Comments on: Photo: Scanner searches through clothing

Department of Homeland Security is looking to employ scanning systems that do a complete search to detect weapons.

[Bob_Barker]

Just make sure...

Just make sure you face the 'camera' and give it a good shakin' for em!

I got a weapon of mass destruction for ya right here TSA!

[Greg Sparkman]

Mass Destruction?

I thought it was a weapon of Mass Reproduction :p

[Extrem2000]

Airport Security Seeing us Virtually Naked!

So That's a new paradigm!And we were all so put
off with only Taking off our shoes and belts, well get ready for this, because it's here!
They Won't ask you How's it hanging? They'll SEE!
Visually , if it's hanging, or hiding,Gee's who
Would have believed in our life time's
We'd have to be willing to walk naked trough Airport security for all practical purposes, butt naked... just for massed transit
The Fear American's share over, the possibility of breaching of our FREEDOM.........?
At this point ,Were willing to let it all hang out,for every one to see , in public , no less!

have you read The US Constitution? or Bill of rights lately That our country was founded on?

http://www.explorefreedomusa.org/
! Who knows? Well maybe, The new Virtual STRIP SEARCH at the Airports Might move up human conscious

Blessing in Disguise, American's in General are ""WAY"" to hung up ordinary,nakedness
and Normal healthy human body functions, hens, Viagra???????? for sport and entertainment

functions, Like a dude with a Boner, will hold a magazine in front of his crotch, or hand's in his pockets, or UN -Tuck his shirt, to try and hide his erection, as if it were bad or something to be ashamed of, or something,

And reality is quite the opposite , it's completely natural,
But most of us including adults,
don't act like it!'
Adult males for the most part Act as if they have done something inadvertently wrong, We can Thank,The history of Catholicism, for That.
All The boy's
going through puberty & airport security with those relentless pup tents in there pants
That we've experenced, Are either going to be
real embarrased, or
Or finally embrace our Male-Ness
with Pride. Synopsis:There will always be change And Boners, but now, What so many of use guy's worried about, will be perfectly ""Virtually"
C l e a r. )=====) NO different than a
()()
strip search!
next they'll be selling pocket
see through clothes gizmos built right into eye or sunglasses......

X RAY

INSTALL IMMEDIATELY

Not Funny

Maybe you men would like your wife or maybe your 13 year old daughter and maybe even your 15 year old granddaughter to be X-Rayed like this. This to me is an outrage. As adults, which maybe you can be for a moment-Look at this in a way other than your stupid childish remarks...

Did anybody consider...

... that it would be basically impossible for Muslim Women to go through that screening? At least not w/o feeling absolutely insulted. And not to speak about the feelings of their men, fathers and brothers...
Same holds certainly for other religions and cultures.
This will do much more harm than good...

And it won't help: how many terrorists have been cought by metal detectors? More: how many haven't? Why should that be ANY different with ANY other technique? Terrorism cannot really defied technically - its a social, cultural and political problem.

Andre

what a crock

Muslim women and men have been responsible for most of the present day terrorist attacks. For them to feel offended by going through the new security screening....I have no sympathy for them. I guess next the terrorist will move on to buses. Then we will be installing x-ray machines there as well.

I travel on a weekly basis and I know first hand the hassle at airports, but if this stops one plane from going down, I say go for it. I don't have anything to hide.

You are correct in saying terrorism is a social, political and cultural problem, but it can be solved with a few well placed bombs....two bombs ended a world war.

Have a great time in the Great White North,

James

Don't Fly!

If you don't like the security you don't have to fly. Right? Especially if you are muslim you shouldn't be flying. It's the smart thing to do. Buy your own aircraft and fly yourself whereever you want to go. Take a train, whatever. You have the right to travel any way that you like. There are things though that you have to sacrifice if you want to go a certain way. One of them is privacy.

Consider this too

you could say that about any religion / non-religion. if someone doesn't want others to see them naked then they'd be offended...this has nothing to do with religion, race, background, or favorite rock band...but hey...thanks for pointing out that only one type of person would be offended.

[aabcdefghij987654321]

Muslim women

Yeah. I'm really concerned this will upset Muslim women. None of this nonsense would even be considered if it wasn't for the propensity of Muslims to hijack planes and occasionally fly them into buildings.

Freedom is no more

It is amazing that through everything this country was founded on, all the hard work done by so many through the years, is so easily surrendered.

