"Airport Security" - Sexual Assault?

   The latest "airport security" measures implemented by the Canadian and American governments have led to an uproar across North America. There are now nearly four hundred "naked body scanners" in the US, and Ottawa has ordered fourty-four of them. They cost up to $170,000 each! 

   John Tyner, just an average guy from California, has suddenly become a hero after videotaping his encounter with security guards at the San Diego International Airport. He was selected for a body scan but opted for the pat down instead having some random security guard look at his naked body in a scanner. Instead, another random security guard told Tyner that he would have to touch his groin area. Tyner refused, saying, "I don't understand how a sexual assault can be made a condition of my flying." He ended up having to leave the airport and obtain a refund for his ticket.

   The US Homeland Security Secretary defended the pat downs, saying, "We're doing it because we need to keep powders and gels and liquid off of planes that are unauthorized"

   That explains everything! They have to look at travelers in naked body scanners and conduct these invasive pat-downs so no one will bring shampoo onboard planes! Makes perfect sense.

   Wednesday, November 24, 2010 (the day before U.S. Thanksgiving, and thus the busiest day of the year for travel) has been declared National Opt-Out Day in protest. Travelers are being told by an online campaign to insist on time-consuming pat downs instead of submitting to naked body scanners on November 24, in an effort to slow down airport security and cause massive delays. A quote from optoutday.com - "It's the day ordinary citizens stand up for their rights, stand up for liberty, and protest the federal government's desire to virtually strip us naked or submit to an 'enhanced pat down' that touches people's breasts and genitals in an aggressive manner.  You should never have to explain to your children, 'Remember that no stranger can touch or see your private area, unless it's a government employee, then it's OK.' "

   Even U.S. President Barack Obama has been asking for less intrusive airport security, asking the "experts" if this is all absolutely necessary. They, of course, have said yes, and the US is expanding to a thousand naked body scanners by next year. Maybe all this money being spent on invading our privacy could be better spent on road safety, actually saving lives instead of just providing an illusion of safety.

   For more information, visit http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2010/11/16/body-scanner-backlash-air-travel.html