Systems, a unit of OSI Systems Inc. Smiths Detection. If their machines were effective during prison and military testing in detecting items hidden in body cavities.

Hawaii2 It's the same thing. The Airport Security is just doing their job.

That is the point. The Airport Security is just doing their job.
They aren't and their previous misdeeds are well documented (even by posters that I have many previous disagreements with):

Chris-537131 - Just like the TSA has no qualms about using x-raying your baggage to steal any valuable contents. Just like the TSA has no qualms about selling your confiscated items on e-Bay (go checkit out -- "tsa knives" "tsa scissors" "tsa perfume" etc). Just like the TSA has no problem harassing individuals as demonstrations of ill temper. You can bet your bottom dollar that you will be seeing full body scan images on youtube or TMZ. The scans won't be used to catch terrorists, they will be used to answer the age-old question, "Are those real?"

#1.27

And as far as the "resolution" of the scanners the best one's show details down to the pubic hairs (these are not an internal scan). Translation you could use Photoshop and color in everything and there you are ass naked for TSA to sell on ebay or post on youtube (or other non monitored internet sites). Then if you really had an imagination using other software positioned to be doing perverted sex acts (animals, multiple partners, etc.). Look what happened in India (heck if I had three women in bed at age 82, I would be happier than sh..., December 2009), try disproving a photograph.

And seriously as far as the "threat". Ask the newbies out of Explosive Ordnance Disposal School as to what the current "threats" are (since they will not have the common sense to keep their mouths shut). As all the "Old School" (that still have all their limbs and fingers) will not say squat.

By the way what is the best way to train Special Warfare in counter insurgency warfare with minimal risk. Simple attach them to Law Enforcement. Just like attaching US Military Doctors/Physicians Assistants/Medics/Corpsmen to US Hospitals (especially Emergency Rooms). Almost said too much.

It is not my intention to disclose "Classified Information".

If these machines could have prevented it, I say use them, especially on high risk groups, like young, male Islamists.

Why do you assume it's only male terrorists? It's that similar mentality that allows female suicide bombers and female terrorists to land more blows than males do.

Congress Approves Bill Limiting TSA's Use of Whole-Body Imaging: Today, the House approved a bill that will limit the use of Whole-Body Imaging machines, installed by the Transportation Security Administration, in US airports. The devices photograph American air travelers stripped naked and could easily be programmed to record images. Congressman Jason

Chaffetz (R-UT) sponsored the bill that will prohibit the use of the devices as the sole or primary method of screening aircraft passengers; require that passengers be provided information on the operation of such technology and offered a pat-down search in lieu of such screening; and prohibit the storage of an image of a passenger after a boarding determination is made. EPIC launched a campaign and a Facebook Group seeking to raise public awareness about Whole Body Imaging. See EPIC's Backscatter X-ray, Whole Body Imaging, and Air Travel Privacy pages. (Jun. 4, 2009)

Gustoguy, thanks for setting the record straight! You know how those unsubtantiated rumors can get out of hand. I for one could care less who sees my "body shape" as long as they can control the radiation level and insure I don't get blown out of the sky!

Who in the world had privacy today anyway?? Computers, cell phones, land lines, video cameras; it does not exist anymore! We need to get this going ASAP!! Can you imagine what would have happen if this kid had been sucessful?? Do you remember what happended to our economy after 9/11?? Can you imagine what would happen in our current fragile state??

Let get past the baloney (aka above mentioned stall tactic) and get this done!!

You Nazi fascists jackasses who think this equipment is a good idea deserve no freedom whatsoever....you seek your own imprisonment...oh wait you probably build prisons and think that's a cool thing. Maybe if American corporations (Big Oil in particular) weren't so busy overthrowing democratically elected governments and installing brutal dictatorships maybe no many people around the world wouldn't seek vengence. You think one person in 2 billion is worth installing all these machines you should all be ashamed to call yourselves American...but you're probably not...just simple minded worthless righteous scum.

Jimmy.....have a Coke and a smile man!~ Take it easy!

I don't know what to think of using see through technology. It would possibly turn out to be a litigation problem.

Just heard the President speak from his vacation spot. He threw out a whole bunch of talk and rhetoric in his usual controlled manner that captivates so many. What struck me was his lack of reference to the bomber... his lack of reference to heroes involved... and his lack of reference to terrorists. In fact, I was beginning to wonder whether or not he has any emotion. Everything was factually stated.

Where is the anger and disgust? Where is the ounce of conviction? Where is the blood in his eyes? (Where's Michael Moore and His cameras?) We had a terrorist action against us and he's still in Hawaii. I wouldn't have any problem with cutting him some slack if he would address this problem with some intensity toward our enemies. Instead he approaches it like something shut down the assembly line and we are working out the kinks. Yeah, a tow truck will be here to help you in just a moment.

It just struck me odd as I listened to him looking for just a smidgen of anger towards our enemies. Instead we got a very controlled news briefing that lacked any rallying cries, or inspiration.