I bet if you showed up at the airport naked, you wouldn't even make it to the gate before being arrested. But if someone is getting paid to see you naked it's ok.....wait, isn't that sort of like prostitution? I know that may sound extreme, but think about it.

I will gladly take the 1 in 500 million chance of something bad happening on a plane then to hand over my freedom. Maybe it's time to move to a free country like Canada.

yep

yep I agree, move to canada

You letting the terrorists win!

If you recall, right after the towers fell, everyone was quick to point out that if we let this event change our lives, to allow fear to affect the way we live, then the terrorists have won. Freedom and security require a delicate balance, but if we let the scale tip to far on the side of security, then our entire democracy may slide off the edge.
I don't believe the X-ray scans aren't are huge problem, but they are endemic of a trend putting "security from a vague and abstract threat" ahead of personal freedom. If you recall 8th grade literature, this was the entire premise of Orwell's 1984. If we are not mindful of the balance between freedom and security, then we are doomed to a future without either.

Bye Bye Now !

Don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out.

Move to Canada

Don't let the door hit you... Canada is NOT the green pasture you would like to think. Smokes are $74.00 a cartoon; a beer with lunch is $5.00 or $6.00, and gas for your SUV is .98 or .99 cents a liter (3.8 lites to a US gallon). Socialized medicine is breaking the country. But go a head and leave!

do it

"Maybe it's time to move to a free country like Canada."

have a nice trip.

[202567676114204908075970046337]

congrats

There are valid points to be made on both sides of this issue. However, this is easily the most unintelligent post on here. Each sentence more ridiculous than the next. Congrats!

Have fun in Canada

Such a *free* country. Let's see how much you like the 47% income tax. They are free as long as they work like slaves for the government to give them half of what they earn!

PS I like Canada and the Canadian people. They spend lots of money in my state of Florida. I have visited Canada and found it to be quite charming as well. So this is not a knock against the Canadian people - just their socialist tendencies.

My constitutional rights infringed!

Yes, this will infringe our right, as guaranteed by the Founding Fathers in the Constitution, to travel by the most convenient choice we prefer without any inconvenience or loss of privacy. Yep, that's right there in the Constitution, sure is. Right there in paragraph 47.3, section 12a.

What? So they had to travel from Europe on un-airconditioned ships with common sleeping quarters for the lower-class and chamber pots for toilets. So? I still have the right to travel however I want and everybody else has to make me happy!

Freedom?? Or false modesty??

Freedom from what?? How are you losing your freedome? You were born without clothes for goodness sakes!!! Were you not? We only started wearing clothes have many thousands of years of evolution. Before then, we were like all other animals, we walked around naked. Granted we had more fur (hair) to stay warm. After losing all that hair, we were cold, therefore we started making clothes. Then all of a sudden, we become so modest. Yeah right! It's all in your heads. Get over your false modesty and all your hang-ups. Our security is much more important than that. And clothing has nothing to do with freedom. As far as I am concerned, everyone should fly naked if it will make us safer.

[OldhaMedia]

X-Ray Spex?

One maker of backscatters is Rapiscan Security Products, a unit
of OSI Systems. "Since the Russian plane tragedy, which is
suspected due to suicide bombers, the interest has heightened
for these needs, especially for the body scanner," Deepak
Chopra, the chief executive of OSI Systems, recently told
analysts.

Deepak Chopra??? Man, he's getting desperate.

the company name is what?

RapisTcan Security Products????

how ironic.

You're all screaming about privacy.

Great, give up the privacy, let's bypass that argument.

What are you folks going to do when pictures of five to nine year old girls and boys begin appearing on the Internet from systems like these? Should we exclude those children from this system? Then they'll start pushing the bombs into these kids bodies.

Oh wait, this system doesn't catch anything ingested. So what do we do with the guys who swallow various items in a condom and them regurgitate those items in the bathroom?

Perhaps those items could also be stored in the anal cavity and blocked with a plug of some sort until the terrorist is ready for their release?

Is your answer for everyone - including small children - to undergo cavity searches, pass through a metal detector, pose nude in front of security guards, and to be forced to regurgitate the contents of their stomach? That's what they do when you're being admitted to prison, I'll admit, but all that .. for a plane ride?

You suggest that we use female guards for women, male guards for men. Funny. This doesn't take into account the sexuality of the people - it stereotypes them. So a lesbian female peering at another female is okay, but a male isn't?

