12 March, 2012

Getting scanned up and down

I figured since we didn't have a post last week, I would like to take the opportunity to share with everyone something I am quite unnerved by. So forgive my speaking out of turn, but hey- this is a salon right? 


This past weekend I went to Boston and had an incredible time in that city. But I can't help but be upset at something that happened in the last hours I was there. It was my first time going through a TSA full body picture scan. As I was inching close, I felt my mind and muscles tense up in one of the most natural and internal sensations of refusal I have ever had. I told myself to ask for a pat down in its place when I got to the front of the line because I was starting to feel uncomfortable about it. I didn't understand WHY. But, like a total chicken shit, I did it anyways and feel like I totally dissed my conscience. 


So the more I think about it, the more skeptic and critical of these scanners, and the state of our entire security system, I become. Awhile back, I opted out of Facebook as an intentional decision to regain control of a fraction (or that slight it) of my privacy, at least what I would put out there of my own accord. This blog started as a private venture of people I knew and until recently has been opened for public readership. Again, specifically chosen people. In most cases, we choose the other person who gets to know the lines of our bodies THAT well. So why does TSA get the ability to see those contours without my permission? Without OUR permission? And for the conspiracy theorist in me, is it possible this is some kind of data-gathering, human cataloging machine? I regret having gone through without having all the information first. Also for the blind acceptance. I just know that something inside is telling me that was not okay, and I want to know the stance and feedback of others. Should we be questioning this or am I the one who is potentially misinformed?


Also, these were on my homepage today and thought it a great coincidence and quite interesting. 

http://matadornetwork.com/change/how-to-get-anything-through-tsa-scanners-vid/ 

http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/11-reasons-the-tsa-is-not-making-us-safer-and-why-it-needs-to-be-reformed-now/
 
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2 comments:

  1. Philip Wilson14 March, 2012 20:20

    I think there should be an airline that just lets people on with out all the TSA harassing, just to see what happens. I know, with as much flying as I do, I would be a frequent flyer of that airline. But, Jill, there is only so much of a line that i can take before you can count me in as a blind acceptor of things. There are just not enough of us going to the airport at the same time to say enough is enough. If I were to occupy anything it would be these TSA dolts.

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  2. ritabook04 April, 2012 22:51

    Ok I think that this new TSA thing is another expression of how Americans go over the top with everything, without knowing if it actually helps combat the thing they're trying to fight against. It reminds me of this topic I've heard in the news of how doctors order loads of tests on their patients, some of which could be harmful to them due to radiation. Many of these tests are nearly pointless.

    In this way, this new TSA scan will probably cause millions of false alarms-laptops being confiscated as 'bomb like objects' and more people waiting in longer lines. Perhaps it's worth the .00000001% chance that there might be a weapon on board???

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