Loss of Privacy

The Broward County Commision is considering banning the use of full body scanners at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

The scanners emit low-levels of radiation when performing the scans, which has raised concerns around the world.

PBS published a report earlier this year that said it was possible that between six and 100 airline passengers each year could get cancer from going through the machines.

The TSA has repeatedly said the scanners are less dangerous than common X-rays. The Department of Homeland Security also said that the technology used on the scanners is safe for all passengers.

While Broward County can pass the ban, the ultimate decision will come from the TSA on whether or not to keep the technology in place.
These scanners emit ionizing radiation. It hasn’t been determined how safe they are. Both types of full body scanners were placed into the field for use without proper testing. Aside from the privacy issues and cost, there are serious concerns as to the effectiveness and safety of the scanners.

The TSA has repeatedly said the scanners are less dangerous than common X-rays.

And for common X-rays, you get a lead covering and the technician flees the room before starting.

If there really was a threat to the national aviation system, we’d have seen it by now. These scanners were, are, and always shall be in place for the profits of the people who made them.

From PBS:

Miles O’Brien reports on the safety of the latest backscatter body-scanning machines that are widely used in American airport security.

Hari Sreenivasan caught up with Miles this week to get some behind-the-scenes intelligence on the piece. What do we know about the ionizing radiation emitted by these scanners? Why are such security devices outlawed in the European Union? And what would it take for a terrorist to beat one?

Watch Behind the Backscatter on PBS. See more from PBS NEWSHOUR.

More at EPIC.

Alaska State Representative, Sharon Cissna, has refused to submit to any TSA searches. She’s taken steps to avoid the TSA altogether to bring her message to the people.

“To be considered a terrorist is really an insult and it’s really humiliating..it’s a humiliation..it was a horrifying thing,” said Alaska State Rep. Sharon Cissna.

“This is a silent problem and the only way I’m going to find out what’s really going on is really to be able to talk one on one with people throughout the country,” said Cissna.

The TSA has given their standard response, meaning they aren’t going to take Cissna seriously at this point in time.

“We have too many people who travel every day and we know that the bad guys are out there to do us harm..our job is to find them and the latest and most innovative techniques to do that are through hiding explosives to get onto aircraft,” said TSA spokesman Nico Melendez.

Alaska State Rep. Refuses to Subject Herself to Intrusive TSA Searches: MyFoxPHOENIX.com

Representative Cissna appears committed on this issue and it’s important for others to inform themselves and fight back against the TSA’s intrusive policies.