You all willingly give up your civil liberties for a moment's peace of mind; a moment that isn't even a true peace of mind. Of the terrorist attacks that have occurred how many have had accomplices? How many items have been smuggled onboard by the pilots, stewardesses, repair mechanics, etc., that don't have to undergo such intensive scrutinies?

Should we force them to undergo those same scrutinies? That'll be one more fact they have in their favor when they ask for a raise and the airlines come begging to the United States government for another handout comprised of my tax dollars while their executives rake in millions.

The individuals responsible for September 11 could just as easily have taken bombs and munitions up to the top of the towers and inflicted the same type of damage. Should we remove all explosives and possible explosives from the shelves and public access?

Perhaps we should screen all those who enter a public or open to the public building as we do when they jump on an airplane?

The funny thing is that the comments about Muslim men are right on target. Instead of the government recognizing that these men are the ones to look out for we've outlawed "stereotyping" -- it's not "politically correct" to look at past facts and draw conclusions anymore. A black man in an all white city and a crime was just committed? He's driving a car that was seen in the area? We pull him over, the government gets sued -- wha? I'm sorry, look at the past facts - if Muslims are responsible for 99% of the terrorist attacks in the world then place THEM under more scrutiny.

Disclaimer: I don't fly anymore after five years of flying twice a day because after September 11 *I* was searched (strip searched in many cases), harassed, and otherwise delayed. I had my medicine confiscated three times (insulin) because I carried only the bottles, not the boxes they were given to me in (with the prescriptions on the outside). $600.00 in medicine taken because "it could be a dangerous agent." Uh, yea.

The airlines can flounder and die. And those of you who're willing to give up your civil liberties for reasons like this need to examine history, specifically, Germany prior to World War II.

Pictures of Kids? Germany? Condoms?

There are already pictures of kids nude on the net. So it would take something like this to get you in a huff? If you are so concerned about kids showing up on the net nude, then do some research and help end child pornography...don't wait for something like this to peak your rage.

I love how everyone points out that this administration is soooo much like Nazi Germany. It's funny...because in Nazi Germany they burned bibles and persecuted jews. This administration is backing Isreal and is preaching the bible.

Anyway...I'd love to see a terrorist pack a knife or a gun in a condom and swallow it...that'd be the dumbest thing in the world.

I don't fly on airplanes, so I dont go to the airport...but I'm still against these kinds of machines.

Well said, Jim.

In this day and age of 'political correctness', we've abrogated our use of common sense. Until we start using it again and stop fearing 'upsetting' any particular group in the name of being 'Progressive', we can expect our collective civil liberties to be taken away, one at a time.

You are so right, our current laws are making us weaker, not stronger.

You are so right. Instead of looking for young Muslim fanatics, our people are making things worse. Yesterday, I stopped at a local Post Office, and a young angry (obvously Muslim) wiht a strong middle-eastern accent, parked across 3 parking spaces, blocking access. When I told him to move, he said it was none of my business. He actually told me that I was harassing him simply because he was a Muslim. My point is the terrorists know our laws and weaknesses better than we do and will just adapt their behaviour around our weakness. No scanner will solve the problem of terrorism.

Rather than make us safer, these xray machines (call them millimeter scanners if you will) long term will most probably just be linked to hundreds of cases of illnesses by airport personnel and long term cost the US Government billions in liability and not save us from a single terrorist act. I'm not against new technology and I could not care less who gets to see my privates, but I do care about false security promises.

This will be GREAT for aviation!

Private aviation, that is. All of you who are so upset about this can avoid it altogether. It's simple, just charter your own private plane to take you where you want to go. You don't have to go through airport security if you use a private service. These "invasions of privacy" only apply to public commercial aviation. Of course, that would mean other tradeoffs, but if your privacy is more important than safety or money, you do have other options.

Gee Whiz!

The pictures showing up on the net? Are you crazy? For one thing, the pictures are not very good. You can't make out who the person is. You can't see their face. All you get is a good rough outline of everyone....almost like a line drawing. So I don't see this as being a problem. These scanning images are not porn either. Maybe to a fundamentalist they are, but to a rational person they are not. I believe they will make flying safer. So it's a small price to pay.

FASCIST AMERICA

We are now going to be visually invaded by our government. Now we have no freedom of speech unless it's in "free speech zones". We can't say anything against the government or we become the enemy.

Does anybody recognize this America anymore? What is the "war on terror" anyway. More like a war on all our civil liberties.