Blue Star if "Blue Star" is active duty, like white star is veteran, and gold star is deceased. How about looking at the test results of Operational Test & Evaluation Agency. with my mom's window flag for me being two white stars (veteran twice) and one blue (recalled), Dad's flag two white and one gold.

Why do you think that we are still using "puffers" and even had to have women assigned to conduct full body searches (with my comment being that these women must be considered as "Combatants"). It becomes a matter of low tech or no tech defeating high tech in life and death situations. And if you think that these people do not know how to defeat high tech, guess again (and no we did not train them to do that).

and GustoGuy is about 99% wrong with his Partisanship interfering with his cognative skills. This is about gaining Government Contracts ($$$$,$$$,$$$,$$$,$$$). Just like the F-22 (Cold War Mission, 1990 design) versus F-35 (Current Asymmetric Warfare, 2000 design), April 2009.

Pricey Jet Fighters Add Up To Local Jobs

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/03/25/eveningnews/main4893248.shtml?tag=contentMain;contentBody

Congress to Military: Take More F-22s. We Insist.

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/07/15/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry5161900.shtml?tag=contentMain;contentBody

Ask the those that learned the hard way, like the Germans*, Israelis*, etc.. And since the Irish Republican Army is no longer what they used to be ask the veteran Irish Republican Army members; especially (image someone saying this with Irish accent) "you (British) have to be lucky all the time, we just have to be lucky once" - unknown IRA Bomber.

*There are many reasons, contributing to their success. mandatory conscription with those former conscripts becoming "Reserve Military" assigned to Law Enforcement to get around Military Force Size Restrictions. (meaning there are more Reserve Military assigned to Law Enforcement than "Civilians" with no Military Training. Sworn or Affirmed Oath. I lived in Deustchland over 20 years (and earned their offered Citizenship thru the spilling of blood (mine), just like the offered French Citizenship and other countries).

And about the "snowjob". Having been in Combat Arms (Vietnam Era) and coming back in I wanted nothing to do with (the insanity of) Combat and became a Logistics (Procurement, and background of Nuclear, Biological (Epidemiology), Chemical, Missiles, Maintenance, Project Manager, "Middle East" Qualified) Officer with my bosses (reportable to Congress) hating me as I wanted things that "worked""the best" for my former Combat Arms (not more expensive crap that barely meets the need (requirements)). That is not how it works, it is determined by who's State it is made in (and what each Politician will get out of the "deal"). This got so bad that I was switched involuntarily to Special Warfare (based on previous experience, US Military Training Teams from Germany to Iraq, Afghanistan, xxxxxxx, xxxxxx, and xxxxxxx, 1980s, as "needs of the US Military").

It is not my intention to disclose "Classified Information".

One word, Profiling, it works in Israel.

errata (to avoid misunderstanding):

based on previous experience, US Military Training Teams from Germany to Iraq, Afghanistan, xxxxxxx, xxxxxx, and xxxxxxx, 1980s, as "needs of the US Military").

based on previous experience, 1980s US Military Training Teams from Germany to Iraq, Afghanistan, xxxxxxx, xxxxxx, and xxxxxxx. Using the excuse "needs of the US Military"). Which was actually because I pissed off someone in the Congressional Defense Appropriations Committee (what does "what State do you come from" (question asked by Congress) have to do with Procurement for the whole US Military).

It is not my intention to disclose "Classified Information".

i personally think that if this machine has even the slightest possiblity to reduce the chances of a psycho bomber or killer from boarding the plane, then it's a good thing. i am no skinny minny and for that matter don't even like my own husband seeing me in my skivvies HOWEVER, i would be willing to be subjected to this scan.

our freedom and rights are being constricted because of alot of things in this world and there is no question that it does indeed SUCK. but if that's what has to be done to keep people safe then the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.

I really don't care if they want to use a machine to look at my va gee gee. Or my rear gear. I have nothing to hide. And anyone who feels the same should not object either. MY GOSH..it could save our LIVES! Besides they are not looking to get a thrill, we all look the same in those areas...unless, of course, something is hidden in one or the other. What's more important...our "privacy or our LIVES.

Oh yessss....Obama always gives a good "speech". All potatoes and no MEAT! And then, back to the golf course. Stay "pretty"... woe be US.

That's how he won the election...REALLY, really good speeches...

A Veteran - One word, Profiling, it works in Israel.

I know that works. However:

1. Low tech solution (does not pad someone's pockets), so unacceptable in US.

2. Solution, not thought of by an American. so unacceptable. With the excuse being "that's Israel (unique situation), not the US" (cannot be adapted).

3. Poliltically Incorrect. so unacceptable. And to what extent, example: regarding the H1N1 Mexican Flu (Human Flu, Swine Flu and Avian Flu), not just the "Swine Flu" (single virus). CDC told not to call it the Mexican Flu (historically name based on outbreak location, in this case Mexico City) during the US President meeting at Mexico with Mexican President, April 2009. And that the Rules of Epidemiology will not be used, Quarantine with Air Travel Monitoring (Thermography) to slow the pandemic to allow more time for research and testing, development and production of sufficient vaccines. With US President stating that "financial matters are more important than a potential for US Citizens being infected". And new US Policy (after being asked by Mexican President) "US Military will NOT be used to secure US Borders". All of this was re stated again with the US President during meeting August 2009 with Mexican President and Canadian Prime Minister.

