Pornography, pat-downs & protection

Matt Candelaria

The Signal

The Transportation Security Administration scanners have been under fire from the public for some time. Not only can the device take x-ray photos of those who go through, but it can also save and send the images.

Some view the images as being nearly pornographic. How far does security need to go before crossing the line? If they choose to opt out of being virtually undressed, they are taken aside and patted down. This procedure is as intrusive, if not more so, than the scanner. It includes being patted down in the breast and genital region.

The 4th amendment guards Americans against unreasonable searches and seizures. Is the scanner and pat-down unreasonable, or could we reason that this is being done out of safety for American citizens?

The scanner, comprised of more advanced technology than one’s laptop, should be more than capable of saving images. Although TSA openly claimed that the scanner is incapable of saving any image. CNN reported that the scanner is not only capable of saving an image, but it also has the ability to send images. With that in mind, what would stop those who have access to the machine from taking your naked body and posting it on the Internet?

Rep. David Simpson (R-Longview) has introduced Two House Bills (HB 1937 and HB 1938) that would make both security measures illegal in the state of Texas.

Some Americans do not object to being patted down or scanned. They find it a necessary process to save lives and protect the public. Others feel extremely violated and that their civil liberties have been invaded; they believe there is a better way to go about protecting the public.

After 9/11 there was an American flag sticker on nearly every vehicle. Patriotism was at an all-time high, and that’s how Americans wanted security to be.  Americans were scared to fly. They feared there might be another hijacking. Does the fact that there hasn’t been another U.S. plane hijacked mean that the security measures are no longer necessary – or that they are working?
How would the public react if the scanners and pat-downs were done away with, and someone made it onboard the plane with a weapon and caused harm? What if you voted to have the security measures done away with and someone in your family was murdered while on vacation?

It should not be hard to take a stance on a subject such as this, especially if you think back to the terrifying days following 9/11. Although we do have to give up a moment of privacy, it could allow a person to live out the rest of his or her life. It could allow sons and daughters to come home to their families.

Freedom is not free. I am willing to be seen naked or intrusively patted down if it will save the life of one person. Turn your focus on something that is harming America, not something that is trying to protect it. Love your freedom, but be willing to pay the price that comes with it.