[Tomnibus]

Don't like it?

Don't like it? MOVE OUT.

You people love to call America all these terrible things and rant
and rave but you have no problem living here and reaping the
benefits. Go to France.

Down with Fascism! Let's find it first.

Hmmm, I believe flag burning, protesting against our government, and holding rallies in public places is still going on today in America...

So how exactly is freedom of speech being curbed?

Howard, Howard, Howard...

You've watched your Michael Moore movies too many times. They've taken over your brain. Turn off the DVD player, remove MoveOn.org from the top of your 'favorites' list, and for God's sake, man - come back to reality...

BOO FREAKIN' HOO

If things are so bad here, go to North Korea, Cuba, Cina, or any other "Socialist" contry out there that has it right.

Maybe you'll feel more at home.

[jmmachg]

"Now we have no freedom of speech"

Huh? I see people demonstrating all the time. You're a paranoid kook.

[open-mind]

Fascist Doctors

I had a medical checkup last year.

The doctor wanted to x-ray me! He also wanted me to take of my clothes! He even wanted to take his finger and .... well I won't even say. Anyway...

I can't believe they allow such evil fascist degenerates to become physicians and take away my liberties! They're even worse than the evil fascist pedophiles that will be staffing all these airport x-ray machines.

One more thing ... ALL OF THE ABOVE IS SARCASM. It's sad I feel the need to point that out, but unfortunately half the posts in this thread are even more absurd.

Vote on it! Commercial air travel is NOT a civil liberty?

There is no civil liberty at stake, just your convenience and economy. You are free to drive, or get to your destination by other means, it may just take you a bit longer or cost more. Liberty cannot be equated to time and/or money.

People will vote on this, and in the true nature of a democracy (which we aren't) and a free market system, everyone affected will get to vote. Those who are willing will still fly. The rest of you can find another way to get there. If enough want it, the airlines will offer security-free flights (aka, private charter aviation). So what's your beef? It's just another excuse to whine about the unfairness (according to you) of life!

Freedom or Security??

One of our founding fathers, a great genius of a man once said "Those willing to sacrifice essential freedom for security deserve neither" - Benjamin Franklin. I am utterly astounded by the people who say that they are ok with their wives and daughters being violated so he can feel safe on a plane. You wanna know what would make me feel safe on a plane? If all the law abiding citizens of the country were allowed to carry guns on the plane to defend themselves and others. The majority of people who have guns know how to use them properly and will never use them for injuring another person. So if 20 people on a plane that were honest citizens had guns, and mabye one terrorist (if he was stupid enough to even try hijacking a plane with 20 guns pointed at him) had a boxcutter (yes that is what they used to hijack 4 planes, sad that a hundred people on a plane couldn't fight against a man with a boxcutter) and attempted to hijack the plane, someone would take him down. Without the loss of thousands of innocent lives. If the pilots had guns to stop him, when he came into the cockpit. He would have been stopped immeaditly. Terrorists are not stupid. They will not attack where their victims can fight back. Hmmm where is the safest place to be for a terrorist where it is guarenteed that noone around has any kind of weapon to defend themselves with? Oh that's right the airport where you get swiss army knives confiscated and have to pass through metal dectectors guaranting for the terrorist that no law abiding citizen on the plane will be able to defend them selves. Outlawing weapons like knives and guns ONLY take the guns and knives out of the hands that will only use them for self defense. A criminal does not care that the weapon he has is illegal, he already has intent to break the law! It does not make it any harder for a criminal to obtain weapons just because theyre illegal. Drugs are illegal, how long does it take a 13 year old to go find drugs? 5 minutes. How long does it take a criminal to go find a gun? 5 minutes. DO NOT take away my freedoms because there are some out there that can't handle theirs. Lock them up and take away their freedoms. Don't waste time harrasing law abiding citizens about the swiss army knife they forgot to leave at home when you can be spending the time arresting the real criminals. Violation of your rights is not security, it only makes the world so much more dangerous for you because the government says you aren't capable of defending yourself. Like I've been saying since I was 2 "Damn Gov'ment!!"

that ... was...

way too long for me to read. i'm sure it was well put.

I agree, Anna - somewhat...