So three strikes against "profiling" including US Presidential.

Sarcastically, with all these US Lawyers sent here (August 2009) it will be called "prejudicial profiling" for us to stop the Taliban, Al Quada, Hamas Foreign Fighters, Chechen Foreign Fighters just because they are carrying RPGs, AKs, 12.5mm machineguns, anti tank rifles, etc. or wearing black hoods (because they are mostly Arabs and not Indo European Afghans). We already cannot shoot at them until they shoot first - 1907 Hague Convention and 1949 Geneva Convention (where term "Conventional Warfare" came from). With "Undeniable""Intent" having to be able to be proven in a Court of Law.

And if you do violate the rules:

US Military four levels of legal authority (against US Military):

(1) the international order of the laws and usages of war and resolutions
of the United Nations Security Council;

(2) U.S. law (murder trial);

(3) Iraqi or Afghan law (Koran, Hadith, Fiqh, Sharia Law), including orders of the CPA (Coalition Provisional Authority Orders) that have not been superceded; and

(4) Uniformed Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).

U.N. Security Council Resolution 1483 ¶ 4 (May 22, 2003)(calling upon “all
concerned to comply fully with their obligations under international law including in particular the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the Hague Regulations of 1907”).

With US Military Servicemembers accused being detained (imprisoned) while awaiting four possible criminal trials. And going bankrupt by hiring civilian defense lawyers. Unless you want to automatically lose, appointed defense JAG Officer who is a subordinate Officer to the Prosecutor (Commander JAG).

So yes, that is why the successful "profiling" will not be used or adapted to the US Situation. Humorously, "profiling" requires some "common sense" (and experience) and "common sense is not so common".

Well, back to Operation Turkey Dinner (which turned into Operation Roast Duck Dinner). Getting Roast Duck Dinner, etc. for my boys and girls (men and women, your sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, the family I never had) that call me their "Old Man" (amoung other derrogatory things) so that they don't end up with canned ham, powdered potatoes, and canned green beans for the holidays. Thank you everyone for the April 2009 Defense Budget Cuts (next time cut the Defense Budget after you withdraw us).

Happy Holidays all.

Obama blames 'systemic failure'. This while denying culpability and READING a prepared by someone else memo without the teleprompters. What happened to the fire he delivered campaign speeches with??

O B A M A - this is YOUR fault, show some backbone and stand up, YOUR PEOPLE are terrorists.

MY GOSH..it could save our LIVES!

It could but it might not.

Besides they are not looking to get a thrill

According to whom? It is basically a "virtual strip search." Some people, also, might not feel comfortable having their "naked" bodies looked at, even through a computer. Why punish everyone just because a few nutcases flew off the handle?

O B A M A - this is YOUR fault, show some backbone and stand up, YOUR PEOPLE are terrorists.

He's not Islamic, and even if he was that doesn't make him or "his people" terrorists. That's ethnic profiling.

I'm not sure a "full body scanner" would have detected the terrorist's intents. I'm wondering if they searched his carryon.

Reports say that Abulmulltalab spent almost half an hour in the bathroom after the plane was in the air, came out and said he didn't feel good, covered himself with a blanket (probably to conceal his appearance) and then there were some sounds like firecrackers and the side of the plane where he was sitting and his trousers burst into flames.

Maybe he had the plastik, etc. in his carry-on and put it under his trousers in the bathroom.

I don't want to see x-ray machines at airports. We'd probably have to weigh the outomes with radiation poisioning.

It would depend on how much radiation they got and how long they were exposed to the radiation.

No good reason to take the risk.

They should try training dogs to sniff out plastik. Dogs can find money, they can probably find plastik too.

Odd how Liberals are being singled out, when one would assume that Liberals are more comfortable with their bodies and Conservatives would be less consenting to R rated X-rays.

Pardon the humor, but perhaps we should go the opposite way with this. Post the images real time on a pay-per-view internet site and the lucky viewer who spots contraband that leads to the capture of a terrorist gets a cash reward.

I don't know why anyone but criminals and terrorists would have a problem with these machines.

This is a typical response when people raise legitimate concerns about rights. Just change "these machines" to "wiretaps", "warrantless searches", etc....

Apparently, if someone brings up Constitutional issues, they must be a crook.

barry nj, I agree. What is with these people? Why are they so easily giving up their rights? The tsa won't get a thrill? Wanna bet? Many of them have criminal records and are not really all that trustworthy. I know that they steal things and I would bet this recent flight from Amsterdam was an inside job. I'm beginning to think that flying is not worth it anymore.

Gustoguy, What I dislike about liberals is their ability to ignore what the majority wants and their inability to see that being politically correct is killing this country.

