This morning I drove from Augusta to Macon listening to FOX news on my XM radio. There was a brief discussion of airport body scanners, the type that lets those looking at it see it all hang out. The commentator felt we as citizens have a right not to be scanned and that images like the one below could get on the internet. He called it pornography, although I don't think I would go that far.
But I confess! I've been body scanned and was not given the option to be body molested by the security guards, in fact I didn't even know what was happening until it happened.
This summer on the way back from Ireland to Atlanta, we deplaned and went through Atlanta Customs. Of course, we must get our bags to go through customs and then recheck them before we can exit the airport so that we can get our baggage at the baggage area rather than bring the baggage through the airport and its trains.
Now keep in mind I went through security in Ireland. For some reason, once we went through customs in Atlanta, we had to once again go through security to enter the area where we would take the trains to the next gate or to baggage.
I was singled out to go through not the metal detector but the body scanner, but was not told that I was going through a scanner, in fact I had never seen one up close and personal. You get into this contraption, are told to raise your hands above your head, stand still, and then this thing rolls around,"all over your body" and you leave. I wasn't given the choice of an intrusive physical search.
I'm not a prude, but it is an invasion of personal privacy I think. I wonder now if people are taking delight I would hope, but more than likely taking disgust at my image if it gets to the world wide web and it could be for all I know! This is immoral isn't it or am I overreacting????????
Because I wasn't dressed as a priest, but in casual clothes, I didn't really think anything of it at the time; it happened all so quickly and I'm not a prude. But I do think that if I had been in my priestly collar I would have felt most uncomfortable.
What do you think? This is what the person viewing the scan in another room sees! Fortunately, you can't see the person's reaction, but I'm sure, being human, he or she is having some kind of reaction! By the way, the image below is not of me! At least I don't think so! No, it can't be me, I am in much better shape and look so much better than this! Certainly this is not me! Please God don't let it be me!
13 comments:
I think that this post seems to give some more insight to similar concerns. Is the linked video believable?
Of course it is an invasion of privacy. We have allowed our government to become so weak that it cannot deter violence against its citizens in any other way than Fascist, big brother tactics. Had we protected our borders, been suspicious of foreign nationals, done a bit of racial profiling, and generally understood that the world is full of predatory nations that hate us, we would not be here.
However, I have a better suggestion: Some inventor/engineer get to work developing a sealed booth that is harmless to innocent citizens, but which will detonate any explosive someone may have on them. This way, the guilt and intentions of the terrorist (generally a Muslim) will not be inquestion. Everybody goes home happy except the crew that has to clean the booth.
jimminey cricket!
Well, one should certainly be given the option between being radiated down to skin level or being touched all over. To not be given the option and full explanation of what the vieweres will see is what is immoral.
I'll remember your story in case it happens to me the next time I'm in the airport.
This is difficult to say, on one hand the dignity of the person is compromised, but on the other hand this action could be for the greater good. We are justified in stopping evil from happening, when we have knowledge of the act. Scanning randomly is looking for something unknown. While lives may or may not be saved and evil may be averted, does the end result justify the means? I tend to side on it being immoral, but I will leave this one up to the Church to decide, I would be interested in hearing the Church's position on the subject.
Sorry you had to go through that, Fr. McDonald.
I have had this experience a couple of times myself. I wondered how hard the poor person who had to view my nekkedness was laughing! I was also relieved that I had "nothing to hide".
There are two belly buttons on the scan image - Yes. Fr. McDonald, it IS you . . .
The picture in this post is hilarious and your comment about "Please don't let it be me" makes is even more so.
Actually Father, it looks a lot like my husband. Please do not tell him I said that.
I don't have two belly buttons, but I wondered what the second thing was, well, the third or forth thing, depending on what you are counting. I had to remove my belt, maybe it is the silver clasp that keeps my pants buttoned and up, but what good was that with this photo! YIKES, this could be me!
It is sad we have come to this. I can see a whole new category of "airport porn." We could call it "airporn." I can hear the smutty remarks and scatological talk among the "highly trained and professional" TSA staff. Disgusting...
I am surprised that some burka clad muslim woman has not filed a complaint and put an immediate stop to this. That is all it would take if they realized what was going on. Of course what would probably happen is they would create a special line for Muslims without the scanner. Isn't that kinda what has happened at some schools and work places with special prayer rooms? At least the people looking at these will know we are Catholics by our medals and scapulars. Isn't there a song like that, "they'll know we are Catholics by our scaps, by our scaps, yes they'll know we are Catolics by our scaps".
Modesty is an argument I don't think we will ever win. Here's an article that discusses the potential health risks. http://www.npr.org/assets/news/2010/05/17/concern.pdf
I simply refuse to fly anymore. I haven't flown since 911 (except in a friend and business partner's King Air). I can drive anywhere in North America and make a nice trip out of it. I've seen all of Europe I need to, and there is nowhere else in the world I have any interest in going, except possibly Australia. Maybe I can cruise there. The entire world of air travel is nuts. Nobody is paying attention. The government would screw up a two car fumeral, anyway.
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