While I agree with most of what you said, I'm not sure that having everyone onboard an aircraft armed with a handgun is the answer. Having a couple of armed Air Marshalls onboard and 'patrolling' the aircraft while in flight, however, does seem like a good idea to me. Every time I go to my bank I pass an armed security guard (usually an off-duty cop), and I feel fine about that. YOu are right - bad guys don't like it when the intended victims fight back. An air marshall armed with a handgun will always trump a Muslim terrorist (or anyone else for that matter) armed with boxcutter. That being said, I'm not sure that the Terrorists of the world will ever try to hijack an aircraft again in the U.S.. We all saw what stunned passivism got us on 9/11. By the time anyone realized what was happening, it was too late. Armed or not, there are enough strong American citizens flying that would be willing to risk their life to prevent the success of another Muslim extremist hijacking. I know I would...

Founding Fathers

I don't think our founding fathers ever intended for us to be in a war with people who are religious fanatics that do not listen to reason, nor do they accept a sophisticated society.
Our founding father were not all-knowing beings. They were people just like you and I. In fact, most of us have more education than they did. These were people that lived a long time ago.

Try to keep that in mind when you want to bring up the founding fathers.

Privacy? Ha!

I'd rather have this "oh, so sexy!" image of me seen by the local
Barney Fife than to get felt up and frisked. I think this is a better
alternative.

If I start seeing "Airport Screener Porn" shots posted, I'd be more
worried about the fetish than the source.

Who would want this job, anyway???

Go out and look around. The majority of people are overwight, and at least half the people would be of no interest if they were a 10+, due to sexual preference.

If someone posts for this job, it is my belief that they are automatically unqulified, and more than a bit strange.

Would you have any interest in this job? I am afraid that I would be a poor screener as I wore eyeglasses that blurred my vision.

it is thet human body!!!

Get over it! You have seen yourself and probably others naked in your lifetime. It is not used for any sexual proclivity just for security reasons. I am sure nothing will ever get leaked to the interenet like let's see...social security numbers, medical records, bank account numbers and all the likes...It is just a human body, the Maker made it don't be ashamed of it.

Fly safe and leave the PA's at home,
James

I'd rather live

SOOOOOOOO what? I know civil liberties and everything but terrorism is real, if it was your wife or children on a plane wouldn't you want everone screened as good as possible? I'm sure there will be a law suit or two about a hidden vibrator (as before) or something, maybe even a comment about a someones manhood, or lack of it, but who cares I want to live and fly safe even if it means a little less privacy. If you don't like it...take a bus

[GrumpyGuy]

I think you are already dead

I don't call flinching at shadows much of a living.

[Had_to_be_said]

Yes, "terrorism" is real...

...But, so is the absolute loss of our BASIC HUMAN-RIGHTS, such as the "right" to "privacy" (4th amendment, before you even start), and "travel", both of which are specifically-protected by the "U.S. Constitution".

And, the loss of such personal rights, and freedoms, is far worse than the ridiculously small chance of being the "victim of a terrorist attack".

Freedom to Live Trumps All!

I have read 56 different comments to this story. The opinions against the technology seem to boil down to is this:

1. It is offensive to be viewed naked.
2. Being viewed naked is an affront to personal freedom.
3. This is a slippery slope and once allowed here it will be allowed everywhere until there are virtually no personal freedoms left.

The opinions for the technology seem to boil down to is this:

1. Who cares if one is viewed naked?
2. It is better to be seen naked and alive than be dead.
3. This will make the airplanes safer.
4. This is a less obtrusive way to search passengers.


I have to agree - for the most part - with the latter. Here is why:

1. In the demonstration I saw, the screeners could not see the people - all they could see were the images. Therefore, they never saw a person walk up, through and then leave. The point is that if their own mother walked through, they would have no idea since you can't tell who it is.

2. Nobody else can see your image other than the security operator. That includes other passengers and employees of the airports.

3. This is much less obtrusive than removing shoes, clothing and emptying out all of your pockets - in front of everyone.

4. The fundamental liberty is the right to life. One's right to live trumps others rights.

5. It is not only the liberty of the passengers and crew that must be considered here. It is their lives as-well-as the lives of all the people on the ground as that airplane flies over. Additionally, it is the nation's and even the world's economy and peace that must be considered. Remember what 9/11 did to the economy and the peace in the world?

6. Air travel is not a required means of travel. You can use other public transportation. You can travel by car or even by boat. Air travel is a convenience - and a choice. When you buy your ticket, you agree to be bound by their rules and policies.

7. For the person who quoted Benjamin Franklin - get your quote correct. It is "They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security." IMHO, this technology does not cause you to give up any ESSENTIAL liberty and there is nothing TEMPORARY about DEATH!