What makes you think that I am a liberal?. I too believe that the people who are complaining about "oh we have to be politically correct and we should never judge a book by its cover" have itwrong too. I feel that people should be judge by their actions and the content of their character. I also feel that we should look to see were they have traveled and if they have traveled to countries such as Afghanistan or Pakistan or Yemen then they should get additional screening. This Nigerian was radicalized and obviously pissed off at America and the rest of the world. His father even went to the US embassy in Nigeria to warn us about his son. I bet he sure felt proud of his son after he attempted to kill innocent civilians. I too hate the fact that terrorists are stealing our civil liberties and freedoms by taking advantage of the fact that we are a free society.

As to the increased radiation threat from such scans. I too believe that people should be free to address this issue and that the TSA should be accommodating and use other methods such as pat down and new explosive residue "puffer" sniffer technology to avoid having people receiving additional radiation. Ps I am a independant and I do not subscribe to political pandering. It was simply making me ill to see all the right wingnut jobs blaming Obama for this when it was a Conservative from the state of Utah who sponsored a bill to make it difficult for the TSA to use these machines. I am also a health care professional and wish you the very best with your cancer treatments.

No good reason to take the risk.

There is a good reason but not everyone aggrees with it. You have to look at it from both sides. Sometimes the risk is worth the discomfort.

They should try training dogs to sniff out plastik. Dogs can find money, they can probably find plastik too.

Do you know how many people have plastic on them? Also, people can have allergies to dogs, the hair and the skin.

You can't win the war on terror, just as you can't win the war on drugs. It will be an ongoing battle, back and forth, forever.

I don't know how I feel about the machines. I could care less about someone seeing an image of me naked. Big whoop. On the other hand, the more rights we give up, the easier it is for the government to take away more, in the name of "protection".

Also, even though nobody is forced to fly an airplane, many people don't have another option when they travel, either for business for vacation. So in a sense, they are forced to fly.

Id rather force screeners to actually see me naked. That would be a just punishment for wasting my time. Im not a nudist, but I do like wearing nothing, so I say bring on the strip searches. Its the screeners who will go blind.

Biometrics is a failed technology for security. See Schneier. Definitely a distant second to intelligent beings--a scarce commodity in government. Paid for media is almost as bad as your government for reliable information. Give no credence to either.

G.H.

That's the problem! Obama is done with the War on Terror.

Hawaii2 - G.H., That's the problem! Obama is done with the War on Terror.

No is not done with the War on Terror.

He has not finished "outting" all my worldwide Special Warfare subordinates yet. Like the CIA "assets", USA SF "US Military Training Teams", at Yemen. So now the Yemen Al Quada that "thought" that they were there now know they are there and are probably hunting them along with all the pro Al Quada at Yemen (and bounty hunters). So now all those USA SF have now flushed about 20 years (training, experience) of their lives down the toilet and cannot "work the job", especially if their faces show up on the internet. Not to mention the Strategic "outting" of General Petraeus, secret meeting at Yemen, with the enemy now watching everywhere he goes (to find out where all US Covert Operations are). And all of you wonder why most are thinking of joining Blackwater (Xe), Triple Canopy, etc. at least they can keep a secret a secret (to save lives) and also most will not have to worry about scrimping and saving to keep their families off of food stamps and public assistance.

So, Hawaii2, he is not done with the War on Terror, until he compromises all of us.

David,

You are a lot confused. I guess it was okay when Dick Cheney, for the most political of reasons, committed high treason (a death penatly offense) for outing an active CIA case officer.

David-475776 -- What do you mean by "your" worldwide Special Warfare subordinates? Are you with the CIA, USA SF or US Military Training Teams? What is "Blackwater"--a loose cannon? Are you in charge of these organizations? If so, and you are concerned, why would you be posting on a public site?

You know, I don't care if they look at my fat wrinkles or count the hairs on my balls, I want to fly without thinking some fool is going to blow up the plane with something non metallic.

I mean really, as the plane drops 30,000 feet to a watery grave, would you die with a smile because you knew that no one saw the contour of your naked body? Grow up you privacy freaks. You we born naked and will be naked when the undertaker dresses you for your funeral. Sometimes in life, you have to sacrifice a bit of your privacy for the public good. Of course, you can always take a boat and drive if you don't want to fly.

another problem with the aclu is they fight profiling. ask the isrealis, not one incident in 30 yrs! they stop the bomber, not the bomb.

"Sometimes in life, you have to sacrifice a bit of your privacy for the public good."

That is a very frightening and dangerous statement. How far are you willing to let the government take over your life, as long as they reassure you it's "for the public good"?

I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but I do not want to see police able to search houses without a warrant, in the interest of public safety. Sometimes we have to sacrifice a bit of safety in order to maintain our freedom and dignity.

I will take faster security checks where I am not manhandled and safer travel any day of the week. Use these on everyone for PRIMARY screening.

The ACLU is fast becoming a bunch of nutjobs that never pick their battles and do not even attempt to balance individual freedoms against the safety or the ability to fight terrorism/crime.

I prefer frisking over x-rays. It's just more personal.

Clotho,

You seem perfectly okay with the government taking over your life on health care reform, but you don't want the government to take over when it may be a true matter of national security. You seem to contradict yourself.

