HARRISBURG PA – A radiation-emitting scanner used to screen airplane passengers is, some Pennsylvania legislators say, nothing more than a digital strip search.
A TSA official prepares for a body pat-down
The House State Government Committee on Wednesday (May 9, 2012) passed, in a majority vote, a resolution protesting the extent and pervasive nature of federal Transportation Security Administration screening procedures, but not without debate, according to The Pennsylvania Independent online news service.
House Resolution 16 urges Congress to limit the use of advanced imaging technology and pat-downs, on the grounds that such actions violate the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, as well as Article I, Section 8 of the state constitution.
The resolution follows a growing number of complaints nationwide from travelers who say they feel violated by the security screening, including several instances of alleged sexual abuse by aggressive agents.
- Read a story by reporter Melissa Daniels, titled “PA lawmakers tell TSA to lay off searches” and published Thursday (May 10) by The Independent, here.
Photo from Google Images
Franklin once wrote something to the effect that those who give up liberty in pursuit of security will lose all liberty…
The TSA has a tough job. The problem with terrorists is they will stop at no approach to accomplish their terror. If it’s rigging a baby as a bomb they will do it. So the TSA needs to check. They also seem no to be useing computers and technology in order to screen passengers and determine a reasonable threat level associatd with said passengers. Confirming an identity, a background and possible terror connections might make TSA’s job easier and screening more worthwhile. Thats to use available intelligence and sort out who might be a potential bomb carrier or who might have possible contact with risk / threat ranked people that would require additional scrutiny.
Cancer patients traveling with colostomy bags can be vetted with physicians, other eforts can be made to screen and vet folks more effectively.
There’s a lot loose in the TSAs domain. Getting rid of the less than professional people and turning these folks into really wel trained security professional would really help. To often the public see’s a low paid hourly employee whose putting in time on a job they dislike and really are unqualified and undertrained in.
Franklin was right, we’ve already given to much away. Decent seats on airpllanes, food service, baggage handling and arrival assurance, etc.
Remember 9/11 happened because they explotied weakness which they tested and developed. Perhaps TSA might serve themselves in analyzing the entire passenger scenario beginning to end and see where things still might be exploited.
We all deserve to arrive safely.