[open-mind]

Extremely Well Stated!

By far the best post in this whole thread.

"Freedom" to live trumps all

"Better to die free than to live as a slave".

Of course, everyone has their own opinion on that. Some may think that it's better to simply live, period, regardless of how their God given rights are taken away. But isn't the inalienability of our rights part of what separates us from the animals, plants, and mere rocks?

You say that privacy is not an essential right. According to whom? People can survive biologically without their privacy. Just like they can survive biologically without the feedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of assembly. But many of us don't call that living, and are not willing to sacrifice a human right for a little increased sense of physical security. We are after all living in America, not Nazis Germany, Communist Russia, or under some third world dictatorship. In our country, human rights and human dignity are supposed to matter.

But if you want to be a naked sheep, be my guest. Sumbit to these new airport scanning devices, and bleet a grateful thanks as you fly the friendly skies. Don't be suprised though when the terrorists find away around the security scanners. And don't be suprised what other rights and liberties you see disappear too, in the next few years. But, what will you care, so long as someone promises you that "at least you'll be there" to see them disappear?

I for one would rather risk the hazards of flying, and if need be I will drive 100,000 miles before I sacrifice my physical privacy, or any other of my rights, for a false sense of security.

[Filip Remplakowski]

I can't believe...

-what I have read in some of the posts on here. It seems like all
muslims are conspiring to destroy america. I can't believe this is
coming out of "educated" people. how can you even represent
your country, your people, in this way, shame on you!

-There are some people out there that don't mind parading
naked infront of people, but there are those who prefer to keep
their bodies private. that should be respected.

-Terrorist threats are rare for the average person. I'm sitting in
my room and oh my god i'm gonna have a plane fly through my
window any minute. my electrical outlet is a terrorist threat, it's
threatening the earth as of this moment.

-I bet those people commenting on countries like china and
canada have never been there (except for one), get off your fat
***** and go see them and then you can talk.

-as for these images going on the net, yes they will get there
without doubt, not only that but they will be stored in a
database for future reference.

At 21 I shouldn't be lecturing people about their behaviour.

Your Correct

You by far are one of the smartest that have posted a message on this subject...keep it up

I'd like America to remain free like it's always been

If you want to live some place more fascist, why don't YOU move?

From Japan

I signed up just so I can comment on this!

All you Americans talk about moving to another country if they dont like it! I am from Japan!

If you Americans willing to have these security technologies in airports, you are trading away personal privacy! I am sure most of you commenting about WHO CARES dont see the plenty comments above them stating they DO CARE.

For people commenting on how USA = NAZI GERMANY they are RIGHT. NOT ONLY is USA keeping MUSLIMS "terrorists" (instead of Jews!) in Guantanemo Bay (JUST LIKE CONCENTRATION CAMPS) they are preaching their religions as the only correct religion!

YOU WILL SEE, if Americans are not as STUPID as people of the world think, they will not allow this! Once this is allowed, TERRORISTS HAVE WON!

"Temporary security" as Ben Franklin in this case is TEMPORARY! This is so people can feel safe for a few years while the POINTLESS war in Iraq is going on. Notice how I say POINTLESS, because W Bush changed the war from WMD to REGIME CHANGE! You do not go to war with another country for REGIME CHANGE! Democracy is a privledge, NOT A REQUIREMENT.

Fly Nakkid

I don't see why we have to spend all that money for machines to see through clothes. Just make everone fly "nakkid." Now, I'll admit that some of us have bodies that might be considered "terror," but my idea would sure make interesting flights.

body scan

While real men don't fly, some people must. The scanner is a short term solution, although defeating it would be comparatively simple. [No, I won't tell you how!]
The ultimate resolution is to hunt down everyone who advocates killing Americans and kill them and their teachers and their families first. Eventually they will get the idea and then we can all fly again, worried only about maintenance and pilotage goofs.

[Filip Remplakowski]

real men?

what is it about flying that doesn't make you a "real" man? As for
your other comment it's borderline Ma an Pa get your gun out
tactics. Ok fine why don't you go fight them yourself instead of
sending young people off to die so you can sit on your computer
typing the divel your thinking of. Seriously what the **** is going
on this world with people like you even existing?