What's going to happen when the body is scanned and people who have medical implants, such as pacemakers, metal braces holding up broken bones, metal clamps, and all the rest? Are they going to be sent to the holding area for checks and rechecks, holding the airplane for take off?.

Why is it, that the least suspect person is pulled over for being wanded or interrogated, like the 90 year old lady, or families?

This whole scenario doesn't make any sense.

Traveling by auto seems has no rules, and faster than waiting for an airliner to take a person to a city that is 1 hour away by plane. Yow!

But what if they do security checks and scans at the boarders? Or if you have to travel overseas? They may do security checks on ferries (I think I spelled that wrong) and cruise ships.

MO S in COlorado - I don't think people should be exposed to the radiation. Although some may not mind exposing them self for attention, all in all, the depersonalization of individuals wouldn't have a positive effect on society.

I don't think people should be exposed to the radiation.

Do you also think that people shouldn't use x-rays in dental offices or to indentify broken bones in hospitals?

Like I said before, sometimes the risk is worth the discomfort. Also, it depends on how much radiation the person is exposed to and how long they've been exposed to the radiation, it also depends on the kind of radiation they're exposed to. Also, who flies every day?

Misty, you are so right. Put pen to paper and write your Congressman and Senator. Let them know how you feel.

I wonder how safe it is if your a frequent flyer and get X-rayed 50 times a year.

Good question stronghorse, what is the technology behind this. I don't think it is x-rays, but I could be wrong. Before we complain, perhaps we could look into how it works and see if there is a way for those embarrassed or frequent fliers to get screened another way, while the masses just go through the machine.

It isn't x-rays. It's radio waves of a frequency close to what your cell phone uses, and very low power.

I say let the embarrassed ones get a strip search in a private room. The rest of us can walk through the machine.

stronghorse - how safe is it for a whole plane full of passengers when terrorist blow it out of the sky?

This is a simple/effective no-brainer to make everyone who flies safer.

Just fly butt naked. It is highly unlikely that you can cram enough explosives in your fourth point of contact to blow up a plane. Course I could be wrong......

Lunchbox - to go one further.

Everyone flies naked and everyone gets a single shop pistol load with shot.

Problem solved.

Even if the hijacker has one of the pistols, what's he gonna do when 283 other passengers point their pistols at him?

Honestly, whose more comfortable with their bodies and who is more willing to be seen naked. A liberated liberal or an oppressed conservative? Globally, there seems to be far more objections to revealing searches based on religious/gender grounds?

Tacoma WA,

Im about as conservative as they come, and I also HATE wearing pants, clothes in general, but pants REALLY make me mad for some reason. I cant wait to get naked at the end of the day.....

And suddenly I dont think this has anything to do with the article. Some people are embarased by their bodies, but i dont think they should be labelled close minded or simple just because of that fact. I know plenty of very liberally minded people who would never dream of being seen with anything less than Pants and a shirt on. Where I have no problem answering the door to strangers in nothing but boxers, anything less and i have been warned it could be a felony :(

I like the idea of using the scanners, and having software identify when someone needs to be patted down. Youd have to have pretty smart software to insure that there arent too many searches being conducted, but I dont think it is beyond the realm of the do-able.

Not just plastic explosives, but detonators wrappen in paper can be "keistered" for later retreival. There should be no flame producing items allowed on planes. NO matches OR lighters either.

Nope. I wouldn't.

What's it like to be so fearful? Is that a male trait? Because very few women I know walk around in so much fear every day.

Actually, this will effectively keep me from being detained or searched/patted down at the airport, so I am all for it.

Only criminals/terrorists would be against this type of measure, which if employed as the primary search method would make everyone's life a lot easier and airport security a lot faster.

Boons_orama

I know that there are scary people on all message boards but I just can't refrain from saying that...., maybe most women you know are idiots and maybe they walk around thinking of almost nothing of value, including their own safety. Is that an inherent female trait?

Maybe you should travel abroad (third world) and see places other than where you shop.

I sometimes am stunned at the stupidity of our elected leaders, but then I remember that we elected them. Ray, get involved in your local community and talk about politics with your friends and neighbors. Perhaps you will spark a political revolution.

The passengers showed some balls because the devices failed. If both bombs went off as planned they would all be dead now. They defended themselves because they had time too! How many downed airliners in a 7 year period is acceptable? As you said if you don't want to go through the scanner pay for a seat on a private flight, take amtrak or drive.

Phil, I would rather check in took longer so that the landing is not done at terminal velocity.

These machines have had software developed for them so that nobody can see the fun bits anyway. It just shows symbols and general outlines. I think that's stupid, but that's America - fat, dumb and happy.

Maybe we deserve all this. Stupid gets what it deserves.

Jimmys Crackhorn,

Everyone is insane who does not think like you and WHO ACTUALLY THINKS about ways to detect terrorist attempts. Is that your best shot ?

I'll give you a hint.....it's not ridiculous if it works, and it saves just one plane from going down. Not eveyone is a paid shill, and not everyone today is paranoid about whether a company makes a profit selling these machines. They will sell because there is a GROWING MARKET for them.

