In the midst of national outrage over intrusive TSA searches, Janet Napolitano asked for patience and understanding in an op-ed she wrote at USA Today.
In her piece, she noted that every American is part a multi-layered approach to homeland security and tried to reassure travellers that the new imaging systems were safe:
And we ask the American people to play an important part of our layered defense. We ask for cooperation, patience and a commitment to vigilance in the face of a determined enemy.
As part of our layered approach, we have expedited the deployment of new Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) units to help detect concealed metallic and non-metallic threats on passengers. These machines are now in use at airports nationwide, and the vast majority of travelers say they prefer this technology to alternative screening measures
But many are not buying the notion, and believe the government agency responsible has gone too far. Napolitano attempted to calm fears and explain the purpose of the pat-downs:
If an anomaly is detected during screening with AIT, if an alarm occurs after a passenger goes through a walk-through metal detector, or if a passenger opts out of either of these screening methods, we use pat-downs to help detect hidden and dangerous items like the one we saw in the failed terrorist attack last Christmas Day.
But, as Ed Morrissey of Hot Air notes, the claim is highly questionable, because of two important factors; One, the terrorist in question boarded the aircraft in Amsterdam, a city whose airport is not under TSA control; And second, the material in the would-be bomber's underwear would probably not have triggered any scanner in use.
Morrissey writes:
The real failure was letting him on the plane in the first place, since American intelligence knew he was a potential threat, but failed to communicate it properly. All the pat-downs in the country wouldn’t have prevented that attack, and unless the US takes over aviation security in every airport with flights to our country, they won’t close that loop with their new scanners and patdowns.
Instead, the new measures are only angering citizens who see their Constitutional rights being stripped away by an out-of-control government agency.
A poll at the Washington Post shows that a majority (58 percent) have been subjected to the new pat-downs and feel their privacy was invaded.
Among the comments at the poll is this story:
I have two embedded metallic prosthetic devices, one in my elbow and one in my hip. This means that I am subject to a pat down each time I pass through a security screening point. I have asked that the TSA issue an identification device that would spare me, and others, to a simple wand scan, subject to a full pat down on a random basis. I do carry cards identifying the type and location of my prostheses, but they are ignored.
I go through these invasive, intrusive security checks at least 100 times a year. One of these days I am going to tell the kid with a GED NOT to touch my testicles (for medical reasons) and if he does, he'll get a haymaker that will have him seeing stars.
I am not looking for trouble, but in this case, big brother is. There is a simple remedy for those in my situation but the TSA won't even entertain addressing the issue.
Another commenter blames TSA searches for permanent physical damage to her daughter:
I observed a very elderly man being forced to get out of a wheel chair and stand up, with his arms and legs spread out, so that he could be wanded down. His wife was taken to a different line so he was alone. He looked frantic and I asked the supervisor why it was necessary. His answer was "he looked OK" to which I asked him "what medical school did you attend?"
Add this to my daughter being forced to walk through security, out of her wheel chair, when she had 2 broken bones in her leg and a soft cast. To this day, we do not know if her walking without crutches - early in her recovery period - contributed to her never fully getting her range of motion back. Thanks Denver Airport!
The Drudge Report shows a picture of a nun being searched by what appears to be a TSA agent in Muslim garb. So much for the Secretaries' claim of "same gender" searches.
Meanwhile, the Christian Science Monitor reports that the government is using the same technology to randomly scan cars and trucks.
So much for privacy and the Constitution.
One commenter at Hot Air wrote:
Janet:
Thanks for protecting us from terrorists. Now, who is going to protect us from you? Personally, I think the odds of my plane being attacked by terrorist are far lower than:
1) The odds of your search-and-seizure tactics escalating… and eventually extending far beyond scanners in the airport
2) The odds that terrorists will simply move to softer targets, like subways, buses, or personal vehicles (that can be driven into schools, churches, etc.)
3) The odds of your making me miss my flight — despite arriving at the airport more than 2 hours early — because you refuse to adopt more sensible approaches… like profiling.
This is like the IRS not caring that I have to spend five days filling out tax forms, so they can collect every last dime from me.
It’s time for “Change,” all right
Instead of terrorizing children and performing random strip searches, the TSA needs to take lessons from Israel, who, as Morrissey writes, has been "the most successful in the world at preventing terrorism in the air".
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On Monday, November 15 at 7 pm Pacific time, Joe will discuss current events with Sharon Russell at blogtalkradio.com. Be sure to listen and feel free to call in with your questions and comments. The call-in number is (917) 932-1661
Comments
Allah- Akbar! Peace be upon the TSA and U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano for making our Jihad so much easier this time.
In the name of the most merciful we may now employ our new IEEDs, ( Individualized Enema Explosive Devices). While you Americans and the TSA are busy having your wives and children violate in front of all and your manhood handled by rent-a-cops, someone else could have been busy too. You see let's, make up a nonexistent character called Martyr Mahmoud, Blessings upon him, and what if he got up this morning after fasting for 30 hrs. Preparing, perhaps a condom filled with .5 pounds of C4.
A little molding elongating, a little olive oil, relax now, ..there that wasn't so bad. Now take 3 showers, scrub any possible residue. The little micro blasting cap is so mixed up with the wiring that even Mahmoud has to look carefully, ah there it is, now screw the back of the lap back. Just remember all those virgins you will have tonight and focus. Now you can walk in the scanners with confidence or even endure the infidels enhanced pat down, what ever tickles the TSA's fancy. Now of course this would not work on an Israeli airline, they don't bother groping and scanning, they notice my name, when I check in my photograph is already zooming through some secure lines, They ask me some questions check their intelligence data base, profile, profile me some more and before you know it I would be in a room talking to someone from Mossad and that would be the end of my road.
But I know I don't have to worry about you Americans, heck being an American resident I could become say, a shrink in your army and spry bullets at you. But this is going to be much more spectacular, this will win me many more virgins for my martyrdom.
6 months later...CNN SPECIAL REPORT>>>>>>>
"The new rectum probes are being done as a process to make sure the traveling public is safe," she said, adding that the probes did not pose health risks and that privacy safeguards have been adopted".
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