Unnecessary evils

The subject applies to both the proliferation of technologies such as these and the blatant ignorance of the majority of the American populace, cowed into submission by the acts of a maniacal government. "All Muslims should get out"? "All Muslims are terrorists"? "Move to France, we saved their ***** in World War II"? Stop living in the Stone Age. The time for isolationaism and racially-motivated determinations of evil ended around seven hundred years ago, at the last Crusade.

It is the arrogance of those same isolationists that pissed off the terrorists to begin with. (Which, before you read that incorrectly, as you no doubt will, is not justification. Nor is it saying "We deserved it." Simply a discussion of the reason why it happened. But it's so much easier just to say they hate us and they'll do it anyway, isn't it? So much easier because then we don't have to change anything about the way we behave in the world!)

Before you tell me to move to some other country if I don't like it, take the briefest of moments to think about the screeds you're typing. You don't get to decide for everyone. America, remember? The Constitution establishes democracy, which means no one is any better or any worse (after the 19th Amendment) than anyone else. You're merely the Caucasian mirror-image of a Muslim extremist yourself. "Everyone else should give up their freedoms because I don't care about mine! Anyone who disagrees with me can move!" Well, Sherlock, that's not how it works. We all have to agree. And we if don't agree, you can't just rewrite the rules so your mindless conservative paranoia and rubber-stamped Republicanism triumph anyhow.

Let me guess. Back in the 1850s you were the kind of person that argued African-Americans were biologically incapable of learning to read, because the vast majority of African-Americans (slaves, remember?) couldn't read. Nevermind they weren't allowed to learn to read. It was a justification for marginalizing an ethnicity. Like the anti-Semitic ravings of Nazi Germany, or the anti-Muslim ravings of 1300s Europe, which we've apparently resurrected today, because after all, good hatred never dies, does it?

[bigbear639]

Right On

I have never seen so many Cowards willing to sacrifice their freedom for their safety. Lest we forget that Monday we Honor those who Served Their Country in the Defense of Freedom. The Many who were crippled, and the many who never returned or in body bags. You should be ashamed of yourselves. Maybe you don't have to fly to get somewhere. You suggest Bus or Train and even Driving. When is the last time you tried to buy a Bus Ticket or a Train Ticket without an ID?

Hell, you can't evrn go to thr Theater without going through a Metal Detector and having your Coat and Pockets checked. Try going to a Concert or a Ballgame without Security checks. Try Driving accross the Hoover Dam without having your car searched. Trucks are not allowed at all. Before anyone argues I should serve in the military, well I have and have had to carry out the Brave Fellow Soldiers and a few Women in body bags in another war that was not very popular. We were certainly not defending our freedom in Korea or Vietnam, not even in Iran. Our Brave men and wommen were orderd to go and they went and many never returned. These Brave men are spinning in their graves, because we would rather have sacrificed their lives than fight for our freedoms here at home. A fight that will not cost our lives on a battlefield.

A famous patriot once said " Give me Liberty, or give me Death." The same goes for me. Thank God I will not live long enough to see George Orwell's 1984,25 or 30 years later.

[furian]

Try Republic

We were founded as a REPUBLIC! and name one black African educated in Africa without western /european teachers that ever created or did anything meaningful. They still hack each other with clubs and knives. Look at what Rhodesia has become, do you even remember what happend in Angola when Cuban regulars were sent in. You're probably from the liberal taught head buried in anal cavity generation.

re: Unnecessary evils

Some fo the points you make are good ones, nice job.

The biggest problem with your line of thinking is in what you said in this comment-
"It is the arrogance of those same isolationists that pissed off the terrorists to begin with. (Which, before you read that incorrectly, as you no doubt will, is not justification. Nor is it saying "We deserved it." Simply a discussion of the reason why it happened. But it's so much easier just to say they hate us and they'll do it anyway, isn't it? So much easier because then we don't have to change anything about the way we behave in the world!"
Isolationism is not the reason that terrorists are pissed off at us, or anyone else for that matter. Radical Muslims (not all Muslims) do hate us and will stop at nothing until our way of life is destroyed. In the fatwa's of Osama Bin Laden, among others, they flat out tell us that it is commanded of them that we must die because we do not believe the way that they do. That is their justification for what they do. You cannot reason with people like that, because they will refuse to listen to you (us) because you (we) are an infidel. Therefore, there is no need to change the way that we behave in the world becasue it will not matter unless we change to meet they demand. You are trying to apply reason to people who have none.
Of course, kicking all Muslims out of the country is a stupid statement. However, it is of the utmost importance that we understand AND come to terms with the intentions of radical Muslims, not stick our heads in the sand and say that we need to open a line of communication with them and try to reach an understanding with them so we can all get along. Unfortunatly, it will never happen.
Also, don't ever use political name calling (i.e. "And we if don't agree, you can't just rewrite the rules so your mindless conservative paranoia and rubber-stamped Republicanism triumph anyhow.") to try to make your point. Once you do that, it shuts the minds of those that you are having the discussion with, as well as your own. This discussion has nothing to do with conservative vs. liberal/Republican vs. Democrat. It is a discussion about identifing a problem, understanding and accepting the mindsets of those involved, and making tough descions about how to fix the problem. Once that is done, you can then go back and try to figure out why the problem occured and try to find ways to prevent it in the future.