Politically correct or not, profiling needs to be a rasonable part of the plan. I'm sure you and your buddies at ACLU would wet your pants at this thought.

Myra, how about we check EVERYBODY and get 100% of all the nut cases? That would be fair and then we would not have to worry about profiling or being PC.

Who cares about PC or not PC?

John, it seems that the PC world has taken over and I for one am happy to read posts from people that are starting to tell the PC to take a hike. That said, they are entrenched and if we are going to make them budge, we have to provide solutions to their worries. If they can't get over it, then to hell with the PC, they learn to suck it up or stay home.

I've dealt with these people. I have read Koran, and much of Ha'dith. I have been personally told with regret that I will be killed for deciding not to convert. By the idiot logic of islam's prophet, what these people are doing is absolutely correct. It's a cult, just like Jim Jones' cult in Guyana, except this one managed to make it big time by a series of accidents long ago.

Any terrorist must have a doctrine. Terrorism is just another form of warfare, it is not random, it is not accidental or desperate. It is just another form of war. Doctrine is its foundation, and Koran and Ha'dith are the foundation of this one. There are sort of reform muslims, but even the ones we think of as liberal are almost all more fundamentalist than Oral Roberts. No kidding.

Interesting John, I have found the more worldly educated a person is, the more I tend to agree with them. Education will set you free.

I find it interesting that people blogging here are so self centered that they can not think of the safety of others, because they don't want to get screened at the airport and losetheir "privacy". Do you think that flying is a right or privilege?

Simply check all young Muslim males

How can you look at someone and tell if they are a Muslim or not? A lot of Israelis and Egyptians have similar skin tones to Arabs, so you would have to ask them if they were Muslim. Do you think a terrorist is going to tell you the truth?

It is the most bizarre thinking that when we know lions are the problem, we're checking out the zebras to make sure the lions don't get hurt feelings.

Only in America.

myra,

Simply check all young Muslim males ages 15 through 25 and you would get 98% of these mass murders before they ever get a chance to kill people. These aren't italians or French or Catholics or Jews trying to blow up planes. IT IS ALL YOUNG MUSLIM MALES

It is prejudice and nonsensible dribble by the likes of you that makes them do this to you. And you wonder why??

True, Do what the Israeli's do and you can stop them. I am no advocate of predudice but these terrorists will stop at nothing to kill people. This Nigerian had a Muslim name and went to Yemen to be radicalized. Check where they have been and if the have been to Pakistan of Afghanistan or Yemen or Somalia then put them under the microscope. I am starting to believe with what Ron Paul says "that we need to distant our selves out of the Muslim world" for the Terrorists biggest call to arms is our very presence in the countries they live in.

You have to put his words into perspective. We have laws for the common good. ALL laws give safety AND security at the cost of some "freedom". Searches to fly is not government infringement into your personal privacy because you do not need to fly.

Do you feel that the government should invade the mechanic's privacy by making him to a drug test? I don't want some mechanic being stoned when he tightens the bolts on my plane. What was the torque? 90 foot lbs or 90 inch pounds...ah, dude, don't worry about it..it's all cool...here, hit this joint...

No, I want those that are responsible for my safety to be checked and I feel that as a passenger, I should be checked as well. Am I better than the mechanic? In order for him to work, he has to submit to drug tests. In order for me to fly, I have to under go a personal search. BIG DAMN DEAL!

That quote of Ben Franklin's is very overused. He said many things; here's a few:

By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.

Distrust and caution are the parents of security.

Even peace may be purchased at too high a price.

Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other.

For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged, by better information or fuller consideration, to change opinions, even on important subjects, which I once thought right but found to be otherwise.

Half a truth is often a great lie.

He that won't be counseled can't be helped.

Hear reason, or she'll make you feel her.

Nice job, John.

We have turned into the Soviet Union. We used to vilify them for doing things like this to their citizens. Now we applaud this behavior. I think we owe the Soviet Union a big apology for acting like they were bad all these years. And Cuba, while we are at it. After all, we have gone far beyond their tactics.

You all must be really fat and insecure with your body or criminals/terrorists to begin with.

Fact - we practically go through a strip search to travel anyway.

Fact - this would be much more effective, faster, and cheaper (since we wouldn't need multiple levels of review).

There are concerns about sacrificing individual freedoms for safety, but there is also a balance between the two and some application of common sense that needs to be considered. It is obvious the nay-sayers to this technology haven't explored either.

Oh, My!!

An airlines or Homeland Security having my name is a infringement on my privacy. Them lookin into my bags is an infringement of my privacy. Them looking at my picture is an infringement of my privacy. Submitting my name for a passport is an infringement of my privacy. Putting my name on a credit card application is an infringement of my privacy. Oh, my God, EVERYTHING I provide to anyone else is an infringement on my privacy. Damn, even if I go and live and die in a cave, when they find my bones, they will look at my teeth to see who I was and that is an infringement on my security. That is IT!! I am going to live in a cave and pull out all my teeth! Yup, it is all about me and my privacy.

