A USA Today article quotes Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano as saying "if people want to travel by some other means," they have that right.
The Secretary basically repeated the talking points that she made in Monday's USA Today article, including the claim that the scanners don't violate privacy ho ho ho, and that scanners "cannot store, export, print or transmit images." No word on how images were discovered a couple of months ago to have been stored, transmitted, and exported.
A TSA Administrator, John Pistole, is quoted as saying "On the eve of a major national holiday and less than one year after al-Qaeda's failed attack last Christmas Day, it is irresponsible for a group to suggest travelers opt out of the very screening that may prevent an attack using non-metallic explosives."
Now that is a *very* unfortunate choice of examples. You might recall the Christmas bomber as the "undy-bomber," and that Ms. Napolitano was equally dug in, however briefly, making the incredible claim that "the system worked." What worked was passengers subduing the would be bomber, and the Secretary was soon forced to retract her claim.
The Chicago Tribune reports that there is "no guarantee that either of the new procedures would have detected" the undy-bomber's device.
And despite passenger complaints, TSA insists that the new procedures have not caused delays, but this columnist's advice is to prepare for longer lines and slower processing at O'Hare and Midway if you're planning to fly anywhere for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Regarding the current uproar, Napolitano and TSA are determined to be tone deaf for as long as they can hold out. Authoritarians do not back-pedal gracefully.
Comments
I recently returned from my daughter's wedding in St. Lucia. We were unpleasantly surprised at the airport when it was announced that the US GOVERNMENT had in place "enhanced" security procedures-which turned out to be a full body pat down of all passengers. It was humiliating and degrading to me as a WOMAN to have someone touching me like that. They were not that well organized at Hewanorra airport either. The only thing I will say is that they were polite. Unfortunately, I am flying out of Newark next week to see the newlyweds in Canada, where they now reside, and I have to decide between getting xrayed or submitting to another humiliating experience. As a victim of a childhood molestation, I have serious reservations and feel that my privacy is being violated no matter what I choose. I am already fed up with Delta over the fact that they allowed a drunk to board in Atlanta and have not responded to my complaint. I am fed up with the chintzy excuse for "food" offered on long flights-why can't they serve yogurt or fruit cups? You can't bring snacks from home-must be purchased after the security checkpoint and it's all at ripoff prices. Can't bring a pair of scissors to do do needlework on the plane to relax me. Seats so small if a larger person sits next to you, you're squished. Is it any wonder the flying public is fed up and pissed off? As a parent, I would be extremely concerned with any stranger touching my child, government or not. What's next? Coming to the airport naked and then putting on your clothes? At least they could put a rug under our feet when we have to take off our shoes and have a better setup for retieving your belongings after the security screenings of your carryons. Last but not least, at some US airports (Philly) the TSA personnel are rude in general. What is the hiring/screening process for these people? Complain loudly to your reps and senators, people and stop this madness.
Janet Napolitano is a confirmed compulsive lier and should be tried in court.
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