Airport Screeners could see X-rated X-rays

AdamBomb writes "Think airport security is bad enough already? Well, the Department of Homeland Security is now planning on rolling out new machines that will allow screeners to actually see through clothing. Could be bad news, though privacy advocates are obviously fighting it."

Comments

So this is not child pornography?

[IsThisWorking]

Pedophiles everywhere must be excited about this.

Work for the government, get paid, and get to watch naked kids all day long...

There is relly no need to encrypt your files, after all.

I'm just waiting to see how long it will be before someone start posting those pictures.

Re:Hardly X-Rated. Maybe R-Rated...

[Eivind]

The question at hand, is how to deal with the problem of armed criminals on an airplane.

No it isn't. There are two problems, but this is not one of them:

First, it's a problem (from the airliners point of view) that people where afraid of flying after 11/9. To combat this, you need to do something that is visible, and that gives the appearance that something is being done. Notice that if the measures actually improve security or not is uninmportant, what matters for this problem is only that people feel safer, not that they are safer.

Most of the stuff we've seen after 11/9 fall in this category, fueled by forces that'd like to see more surveillance and broader police-powers generally, and latch onto this as a suitable excuse.

Then there's the problem of ensuring that flying is safe. Generally it already is pretty safe, but it's always a good thing to improve safety if it can be done at an acceptable cost. (not cost only in sense of money, but in sense of money, inconvenience, etc)

Dealing with "armed criminals on an airplane" is a tiny part of that problem. You may be rigth that having 20 other armed people on the (extremely rare) plane that gets problems with an "armed criminal" may help in that spesific case. But very likely it would hurt more than it helps. Because you get a new class of problems: People who wouldn't otherwise be armed, but which now are because it's allowed.

It happens *often* that some passenger drinks too much / had the wife leave him the day before / starts to argue because his seat isn't the one he'd wished for / looses his temper for some other reason. It's not particularily uncommon that such passengers must be restrained.

If a large part of the passengers are armed, what is today a bit of loud yelling followed by a pair of handcuffs for the rest of the fligth may easily turn into a gunfight. I consider it likely this would happen dozens of times before you experience the first case where all the guns in the plane actually *benefit* security.

A.G. Russell sells them

[Guru2Newbie]

A.G. Russell sells them. Years ago, you could get the "regular" fiber ones, but in past years, the CIA or some such agency encouraged the manufacturer to add a few metallic fibers--just enough to set off a metal detector. They mentioned this in their catalogs a few years back; the note was removed in later issues.

Here's a quote from their site:
"Due to new federal regulations, it is a felony offense to carry the CIA Letter Opener into an airport.

After about five years, we have revived the CIA Letter Opener. Designed in the mid-1970's, it was based on the A. G. Russell(TM) all steel Sting 1A and has been one of our most popular items of all time. This is the world's toughest letter opener. Made of fiberglass reinforced nylon, it weighs less than one ounce, but with the reinforcing ridges and blood groove to stiffen the blade, it can literally be hammered through a board. The uses are limited only by your imagination; self-defense to tent stakes. Measures 6-1/2" and weighs only 0.8 oz. Made in the U. S. A."

Re:Yes, it is called PARANOIA

[JhohannaVH]

Ya know what... I live in San Diego, a border city, and I used to live within sight of the border. And let me tell you, I was a whole lot more terrified of the illegals sneaking across the border (attacks on Border Patrol Agents are up 150% over last year) with their drugs and guns.

I live where illegal smuggling causes car accident deaths of innocents every week. Where they live in migrant tent tracts and rape and force women and children to prostitute. And this is why, I carry a gun. I'm a gorgeous redhead with a great body.... I can so get kidnapped and disposed of very quickly. Do me a favor... Google crime in San Diego County. Read any of the local news rags... SignonSanDiego.com is pretty good. Most of the violent crime is committed by crankheads or Mexican Illegals whacked out on meth - the major cheap street drug in TJ).

All of that being said.... I go to Mexico about once a month. I drive my American Car with California plates, and I hang out with my American friends. I *love* my time in Mexico. I go down along Baja, and I have a great time... that was until the Police Chief of Rosarito (where we go) was murdered in cold blood in front of his house... over 100 bullet holes were found in him. I'm sorry, sir, but that's just not safe. I have a great time in Mexico, but does it mean that I am not afraid for my life? NO!!!! That's why I have 2 huge guys on either side of me constantly. Oh, and they are CONSTANTLY screwing over Americans in terms of money. Do yourself a favor, change your money in San Ysidro before you go over!!!! They will buttrape you for $$s to pesos.

I did get pulled over by Federales when I was driving home one midnight. I was scared to death, because they really love to throw Americans in Mexican jails for doing nothing wrong. But the officer was very sweet, and I tried my best to speak what very little spanish I know, and he had me follow him to the highway. He asked me - Do you have any drugs... any guns? Of course not!!!! Like I would say yes if I did. :P

So ya know, there are whole parts of this country for thousands of square miles that are really safe, and perfectly fine to walk around nude in the middle of the street and not have anyone attack you... you might get a laugh or even a ticket, but you won't get abducted, raped and killed. And it's those places, where the 2nd amendment is respected, embraced, and everyone knows old boy might be packing. That's my freedom, my right, and damnit, I WILL PROTECT MYSELF! :D