MOS, you would have made a good soviet citizen.

MOS - you have it right and these crazies have it wrong.

The whole individual freedom versus overall population safety needs to be considered as a balancing act and with some common sense.

If you aren't carrying guns, bombs, or other weapons that you shouldn't be onto the plane, then why wouldn't you want to stop other people that are?

What are the individual freedoms that we are really losing here? We all still get checked, frisked, etc, at airports and we can also be pulled out of line at any time for a strip search.

This new technology will just make your airport trip faster, safer, and less invasive.

Wow, Craig... how dare you! Don't you know that some people have no responsibility to anyone else? It is all about me! What could you be thinking? Nothing is a privilege, everything is a right and... and... oh, God!... how could you suggest that someone take a moment of time and a give up a little privacy to ensure the safety of others. Craig, Craig, Craig... you are so "old school" and dare I say, not "PC"?

Glad to see you stand up to the ego centric dipsticks!

I don't even know where people stand on this issue, based on their posts. However...

Flying is not a right, and it has not been a privilege for decades. For most people who have to travel for work, it is a necessity. This is not some form of entertainment, where a person can walk out because he doesn't agree with the terms of service or disclaimer.

People who fly have to fly; they can't choose to travel to the business conference across the country by train or car. Consider that the government always supports the airlines when they fail, because airlines are an essential form of travel.

Therefore, people who disagree with the terms of flying are usually not free to get out of line and find a different mode of travel. Neither a right nor a privilege, but something that people have to do.

Tiz what is wrong with your body that you worry about it getting on the Internet? Hey, I have an idea... you don't want to get your body scanned, go early to the airport and get a "private" inspection OR just don't fly.

My life is worth more than your "embarrassment".

They don't need the image to convict if an explosive is found on his body...they then have ....evidence! They are not going to "pass through" if something is found so...i.e. they no longer need the image if actual evidence is found. And if nothing is found...well that person moves on and once again the image is not needed for anything.

Guess what - you can take a train or get a private search.

I personally welcome this technology that will make airport security faster, less invasive, and more accurate.

Well, after the first coupe of days, I will venture a guess that he wouldn't be able to get it up anymore given the general state of the population. But hey, if he wants to get a woody looking at my fat ass, more power to him.

I fly a bit and don't like the idea of dying in a fiery ball because someone was more worried about their "Privacy" then my life.

Someone can take your picture as you walk down any street in America and go home and rub one off to it.

I personally would rather be alive and have someone whacking off to my barely naked image with my distorted face than to have my family come identify my mangled remains because some crazies blocked the technology from being deployed.

The way most Americans look without their clothesI doubt that anyone would be doing that. And isn't masturbation , 1. freedom of expression, 2. a privacy right,

You know being online is a great way for big brother to track you and your thinking! No matter how many screen names you use! (the sheeple remark is as good as a finger print dude)

Indeed. In Munich's central park you can wander around nude. In Holland, nudity at the beach is normal.

That's because the issue is not about public nudity or embarrassment. That's just what the bloggers are focusing on.

It's about the Constitutionality of this type of search, and how much freedom, privacy and human dignity we're willing to concede to the terrorists, in order to feel safer. I doubt people who oppose it really care about somebody in another room seeing them nude. It's a red herring, while the terrorists are laughing themselves silly.

That said, I'm still not sure how I feel about it. However, since the chance of any of us being on a hijacked plane is smaller than winning the lottery while getting struck by lightning, I think I'm leaning towards not letting the terrorists take away more of my rights.

Clotho -

I've read your postings with some interest as they are circumspect.

I agree. This is not a privacy or personal dignity issue (whatever that means) but an issue of an impermissible search by the government.

There are limited instances where we as a society have allowed our government warrantless searches. But those exceptions are rooted in avoiding imminent or a clear and present danger.

I, too, am uncertain if this additional searching crosses the line to intrusion. There are an awful lot people giving up their right to be free from government searches. Without some articuable reason, it does not seem appropriate to subject every individual to such an intrusive search to avoid the remote possibility of one being a danger to the plane.

I'm leaning towards believing this is getting to be too much government intrusion. If airports become secure, the terrorists may move to malls or amusement parks. You see where I'm heading. Is it really a far jump to a fascistic police force free to search whomever, wherever, and whenever?

Hear reason, or she'll make you feel her.

By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.

- Benjamin Franklin

wlockridge, I respect your service in law enforcement an thank you for posting your thoughts. What I would like to know is what does it matter if someone scans your body for weapons or explosives before you get onto a plane? If I get stopped by the police and they ask me to empty my pockets so that they know that I don't have a weapon, I don't have a problem with that. I and other tax payers pay the police to protect us and I do what I can to support them. If I ever came across corruption or harassment, I would complain to the police, government and press. We have those rights.

I believe that there is no "Right" to be a passenger in a plane and just as a kid has to meet a certain height requirement to ride the roller coaster, if you want to ride the plane, you play the game. Is this not fair?