Proud to be an American

I have read all the comments, on this subject and even commented a few times...Some of you remind me how proud I am to be an American. I'm not moving because I don't think anyone should have to go through a X-ray to show their bodies, and I surley don't believe any child should have to go through this. I on the other hand do believe that all people are created equal-if their black, white, brown, pink and purple with yellow poke-a-dots. Their is bad in all countries as well as good in all countries-I am NOT nieve. We have some pretty bad folks here. But I still love my country and am not willing to move. But because we have some bad folks doesn't mean that all are bad for we have some pretty good folks here also. I did notice a few of you had to make this subject rather nasty-but for the most there was alot of good points made for both sides to this subject. I do believe we have started giving up alot after 9-11. I don't know if anyone remembers but if airport suricty had beed doing their jobs the box knife would have never made it on the airplane. The airports reported after this happened that they had low staff and that screening wasn't always done, even after it hapened they didn't do as the goverment had told them, and I watched on the news how they had let items go through to the planes without being checked then the goverment really clamped down. I agree with checking and having air marshells on board but don't infrig on my privaty and I should be able to fly and still have my privaty in tack. I am concerned that this is just another something to head towards very little freedom and yes flying is choice, but whats next. Maybe the goverment can check our homes at random.......Be honest and look at what we have lost as of 9-11, and we are still loosing daily..Next we have a national ID...It makes me sad for I can remember when my rights were not subject to the government as long as I was not breaking the laws. And as an America I respect all your ideas for we all have that right

You make me Embarassed to be American

It never ceases to amaze me how any random YAHOO can get up on their soapbox here and have their 15 bytes of fame.

Reading your post, it's obvious you were a big fan of history in school, with all the references back to September 11, but it's obvious grammar and spelling weren't high on your list. There are many to choose from, including the wrong word ("Their is bad in all countries." - NO. THERE is bad. Their, there and they're are three different words that sound the same, are spelled differently and mean different things. Please study them before posting again).

As for spelling, there are too many to mention, but I'll pick out one sentence "I agree with checking and having air marshells on board but don't infrig on my privaty and I should be able to fly and still have my privaty in tack."

***?

marshals ... infringe ... privacy ... intact ...

Please go back to the public school you attended in Oklahoma and as for a refund of the money your parents paid for your education.

Why are you ashamed?

We were born without clothes, were we not? We are the ONLY animal that wears clothes...the ONLY one!! We originally started wearing clothes, NOT because of modesty...but because we were cold. After years of evolution we lost our fur (hair) and therefore we needing clothing for heat. After wearing clothing for awhile, we started becoming modest. We didn't used to be modest creatures. We were like other animals that walk around without clothing and without shame.
Get over your body, and get over yourself. Your hang-ups are not worth compromising my safety. You really have that many hang-ups about your body, maybe you shouldn't fly.

[steveo_supremo]

I agree

Hey there, good comments. You didn't happen to go to Northern Michigan University did you? If so, I think we had a class together. Just wondering how things were with you. Hope to hear from you,
Steve

All this talk of freedom??

What is freedom? And how are we losing freedom with these scanners? How? Visit a nudist colony to see what true freedom is. You were born without clothes. Were you not? We only started wearing clothes after many thousands of years of evolution. Before then, we were like all other animals, we walked around naked. Granted we had more fur (hair) to stay warm. After losing all that hair, we were cold, therefore we started making clothes. Then all of a sudden, we become so modest. Yeah right! It's all in your heads. Get over your false modesty and all your hang-ups. Our security is much more important than that. And clothing has nothing to do with freedom. As far as I am concerned, everyone should fly naked if it will make us safer.