I don't disagree with scanning for weapons. What I disagree with is taking invasive photos of people through their clothing. There is a HUGE difference. Further if I stop you as a police officer I have no authority, possibly contrary to what you may have been told, to ask you to empty your pockets. I have the authority to perform a cursory, the operative word here being cursory, pat down search for weapons if I feel that you may present a danger to me. If you are in a vehicle, not the operator thereof, and the driver is committing a minor traffic offense, I further have no authority to even require you to produce identification unless I have reason to believe that you are committing an offense. Because you may choose to not avail yourself of your civil rights and agree to let me go through your phone, your wallet, and stick my hands down your pants while on a fishing expedition for illegal contraband, that doesn't mean that the guy in the back seat should be required to as well but all too often that's exactly what happens. You see this particular thing that we are discussing may very well be a small thing to you however the guy, or more probably the girl, behind you may not feel that way. I'm not saying that we shouldn't take every reasonable measure to insure security to the best of our ability but we should, no we must, also assure that we don't violate people's rights in the process. Security is a balancing act and reasonable men must meet together to decide what reasonable is, unfortunately we have few reasonable men left among those that are fast becoming our masters. We cannot allow the actions of a few to dictate the actions of the many no matter what the excuse. You see history has shown us time and again that once a small chip is broken from the rock of freedom that chip is lost forever. We need be very vigilant my friend. Good evening and a prosperous new year to you and yours.

Happy New Year to you as well.

Please, before you sign off, I am curious and no one really has answered; is flying a Right or Privilege? I say it is a privilege and therefore the person who has a problem with being scanned can choose to use an alternate method of transportation Boats, Trains or Automobiles. For the luxury of rapid air travel, they should have to submit to the searches?

I would say that being aboard any PRIVATE mode of transportation not owned by the transportee is not a right But I would qualify that statement by saying that, in todays business environment, some people are literally forced to fly in the pursuit of putting a loaf of bread on their tables for their family. As a side note, it must be remembered that they blow up trains and boats as well. I'm only asking at what point do we say enough? Strip searches, cavity searches, sooner, later, where does it end or does it end? I've seen more instances of law enforcement "tools" being abused than I can count. You said that you have a right to complain to the police, the government, the press, and that's correct, you do. You also have a right to be ignored and you will. I've seen good decent people have their lives ruined for "complaining" and it almost cost me a career myself. It's not nearly as easy as you think it is. Better it doesn't get started in the first place.

Flying, just like driving is a privilege and not a right. With today's technology, there is virtually very little need to fly. I work for a very large company and when the 9/11 attack happened and more recently, we cut costs. The company banned almost all flights for employees and all had to be justified with supervisors. We made it through just fine.

wlockridge, I tried to read all of your post, but without line breaks it made my eyes bleed. I agree with what I could read, however.

The U.S. is still adjusting to the fact that we have now joined the rest of the world in being vulnerable to terrorist attack. It's old news in other countries. Did anyone even see the blurb a day or two ago about the bomb in Pakistan that killed 30+ people?

In Israel, when a bomb goes off in Tel Aviv, they quickly and efficiently rebuild and get on with their lives. They take measures to protect themselves, from armed boats that patrol the coast to armed soldiers everywhere. But they know they can't stop every attack.

Eventually, the U.S. will begin to accept that these things will, unfortunately, happen. All we can do is take every reasonable precaution, be alert, and get on with our lives.

This isn't a police state - people can choose to drive or take a train.

Reasonable - criminals/terrorists are beating the current airport security.

Reasonable - people can choose another means of transportation.

Unreasonable - blocking technology that will make airport travel safer, faster, and less expensive over time because a few nutjobs are against it.

Unreasonable - ignoring the fact that I get felt up/frisked, have to empty my pockets for everyone to see, etc., everytime I go to the airport (which actually makes the new technology less invasive).

No one is forced to fly commercial. If you don't want to fly, there are always options.

Plan ahead, use video conferencing, take a train, car, boat, private jet, whatever. If you are worried about someone in another room seeing your body shape, and don't want to be patted down - GET OFF MY PLANE !

Besides, many of those that complain about scanners probably have no way to hide the enormous blobs they are anyway.

It's really quite simple. You have three options at the airport. Three signs. Three lanes.

One says: Body scanner.

Two says: Pat-downs.

Three says: EXIT.

Pick your lane and move out (and stop complaining!).

The world didn't change on 9/11; it was the same world the day before, many people were just in happy ignorance about it.

You can keep your family safe by keeping them off airplanes.

icstars-1. How about we employ these machines to keep airplanes safe and you and your criminal/terrorist buddies can take the train (or better yet - take a walk)...

LMAO. I know this is a serious topic but that just made me laugh so hard I had to reply. I'm picturing a line of bins full of peoples' underwear going through the x-ray machine.

LMAO! That would be sooooo funny! Jesus Cristo, I have to travel with my mom everyonce in awhile and she takes a long enough time with her damn purse, shoes, and jewelry that if taking off her underwear had to be factored in my head would explode with impatience!!!!

Thinking of the skid marks in my underwear.. Bomb squad and HazMat would be called.

Funny....good to lighten things up...thanks. -